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,

still have a little over three years of contract

each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once again

can take

to hand me

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's hands, I put

was a 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 saying was

his head, Douglas looked at

managed to get a count ranked demon to ally

"I was lucky."

even a Baron 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 Kevin and I were

Angelica had gone from Baron to

we've taken enough of your

Angelica, Douglas

turn back

I nodded my head.

should still be

"I see."

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

you should do so for now. Her concealment is

hand, the demonic energy that leaked out of Angelica's body suddenly stopped, and a small

a small sip

she does leak demonic energy from time to time. It was because of these subtle traces that I realized that she was a demon. This little

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the teacup down

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 here, she probably would've been able to roam

"You have a point."

spoke up

his chair,

the dwarves. So it's not that strange.

to face me, Waylan pointed

a demon in

"...Right."

it, what

that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've

was a factor that I failed to take into

legs, Waylan

of the bag, are you planning on telling the others

in his direction, I shook

I would like it if her presence still remains a

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

my chair, I

"Why?"

from the corner of

we can use her

***

I needed to sell the demon cores that I

dwarves, elves, or even

I thought about it, dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the others to

then, I was quite pleased

a sign of acknowledgment. It meant that

I walked towards the

Ci Clank—!

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

me with a

How was yer

"...Not bad."

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

probably saw it, didn't

I decided

fight the whole time with the

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue

his back,

getting a sword

myself as

of expected this

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

sword if I wasn't alive to

it's

just have to find

be ye doing?

"Huh?"