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

there is anything you would like from

look at the others. They were all staring at me. After a brief pause for thought, I turned

that Duke

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his words and

something about the gall bladder being

"It is…"

to my words, indicating that she had an implicit

took a step forward, her expression changed,

I mean no harm.

out

"…touch your head."

***

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

"Reporting."

at his back. The Duke continued to enjoy the drink without so

to be

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

and the other guard

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

and are currently under her protection. It is possible to get rid

movements. If you give the command, we can

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

it at the murky liquid that was contained

"There's no need."

had given this a lot of thought, but he ultimately decided that it would not be worthwhile to give up

he interacted with them

get rid of them.

different and the Duchess's reinforcements had arrived just a tad bit

rising to his feet. He then moved toward the glass window that was located on

back, he admired

eye on 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 room, startling the

"Who!"

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

seat opposite him was a familiar, cloaked

"Do you mind?"

home, he poured himself some liquid from a

"Ukh."

out the drink

"What is this crap?"

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

you

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

old teacup, he

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling genuinely

"The tea?"

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

after attributing the figure's