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

a little over three years

stroked his

can

scroll, he proceeded to hand me back

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's

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

the contract, I can tell that what

his head, Douglas looked at Angelica with

get a count ranked demon to ally

"I was lucky."

even a Baron ranked demon

to that of an untitled demon, and that was

Angelica had gone from Baron to Count in a mere two

of

at Angelica, Douglas

still turn

I nodded my head.

should still be able

"I see."

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

now. Her concealment is excellent. However,

energy that leaked out of Angelica's body suddenly

small

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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

caught till now was probably because they were too focused on the enemies rather than

then put the teacup

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

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

on his chair, he

seen a couple of demons working together with the dwarves. So it's not that strange.

Waylan pointed

to hide a demon in your finger.

"...Right."

about it, what Waylan was saying

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

was a factor that I

his legs, Waylan once again

are you planning on telling the others about

head and staring in his direction,

would like it if her presence still remains

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped

"Why?"

Angelica from the corner of my

her

***

Douglas, I made my way towards the utility center. I needed to

with looks of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their heads in my direction before going on

a bit surprising, but now that I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the

quite pleased

of acknowledgment.

as before, I walked towards the utility center's

Ci Clank—!

instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side

me, he greeted me with a somewhat cold

How

"...Not bad."

a glimpse at Malvil, the first thing I noticed

probably saw

decided

fine. I didn't fight the whole time with the

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue

back, he silently

chance at getting a sword forged

as I stared at Malvil's disappearing

expected this outcome. I did, after all,

refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day,

was the point in having a sword if

but it's

I'll just have to

be ye doing? Follow

"Huh?"