#070
"Kyaaak!"
Screams erupted as people began fleeing in all directions. The city turned into utter pandemonium in an instant. What set it apart from any other city was the presence of those who held their ground, calmly assessing the situation.
"I hear the sound of waves. It's a sea root demon."
"Judging by the size and color of that summoning magic circle, it's no low-grade demon. Hey! Notify headquarters now!"
Could they really gauge the demon's level just from the magic circle? Busperfield truly was informative in every way.
Soon, Queen burst through the rushing waters, surveying her surroundings before speaking.
「This place... it's brimming with mana. So many skilled mages. Should I just swallow them all in one gulp? How exciting!」
Whether she was truly excited or not, she flailed her stubby legs, menacing the nearby buildings.
Catherine raised her hand to calm Queen down, but the surrounding mages reacted faster.
"Queen! It's a disaster-grade demon, Queen!"
"Damn it, a disaster-grade? Protecting the civilians comes first! Erect the barriers!"
The mages moved with organized precision, beginning to defend the terrified city.
「Oh ho. Nephilim, are you? No wonder there are so few pests...」
And so, the battle between the mages safeguarding the city and Queen commenced.
Catherine stared blankly at the dozens of attack spells flying toward Queen—and at Queen, who hummed a tune while effortlessly defending herself.
Of course, I summoned her to cause a commotion... but this might be getting a bit out of hand.
Before long, Demian called out to her from a bench he'd claimed in the distance.
"Miss! This spot's prime real estate!"
"The sea root's natural enemy is wind! Form an attack squad with wind-root mages!"
"Haha! Queen, that shell of yours is tough! She's dancing around, nullifying every spell!"
"Prioritize evacuating children and women to the air raid shelters!"
"Ahh, watching this fun show is making me hungry. Any restaurants around...?"
The mages' urgent chatter clashed sharply with Demian's idiotic voice.
Catherine fell into brief contemplation.
No matter what, there's no need to torment innocent people.
But ordering Queen to stop now would reveal her as the summoner, branding her a terrorist. Who knew what ugly consequences that might bring?
Or maybe that's for the best? Someone from above would come down to interrogate me...
What was the better choice? As Catherine racked her brains desperately,
"Hey, miss."
Amid the chaotic city din, one voice rang out unusually clear. Catherine turned toward it.
There stood a man in an outrageously flashy shirt printed with pineapples, sunglasses perched on his head, looking as if he were on vacation. An inexplicable pressure emanated from his relaxed posture.
"You look hungry. Got time? How about grabbing a bite with me?"
The only man who could pull off such a hideous shirt with his handsome features was Giovanni Busperfield.
Giovanni smirked, lifting the corner of his mouth.
"I'd appreciate it if you accepted this date invite. My people are suffering because of your demon, you know."
Demian shot over like an arrow, blocking Catherine's front. He glared at Giovanni and his pineapple monstrosity like the man was insane.
At Demian's arrival, Giovanni let out a soft pssh and removed his sunglasses.
"What? She has a boyfriend? ...No, wait—that imperial knight from the Lilith Ship? Oh ho. You've got quite the impressive guard."
"Miss, you know this guy?"
Catherine patted Demian's shoulder affirmatively.
"It's fine, Demian. This uncle is Giovanni Busperfield."
"Come on, I told you I'm not an uncle."
A shadow of deep offense crossed his formerly relaxed face. Then what should I call you? Oppa? It was a conscience as atrocious as that pineapple shirt.
Catherine looked up at the massive turtle swimming through the sky and issued her command.
"Queen! That's enough—go back now."
Queen gazed at her with a voice full of regret.
「Just this much? Well, a light stroll like this isn't bad.」
Queen's form, which had blanketed the sky, vanished in a burst of foam.
The surrounding mages, hearing Catherine's voice, whispered in disbelief.
"That young woman owns a disaster-grade demon?"
"She's with the Commander-in-Chief."
"Definitely at least half-transcendent realm. She must be far older than she looks."
Sometimes, displaying overwhelming prowess right in the heart of enemy territory was key.
They're treating me like some amazing mage on their own. Thanks for that.
In truth, she was just a novice who couldn't even cast a cleaning spell.
Giovanni approached a couple of steps and extended his hand to her.
"Let's move for now, miss. Too noisy here."
"This happened because you didn't come pick me up."
Giovanni shrugged dramatically.
"Blaming me now? If you'd followed the guide properly, you'd have reached me safely. Instead, the guide's passed out in a mana car, blissfully asleep—during work hours, no less."
