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

years. I still have a little

each other, Douglas stroked

can

he proceeded to hand me back the contract

"Thank you."

contract from Douglas's hands, I put it

that was soon

the contract, I can tell that what you were saying was

his head, Douglas looked at Angelica with

a count

"I was lucky."

not even a Baron ranked demon was when she

was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and

that Angelica had gone from Baron to

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

at Angelica, Douglas

turn back into

I nodded my head.

still

"I see."

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

you should do so for now. Her concealment is excellent.

of Angelica's body suddenly stopped,

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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

the teacup down

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

"You have a point."

spoke up

back on his

seen a couple of demons working together with the dwarves. So

Waylan pointed at my

demon in your finger. That's

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan

had Angelica with me. Everything would've been resolved if I

factor that I failed to

Waylan once again spoke

of the bag, are you planning on telling the others about Angelica's

head and staring in

I would like it if her presence still remains

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped on

"Why?"

from the corner of

her presence to our

***

utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that I had harvested

way 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

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

was quite pleased with the

of acknowledgment. It meant that my

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

seeing me, he greeted me

here, human. How

"...Not bad."

thing I

saw

decided to

I didn't fight the whole time with the sword

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's tongue

back, he silently walked back

goes my chance at getting a

to myself as I stared at

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

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

was the point in having a sword if

about this development, but it's not like

I'll just have to find

be ye

"Huh?"