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 help you

if there is anything you would like

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

that you mention it, that

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his words

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

"It is…"

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

moment I took a step forward, her expression

no harm. Let me

reached out with

"…touch your head."

***

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

"Reporting."

to enjoy the drink without so much as

be to his

only ones we were unable to deal with were the ones that saved the Duchess. With regards to their

paused, and the other guard

appears to be a long-range fighter, while the other appears to be a close-range fighter who specializes in

and are currently under her protection. It is

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

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

murky liquid that was contained

"There's no need."

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

he interacted with them in the cave

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

tad bit later, he could already picture

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

his back, he

new development regarding their situation. There are more important issues at hand right now, and it would be unproductive to focus our

He licked his lips.

of time

"I beg to disagree."

whisper echoed in the

"Who!"

around, the first thing he

on the seat opposite him was

"Do you mind?"

a fleeting gesture toward the teapot. Then, as if he were in his own home, he poured himself some liquid from a cup

"Ukh."

spat out the drink

"What is this crap?"

hood covering his features, but

dirt. What is up with you demons and drinks? Do you only know how to

calmly opposite him on the sofa. His appearance may have

teacup, he placed it in

"Not bad."

feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

you manage to sneak in here without me noticing, but you also managed to knock out two of my

figure's sudden entrance and action