The Author's POV

'I'm sorry, but it looks like you'll have to be sacrificed.'

If possible, I would have shed a few tears at this time. However, I was a man, and men don't cry.

"Okay. You can take him."

I felt a potent glare at the back of my head, but I disregarded it. Certain sacrifices were required for the greater good, and Jin was that one sacrifice.

Priscilla's expression changed to one of surprise the moment I gave in and agreed. She looked at Jin first, then at me, with an open mouth as she alternated her gaze back and forth between us.

"You're agreeing?"

"Why not?"

"Eh?"

"What's with you?"

She displayed a surprisingly wide range of expressions today, especially for a demon of her stature. The poise that she displayed in the very beginning had long since vanished, and what I saw in front of me was nothing more than a misguided child.

'Come to think of it, if you push her buttons correctly, Angelica isn't that much different.'

Were all demons like this?

"I'm fine with giving him to you. Of course, I won't be fine with it if you're planning on doing something bad to him."

Her objective was not hard to discern at all. She most likely was dissatisfied with the mana contract, and as a result, she wanted to keep Jin close to her in order to maintain some degree of leverage for herself.

When viewed from her perspective, her choice was one that was entirely rational. Although the mana contract was a good way to establish a certain level of "trust," it was never a bad idea to have additional leverage.

Plus, I actually wanted Jin to stay behind as well. Just like she wanted to monitor us, I also wanted to monitor her. It went both ways.

"…You are one strange human."

A smile blossomed on my face. It was rather twisted, but it still counted as one.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

*

"For now, just as agreed. I will give you a small portion of what is promised to you."

The Duchess handed me a miniature sized wooden box. The container wasn't particularly large—it was roughly the size of a notebook—and it had a very light feel to it when handled.

After opening a small wooden case, a sweet, honey-like odor permeated the entire space, and I caught a glimpse of a small bottle containing a thick black liquid inside it.

Within a few short moments after catching a whiff of the honey-like scent, the blood in my body began to circulate rapidly, and my hands instinctively reached for the bottle.

'Finally...'

"Hmmm."

Opening the lid, I gave it a good whiff.

It was good.

"How is it?"

"It'll do."

I closed the lid and nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly what I needed.

our agreement, I will now

anything you would

seat, I turned to look at the others. They were all staring at me. After a brief pause for thought, I turned my attention once more to

mention it, that Duke guy…what was

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his

Didn't he say something about the gall bladder being a potent poison for

"It is…"

indicating that she had an implicit

to her. The moment I took a step forward, her expression changed, and

I mean no harm. Let me

out with

"…touch your head."

***

Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he sipped from a murky black drink while seated in the center on a chair

"Reporting."

to enjoy the drink without

be

we were unable to deal with were the ones that saved the Duchess. With regards to their backgrounds, aside from the fact that they've

and

be a close-range fighter who specializes in speed and the arts of the dagger. Regarding the other two,

currently under her protection. It is possible to

their movements. If you give the command,

report that was given to him by one of his servants, the Duke's expression did not shift in the least bit. Quietly listening, he nodded his head subtly and lowered

murky liquid

"There's no need."

thought, but he ultimately decided that it would not be

of those 'annoyances' when he interacted with them in the cave and wasn't necessarily worried. They were nothing but flies in

get rid of them. They

the Duchess's reinforcements had arrived just a tad bit later, he could already picture

rising to his feet. He then moved toward

he

whenever there is a new development regarding their situation. There are more important issues at hand right now, and it would be unproductive

He licked his lips.

have plenty of time for

"I beg to disagree."

in

"Who!"

was taken aback when, as soon as he turned around, the first thing he noticed was the sight of his two guards lying

the seat opposite him was

"Do you mind?"

a fleeting gesture toward the teapot. Then, as if he were in his own home, he poured himself some liquid from a cup and brought it closer to

"Ukh."

drink immediately after tasting

"What is this crap?"

his features, but he seemed genuinely offended by the

is no worse than dirt. What is up with you demons and drinks? Do you

Ukhan sat calmly opposite him on the sofa. His appearance may have initially startled him, but

he placed it in

"Not bad."

feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

you also managed to knock out two of

his composure after attributing the figure's sudden entrance and action to his extraordinary