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 over three years of contract

stroked his beard and once again looked through the

you can take this

proceeded to

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I put

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

the contract, I can tell

Douglas looked

that you managed to get a count ranked demon to ally with

"I was lucky."

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

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

Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a

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

Angelica, Douglas

still turn

I nodded my head.

should still be able

"I see."

instantly at Douglas's touch. Steam slowly diffused in

should do so for now. Her concealment is excellent.

out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped,

a small sip of the

subtle traces that I realized that she was a demon. This little protection I added should be able to hide her presence even better. Don't worry too

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the teacup

think about it, cases in which demons have worked with other races aren't all too rare. If you

"You have a point."

spoke up from

back on his chair,

couple of demons working together with the dwarves. So it's not that strange.

face me, Waylan pointed at my

demon in your

"...Right."

I thought about it, what Waylan was saying

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

was a factor that I failed

his legs, Waylan once again spoke

that the cat is out of the bag, are you planning on telling the others about Angelica's

in his direction, I shook

I would like it if her presence still remains

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

on my chair, I tapped

"Why?"

corner of

her presence

***

utility center. I

of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their heads in my direction

thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the others

quite

their looks were a sign of acknowledgment. It

same road as before, I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

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

me, he greeted me with

human. How was

"...Not bad."

the first thing I noticed was the unpleased

probably saw it,

I decided

didn't fight the whole time with

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's tongue clicking

around with his hands behind his back, he silently walked back

goes my chance at getting a

helplessly muttered to myself as I

my sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after all, refuse to listen

in his shoes, I, too, wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction,

having a sword if I wasn't alive to hold

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

have

ye

"Huh?"