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, I

a little over three years

their heads to face each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once

can take this

to hand me

"Thank you."

Douglas's

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

can tell that what you were saying was

head, Douglas looked at Angelica with

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

"I was lucky."

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

injuries she sustained from Elijah's death, her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin

Douglas and Waylan found out that Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a mere two years, they'd start

taken enough of your time. You can go rest

at Angelica, Douglas

still turn back into a

I nodded my head.

still be

"I see."

the teacup, the tepid tea re-heated instantly at Douglas's touch. Steam

so for now. Her concealment

that leaked out of Angelica's

took a small sip

demonic 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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the teacup down and

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

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

his chair, he

working together with the dwarves. So it's

me, Waylan pointed at my

hide a demon in your finger. That's

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan was

have hidden the fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything

factor that I

Waylan once again

bag, are you planning on telling the others about

and staring in his direction,

I would like it if her presence

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

on my chair, I tapped

"Why?"

corner of my eyes, I

can use her

***

the utility center. I needed

surprise, I was met with looks of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or even orcs,

surprising, but now that I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It

then, I was quite

were a sign of acknowledgment. It

I walked towards the utility center's

Ci Clank—!

was currently leaning by

me, he greeted me with a somewhat cold

here, human. How was

"...Not bad."

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

probably saw it, didn't

decided to come

fight the whole time with the sword you gave

"Tsk."

Malvil's tongue

his back, he silently walked back to his

my chance at getting a sword forged

as I stared at Malvil's disappearing

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

his shoes, I, too, wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day, I did not

a sword if

mean I was sad about this development, but it's not like I could force him to make a sword

have to find

be ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"