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.

will

anything you would like

all staring at me. After a brief pause for thought, I turned my attention

that you mention it, that Duke

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his

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

"It is…"

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

walking over to her. The moment I took a step forward, her expression changed, and the two

worry, I mean no harm.

out

"…touch your head."

***

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

"Reporting."

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

be to his

the Duchess. With regards to their backgrounds, aside from the fact that they've been in the city for a little over a day

guard paused, and the

the other appears to be a close-range fighter who specializes in speed and the arts of the dagger. Regarding the other two, we weren't able to

protection. It is possible to get rid

currently stationed a couple of spies to monitor their movements. If you give the command, we can go ahead and

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

looked down into it at the murky liquid that was contained there and then

"There's no need."

but he ultimately decided that it would not be worthwhile to give up several capable spies in order to get rid of a

he already had a general understanding of those 'annoyances' when he interacted with them in the cave and

it comes down to it, I'll just get rid of them. They

and the Duchess's reinforcements had arrived just a tad bit later, he could already picture their skulls exploding right

before rising to his feet. He then moved toward the glass window that was

his hands behind his back, he admired the scenery in

to me 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

He licked his lips.

of time

"I beg to disagree."

in the room, startling the

"Who!"

soon as he turned around, the first thing he noticed was the sight of his two guards lying face down on the

on the seat opposite him

"Do you mind?"

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

"Ukh."

out the drink immediately after tasting

"What is this crap?"

hood covering his features, but he seemed genuinely offended by

What is up with you demons and

appearance may have initially startled him,

teacup, he placed it in his

"Not bad."

feeling

"The tea?"

in here without me noticing, but you also managed to

after attributing the figure's sudden entrance and action to