Case 111: Upon some troubles at the demon stronghold.

''...If that's what you want.''

Remembering Cecilia's words that were said with a bitter face, Yuria couldn't help but ponder. Who really was the person in front of her?

If what she said was true, she had to be a high-ranking demon—someone with close ties to the royal bloodline, or even... the royal themselves. Still, this delicate woman was shrouded in uncertainties. The more Cecilia talked, the more shocking truths were revealed, so this might not even have been the end. The princess thought for a long while, yet nothing came of it at all.

Whatever Cecilia was, once Yuria had promised she would accompany her, she would see it to the end.

''How should we proceed?''

To Cecilia, who was packing her luggage, she asked. In response, the blue-haired woman shrugged, ''Just go in normally. The car can't enter, of course.''

''That's it...?''

''They have a lot of surveillance measures in place. Sneaking in would only bring more suspicion.''

Giving a straight face, Cecilia then turned around and briskly walked forward, her calm demeanor unlike that of someone entering the demon's stronghold.

Yuria had no choice but to follow her.

Slowly, they were approaching the towering walls of the city. From their appearance alone, one can hardly discern if they truly belonged to an evil race or not. Blending with the steady streams of demons entering and exiting the stronghold, the two quietly slipped in.

Certain doubts arose in the princess's mind as her sharp eyes darted around, yet the moment they stepped past the main entrance, she immediately understood what Cecilia meant.

''...''

The town was... surprisingly normal.

The streets were busy just as any other, with a jungle of tall buildings housing countless individuals, each with its own personality. Grand, luxurious housing, modest shops, shady alleyways, and a frustratingly even brick road connecting all of them.

The only difference between this place and a human town was its inhabitants.

Befitting the demon stronghold, all sorts of demonic beings roamed free here, from small to large, from humanoid to spiritual, even ghosts and mythical entities.

As if noticing Yuria's bewilderment, Cecilia softly spoke,

''Civilized, no?''

''Ah... yeah. I mean.''

''Look closer.''

''What...''

However, the culture here couldn't be more different from that of the rest of the world. Yuria tried to scrutinize the surroundings just as Cecilia had suggested, only to feel terribly disgusted a mere second later.

Indeed, although everything appeared 'normal,' the place was rather chaotic. Big demons extorted small demons in obscure corners, while all sorts of magic plagued the air, threatening to overwhelm any unsuspecting victim.

Local shops sold goods looted from deceased adventurers, from monsters, and even from the perished demons themselves. Yet, not a hint of abnormality could be felt.

They were content with this.

It was, after all, a city ruled by the idea of survival of the fittest.

''Nothing is black and white,'' Cecilia added. ''What we consider 'bad'... they might think of it as something natural. We're all shades of gray to one another.''

''...''

Yuria struggled through Cecilia's words. Even if what her companion referred to was demons, the 'evil' race, the princess couldn't find a way to refute any of it.

''Ow...!''

Yuria bumped into Cecilia.

''Why did you stop...?''

Then, she belatedly realized that someone was blocking their way—a burly werewolf with a scar running deep across his face. He stood a whole person taller than the two, his huge body blocking the little sunlight left in this forsaken place.

''What do we have here? A feline, and... a human?'' The werewolf smirked.

''You're quite sharp.'' Cecilia calmly replied. ''Mind getting out of the way?''

Yuria tried to intervene, tapping Cecilia's shoulder, ''Cecily, be careful. He saw through our camouflage.'' She was about to suggest retreating. Truthfully, Yuria could probably defeat this kind of opponent, but it would undoubtedly attract attention.

The werewolf, sensing such anxieties, sarcastically said, ''How about it? You two go to my place, and we can settle this peacefully.''

''Nonsen—''

''Sure.''

Cecilia easily agreed.

''It would be easier for both of us that way, yes.''

''Cecily...?''

Now, the princess was wholly astounded. Somehow, as they walked on hostile soil, the usually timid Cecilia became... bolder. For a brief moment, she thought unraveling the reason behind that was more exciting than this so-called 'adventure.'

The werewolf took them to a run-down house.

Inside, a dozen more brawny werewolves were already waiting. Some napped, some played cards, and some were in the midst of exercising. The door shut closed upon the two's entrance, and all eyes turned to them.

''Hey, new prey.'' The scarred werewolf announced.

Followed was exultant laughter and crazed gazes eyeing the two women. The atmosphere was oppressing at best, and borderline dreadful at worst.

'What is she thinking, walking straight into their den like this...'

Yuria swiftly put on her knuckles, preparing to fight. She looked on as Cecilia slowly took off her hat, revealing her otherworldly beauty, and...

''Lucy.''

'''' !!! ''''

Cecilia's scarlet eyes scanned the room.

The next moment, together with a small, black-wooled sheep's emergence, countless chains spurted from the ground, snatching the enemies' limbs as though snakes.

''Gather them in one place.''

[Okey...]

Before anyone could snap out of the sudden developments, some fifteen giant werewolves were squarely bound and thrown at the corner of the house. All but one were gagged, only allowed meaningless groans.

''This bitch! What are you—''

The scarred wolf felt a chill running down his spine. Another glance at the woman, who was lightly approaching him, another glance at the cheeky-looking Soul Guardian on her shoulder.

That distinct wool which was black as the void.

That unmistakable aura.

''I!''

The quick-witted werewolf slammed his body onto the floor almost too exaggeratedly, shaking the whole building, ''I greet the noblest—''

''Shut up.''

''Yes!''

The whimperings completely halted.

Each and every one of the muscular demons froze with all their might, not daring to make a sound, however light it might be. Meeting someone of Cecilia's caliber here was pure luck, or rather, pure misfortune. They had no choice but to crawl and pray that they would make it out alive.

''What is going on...?''

Yuria was the only one who was confused in the room.

She stared at the delicate back of Cecilia amidst the suffocating silence, her thoughts jumbled. Eventually, her blue-haired companion turned around, bearing a gentle smile, ''We can use them to get information. How convenient.''

''I-Is that so?''

Surprises piled on top of surprises.

Cecilia made a casual gesture, after which an invisible force picked the kneeling werewolf into the air. It was a rare type of magic—telekinesis.

''I thought I saw this symbol before. Weren't you guys a famous gang here?'' She pondered, raising the guy's leg. Indeed, there was a distinct symbol burned into his paw.

''N-No, we're just small fries, I swear!''

''You guys must know a lot, am I right?''

''...Yes!''

Cecilia's drop-dead gorgeous smile deepened, yet it brought neither admiration nor appreciation. Perhaps it did in some other senses. Still, those who gazed upon this sight couldn't help but feel unsettled.

Yuria could instinctively sense it in Cecilia—the sheer composure that only the noblest of nobles could possess.

'So this is her real self... no, maybe it's only a part of her.'

Both nervous and eager, the princess strived for more of this mysterious individual.