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...'

my head,

years. I still have a little over three years

Douglas stroked his beard and once again

you can take this

proceeded to hand me back

"Thank you."

contract from Douglas's hands,

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

taken a good look at the contract, I can tell that what you were

Douglas looked

you managed to get a count ranked

"I was lucky."

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

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

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

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

Angelica,

still turn back into

I nodded my head.

should still be able

"I see."

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

so for now. Her concealment is excellent. However, it's not

Angelica's body

took a small sip of the

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 ranked individuals

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the

demons have worked with other races 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

his

of demons working together with the dwarves.

to face me, Waylan pointed

demon in your finger. That's

"...Right."

I thought about it, what Waylan was

shouldn't have hidden the fact that I had Angelica with me.

factor that I failed to take

his legs, Waylan once

of the bag, are you planning on telling the

in

like it if her presence still remains a

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

on my chair, I tapped on the wooden

"Why?"

at Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I

we can use her presence to our

***

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

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

thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard

was quite pleased with the

all, their looks were a sign of acknowledgment.

I walked

Ci Clank—!

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

me with a

How was yer

"...Not bad."

I noticed was the unpleased

probably saw

I decided to

didn't fight the whole

"Tsk."

Malvil's

behind his back,

goes my chance at getting a sword forged

to myself as

sort of expected this

I 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

the point in having a sword

it's not like I

I'll just have to

ye doing?

"Huh?"