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

years. I still have a little over three years of contract with

their heads to face each other, Douglas stroked his beard and once again looked through the

can take this

proceeded to

"Thank you."

the contract from Douglas's hands, I put

was a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken

can tell

his head, Douglas looked at

to get a count

"I was lucky."

a Baron ranked demon was when she tried to fight

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

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

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

Angelica, Douglas

turn

I nodded my head.

still be

"I see."

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

for now. Her concealment is excellent. However,

demonic energy that leaked out of Angelica's

a small sip of

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 protection I added should be able to

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

put the teacup down

rare. If

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

on his

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

me, Waylan pointed at my

in your finger. That's

"...Right."

thought about it, what

fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've been

that I failed to take

his legs, Waylan once again spoke

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

and staring in his direction, I shook

if

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

chair, I tapped on

"Why?"

from the corner of my eyes, I

her presence to

***

utility center. I needed to sell

way there, much 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

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 of

was quite

their looks were a sign of acknowledgment. It meant that

I walked towards

Ci Clank—!

soon as I entered the building, I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of the reception, wiping his sweaty forehead with the large apron in his

me, he greeted me

here, human. How was

"...Not bad."

the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look

saw it,

decided

the whole time

"Tsk."

Malvil's

behind his back, he silently walked

getting a sword forged from

to myself as I stared at Malvil's

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

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

was the point in 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

just have to find another

be ye

"Huh?"