The first thing that stood out were the various gadgets combining magic and modern technology, followed by the overall sanitation. If a normal modern person were suddenly transported to a medieval town, they wouldn't be able to adapt to the lack of hygiene. But this Demon King City, besides its orderly layout, was as clean and safe as a civilized modern city.
This was the result of efforts by several generations of Demon Kings. However, it was also precisely because of this that the Cardinal Council grew increasingly hostile toward the monarchy. Rules always bind the powerful and the strong, but for the common devil folk, they serve as a protection. Those who use their strength and authority to violate these rules—like the old bastards of the Council—are the ones persecuting the commoners.
Ethan maintained his black cat form, following Shella, who was dressed as a little loli and playing the part of a sweet child perfectly as they toured the city and gathered information. At first, Ethan felt awkward as a cat, but after spending the journey nestled against the girl's fragrant, soft breasts, he found himself actually enjoying it.
Since the Nekomata form no longer weakened his strength and even enhanced his stealth and self-protection, he felt like staying this way forever. Well, at least until he reached his goal. Keeping the transformation required a constant drain of magic and mental energy, but for Ethan, this level of consumption was negligible. It actually served as a way to train his micro-control over his spiritual power.
Ethan lay lazily in the cleavage of Shella's dress, peeking out with only his cat head to observe the demonic architecture. While he played the role of a well-behaved kitty, Mio Naruse and Lucia finally met with Ramsas.
"Lady Mio, Miss Lucia, ahead is Lord Ramsas's mansion."
Looking at the ornate vermilion gates, Mio felt a mix of confusion and nervousness. With her biological parents dead, this uncle was her last direct elder relative. Despite her great power, she was still just a sixteen-year-old high school girl, and she couldn't help but feel a bit shy.
The meeting wasn't as sentimental as imagined, nor was it a trap. Ramsas, a middle-aged noble devil with red hair and gold-rimmed glasses, was neither warm nor cold. He simply didn't know how to treat a niece who suddenly appeared with such a sensitive status.
During dinner, Ramsas put down his cutlery and sighed. "Mio, you shouldn't have come to the Underworld... It's my fault. I couldn't firmly refuse the Cardinal Council's demands."
"Uncle, don't blame yourself. We suspected as much before coming," Mio replied, glancing at Lucia.
Ramsas's position was delicate. Not only was he wary of the Council, but the current Demon King, Leohart, was also wary of him. Before Mio appeared, Ramsas was technically the only devil with a legitimate claim to challenge for the throne. Because of this, he had always lived cautiously, rarely leaving his mansion.
"We came prepared, don't worry," Mio assured him.
"You mean Shella?" Ramsas shook his head. "She knows the city, but she isn't strong enough to oppose the Council."
Ethan, still in his cat form, didn't attract anyone's attention. Even if the Council sent spies, they would never guess the greatest threat came from the cute cat buried in Shella's tits.