The Author's POV

"So you're saying that you defeated her and in doing so convinced her to sign a mana contract with you?"

Douglas's clear voice echoed throughout the room.

"That's correct."

I replied with a nod.

Since the cat was out of the bag, I came clean about Angelica.

I told Douglas and Waylan everything that had happened between Angelica and me, from how I defeated her to how I made her sign a mana contract with me and how we came to the current working relationship.

I, of course, altered a few of the details about the story. After all, I couldn't just tell him that I defeated her through the use of the red book.

All I told him was that Angelica was heavily injured before fighting me, and that was how I was able to defeat her.

"…I see."

Stroking his beard, Douglas looked at Waylan, who looked back at him.

"Do you have a copy of the mana contract with you?"

Waylan asked from the side.

"I do."

"Can you let us see it?"

Turning to face Angelica and seeing her nod her head, I nodded back.

"No problem."

Tapping on my bracelet, an old-looking scroll materialized in my hand.

Unraveling the scroll, I took a brief look at it.

「Mana contract」

[Term 1]

Party A and Party B are prohibited from harming each other, regardless of means. If either party has any intention of harming the other party, the contract breached will suffer the consequences.

[Term 2]

If Party A is in danger, and Party B has the power to help, he/she must provide support to other party.

[Term 3]

The contract between the two parties will dissolve in five years. After five years, the two parties will no longer be bound by the terms of the contract.

[Term 4]

Parties are prohibited from harming each other's self-interest.

[Term 5]

.

.

.

"Here you go."

After taking a good look at it, I proceeded to hand it to them.

"Thank you."

Taking the contract, Waylan and Douglas unscrolled it and took a good look at it.

The silence that ensued after that felt almost suffocating.

But I remained calm.

I had gone through too much shit to get fazed from something like this. At the end of the day, given Douglas's personality, there shouldn't be any worries.

...I hope.

"How long do you have left in the contract?"

Douglas suddenly asked.

"How long?"

Frowning, I mused.

'If we're talking about time, counting the eight months I spent at the Monolith, the four months I used to get here to Henolur, and the additional four months that I spent with her before the Monolith incident, it should be about...'

head, I

still have a little

face each other, Douglas stroked his beard

you can take this

scroll, he proceeded to hand

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I put it

was a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by Douglas, who's face returned to its

look at the contract, I can tell that what you

looked at

managed to get a count

"I was lucky."

Angelica was not even a Baron ranked demon was when she tried to

from Elijah's death, her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and I were able to

out that Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a

it seems like we've taken enough of your time. You can go rest

Angelica, Douglas

she still turn back into a

I nodded my head.

still be able

"I see."

instantly at Douglas's touch. Steam slowly diffused in

do so for now. Her

his hand, the demonic energy that leaked out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped, and a small transparent film enveloped

small sip of the

demon. This little protection I added should be able to hide her presence even better. Don't worry too much, though. Only ranked individuals can

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

wait. Elves can probably also see. The only reason you hadn't been caught till now was

the teacup down

races aren't all too rare. If you had explained it to the dwarves before

"You have a point."

spoke up from

his

together with the dwarves. So it's

face me, Waylan pointed

to hide a demon in

"...Right."

about it, what

the fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've

that I

his legs, Waylan once again

bag, are you planning on telling the others about Angelica's

and staring in

like it if

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I tapped on

"Why?"

Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I

her presence to

***

made my way towards the utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that I had harvested during

it dwarves, elves, or even orcs,

thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't

I was quite pleased with

of acknowledgment. It meant that

before, I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

as I entered the building, I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of the reception, wiping his sweaty forehead with the large apron in his

me, he greeted me with a somewhat cold

How was

"...Not bad."

thing I noticed was the

saw it,

I decided

fight the whole time with the sword you gave

"Tsk."

Malvil's

his hands behind his back, he

goes my chance at getting

myself as

expected this outcome. I did, after all, refuse to listen

refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end

in having a sword if I wasn't alive

didn't mean I was sad about this development, but it's not like I could force him to

guess I'll just have

ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"