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,

a little over

face each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once again looked through the

can take this

proceeded to hand me

"Thank you."

contract from Douglas's

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

at the contract, I can tell

looked at Angelica

to get a count

"I was lucky."

even a Baron ranked demon was when she tried to

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

had gone from Baron to Count in a

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

Angelica,

still turn back

I nodded my head.

should still be

"I see."

tea re-heated instantly at Douglas's touch.

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

energy that leaked out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped,

a small sip of

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 much, though. Only ranked individuals

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the teacup

If you had explained it to the dwarves before coming here, she probably would've been

"You have a point."

up from the

on his chair,

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

to face me, Waylan pointed at my

to hide a demon in your

"...Right."

thought about it,

had Angelica with me.

factor that I failed to

his legs, Waylan once

bag, are you

in

I would like it if her

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped on

"Why?"

the corner of my eyes, I calmly opened

we can use her presence to our

***

from Waylan and Douglas, I made my way towards the utility center. I needed

it dwarves, elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their

was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the others to

was quite pleased with

of acknowledgment. It meant that my

the same road as before, I walked

Ci Clank—!

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

seeing me, he greeted me with a somewhat

How was yer

"...Not bad."

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

probably saw it,

decided to come

whole time with the sword you

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's tongue

hands behind his back,

my chance at getting a sword

as I stared

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

were in 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

having a sword

sad about this development, but it's not like I

I'll just have to

ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"