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

is anything you would like from

the others. They were all staring at me. After a brief

that you mention it, that Duke guy…what was

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his words and

him. Didn't he say something about the gall bladder being

"It is…"

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

a step forward, her expression changed, and the two guards

no harm. Let me

out

"…touch your head."

***

confines of an elegantly decorated room, a soothing melody lingered in the air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he sipped

"Reporting."

Duke continued to enjoy the drink

be to

the requested targets. The only ones 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

paused, and the other

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

under her protection. It is possible to get rid of them, but it

currently stationed a couple of spies to monitor their movements. If you

he was listening to the report that was given to him by one of his servants, the Duke's expression did not shift in the least

the murky liquid that was contained there and then raised his

"There's no need."

that it would not be worthwhile to give up several capable spies in order to get rid of

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

I'll just get rid of them. They

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

his feet. He then moved toward the

his hands behind his back, 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

He licked his lips.

of time for that

"I beg to disagree."

whisper echoed in the

"Who!"

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

importantly, sitting on the seat opposite

"Do you mind?"

were in his own home, he poured himself some liquid from a

"Ukh."

spat out the drink immediately after

"What is this crap?"

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

What is up with you demons and drinks? Do you

opposite him on the sofa. His appearance may

his old teacup, he placed it

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

without me noticing, but you also managed to knock out two of my guards at

his composure after attributing the figure's sudden entrance and