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

stroked

you can

he proceeded to hand me

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I put it

soon broken by Douglas, who's face returned to its usual

I can tell that

Douglas looked at Angelica

managed to get a count ranked demon to

"I was lucky."

demon was when she tried

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

found out that Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a mere two years,

seems like we've taken enough of

at Angelica,

still turn back into a

I nodded my head.

still be able

"I see."

instantly at Douglas's touch.

you should do so for now. Her concealment is excellent. However, it's not

that leaked out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped, and a small transparent film enveloped

took a small

subtle, she does leak 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 to hide her presence even better. Don't worry too

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

only reason you hadn't been caught till now was probably because they were too focused on the enemies rather than

put the teacup down and

all too rare. If you had explained

"You have a point."

spoke up

his chair,

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

me, Waylan pointed at

a demon in your

"...Right."

I thought about it,

had Angelica with me. Everything would've

a factor that I failed to take

his legs, Waylan once again

of the bag, are you planning

my head and staring in his direction, I shook

if her presence still

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped

"Why?"

at Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I calmly

can use her presence to

***

center. I needed

or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their

a bit surprising, but now that I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be

quite pleased

all, their looks were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant that my efforts paid

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

Ci Clank—!

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

me with a somewhat cold

human. How

"...Not bad."

the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look on

probably saw it, didn't

I decided

fight the whole time

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue clicking

with his hands behind his back, he silently walked

at getting a

myself as I stared at Malvil's disappearing

took out my sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after all, refuse to listen to Malvil's

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

sword if I wasn't alive to hold

about this development, but it's

I'll just have to find

ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"