Published: August 31, 2025
This is Satou. The relaxed route suddenly ended, and I’m left stunned.
â—‡
An entity that can only be described as a demon descended.
Ram’s horns, eyes glowing red and black, glossy jet-black skin. Four arms, bat wings, and a forked tail tipped with a venomous stinger. Truly a demon.
The demon is sweeping through knights and soldiers like they’re nothing.
In the square, several carriages have overturned, and bodies of people, horses, and something else lie scattered…
It appeared suddenly on a peaceful afternoon.
â—‡
Inside the inner wall, the residences of nobles and the wealthy dominate, and shops seem to exist only along the main road leading from the inner wall to the castle.
As soon as we enter the inner wall, I get off the carriage and, guided by Nadi, stroll around looking at luxury shops.
“This shop stocks high-end weapons favored by knights. This is the only place with metal armor. Sometimes, magical weapons arrive here too. They cost tens of gold coins,” Nadi explained.
“This is the largest among the many jewelry stores. Especially for sapphires and rubies, it’s the finest in the kingdom. For gems affordable to commoners, I recommend Lizu Jewelry across the street.”
“If you want robes tailored, this shop is the one. It was struggling a bit, but since last year, when the son who trained in the Royal Capital took over, its reputation has soared. Though one robe costs two to three gold coins, so it’s out of reach for commoners. Merchants might wear them during big deals to add prestige.”
Nadi is so detailed she deserves a wiki entry. Is this what it means to be a jack-of-all-trades?
In the square before the castle, hackney carriages and fancy carriages pass by, but the traffic is sparse compared to the space, so vehicles often stop right in the middle of the road.
I wonder if Nadi doesn’t get thirsty from all that talking?
“It’s the dream of girls in Seryu City to have tea and sweets at this café’s open terrace,” Nadi’s eyes sparkle. She’s not begging or anything, just pure admiration.
“Nadi, since you’re thirsty too, let’s take a break here.”
“Okay, I’ll wait here, so please enjoy yourself.”
…Huh?
Suddenly I'm confirmed solo?!
“Nadi, aren’t you joining?”
“Sorry, I’m not paid enough to afford tea here…”
“Tell me all about the castle and square while we have tea and sweets. I’ll pay, of course.”
Nadi’s eyes light up… but soon cloud over. Is it really that expensive?
I decide to push forward!
“Let’s go.”
I gently take her hand and enter the shop.
â—‡
I braced myself a little, but the tea and sweets set cost only one silver coin. Pretty cheap, right? Still, it’s equivalent to five nights in a decent inn, so maybe it’s pricey for common folk.
Though it’s an open terrace, there are stylish marble tables. The teacups and pot look expensive too.
The tea tastes like Assam tea. No sugar or milk provided.
Instead, there’s a cookie-like baked sweet with cottage cheese and jam to eat with.
Is it really that desirable? Looking around, all the girls seem to be eating something like hotcakes drenched in honey and cream.
So I call the waiter and order two servings of hotcakes. Three silver coins.
“It’s so delicious~~~!”
It really is tasty… Nadi’s blissful, melting expression especially.
While enjoying the sweets, Nadi doesn’t forget her duties and tells me about the castle and the development of Seryu City.
But that peaceful afternoon tea party didn’t last long…
At first, a large black shadow flies over the square.
Then a deep, booming scream.
A massive fireball crosses the square and strikes the castle.
One of the nearby spires collapses.
Hearing the crumble and seeing the dust cloud, people frozen in place in the square suddenly spring back into action. Screams rise, soldiers shout to evacuate.
Above the square floats a demon with four arms and black wings spread wide.
“Does this city have a custom where demons come to play every afternoon?”
“Of course not! Hurry! You have to evacuate!”