Returned from Another World, Earth Turned Out to Be Quite the Fantasy Too. Also, Losing Heroines, Stop Looking This Way. - V2 Chapter 39

Chapter 39: “Mammon, mammon, isn’t it?”

In a certain region of Japan, there was a small, standalone house. 

A man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties was relaxing on the living room sofa.

Dressed casually in slacks and a shirt, he was adorned with an excessive amount of gold decorations on his arms, neck, and legs.

His gray hair stretched down to his shoulders, exuding a sense of sloppiness that was not unpleasant.

“…Finally here, huh. Sorry to have you come all the way here. You must be tired. Feel free to eat and drink whatever’s on the table. Mammon, mammon.”

“No, Mammon-san, I’m the one who should apologize for being late. Mammon, mammon.”

The man was Mammon, a high-ranking demon and the embodiment of greed among the seven deadly sins. The person who greeted Mammon cheerfully was the young man who had attacked Alphonse.

“I gave you a troublesome role. Alphonse Michael is, to put it mildly, an annoyance, and I wanted him out of the way. He might be considered weak as Michael, but as an angel, he’s strong. That you defeated Alphonse speaks volumes about your abilities.”

“He was strong. It might have been the first time I had to use about seventy percent of my power.”

“Ha, for a human not to use his full strength and still send an angel flying is quite something, mammon, mammon.”

Mammon looked at the young man. 

Seeing that he wasn’t hurt, Mammon nodded in approval.

The young man was what you’d call a psychic. 

Normally, it would be impossible for a human to defeat an angel, but he did.

It wasn’t anything extraordinary; he was just a really strong human.

“By the way, Mammon-san, where did the intermediary go? I was supposed to receive money from him.”

“Oh, I took care of him.”

“…Ah, does this mean he was killed because he was no longer needed?”

“Mammon, mammon. You think I’d do such a thing? Too troublesome. I’m greedy, yes, but I hate bothersome matters. However, because I’m both greedy and a villain, I despise petty criminals who act like they’re something big.”

The link between Mammon and the young man was a self-proclaimed intermediary, a “rogue psychic.”

He usually made money by introducing psychics to humans and having them do under-the-table work. 

That in itself wasn’t an issue. 

However, Mammon disliked how he exploited the strong for his gain while being a weakling himself and skimmed money off the top. After demanding an additional fee from Mammon for directly dealing with the young man in the future, he made him regret his greed before killing him.

“You’re strong but lack common sense. Working hard for the sake of children or comrades, yet being exploited due to your naivety, leaving you hungry. That’s not how the strong should live.”

“Um…”

Mammon gave a crooked smile to the confused young man.

This young man, maybe he’s just too nice or doesn’t know any better, works not for cash but for stuff. 

He fights for food, even rice.

The intermediary has been living it up with the money earned from the young man’s fights, giving him whatever food he picks up randomly.

“It’s bad to be exploited, but showing greed in front of me led to his demise.”

“…So, where should I receive my salary from now on?”

“I’ll handle it. Here, buy whatever you want with this.”

Mammon placed a bundle of bills on the living room table.

“Money, huh?”

“…I’ve never seen someone disappointed to receive money before. Mammon, mammon. However, I’m greedy but also cautious. Take a look at the kitchen.”

“…There’s some delicious-looking food.”

“Glossy white rice, a pot-au-feu simmered slowly, meat that hasn’t been cooked yet but is irresistible for someone growing, and I haven’t forgotten about dessert either. I’ll give all of this to you.”

“Really!?”

“Food over money, huh? Given your circumstances, the food right in front of you probably seems more valuable.”

“That’s right. If I don’t eat, I’ll die.”

The young man’s circumstances were something Mammon had learned about before killing the intermediary. 

Born into a normal family, his extraordinary psychic abilities attracted unwanted entities.

It’s a common story. About ninety percent end up being protected by psychic-related organizations, but in the young man’s case, his parents were scum. 

They abandoned him as if he were an object to be disposed of. Struggling with hunger, he resorted to theft, learned to use his powers, and wandered from place to place. 

Along the way, he found other children in similar situations and took them in as family, supporting each other to survive. 

That’s when he met the intermediary and was forced into the underworld of work. 

Now, he lives in a run-down house with a dozen children, relying on each other. 

While naive and kind-hearted, his strength alone is exceptional, making him an ideal target for exploitation.

“Mammon, mammon. Feel free to use any food or clothing in this house. It’s a modest gift from me.”

“Ah, thank you so much! Wow, I’m so happy. I can feed the kids until they’re full. Oh, but if the intermediary is gone, what will we do for work now?”

“I’ll employ you for a while. I’m picking a fight with angels and demons, but I’m short on pawns. Rather, I’m troubled by the number of useless ones. Compared to them, you’re excellent.”

“That’s great. Thank you, mammon, mammon.”

“Right, mammon, mammon. I’ve taken a liking to you. I want your strength. How about it, instead of being hired, become one of my subordinates? If you swear loyalty to me, I promise a good life for you and the kids you’re protecting. Food, clothing, shelter, I’ll even send them to school, and when they’re older, they can marry and have families.”

Mammon’s offer was indeed a devil’s temptation. However, the young man shook his head.

“I’m grateful for the offer, but we’ve made our decision.”

“Oh?”

“We live as humans and we’ll die as humans. Even if we work for demons, we won’t side with them. Angels and gods aren’t our family either.”

“Mammon, mammon! I like your spirit. A contract will suffice. I am the proud Mammon. I shall honor our agreement. If you work for me, I will reward you equally. Use me to live as a human and die as a human.”

Mammon extended his hand towards the young man. After a brief pause, the young man took Mammon’s hand.

“Please take care of me, mammon, mammon.”

“Ah, likewise. Mammon, mammon. Oh, that’s right. I’m greedy but a bit forgetful sometimes. Before killing the intermediary, I forgot to ask something important. Tell me your name.”

While shaking hands, Mammon asked for his name, and the young man smiled.

“I am—Ren Kobayashi.”

〜〜Afterword〜〜

Ren Kobayashi officially joins the fray. 

He’s set to have his mammon, mammon moments with Mammon. 

The intermediary, who ended up being killed, did plenty of bad things, including a past where he picked up psychic children and sold them. He was scum that deserved to die.

Next time, the third childhood friend appears!