The summoning circle (pentagram) I had drawn with my blood emitted a white glow. The light meaninglessly swept away the surrounding darkness, and after dazzling my eyes, it vanished.

Along with it, the summoning circle was also lost, and in the place where the ring had been, a human figure was lying.

"Nnngh! ... Ahh, ahh, A-B-C-D."

I did some vocal exercises so that I could speak to the human figure without issue when it started to move. I find it incredibly unpleasant to have my words questioned or asked to be repeated.

Especially among humans and the Souma-zoku (Azure Demon Tribe), there are many with poor hearing, and I was often asked to repeat myself, which irritated me... How nostalgic.

Partly because the humans I met were all cowardly, timid, and dull, I have a memory of accidentally killing an envoy from somewhere with a rather strong spell.

As for the Souma-zoku... I thought we were on good terms in the past, as they assisted me and I received many beautiful crafts from them. I believe I even had them craft a new mask for me once. However, after a major rebellion was staged by a Souma tribe I had favored, I stopped keeping them as my direct subordinates. Though part of the reason was that I never liked their deep, thick voices that sounded like the trembling of the earth.

It's nostalgic to think back on it, but the memories that surface are not particularly pleasant ones.

A human, a woman, is it...

Has the sun set? The surroundings are growing dark. The lying figure still doesn't move.

I became a little worried. Perhaps the summoning failed, and only the physical body made it to this world. If the summoning was a failure, there's a risk that the quality or quantity of my magic power has declined. If that's the case, it might be a bit troublesome in the future.

If it was a failure, I must investigate the cause in detail.

Well then, should I make the effort to get closer? Or should I move my blood again and have it touch her?

Just as I was pondering this, the figure moved slightly.

"Ngh..."

Did she just turn over in her sleep?

That voice sounded remarkably beautiful. For some reason, I felt the urge to speak to her in my own voice. By the time I thought that, the words were already leaving my mouth.

"Aren't you going to wake up? This is probably another world, you know?"

...What an unremarkable voice I have.

It's no wonder the figure didn't react. For some reason, I was convinced of this. And yet, I felt a little dissatisfied.

I want to hear that beautiful voice from before one more time.

I stood up and realized I was trying to get closer to the figure. For some reason, I instinctively understood that this was the natural thing to do. At the very least, I was definitely enjoying myself.

I try touching the figure. Without a hint of hesitation, I entrust myself to my heart's desire.

It's soft. And this softness is incredibly pleasant. It's not just soft; for some reason, it's also warm.

Were other people always this warm?

"Nghh..."

Again, I heard that beautiful voice. A high, clear voice, like a certain kind of metal being lightly struck together. And then the figure turned towards me, revealing her face.

A womanly face, a face that, for some reason, I found terribly endearing.

Memories of looking at another's face and finding it endearing... No, I don't recall ever having a strong impression of anyone's face, for better or for worse.

Perhaps my mind is still unstable. Or maybe I've acquired a different set of sensibilities than I had before.

Putting that aside, I realized I felt as if a very fresh, bright wind was blowing.

She doesn't wake up. I wanted to keep watching her just like this.

While the calm part of me understood this was neither the time nor the place, the much larger part that wasn't calm decided that this was the best course of action for me, and it dictated my behavior.

Time flowed gently.

However, that was shattered by an intruder.

"Over here, Dad."

A child's voice leaks out from a hole in the side of the wall. I don't find it particularly beautiful or endearing.

"What were you doing in ruins like these? I really don't understand children."

"One of the demonfolk? They had that kind of build, but I couldn't really tell with the clothes and mask."

What a pain. Well, I suppose it can't be helped.

"I came in through here, with Miina-chan."

"Something like an expedition, then?"

What appeared to be a parent and child of the Suima-zoku (Jade Demon Tribe) entered the room.

"What business do you have with me?"

"Hyaa!?"

"I-I am Hering, a resident of this village. And you are?"

As I thought, I don't find them beautiful or endearing in the slightest.

They aren't warm. And they're boring.

"You lowly cur, is there any need for me to answer?"

"What?"

The man sensed the hostile atmosphere and had his child step back.

His spirit isn't bad, but I don't sense any particularly outstanding power from him. Just an unarmed villager who doesn't seem to have undergone sufficient magical training.

Boring, so boring...

"Sigh..."

I let out a sigh.

Well, this is a good opportunity. I exhaled, inserted a finger into my slightly open mouth, and bit down. My finger hurt a little, and blood dripped down.

I command the blood on my fingertip. 'Constrict the two before me, but not enough to kill.'

"Ngh...? Gwaah!"

"Wha-what is this... Gweh!"

The blood that sluggishly left my fingertip moved nimbly. One part of it ensnared the parent and child's hands, while another part wrapped around their necks and squeezed.

"Is it painful?"

"Guh, at... least... let my daughter go..."

"Da...ddy, it hurts..."

Perfect control of the pressure. I adjusted the pressure slightly differently for the parent and child, constricting them with just enough force that they couldn't resist, but could still speak.

Even though they're close, if I can handle blood magic—which I haven't used for a while—with this precision, there probably aren't any major issues with my magic power... Ah, did I bite through my glove along with my finger? I wonder if I have a spare in the bedroom.

"If you don't cause a scene here and don't speak of me to anyone, I'll let you both go. Go home quietly for today."

I don't want to cause a needless disturbance here. Nor do I want to leave any ugly corpses here.

Of course, this wasn't out of consideration for them.

"I-I understand!! I get it, so please, my daughter!?"

I add a little more blood and command the bindings to loosen. Then, after confirming the two wouldn't make a fuss, I completely release the blood magic.

Without soiling the room, the parent and child fled.

I'm glad it didn't turn into a big commotion. I hope I didn't wake her up.

That was my only concern.