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

face each other, Douglas stroked

can take

to hand me

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's hands,

a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by

I can tell that what you were

looked at Angelica with

to get a count ranked demon

"I was lucky."

not even a Baron ranked demon was when she tried to

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

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

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

Angelica,

still turn back

I nodded my head.

still be

"I see."

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

you should do so for now. Her concealment is

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

a small sip of the

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 can see through this

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

put the teacup

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

"You have a point."

up

on his chair,

the dwarves. So it's not that strange. What's

Waylan pointed at

demon in your

"...Right."

I thought about it, what Waylan was saying

me. Everything

that I failed

Waylan

the bag, are you planning

and staring in

would like it if

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I

"Why?"

at Angelica from the corner of

use her

***

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

or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod their

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

quite pleased

all, their looks were a sign of acknowledgment.

as before, I walked towards the utility

Ci Clank—!

by

me, he greeted me

How was yer

"...Not bad."

at Malvil, the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look

saw

I decided to come

fine. I didn't fight the whole time with the sword you gave

"Tsk."

Malvil's tongue

around with his hands behind his back, he silently walked back

goes my chance at getting a sword forged

to myself as I stared at Malvil's

sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after all,

want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but at the end of the day, I did not

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

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

just have

be ye doing?

"Huh?"