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,

still have a little over

face each other, Douglas stroked his

can take this

to hand me back the contract

"Thank you."

Douglas's hands,

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

at the contract, I can tell

Douglas looked

managed to get a count

"I was lucky."

a Baron ranked demon was when she tried

of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and

Douglas and Waylan found out that Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a mere

taken enough of

Angelica,

she still turn back

I nodded my head.

still

"I see."

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

you should do so for now. Her

Angelica's

took a small sip

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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the

rare. If you had

"You have a point."

up from the

his chair, he

working together with the

face me, Waylan pointed

demon in your

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan was saying was

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

that I failed to take

his legs, Waylan once again spoke

that the cat is out of the bag, are you

staring in his direction, I

it if her presence

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped on the

"Why?"

the corner of my eyes, I calmly opened

can use her presence

***

way towards the utility center. I needed to

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 in my direction

surprising, but now that I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the others to see clips of how I

was quite pleased

sign of acknowledgment. It meant that my efforts paid

same road as before, I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

He was currently leaning by the side

he greeted me with

How

"...Not bad."

the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look on

saw it, didn't

decided to come

fight the whole time

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's tongue clicking

with his hands behind his back, he silently walked

chance at getting a sword

myself as

expected this outcome.

for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day, I did not regret

was the point in having a sword if I wasn't alive to

about this development, but it's not like I could force him to make a

just have to find

be ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"