#050
Was it because the ship owner was a prince of the Parhenrine Holy Kingdom? The mood among the passengers demanded explanations more from the Papal Court than from the prince. After all, the king of the Holy Kingdom had always been in the position of serving the Pope.
Toward the passengers rising to their feet, the priest raised both hands even higher, as if to reassure them.
"Of course, everyone. Our investigation revealed that wicked evildoers attempted to summon a demon using the Lilith Ship as a sacrifice. It was too much for the Papal Court alone, so we requested cooperation from the Iterana Empire. Combining our forces, we captured them and thwarted the summoning!"
At that, Madam Fontpado gnashed her teeth.
「It's utterly incomprehensible. The summoning was definitely successful. I can't be certain it was a Great Demon, but it had an aura on par with one at least. So why... Could it be that Duke Chezare is that powerful? Ridiculous.」
There had been that conversation where the summoned demon and Chezare seemed to get along just fine, suggesting they make the best of it.
"What caused everyone to lose consciousness just now?"
"That was the demon's final struggle, I can assure you. Our righteous Sir Percival, the holy knights, and the priests combined their powers to drive them out. No need to worry."
Even with the priest's booming voice, the passengers' doubts didn't seem fully dispelled.
"On behalf of the Papal Court, I declare that the Lilith Ship is now safe. You may return to your cabins."
But a newfound peace and relief visibly settled over them. As people began to disperse one by one, the crowded deck finally started to breathe again.
"This feels really fishy."
Hearing Demian's mutter, Madam Fontpado reacted immediately.
「Fishy doesn't even begin to cover it! There are too many suspicious parts! Miss, why don't you go ask the duke about what really happened? My head's spinning from curiosity...」
If she learned this was all a Papal Court conspiracy, her head would spin even more.
At that moment, amid the moving crowd, a young woman rushed forward and grabbed the priest's arm.
"What about my child?! M-my baby disappeared. They went down to fetch luggage we'd left behind...!"
Her eyes were red and swollen from crying. Come to think of it, that's why Magi had been in danger too—searching cabins to gather more sacrifices.
The priest placed his hand gently over the woman's with a benevolent smile.
"No need to worry, madam. We've just received word that the passengers who were about to be offered as sacrifices have been rescued. Your child is safe and sound. This is all thanks to His Holiness the Pope."
So that's how they smooth it over.
In short, the men who tried to kidnap Catherine would take the fall for everything.
This whole thing was a stage set by the Pope.
And at the cost of sacrificing an entire luxury liner, no less. Catherine resolved never to get entangled with the Papal Court.
"S-sob... Thank you, thank you! Thank you, Your Holiness!"
The woman showered thanks on the mastermind of the incident.
Watching the scene, Demian turned and said,
"It's a huge relief you're safe, miss. Even in big crises, it puts my mind at ease. Though I had to run around sweating buckets looking for you. Haha!"
"Demian, you know you're sneakily useless, right?"
"Ah, did this have to overlap with my break time? Let's head back. I really want to rest properly this time."
Demian gently pushed Catherine's back, forcing her into the flow of passengers heading to their cabins.
「I had a hard time finding you too, Catherine. When I snapped out of the illusion, you were gone, and only the lady was left.」
Well, that's because I escaped the illusion first.
"...You two? What about Percival?"
「If you're talking about that scumbag, no idea.」
Come to think of it, Percival was nowhere in sight. It was a relief for Catherine, but his sudden disappearance amid the chaos left an uneasy feeling.
"Madam Fontpado."
「Yes?」
"If the demon summoning had really succeeded, who would the contract have been with?"
The madam sighed shortly before replying.
「The stronger the demon, the stronger the human it seeks. It won't just contract with anyone who summons it. It would likely choose the most magically adept and powerful among those leading the ritual... Sigh, I have no clue anymore.」
Among the Papal Court figures on the Lilith Ship, the most magically talented and powerful one. Someone who also enjoyed the Pope's favor.
...Nah, no way. That guy's personality wouldn't suddenly contract with a demon.
Back in her cabin, Catherine stretched languidly and flopped onto the bed. She'd hoped for a carefree, happy trip, not this string of complicated incidents.
But how did I end up in the Abyss?
Because she was contractor to the Great Demon Chezare? But if contractors could enter just like that, master mages wouldn't have struggled so hard to uncover the Abyss's secrets.
The reason. Why Catherine could eavesdrop on the Great Demons' conversation in the Abyss.
'Do you know you're a Nephilim?'
