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.

per our agreement, I will now help you with

is anything you would like

from my 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

that Duke

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his words and

something about the gall bladder being a

"It is…"

my words, indicating that she had an implicit understanding

to her. The moment I took a step forward, her expression changed, and the two guards who were

I mean no harm.

reached out

"…touch your head."

***

decorated room, a soothing melody lingered in the air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he

"Reporting."

enjoy the drink without so much

seemed to be

unable to deal with were the ones that saved the Duchess. With regards to

paused, and the other

fighter who specializes in speed and

currently residing within the Duchess's estate and are currently under her protection. It is possible to get rid of them, but it would

monitor their movements. If you give the

by one of his servants, the Duke's

into it at the murky liquid that was contained there and then raised his

"There's no need."

had given this a lot of thought, but he ultimately decided that it would not be

interacted with them in the cave and wasn't necessarily worried. They were nothing

it, I'll just get

bit later, he could already picture

to his feet. He then moved toward the glass window that was located on the right

his back, he admired

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

He licked his lips.

of time for that

"I beg to disagree."

gentle whisper echoed in the room, startling

"Who!"

around, the first thing he noticed was the sight

sitting on the seat opposite him was a familiar, cloaked

"Do you mind?"

own home, he poured himself some

"Ukh."

the drink immediately

"What is this crap?"

covering his features, but he seemed genuinely offended by

dirt. What is up with you demons and drinks? Do

opposite him on the sofa. His appearance may have initially startled him, but he soon recovered his

teacup, he

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling

"The tea?"

also managed to knock out two

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