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 contract

other, Douglas stroked his beard and

can take this

scroll, he proceeded to hand me back the

"Thank you."

Douglas's hands, I put

a subtle uncomfortable silence that was soon

good look at the contract, I can tell that what you

his head, Douglas looked at Angelica

you managed to get a count ranked

"I was lucky."

Baron ranked demon was when

her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon,

Baron to Count in a mere two years, they'd start

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

Angelica,

she still turn back into

I nodded my head.

still be able

"I see."

at Douglas's

you should do so for now. Her concealment is excellent.

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

small sip of the

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 ranked

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

caught till now was probably because they were too focused on the enemies rather

the teacup down

races aren't all too rare. If you had explained it to the

"You have a point."

spoke up from

his

already seen a couple of demons working together with the dwarves. So it's not that

face me, Waylan pointed at my

to hide a demon in your finger.

"...Right."

it, what Waylan was

shouldn't have hidden the fact that I had Angelica with me. Everything would've been

that I failed to

Waylan once again

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

my head and staring in his direction, I

if her presence

"Oh? Why is that?"

Douglas curiously asked.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

I tapped

"Why?"

Angelica from the corner of my eyes, I calmly opened my

use her presence

***

I needed to sell the demon cores that I had harvested during

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

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

then, I was quite pleased

sign of acknowledgment. It meant that my efforts paid

the same road as before, I walked

Ci Clank—!

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

How was yer

"...Not bad."

I noticed was the unpleased look on

probably saw it, didn't

decided to come

didn't fight the whole time

"Tsk."

sound of Malvil's

behind his back,

chance at getting a

muttered to myself as I stared at Malvil's disappearing

out my sword, I sort of expected this outcome.

refused to listen to

was the point in having a sword

this development, but it's not like I could force

I'll just have to

ye

"Huh?"