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 with

if there is anything you would like

rising from my seat, I turned to look at the others. They were all staring at me. After

mention it, that Duke guy…what

"Ukhan."

"Ukhan, huh..."

recalled his words and

say something about the gall bladder

"It is…"

indicating that she had an implicit

smile before walking over to her. The moment I took a step forward, her expression changed, and

no harm. Let

reached out with

"…touch your head."

***

in the air. Duke Ukhan maintained his poise as he sipped from a murky black drink

"Reporting."

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

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

paused, and the other

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

protection. It

monitor their movements. If you give

of his servants, the Duke's expression did not shift in the least bit. Quietly listening, he nodded his

the murky liquid

"There's no need."

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

when he interacted with them in the cave and wasn't necessarily worried. They were nothing but flies

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

just a tad bit

his feet. He then moved toward the

his hands behind his back, he

regarding their situation. There are more important issues at hand right now,

He licked his lips.

of time

"I beg to disagree."

whisper echoed in the

"Who!"

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

on the seat opposite him was

"Do you mind?"

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

"Ukh."

drink immediately after

"What is this crap?"

features, but he seemed

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

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

up his old teacup, he placed it

"Not bad."

murmured, feeling

"The tea?"

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

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