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,

a little over three years of

stroked his beard and once again looked

you can take this

the scroll, he proceeded to hand me

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's hands, I

subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by Douglas, who's

at the contract, I can tell that what you were saying was

head, Douglas looked

think that you managed to get a count ranked demon

"I was lucky."

Baron ranked demon was when she tried to

was downgraded to that of an

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

we've taken enough of your time.

at Angelica,

still turn back

I nodded my head.

still be able

"I see."

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

Her concealment is excellent.

out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped, and a small transparent

took a small sip

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.

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

the

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

"You have a point."

spoke up from

his

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

to face me, Waylan pointed

demon in

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan

hidden the fact that I had Angelica with me.

a factor that I failed

legs, Waylan once again spoke

bag, are you planning on

my head and staring in his direction, I shook

would like it if her presence still remains a

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped on the

"Why?"

Angelica from the corner of my

we can use her presence

***

the utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that I had

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

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

I was quite

were a sign of

as before, I walked

Ci Clank—!

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

me

human. How

"...Not bad."

first thing I noticed was the unpleased look on

probably saw it,

decided to

fight the whole time

"Tsk."

of Malvil's

his back, he

goes my chance at getting a sword

helplessly muttered to myself as I stared

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

shoes, I, too, wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day, I did not regret what

having a sword if I

about this development, but it's not like I

just have to find

be ye

"Huh?"