Celica, who - while not part of the meeting with demon lord - had been shamelessly eavesdropping it, and is now puffing her cheeks and very obviously ignoring me. I guess her envy is getting stronger. Sniff. I think I can smell it. Or maybe it's just those volcanic fumes.

I don't know what changes with me being responsible for more important summons. Does that mean just more important than 'a horny mage in crummy town', or the actually important ones? Why no-one bothered to explain? I guess I'll see sooner or later. There might be various things to do here in hell, but it seems I've been profiled as one to go on expeditions via summons. Which suits me, since this place is boring as hell.

Since there's nothing much to do, I entertained myself by prodding Celica (to make sure she's still sulking), and taking a look at the local sights. After 17th near identical stream of lava I noticed telltale signs of a summon. Just how did Celica manage to not get into any for seven years?

As I enter, Celica suddenly jumps in too. Congratulations Celica, you finally have your summon, but I sure hope that won't break anything and throw us into wrong world. As the summoning safely transports us to a circle drawn inside a torchlit room, I can conclude there was nothing stopping us from doing this as a duo. The room is of higher level of construction technology than any buildings in the Druidy McShantytown. However, the more noteworthy thing is that our summoners, of whom there are six, all share disdainful looks and pointed ears. Elves it is then.

Their clothing styles have no counterpart known to me in my world. Maybe this is what a nation of mixed Aztec-Chinese heritage would wear during their equivalent of 1700s, mixed with some deep grudge towards straight lines? Anyway, it seems this is no wizardly booty call... probably. I absolutely refuse if it is.

"Demon, we have summoned your ilk here to answer questions of ours."

"(Why are there two of them? This isn't what we agreed on.)"

"(Our spell can summon more than one at the time only if they are weaker ones, so there's no need to be scared.)"

"(I'm not scared! Just concerned.)"

Who are you calling weak? They whisper oblivious to the fact I can hear them. Evidently few people know that demons have supernatural sense of hearing. They are silenced when Celica puffs her chest and speaks up.

"Foolish mortals~! Have you forgotten the demon has her due~? Tehe~!"

No, don't add any 'tehe', who's going to take you seriously now?

"Naturally. We are prepared to commit cruel acts upon lesser races as the payment."

Wopitituu, racist elves. And just who are the lesser races? Everyone but you? Or are they talking about goblins or other critters? In any case, I don't like these elves much. I think I'll change this agreement just to piss them off. Pray I don't alter it any further.

"That seems~ good fitting~. Let's--"

"No. Let's have something you actually value as the price."

"What!?"

I shut up Celica, who was going to accept it, and unbalance them a bit. Now, let's begin roasting some elves.

"(She seems like more intelligent than the other one. She'll have better information.)"

Poor Celica. I've been at this for one day and already you've been bypassed. But don't worry, I'll remember your part as a stepping stone to my greatness.

"(But is it worth it?)"

"(The other one may not agree to the predetermined terms anymore, so we have no choice.)"

"Then... What do you want, demon?"

"You there, the one who has been scowling at me since the beginning..."

I point at one of the two elven women, which makes her face scowls even more.

"...strip and hop around like a rabbit."

"WHAT? I NEVER--"

"Never? Alright. No knowledge for you then."

"Silvana, do it."

"But..."

She grumbles and starts slowly stripping. You know, I meant for you to do that after the deal is sealed, but whatever. Since you're so eager, go ahead. These elves clearly don't have much experience in making deals with demons. Does the fact they risked a summon anyway mean they are growing desperate about some matter, or are they just that complacent?

The negotiation continues with naked elf hopping around the summoning circle. She even holds her hands up making them look like rabbit's ears. Such dedication. I lay down my demands.

"I want a high quality magic item as well."

"Haaah?"

"Preferably in form of jewelry."

"That's... We don't have any prepared!"

"Is the one you're wearing magical?"

"Yes but-- It's family heirloom! Thousands of years of Alavana history are contained within--"

"I'll take it."

"Demon, is this your last demand?"

"Umm... Celica, want anything?"

"Sex~!"

Celica, you--

"Fine. I volunteer to pay the price."

Just, what? Oh, that little shit of an elf. You're practically jumping at the chance! Others target him with scornful gazes too, especially the bunny hopper. Fine, whatever. Have your fun then.

"... So the family heirloom and fornication with Celica, and we'll answer... three questions with all our knowledge."

Better have a limit. They don't seem too savvy, but you can't be too careful.

"Wait, what about me?!"

The bunny hopper clearly feels left out.

"You are not needed anymore. You may stop."

The face she makes is worth framing and hanging above fireplace. This was a good hunt my dear rabbit, worth reminiscing during the long winter days.

After that they take care of Celica's demand. It's sort of awkward when six people in room with quite limited size try not to pay attention to succubus and elf wrestling on the center of room, loudly. Especially for me, since they didn't let me leave the circle. Then I got my new ring, which apparently makes one masterful with swordstaff. Yes, swordstaff. Only that one rare gimmick of a weapon type. And about the questions...

"First question. What are the recent movements of Dwarven Alliance in Shadewood region?"

"....... Dwarves exist?"

"Celica~ thinks they went into forest or something~."

Their inexperience with demon dealing is painfully obvious now. I told them I'd answer, not that I'd actually know anything about it. Celica isn't much better either. Same goes with the remaining questions. I can say the elves were not happy campers, not at all. Except one of them, maybe.

"(I should have done it with the other one instead...)"

Ah. Poor Celica.

***

After the elven summoning, Celica is sulking even harder than before. What are you whining? You got what you wanted. It turned out to not be so great, but that's why you need to be careful what you wish for~, tehe~. I take this chance to reload after spending my mental energy on all these interactions.

My career as lust demon has been remarkable success, even if there was not much of the actual lust part in it. I believe part of this is due to my moderately high sloth, which might make people I interact forget their purpose, making them easy prey for the passive charm ability. Celica had said it was useless for a succubus, but I guess I just want different kinds of things, and those happen to be compatible with that trait of mine.

Maybe I was supposed to be a sloth demon, and becoming a succubus instead was some kind of mistake? Or is that just my excuse for not acting like a real succubus? Well, I'll just do whatever I want, one can't go too wrong that way.