"Who could endure that endless Busperfield boasting? My ears were about to fall off."
"Come on, indulge me a little. The Sky Garden's famous among Nephilim as a tourist spot too."
Is that my problem?
Catherine took Giovanni's hand with a displeased expression. No—Demian intercepted her attempt midway and gripped Giovanni's other hand tightly.
"Hey, Commander dude. You're old enough—don't flirt with young ladies. If you wanna touch, touch me."
Giovanni chuckled.
"Loyal to a fault."
Suddenly, Catherine's vision shook violently up and down. She shook her head to fend off the dizziness.
By then, they were no longer in the chaotic city center but in a sleekly designed reception room.
Not your average mage, as expected.
Mages who could cast without incantations were exceedingly rare. Rumors held that Giovanni Busperfield had reached the transcendent realm, like Shagweed II or the Pope.
Just like on the Lilith Ship, his soft appearance belied a reputation for ruthless pursuit of his goals, by any means necessary.
Catherine stuck close to Demian. Giovanni sauntered leisurely to the head of the table.
"Honestly, I didn't expect you'd accept my invitation, miss. You're usually so standoffish. So, how's Fontpado Madam doing?"
A light finger snap opened the door wide. Women in outfits as flashy as noble ladies filed in, carrying colorful desserts and drinks.
Catherine eyed the food being laid out on the table as she replied.
"She's about to find a good contractor soon. So, drop your interest."
"Really? Tsk, what a shame. She was one-of-a-kind talent."
Demian looked unusually tense. The glutton who normally shoveled food without hesitation was ignoring it entirely.
"So... our miss came to join Busperfield's cause?"
"Cause? What cause do terrorists even have?"
Demian's response, speaking for Catherine, carried a hint of malice. But Giovanni brushed it off nonchalantly, as if accustomed to it.
"Terrorists, huh... Hey, Black Lion Knight. Does this city really look like a terrorist haven to you?"
Giovanni rose leisurely and approached the window. Drawing back the curtain revealed the full panorama of the Sky Garden through enormous floor-to-ceiling glass.
So this is the space at the top of that spire.
No horizon in sight. The Sky Garden, packed with skyscrapers on all sides, was surrounded solely by blue skies and pristine white clouds. A breathtaking vista.
"This isn't just paradise for Nephilim—it's heaven for every mage on the continent. Look at the world beyond that window."
Giovanni's face, gazing out, softened as if beholding a beloved lover.
"We live by our own rules. Free from the empire that sees Nephilim as potential disasters, the Papal Court that deems demons unclean, and the Holy Kingdom bound by their divine laws—a perfect heaven."
Catherine cautiously sipped the coffee offered to her. Demian shot her a warning glance from the side, but she doubted a commander-in-chief would tamper with food.
"Crime? Safer than any kingdom on the continent, I guarantee. Capital? This is the production hub for the finest magic tools circulating everywhere. System of government? We bow to no emperor or god. We trust only ourselves."
The city's development level seemed on par with Christopher Duchy. That much was undeniable.
"So who dares call us terrorists? Right, miss?"
The guide's endless boasting about Busperfield made sense now. If even the leader brimmed with narcissism, his underlings were surely no different.
As Catherine chewed the last of her bread, Demian answered for her.
"Sorry to interrupt the bragging, but our miss couldn't care less."
It perfectly captured her feelings. The moment he finished, Catherine spoke up.
"Can we talk about my business now?"
Giovanni let out a hollow laugh.
"You're something else... Fine, what's this grand business of yours?"
Catherine stated bluntly the reason she'd come all the way to distant Busperfield.
"Be my teacher."
Making Giovanni her master. Demian reacted faster than Giovanni himself.
"Miss, have you lost your mind?"
Undeterred, Catherine pressed on.
"And I have some questions about Nephilim. Mind if I ask?"
Giovanni sank back into his chair with a defeated chuckle, shaking his head as if resigned.
"Am I getting old? My once-sharp mind can't keep up with yours. Well, since fate brought us together... fire away with your questions."
The leader of countless Nephilim and a master mage himself. Catherine figured he'd provide more useful info than even the archdemon Chezare.
"Why do demons sire children with humans?"
Perhaps Giovanni could offer a more fundamental answer.
"Ah, so our miss finally admits she's Nephilim herself. A bit late, but good."
After all, he and Catherine shared the grand common denominator of being Nephilim.
