Kingdom of the Cursed

“‘The devil may be nasty, but he doesn’t perform tricks.’ His smile was temptation incarnate. ‘He bargains.’”

In this early confrontation between the First Witch and the king, the narrative establishes a critical distinction that governs the logic of the demonic realm in the book. The king’s dialogue differentiates demonic power, rooted in contracts and agreements (“bargains”), from witchcraft, which he dismisses as deceptive illusions (“tricks”). This statement serves as dramatic irony and foreshadowing, as the king, later revealed to be Wrath, will use carefully worded bargains and lies of omission to manipulate Emilia, adhering to this principle in a way she does not yet understand. This irony will come to its fruition when Emilia’s “tricks” will be revealed as more powerful than Wrath’s bargains.

“Be cautious when making blood bargains with a prince of Hell. And under no circumstances should you ever make one involving the devil. What’s his is his. Only a fool would fight or challenge him.”

Wrath gives this warning to Emilia moments after she has sworn a blood oath to the devil, creating a moment of potent dramatic irony. By cautioning her against an act he facilitated, Wrath demonstrates his manipulative nature while technically not lying, a key component of the theme The Search for Truth in a World of Deceptions. His words characterize the devil as an absolute, possessive power,