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

if there is anything you would

They were all staring at me. After a brief

that Duke guy…what

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

his words and

say something about the gall bladder being a potent poison for you

"It is…"

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

I took a

I mean no

reached out

"…touch your head."

***

air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he

"Reporting."

back. The Duke continued to enjoy the drink without so much as casting

be to

with were the ones that saved the Duchess. With regards to their backgrounds, aside

paused, and

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

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

the Duke's expression did not

looked down into it at the murky liquid that was contained there

"There's no need."

but he ultimately decided that it would not be worthwhile to give up

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

get rid of

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

table before rising to his feet.

back, he admired the scenery in front of

There are more important issues at hand right now, and it would be unproductive to focus our attention

He licked his lips.

have plenty of

"I beg to disagree."

echoed in the room, startling the

"Who!"

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

the seat opposite him was a familiar,

"Do you mind?"

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

"Ukh."

the drink immediately after

"What is this crap?"

features, but he seemed genuinely offended by

up with you demons and drinks? Do you only know

the sofa. His appearance may

up his old teacup, he

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling

"The tea?"

also managed to knock out

Ukhan regained his composure after attributing the figure's sudden entrance and action to