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

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

can take

the scroll, he proceeded to hand

"Thank you."

from Douglas's

silence that was soon broken by

taken a good look at the contract, I can tell that

Douglas looked

get a count ranked

"I was lucky."

Angelica was not even a Baron ranked demon was

death, her rank was downgraded to that of an untitled demon, and that was how Kevin and I

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

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

Angelica, Douglas

still turn back into

I nodded my head.

still

"I see."

the teacup, the tepid tea re-heated instantly at Douglas's

so for now. Her concealment is excellent.

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

a small sip of

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

Pausing, Douglas frowned.

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

then put the teacup down and

If you

"You have a point."

up from the

his chair, he

couple of demons working together with the dwarves.

me, Waylan pointed

to hide a demon in your finger. That's

"...Right."

that I thought about it, what Waylan

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

I failed to

legs, Waylan once again

that the cat is out of the bag, are you planning on

head and staring in his direction,

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?"

Angelica from the corner of my

use her presence to

***

way towards the utility center. I

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

dwarven technology was quite advanced. It wouldn't be hard for the others

I was quite pleased with the

looks were a sign of acknowledgment. It

the same road as before, I walked towards the utility center's

Ci Clank—!

I instantly spotted Malvil. He was currently leaning by the side

greeted me

human. How

"...Not bad."

Malvil, the first thing I noticed was the unpleased look on his

saw it, didn't

decided to

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

"Tsk."

Malvil's

behind his back, he silently

my chance at getting

helplessly muttered to myself as I

sort of expected this outcome. I did, after

wouldn't want to make a sword for someone that refused to listen to his instruction, but

was the point in having a sword if I

it's not like I could force him to make

have to find another

be ye

"Huh?"