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 of

other, Douglas stroked his beard and once

can

the scroll, he proceeded to hand me

"Thank you."

Douglas's

was soon broken by Douglas, who's face returned

I can tell that what you were saying was

Douglas looked at Angelica

to get a count ranked

"I was lucky."

ranked demon was when she tried to

injuries she sustained from Elijah's death, her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how

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

we've taken enough of your

at Angelica, Douglas

she still turn back

I nodded my head.

should still be able

"I see."

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

you should do so for now. Her concealment is

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

took a small sip

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.

see. The only reason you hadn't been caught till now was probably because they

the teacup down and

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

"You have a point."

spoke up from

back on his chair,

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

me, Waylan

a demon in your finger. That's very

"...Right."

thought about it, what Waylan was saying

with me.

I failed to take

legs, Waylan once again spoke

cat is out of the bag, are you planning on telling the

my head and staring in his direction, I shook

it if her presence still remains

"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

can use her

***

utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that

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 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 others to see clips

I was quite pleased with

sign of

same road as before, I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of the reception, wiping his sweaty forehead with the large apron

greeted me with a somewhat cold

human. How was

"...Not bad."

thing I noticed was the unpleased look on

saw it,

I decided to

whole time with

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue clicking

his hands behind his back, he silently walked back to his

my chance at getting

helplessly muttered to myself as

of expected this outcome.

were in his shoes, I, too, wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at

having a sword

didn't mean I was sad about this development, but it's not like I could force him to make a sword for me,

just have to

be ye

"Huh?"