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

have a little over

their heads to face each other, Douglas stroked

you can take

he proceeded to

"Thank you."

contract from Douglas's hands, I

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

a good look at the contract, I can

Douglas looked

you managed to get a count ranked demon to ally

"I was lucky."

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

downgraded to that of an untitled

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

like we've taken enough of

Angelica,

still turn

I nodded my head.

still be

"I see."

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

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

Angelica's body suddenly stopped, and a small transparent film enveloped

small sip of

This little protection I added should be able to hide her presence even better. Don't worry too much, though. Only ranked individuals can see

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

the teacup down and

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

"You have a point."

spoke up from

his chair, he

with the dwarves. So it's

to face me, Waylan pointed

hide a demon in your finger.

"...Right."

I thought about it,

Angelica with me.

I failed to take into

Waylan once again spoke

the bag, are you planning

in his direction,

like it if her

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

chair, I

"Why?"

from the corner of my eyes, I

her

***

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

my 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 heads

thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It

I was quite

were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant

road as before, I walked towards

Ci Clank—!

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

he greeted me with a somewhat

here, human. How

"...Not bad."

first thing I noticed was the unpleased

saw it,

sighing, I decided

fight the whole time with the sword you

"Tsk."

Malvil's tongue

with his hands behind his back, he silently walked back

goes my chance at getting a sword forged from

helplessly muttered to myself as I

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

I, too, wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction,

in having a sword if

course, that didn't mean I was sad about this development, but it's not like I could force him to make a sword for me,

I'll just have

be ye

"Huh?"