The Author's POV

*Sigh*

Sighing out loud, I couldn't help but glance at the Matriarch, no, Angelica from the side.

It's been a bit of a rough week for me.

...Under the influence of Monarch's indifference, it seems like I 'enslaved' her and forcefully brought her here.

Fortunately, I wasn't in any danger as any time she would try to attack me all I had to do was channel the mana inside of my body, towards where the demon core I swallowed was located, and she would be subjected to immeasurable pain stopping her from whatever she wanted to do.

Like this, Angelica was pretty much under my control.

...However, even if she was under my control that didn't mean she would do anything I asked of her.

After all, although I could dictate her life and death with a simple thought, that was of no use for me.

How could I use a pawn that refused to move?

Such pawn wasn't something that I needed nor wanted...

There was no point in me keeping her if she refused to listen to my orders...I didn't need such liability to stick with me...especially not when considering how dangerous of a person she was.

"Huuu..."

Leaning back on my chair as I exhaled, I started thinking of a way to fix this problem.

Although I hate to say it...taking her in was in fact the right decision. Considering her strength, she was probably the strongest person among us in the mercenary group...and by quite a large margin at that.

Moreover, she could still grow stronger...especially since I knew of a couple of things that could benefit her growth.

Glancing at the Matriach who was coldly sitting not so far from where I was, massaging my chin, my mind raced.

Since I already swallowed her core she was definitely somewhat under my control...the problem was how do I get her to willingly follow my orders without betraying me?

Although the demons seemed united, in reality, they weren't. If not for the demon king keeping them in check with his overwhelming power, all hell would've broken loose among their ranks...and I could use this fact to my advantage

...the fact that her loyalty towards their own race wasn't very strong.

Thinking thus far, I glanced towards Smallsnake and Leopold who were both looking at me. Thereafter, nodding slightly towards them, I said

"Smallsnake, Leopold, can you guys give us a minute?"

Staring at me for a couple of seconds, Smallsnake's head alternated between me and Angelica a couple of times before he eventually nodded his head.

"Alright..."

Standing up from his seat, and tossing the cigarette in his hand towards the trash can, Leopold lightly waved his hand as he followed Smallsnake out of the room.

"Take your time, boss"

-Clank

Shortly after they left, as the doors to the room closed, silence enveloped the room. Breaking the silence, I looked at the Matriarch and lightly said

"...so, still not speaking"

Crossing my legs, I stared at the Matriarch who was quietly sitting in her chair. Ever since I brought her here she didn't speak a single word. She neither complained nor lashed out.

telling me that she won't do anything I ask

my face. Staring at Angelica who was coldly looking back at me,

want your

"..."

Frowning Angelica didn't respond.

she would believe anything that came from my mouth. In her head, I was a vile worm that

something that she didn't want to do...fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on

at me from her seat, Angelica tried her best to

her unresponsiveness, I once again

you want your

"..."

I lazily leaned on my chair I continued

actually that hard of a task for me...it's just that it really wouldn't be profitable

Angelica straight in her eyes, I smiled

were to return you the core,

a couple of seconds, after a short pause she

"...what do you want"

I couldn't help but lightly chuckle

you can speak. Mh, doesn't this situation seem a bit ironic? I remember

off, Angelica's cold voice echoed across the

"Get to the point!"

slightly, I sat up straight. Staring at the

to what I have to say...I will offer you a

for a second, my demenour turned serious as I coldly looked at her as a white hue started emanating from

because I'm keeping you alive means that I won't kill you in the future...after all, what use does a chess piece that doesn't function have for me? Me

after a while, I smiled and my usual lazy and cheerful demenour came back. Clapping my hand I lightly

has been said...tell me. What are you

as soon as I finished

"...Money, Information, Wome-"

stopped her

was lying when I said that. I already

me, Angelica's ears perked

"...what do you want?"

I pointed towards

"You"

Angelica stood up and glared at

"You filthy bastard!"

calm down, I was

If not for the fact that a white hue was revolving around my body she would've already

at me,

if you say one more joke like that, even if I die,

my left hand,

"Five"

raised her brow as she tilted her head to the side

"Five what?"

I looked towards

years. I want you to work for me for

the past week, I spent a lot

long I

the next five years, she will work for me as a member of

course, that wasn't the true end goal. The hope was that in those five years that she stayed with us she would

if in those five years she eventually left, she wouldn't be

her core having been taken from her once, getting her old position back was no longer