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.

agreement, I will now help

anything you would like

They were all staring at me. After a brief pause for thought,

you mention it, that Duke

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his

something about the gall bladder being a potent poison for

"It is…"

became constricted as she listened to my words, indicating that she had an

The moment I took a step

mean no harm. Let

out

"…touch your head."

***

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

"Reporting."

silhouettes materialized at his back. The Duke continued to enjoy the drink without so much as casting a glance in their

seemed to be

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

guard paused, and the other

who specializes in speed

Duchess's estate and are currently under her protection. It is possible to get rid

spies to monitor their movements. If you give the command, we can go ahead and eliminate

Duke's expression did not shift in the least bit. Quietly listening, he nodded his head subtly

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

"There's no need."

not be worthwhile to give up several capable spies in order to get rid of a couple

them

get rid of them. They aren't anything to

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

was holding down on the table before rising to his feet. He then moved toward the glass window that

he admired the scenery in front

whenever there is a new development regarding their situation. There are more important issues at hand right now, and it would be unproductive to focus our attention on a couple of

He licked his lips.

of time for

"I beg to disagree."

echoed in the room,

"Who!"

duke was taken aback when, as soon as he turned around, the first thing he noticed was the sight

importantly, sitting on the seat opposite him was a familiar, cloaked

"Do you mind?"

own home, he poured himself some liquid from a cup and brought it closer to his

"Ukh."

the drink

"What is this crap?"

may have been a hood covering his features, but he seemed genuinely offended by the taste

dirt. What is up with you demons and drinks?

on the sofa. His appearance may have

teacup, he placed it in his

"Not bad."

feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

in here without me noticing, but you also managed to knock out

Ukhan regained his composure after attributing the figure's sudden entrance and action to his extraordinary stealth-like