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, I

still have a little over three years of

heads to face each other, Douglas stroked his

you can take this

to

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I put it

was a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by

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

his head, Douglas looked at

get a count ranked

"I was lucky."

Baron ranked demon was when she tried to

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

from Baron to Count in a mere two

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

at Angelica, Douglas

she still turn

I nodded my head.

still

"I see."

re-heated instantly at Douglas's touch.

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

leaked out of Angelica's

took a small sip

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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

put the teacup down

I think about it, cases in which demons have worked with other races aren't all too rare. If you had explained it to the dwarves before coming

"You have a point."

up from

back on his chair, he

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

to face me, Waylan pointed

a demon in your finger. That's very

"...Right."

I thought about it, what

the fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've been resolved if I had just shown

factor that I failed to take

Waylan

cat is out of the bag, are

head and staring in his direction, I shook my

if her presence still remains a

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

back on my chair, I tapped on

"Why?"

of my eyes, I calmly opened my

we can use her presence to

***

center. I needed

surprise, I was met with looks of approval. Be it dwarves, elves, or even orcs, whenever I went, they would nod

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

I was quite pleased

their looks were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant

road as before, I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

as I entered the building, I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of the reception, wiping his

me with a

human. How was yer

"...Not bad."

first thing I noticed was the unpleased look on

saw it,

decided to

I didn't fight the whole time with the sword you

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's

his hands behind his back, he silently

goes my chance at getting a sword forged

to myself as

sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after all, refuse to listen to Malvil's

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

point in having a sword

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

I'll just have

ye

"Huh?"