No. Not that either. If being Nephilim allowed eavesdropping, Madam Fontpado should have been there too.
So it had nothing to do with being Nephilim.
Catherine sat up abruptly and gulped down some cold water. The things she needed to ask Chezare were piling up.
That evening, the Lilith Ship increased speed and arrived at the port city of Beaton Blue below Christopher a full day early.
She'd thought it impossible due to port schedules, but perhaps because the ship owner was Prince Jenan? Impossible things became possible.
「The Parhenrine royal family is suuuuper suspicious.」
「Quiet down and stop playing detective.」
「Detective? Look at this clueless cat! The demon was definitely summoned! That priest even said it was on Prince Jenan's orders. It reeks of filth and scheming.」
From that day on, Madam Fontpado harped daily on the "Parhenrine royal corruption theory." No one took it seriously or bothered responding. No one cared about the Parhenrine royals.
Their attention was fixed on one thing.
"Pretty."
Staring where Demian's gaze lingered, Catherine replied,
"The woman? Or the flower?"
"The flower, of course."
For a flower, his eyes were awfully fixed on one spot. The port girls Demian was peeking at all had fresh chrysanthemums tucked behind one ear.
They were busy handing out flowers from baskets and travel guide pamphlets to welcome tourists.
「Ugh... the flower scent is so overpowering...」
The Lilith Ship would dock in Beaton Blue for a day to enjoy a break before heading back to Christopher. The city buzzed with the autumn port festival. Yellow chrysanthemums, fitting the sea, filled the air with fragrance everywhere.
Being the festival's final day, it was especially crowded, noisy with street vendors.
"Lord Chezare's come down."
Demian whispered in Catherine's ear. Without turning, she could feel the hotel lobby's murmurs.
Catherine pulled a thick wad of cash from her bag and handed it to Demian.
"Have fun today, Demian. Here's some pocket money."
His face lit up with delight over the cash, though confusion flickered first.
"Here's the bag."
But his expression darkened at the bag she handed next.
"While having fun?"
"Don't like it? Fun without pocket money, or fun with pocket money and the bag...?"
"Just leave it to me, miss. What's the worst that could happen with one cat and one lady?"
Demian snatched the bag with a bright grin, as if to say trust only him.
「Oh my. Listen to this young man. No wonder he's unpopular with women.」
"What? I'm popular, lady."
「They meet the face and break up over the personality.」
Glancing aside, Chezare was drawing closer. Catherine patted Demian's shoulder, signaling him to scram.
"Ugh, fine, fine. I have zero intention of cockblocking your date, so stop nagging."
Demian shuddered dramatically. That wasn't what she meant, but she had no desire to correct him now.
Catherine turned from Demian to face Chezare. His long strides brought him near so swiftly, it felt like an invisible red carpet had unrolled beneath him.
The way surrounding eyes followed him made it feel like "the person from those rumors—whatever they are" was approaching, heightening her tension inexplicably.
What to call this feeling?
"Sorry I'm late. Chancellor Col wouldn't let me go."
The thrill of first meeting her fiancé whose name she'd only known? Hmm, bad example. Meeting Charles Kilholder hadn't felt like this at all.
"It's fine."
Her curt tone slipped out unconsciously; Catherine waved her hands hastily.
"Ah, sorry. With all these people, I instinctively acted like a foreigner."
"Seemed to suit you."
Chezare smiled faintly while adjusting his cufflink. It was a flawless, perfect smile, but facing it, Catherine savored a subtle mood.
To Chezare, this is all part of the human game too.
Thinking she might be a bit special amid that game made his presence feel both unfamiliar and reassuring.
"Do you like the chrysanthemum festival? Where should we start?"
"We?"
"It's the last day of the festival. You weren't planning to stay cooped up in the hotel, were you?"
At Chezare's question, Catherine blinked in mild daze.
"I called you because I had something to say."
He nodded calmly after a brief silence.
"Ah, right. I'd forgotten."
Forgotten? For real? He always wore that smiling or composed face, making his true intentions hard to read.
Chezare reversed his steps toward the hotel exit, heading instead for the hotel's cafeteria.
Yet every time he passed, hotel guests murmured the same word like a chant: "Lord."
"Lord?"
At Catherine's murmur, Chezare glanced at her.
"Around the eighth territory in my name's lineage... that's Beaton Blue."
Catherine's eyes widened. In other words, Chezare was the lord of Beaton Blue.
He'd inherited over a dozen territories including Christopher, so it wasn't strange at all.