In this era, any valuable resources are either related to the nearly inaccessible surface world or connected to the Floating Whales.

Most Floating Whales have their bodies covered by thick layers of soil and rock, forming what people call the "ground surface." Very little of their actual flesh remains exposed.

As Floating Whales are blessings from the gods and everyone must live upon their backs, any action harming them is strictly forbidden.

Most materials related to Floating Whales—such as whale oil, whale blood, whale bones, and whalehide—are highly prized. Though called "hide," whalehide is actually a semi-renewable mineral.

After digging through the surface layer, one can discover the whale's highly active skin. This skin possesses remarkable toughness, requiring extensive excavation to extract even a small piece. Being living tissue, it can regenerate over time.

However, since this still involves harming a Floating Whale, it remains taboo. Whalehide ore carries tremendous value—a single fist-sized piece can trigger frenzied bidding.

During his time in Breathspring City, Naimes once witnessed a destitute noble auctioning a legally obtained whalehide ore slightly larger than a fist. The proceeds sustained the noble family's lavish lifestyle for months.

Of course, the exorbitant price stemmed primarily from its legal status—being tradable on the open market.

"Op's privately mined whalehide ore probably isn't worth as much, but certainly not cheap either," Naimes estimated, gaining clearer insight into Op's financial capacity.

The crucial point was that if Op possessed whalehide ore, he likely owned numerous whalehide artifacts.

Whalehide ore can be dissolved as an additive for various items, useful in alchemy, potion-making, and other supernatural crafts. Spinning its molten form into fabric armor creates highly sought-after protective gear for practitioners of meditation methods.

Whalehide armor exhibits exceptional toughness against bladed weapons while also serving as an excellent spellcasting medium with superb elasticity.

"That robe Op always wears..." Naimes recalled the village chief's impractical long garment unsuited for rural life. "Could Op be a spellcaster?"

Additionally, processed whalehide ore makes superior paper. Whalehide parchment serves as premium material for spell scrolls, commanding equally high prices.

"Op isn't simple!" Naimes could only conclude this much.

Reality differs from games—there are no clear level indicators or distinguishing features.

For physical professions like warriors or knights practicing breathing techniques, their robust physiques make vitality relatively easy to sense. But for spellcasting classes like mages or priests training in meditation methods, their true rank remains concealed unless they actively cast spells or receive detection magic.

Take the old priest—nobody knew he was Steel Seed grade until he revealed it. The same applied to Op—beneath his obese appearance, no one could directly confirm whether his spirit had surpassed Black Stone grade.

"There are pros and cons. The stronger Op is, the less information church investigators can obtain, reducing my risk of implication."

"But simultaneously, intervening to clear my own name becomes more complicated." ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ novelFirｅ.net

Naimes hadn't forgotten unresolved matters concerning Naimes Dartmanley. The Dartmanley family's exile to this remote village wasn't true neglect—they simply lacked opportunity for lethal retaliation.

Had Naimes not held his holy knight position, family discipline would have eliminated him long ago for making the Dartmanleys Breathspring City's laughingstock. Banishment to this village merely kept him out of sight—any misstep would give the family justification for severe punishment.

"Let's establish a contract, village guard!" Naimes narrowed his eyes, presenting his solution after rapid consideration.

The village guard straightened up, recognizing this moment determined his and his daughter's fate.

"I only demand my daughter's safety!" The guard stated bluntly, setting his bottom line. He understood demons' greedy nature—though appearing as a holy knight, Naimes undoubtedly maintained close demonic connections.

Demonic contracts never truly protect—they're tools for extracting greater profits. Like now.

Their relationship had become irreparably hostile. Released, the guard would surely spread Naimes' secrets, undermining his interests. Without a contract, Naimes could only kill him.

Yet that would feel wasteful to Naimes. Despite being easily subdued, the guard ranked among the strongest Black Stone grade combatants.

Moreover, his information about controlled whale transformation required verification—Naimes would likely need prolonged observation. Keeping him alive under demonic contract control optimized benefits.

The guard grasped this, leveraging his value to protect his daughter. Ever since stealing whalehide ore led to his family's destruction and his daughter contracting Whale Transformation Disease, this became his owed debt.

"Of course!" Naimes agreed instantly. A snap of his fingers materialized a demonic contract before the guard.

[Contracting Parties: Party A—Naimes Dartmanley; Party B—Village Guard (Blood Designated)]

[Clause 1: Party A Naimes Dartmanley pledges to protect Lia's (specifically designated Whale Man) life safety, providing food, water, and striving to prevent her complete whale transformation.]

[Clause 2: Party B Village Guard must unconditionally execute Party A's commands, including combat, reconnaissance, silence, and self-destruction.]

[Clause 3: Party A permits Party B monthly supervised visits with Lia and participation in Whale Transformation Disease research, allowing non-permanent physical damage during studies.]

[Clause 4: Party B cannot disclose any information about Naimes through speech, writing, actions, or implications.]

[Clause 5: This contract voids under force majeure (including Lia's death from Whale Transformation Disease or discovery/execution by the church etc.).]

This standard demonic contract addressed both parties' needs while the final clause concerned the agreement itself. Only such balanced terms could maximize contractual efficacy.

"Sign. You've no choice," Naimes stated coldly, murderous intent crystallizing. No negotiations remained—refusal meant death.