The being that the little bird shouted at, "Nutsama," was a giant blue heron. It was a giant blue heron, its long bill opening and closing with displeasure as it gave lively instructions to the little bird.

　It was a bizarre sight to see a crowned bird perched on a luxurious chair that would normally have been occupied by the Chief of the Kingsguard. If it was just sitting there, it would have been fine, but it was speaking and its eyes were filled with emotion.

　I can't get used to the idea that a beast has the light of intelligence in it. Before the snowfall, speaking Hexenbiests were rare, and they were just more violent and powerful than ordinary beasts.

　But now... Some of them have reason, wisdom, and treat humans like slaves. The reason for this is not clear, but it is said that in ancient times, Hexenbiests and Demons were intelligent, while humans were ignorant.

　To them, then, the present is normal, and it may be creepy for humans to speak.

　After handling a few birds, Nuto swallowed a handful of meat and said, "Oh, you are Shad.

"Oh, you're Shad. You've captured quite a few humans. Are they your pawns or your bait?　--I am Nute. I'm the head of this city. Even if you're the leader of a million flocks, you can't stand against me in this city.

　The expression on the bird's face was a little difficult to make out, but just from the tone of his voice, he sounded like a resolute front-line commander. There was nothing insidious about him, but there was also nothing subtle about him, as if he cared about anyone.

　In other words, he's very easy to deal with. Thank you very much.

　I look at Shad, who has become a giant snake, and urge her to speak. She growled for a while, as if trying to remember the words, and then she twisted and spoke up.

"It's called Shad. ...... Yes. I'd like to meet the wizard.

　I'm not sure if you've heard of it or not, but I've heard of it. He is probably looking at Shad's figure intently and assessing its value.

　Is he a worthy opponent for the mage to meet? Or is he just a nobody?

　Well, as for me, I don't care whether I meet them here or not. The only difference is whether it's quick or not.

　Besides, I'm sure there are plenty of people who would like to meet a demon and get a share of its power. Considering that, it's easy to think that we can get access to them so easily.

　More importantly, the fact that we were able to get 3,000 soldiers into the city unharmed was much more significant. This is now the enemy's territory. There are plenty of moves we can make.

　After a few moments of silence, Nuto raised and lowered his beak and said.

I understand. I'll connect you to Master Junerva. But I can't do it right now, Junerva is out.

　It was an unexpectedly colorful reply, but not the one he wanted. In fact, it was the kind of thing I didn't want to hear.

　Junerva, the demon, is out there.

　That word alone brought a bad feeling to my mind. A single demon is a disaster unto itself. It's easy for one individual to destroy an army. There's no way a guy like that just went out there on a whim.

　He's out there with an agenda, to do something.

　--That's really not good. I can see Mastighios' face in my mind's eye.

　But it was also an opportunity. If the other half of the demon is gone, then Lovell is the only one here now. The perfect tide. No need to take on two demons at once.

　Shad's giant snake face circled my cheek. I nodded and whispered so that Nuto wouldn't notice. I'm starting to feel like a bad guy, if I do say so myself.

"What about ...... Majin Lovell?

　As soon as Shad opened his mouth and said the name, Nuto's face transformed. It's a great way to make sure you're getting the most out of your vacation.

"Master Lovell meets no one. Even if you have millions of gold and a pack of demons with you. No one will see you.

　The blue heron turned its beak upward, repeating the words with emphasis. The gaze that had only been cautious is now quizzical.

　What's with this wariness?

　Whether it's Junerva or Lovell, there are plenty of people who want to meet you just because you're a demon. But as soon as it's Lovell, what is there to be wary of?

　Is there some reason you should hide? Your eyelids close slightly and your brow creases.

　But whatever it is, there's no point in unprovokedly challenging him here. People like Nuto hate it when people disagree with their words, whether they are correct or not. That said, if you give them a place to land, they will easily be led away.

　He looks at Shad and blinks his eyelids. The moment Shad saw this, he tried to nod to Nuto's words, just as I had intended.

　A voice that sounded like a rolled bell rang out. The voice was inorganic, emotionless, and yet beautiful. With a clattering footstep, it made a grand entrance into the surroundings.

It is not like that, Nute. I meet with those who need me when I need them. Immediate correction.



　Amber eyes. It had a rigid atmosphere and was dressed in luxurious clothes. There it was, behaving like a beautifully sculpted doll.

　A little bird that may have come to report the surroundings, and even the ruler of this place, Nuto, were speechless. Unknowingly, my throat rumbled. I could feel the heat in my eyes.

　The demon who had taken Fialaat away from me, Lovell the cog, said as emotionlessly as ever. He seems to have no intention of showing any emotion at all, yet his hands and small gestures are so feminine.

　Your body tilts unconsciously. Even though I knew I shouldn't move here, my legs were ready to jump to him.

"Mr. Lovell ....... What is the matter with you? Why are you here?　This is not the place for you!

　Nuto said in a voice that he forced out of the back of his throat. In a high-pitched voice, Lovell calmly spoke back.

"Nuto. I told you. Immediate, understanding. I meet when I should meet, with whom I should meet. They--no, he--have come to me, for me. Then it's only right that we meet.

　I could see his amber eyes piercing my forehead, not Shad's in front of me. Not only that, but he even has what looks like a small smile on his face.

　I wonder if this is her way of provoking me. How could she be so careless as to kidnap a fellow human being, a being I once longed for?

　I'm not sure what to do. My corner of my eye is going to go up. I'm not sure what to do. You can see in your gaze the flash of the sword that will kill Lovell.

　One breath. I'll cut out his heart in one breath this time.

　My spine is wailing. What's going on? As soon as Laboure's form came into view, my body felt strangely upbeat.

　It's not just that I'm filled with hostility towards him, but something in the core of my body is sobbing. It was saying with a shiver.

　Kill it before it's too late.

　I signal to Kalia with one hand and a fingertip. She'd know. I've already infiltrated the city with some of my 3,000 men. Most of them will have to come with me, but that's no longer an option.

　If we don't cut off the head of the witch soon, we'll lose miserably. It's better to move on, even if it's a journey to death, than to be strangled and weeping.

　One step, out. At the same time, Lovell raised his voice. A voice clearly directed at me.

"That's not a very smart move. Understand immediately.

"What, did I look smart for once?　That's nice. I've never heard that before.

　The hilt of the treasured sword now clangs in unison with my body. The moment I inhaled...

"You want to see your friends. Then prepare yourself immediately. I'll show you the way.

　My clenched teeth chattered. My feet stopped.

　Laboure turns his back, still smiling his forced smile. I couldn't tell if it was an invitation or just a lack of caution.