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.

I will now help you with

is anything you

at me. After a

it, that

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his words

he say something about the gall bladder being

"It is…"

words, indicating that she

a friendly smile before walking over to her. The moment I took a

worry, I mean no harm. Let me

reached out

"…touch your head."

***

in the air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise

"Reporting."

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

to be to

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 been in the city for a little over a day now, not

guard paused, and

fighter who specializes in speed and the arts of the dagger.

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

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

servants, the Duke's expression did not shift in the least bit. Quietly

it at the murky liquid that was contained

"There's no need."

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

of those 'annoyances' when he interacted with them in the cave and

comes down to it, I'll just get rid of them. They aren't

a tad bit later, he could already picture their skulls exploding right in front of his very

feet. He then moved

back, he admired

situation. There are more important issues

He licked his lips.

plenty of time for

"I beg to disagree."

in the room, startling the

"Who!"

around, the first thing he noticed

on the seat opposite him was a familiar, cloaked

"Do you mind?"

he poured

"Ukh."

the drink immediately after

"What is this crap?"

but he seemed

up with you demons and drinks? Do you only

His appearance may have initially

he placed it in

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

but you also managed to knock out

figure's sudden entrance