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

if there is anything you would

I turned to look at the others. They were all staring at me.

that you mention it, that Duke guy…what was his

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his words

he say something about the gall

"It is…"

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

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

worry, I mean no harm.

out with

"…touch your head."

***

soothing melody lingered in the air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he sipped from a murky black drink while seated in the center on a chair

"Reporting."

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

seemed 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 much is known about

guard paused, and

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

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

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

one of his servants, the Duke's expression did not shift

the murky liquid that was contained there

"There's no need."

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

he already had a general understanding of those 'annoyances' when he interacted with them in the cave and wasn't necessarily worried. They were nothing but flies in

get rid of them. They aren't anything to worry

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

before rising to his feet.

behind his back, he

them and report back to me whenever there is a new development regarding their situation. There are more important

He licked his lips.

of

"I beg to disagree."

whisper echoed in the

"Who!"

when, as soon as he turned around, the first thing he

opposite him was a familiar, cloaked

"Do you mind?"

toward the teapot. Then, as if he were in his own home, he

"Ukh."

drink immediately

"What is this crap?"

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

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

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

up his old teacup, he

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

without me noticing, but you also managed to knock out two of my guards at the same time. You must have

the figure's sudden entrance and action to