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 confidently

have a little over three years

face each other, Douglas stroked his beard

can take this

proceeded to hand me

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's hands, I

after was a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by Douglas, who's

can tell that

head, Douglas looked at

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

"I was lucky."

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

downgraded to that of

Douglas and Waylan found out that Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a

enough of your time.

Angelica, Douglas

she still turn

I nodded my head.

still be able

"I see."

tea re-heated instantly at Douglas's

should do so for now. Her concealment is excellent. However, it's

Angelica's body suddenly stopped,

small sip

because of these subtle traces that I realized that she was a demon. This little protection I added should

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 on the enemies rather than

the teacup down and

all too rare. If you had explained it to the dwarves before

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

his chair,

together with the dwarves. So it's not that strange. What's

face me, Waylan

to hide a demon in your finger. That's

"...Right."

it, what Waylan was

with me.

I failed to take

his legs, Waylan once again

the cat is out of the bag, are

staring in his direction, I shook

like it if her presence still

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

chair, I tapped

"Why?"

glancing at Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I

can use her

***

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

there, much to my surprise, I was met with looks of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their heads in my direction

I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It

quite pleased with the

were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant that my efforts

road as before, I walked towards the utility center's

Ci Clank—!

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

me, he greeted me with a

How was

"...Not bad."

I noticed was the unpleased look

probably saw

I decided to come

whole time with the sword

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's tongue clicking

his back, he silently walked back to his

my chance at getting a sword forged from

to myself as I stared at

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

someone that refused to listen to his instruction,

was the point in having a sword if I wasn't alive to hold

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

have

be ye

"Huh?"