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

little over three years of contract

face each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once

can

the scroll, he proceeded to hand me back

"Thank you."

from Douglas's

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

the contract, I can tell that what you

Douglas looked

you managed to get a count ranked demon to ally

"I was lucky."

a Baron ranked demon was when she tried to fight

her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and

from Baron to Count in a mere two years, they'd start to

taken enough of your time. You can go

Angelica,

still turn back

I nodded my head.

still

"I see."

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

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

of Angelica's body suddenly

a small sip of

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 can

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

caught till now was probably because they were too

the teacup down and

with other races aren't all too rare. If you had explained it to the dwarves before coming here, she probably

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

on his

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

me, Waylan pointed at

to hide a demon in

"...Right."

thought about it, what

hidden the fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've been resolved if I had

a factor that I failed

legs, Waylan once again spoke

bag, are you planning

staring in his direction, I shook my

would like it if her presence still

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

on my chair, I tapped on

"Why?"

at Angelica from the corner of

her presence

***

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

way there, much to my surprise, I was met with looks of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or

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

quite pleased

were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant that my

I walked towards

Ci Clank—!

as I entered the building, I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of

he greeted me with a

human. How

"...Not bad."

first thing I noticed was the unpleased

saw it, didn't

sighing, I decided to

the whole time with the sword you gave

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue

back, he

goes my chance at getting

helplessly muttered to myself as I stared at Malvil's disappearing

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

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

point in having a sword if I

but it's not like I

just have to

ye doing?

"Huh?"