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...'

my head,

little over three

face each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once

you can take

he proceeded to hand

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I put it

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

at the contract, I can tell that what you were saying was

Douglas looked at

that you managed to get a count

"I was lucky."

Baron ranked demon was when

death, her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and

had gone from Baron to Count in a

we've taken enough of your time. You

Angelica, Douglas

still turn back into a

I nodded my head.

still be

"I see."

tepid tea re-heated instantly at Douglas's touch. Steam slowly diffused in the

for now. Her concealment is excellent. However,

energy that leaked out of Angelica's

small

energy from time to time. It was because of these subtle traces that I realized that she was a demon. This little protection I added should be able to

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

till now was probably because they were

put the

with other races aren't all too rare. If you had explained it to the dwarves before coming here, she probably

"You have a point."

up from the

back on his chair,

the dwarves. So it's not that strange.

face me, Waylan

to hide a demon in your finger.

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan was saying

with me. Everything would've been

that I failed to take

legs, Waylan

bag, are you planning on telling the others

in his direction, I

like it if her presence still remains

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

chair, I

"Why?"

from the corner of my eyes, I

her presence to our

***

Waylan and Douglas, I made my way towards the utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that I had harvested

elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their heads in my

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

quite pleased with

all, their looks were a sign of acknowledgment.

as before, I walked

Ci Clank—!

by the side of the reception, wiping his sweaty forehead with the large apron in

me with a

How was yer

"...Not bad."

at Malvil, the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look

probably saw it, didn't

sighing, I decided

I didn't fight the whole time with the sword you gave

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue clicking

with his hands behind his back, he

my chance at getting a sword forged from

muttered to myself as

took out my sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after

sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day,

a sword if

course, that didn't mean I was sad about this development, but it's not

guess I'll just have

be ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"