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 now help you

anything you would like

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

that Duke

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his

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

"It is…"

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

her. The moment I took a step forward,

worry, I mean no harm. Let me

reached out with my

"…touch your head."

***

Ukhan maintained his poise as he sipped from a murky black drink while seated in the center on

"Reporting."

to enjoy the drink without so much as casting a glance in

seemed to be to

we've eliminated most of 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 over a day now, not much is known

guard paused, and the other

be a close-range fighter who specializes in speed

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

to monitor their movements. If you give the command, we can go ahead

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

murky liquid that was contained there and

"There's no need."

be worthwhile to give up several

understanding of those 'annoyances' when he interacted with them in the cave and wasn't necessarily worried.

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

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

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

his back, he admired the scenery in front

eye on them and report back 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 couple of bugs

He licked his lips.

of

"I beg to disagree."

echoed in the

"Who!"

around, the first thing he noticed was the sight of his two guards lying face down on the ground.

opposite him was

"Do you mind?"

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

"Ukh."

spat out the drink

"What is this crap?"

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

is no worse than dirt. What is up with you

sat calmly opposite him on the sofa. His appearance may have

up his old teacup, he placed it

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

managed to knock out

Ukhan regained his composure after attributing the figure's sudden