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

still have a little over three years of

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

can

the scroll, he proceeded to hand

"Thank you."

from Douglas's hands, I

followed after was a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon broken by

can tell that what you were saying

looked at Angelica with

managed to get a count ranked demon to ally

"I was lucky."

reality, Angelica was not even a Baron ranked demon was when she tried

downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and I were able to

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

of your

Angelica,

she still turn back

I nodded my head.

should still be able

"I see."

at Douglas's touch. Steam

you should do so for now. Her concealment is

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

small sip of the

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 hide her presence even better. Don't worry too much, though. Only

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put 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 roam

"You have a point."

spoke up from the

on his

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

face me, Waylan pointed at my

a demon in your

"...Right."

thought about it, what Waylan

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

factor that I

Waylan

bag, are you

my head and staring 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.

back on my chair, I tapped

"Why?"

glancing at Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I

can use her presence to

***

Douglas, I made my way towards the utility center. I needed to sell the demon cores that I

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

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

then, I was quite pleased with

their looks were a sign of acknowledgment.

before, I

Ci Clank—!

the building, I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side of the reception, wiping his sweaty forehead with

me, he greeted me with a somewhat cold

How was

"...Not bad."

the first thing I

probably saw it,

sighing, I decided to come

didn't fight the whole time with the sword

"Tsk."

of Malvil's tongue clicking

his back, he silently walked back to

my chance at getting a sword

muttered to myself as I stared at

took out my sword, I sort of expected this outcome. I did, after

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

having a sword if I wasn't alive to hold

but it's not like I could force him to

guess I'll just have

be ye doing?

"Huh?"