NOVPUBThey steered a streamlined magic guided speedboat across the bay, the lights on the bridge refracting dimly through the water’s surface, while the skyline of the Demon King Castle Necaris was still nowhere to be seen in the distance.
"The Blood Clan Envoy will be arriving at the Demon King’s Castle today, and I estimate it won’t get light until the afternoon,"
Lisandra lamented, looking up at the 6 a.m. sky.
To welcome the visiting Blood Clan Messenger, the Demon Race even activated the Canopy Barrier over the Royal Capital Necaris, blocking out the sunlight like an eclipse.
Looking toward the distant Naka Island bay, the dark high-rises and small residential buildings appeared dreamy, piled up like dark gold, and Necaris City remained full of mystery and beauty, as enchanting as when one first falls in love at dawn.
Amber-colored magic guided vehicles flitted swiftly over the sea.
Just as they were speeding parallel to the elevated bridge and getting closer to Naka Island, the sound of wingbeats fluttering in the air arose, and a small flying dragon cavalry officer struggled to catch up with them.
"Stop! Submit to inspection!"
The Demon World officer shouted sternly over the waves.
Today was the day the Blood Clan Envoy came to visit, and several roads near the Naka Island royal palace had been blocked off and had speed limits enforced. Unexpectedly, there were members of the Demon Race who chose today of all days to head straight for the royal palace via the sea route.
"I’m working over at the palace..."
Lisandra quickly replied, turning her head and speaking meekly.
Before she could finish.
"Don’t worry, Lisandra,"
Lanci’s voice was loud and firm, showing no intention of slowing down.
He just took out a card from the drawer on the driver’s side, held it up without looking back, showing it to the police officer chasing behind them.
"It’s you!"
The Demon World officer immediately saluted, his voice full of respect, grabbing the reins of the dragon and instantly turning around,
"Next time, I’ll be sure to recognize you, Mr. McCarthy. My apologies!"
"..."
Lisandra looked back at the Demon World officer as he gradually receded into the distance, and then she turned, surprised, to look at McCarthy beside her.
"I did a small favor for their boss,"
Lanci explained to Lisandra,
"I don’t usually drive so fast, but today’s situation is special. I need to make sure you get to the palace on time, but I assure you I didn’t speed. I never break traffic rules."
He tossed the card back into the drawer, where a current edition of the Demon World lawbook also lay.
"Oh."
Lisandra was stunned for a while.
Only then did she realize that the demon beside her, as approachable as a princess, actually belonged to another world.
He had money, power, and unbelievable privileges in this Demon King Castle Necaris. Friends were everywhere, eager to help him out, just as he had effortlessly charmed Miss Tia the day before.
Before long, they successfully landed on the opposite shore and got back on the road.
The closer they got to the Naka Island royal palace, the more congested the traffic became.
"Honestly, this is my first time visiting the Naka Island royal palace,"
Lanci looked at the time and turned off the Demon King’s Castle broadcast program in the car.
In the bustling heart of this city-state, one could hear broadcast programs from the sound systems scattered all around, even without having to turn on any private devices.
He was confident that even a slow drive wouldn’t make Lisandra late, so he didn’t ask her to get out and walk the rest of the way.
"After all, you’ve only recently arrived at the Royal Capital Necaris,"
Lisandra stood up a little in her seat, looking out at the square and the streets outside the palace, filled with members of the Demon Race.
Traffic was especially congested today due to the blocked-off roads. She might have been late for work if she had gone about her day as usual, but thankfully they had chosen the water route.
"I’m grateful you gave me a lift today, Mr. McCarthy,"
Lisandra said, not often one to express frustration.
Actually, she was displeased with the arrival of the Blood Clan Messenger.
Why should they sacrifice half a day to accommodate the Blood Clan just because they come during the day?
This submissive treaty made them seem like they had to kowtow to the Blood Clan at every turn.
"I also feel that blocking the traffic this way isn’t reasonable, and even less so is it reasonable to use the Demon World’s tax revenue to activate the extremely costly Canopy Barrier. The only thing making everyone happy is the chance to witness a Blood Clan spectacle this morning,"
Lanci leaned back in his seat, slowly driving while the Demon Race on foot passed by the open-top glass.
"It is said that Count Sergio is a top-notch detective of the Blood Clan, and today many influential demons are eager to witness his deductive process,"
Lisandra agreed.
Although her view aligned with McCarthy’s, both of them wanting to curse the Blood Clan, her position prevented her from insulting them to their face.
For most of the demons who had gathered early to watch the spectacle, it was a unique detective performance show.
Of course, this was also related to Sergio’s abilities.
He generally had the result before proving the process.
Count Sergio could first identify the murderer based on his abilities, though this could not serve as direct evidence since only he could see who the murderer was through his powers. What he needed to do was to prove it in other ways.
Since the Blood Clan preferred the night, today’s visit had likely started before she went to work.
Now Lisandra and Lanci could look up at the magical screen on the high-rise outside the window to see the reception of the Count of the Blood Clan at the royal palace square.
"The princess is calmer than I imagined,"
Lisandra remarked.
It’s unclear whether the princess truly believes the killer is not of the Demon Race or if she has a contingency plan against the Blood Clan detective.
It wasn’t just her thinking this; the demons walking past the convertible occasionally murmured their thoughts as well.
But McCarthy did not respond to her.
When Lisandra turned her head, she saw McCarthy looking at Princess Hyperion on the huge screen, smiling slightly.
"The princess is quite beautiful, isn’t she?"
Lisandra asked tentatively.
She rarely saw the princess in full regalia and was surprised to find Rocky McCarthy so captivated unintentionally.
Shimmering on the steps in front of the royal palace, her delicate features radiated beauty like no other, her silver hair cascading down like a waterfall, softly draping over her light blue gown. The hem of her dress fluttered gently on the steps below as she descended gracefully.
"Hmm,"
Lanci hesitated for a moment before nodding in response.
"Too bad, everyone only sees the brilliance of the princess at this moment, unaware that she is the one truly being tested today,"
Lisandra said with pity.
In such an occasion today, she didn’t even have the privilege to accompany the princess; the only one following her was the Fallen Lord Calila, ensuring her safety.
"Don’t worry, Her Highness the princess is clearly a demon of great fortune. Perhaps this Blood Clan Count’s detective show will be over soon, and the princess won’t run into any trouble,"
Lanci said optimistically, smiling as if he felt the matter would conclude before it had even started.
"I hope so..."
Lisandra murmured worriedly.
Mr. McCarthy was taking it too lightly; there’s no such thing as resolving troubles in an instant just by paying some insubstantial price.
