*ZzZ*

Just right after our conversation, the cat— Sylvie fell asleep while holding her stomach with a paw. Weirded out, I just continued on my business— I drank.

*Squeek*

The door opened. I threw a look toward the newcomer and saw a cloaked person. Who I assumed was a man threw me a look aswell, well his head was towards me. He was literally covered in every inch of his body.

It was like he was covered by the darkest shadows.

I also couldn’t tell anything about his status.

The mysterious figure walked towards my direction. Not exactly towards me, but Sylvie.

The small black cat was still snoring like no tomorrow.

Since I was intrigued by the cat, I asked away.

“What kind of cat is she?”

My question was of course meant towards the cloaked man, he was probably here for the cat.

“There’s no need to know.”

A hoarse voice came out of him.

“Well, she drank my wine, so I have to know something.”

The cloaked figure put his hands on his breast pocket.

*Cling* *Cling*

“That should do.”

He threw a few gold coins at the table.

I chuckled. “Do you think a mere catsitter can give me something I don’t have?”

My voice was rather cold, but I didn’t care. My pride can’t be overlooked by a mere catguard.

Hearing my response, he didn’t do anything he just picked up the cat gently— not to spook her and started to walk away towards the exit.

He ignored me..

At first I wanted to stop him, but my intuition told me that I’ll loose a limb or two if I go ahead with my plan. I’ve felt this before. With Frenhil, Ynnihlas’ father.

Everytime I think I’m strong, there’s someone new to prove me otherwise. I didn’t know how long this world stretched, but there’s one thing I’m sure about— I’ll see to it. I’ll see every corner of it until I’m satisfied, until I can say that I’ve reached the stars.

I chuckled. I noticed that I started to get metaphorical. A sign that I’m slowly getting drunk. But so what, I miss being drunk.

I indulged in beer, whine and I even found a liquor similar in taste with whiskey. What do you know.

Morning came. I was woken up by the sound of music.

“How does a princess get so much energy so early..”

As seconds passed the volume rose. To the point that it felt annoying.

I grunted and left a few silver to the bartender who had bags below his eyes. He looked like he hadn’t slept all night. Poor him.

I pushed the door and a blinding light swept over my eyes, making me slightly flinch.

Probably a side-effect of my hangover. I got used to the light and was finally able to see through normally.

A huge crowd with music. A platform in the middle with a stunning beauty standing atop of it with lights all around.

There was also someone else who caught my eyes. A blondy, here I thought he’ll be hangover, turns out he didn’t drink that much.

Turning my attention to the beauty, I enjoyed the music. Following her voice, everyone on the crowd joined her. Barely leaving her to sing.

Fans are really crazy.

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Speaking of crazy, before my eyes, a middle-aged man with a crazy look on his face jumped at the stage. I had no time to react at all, the crazy man had a dagger on his hands and proceeded to jump towards the princess. However I noticed that the princess was already aware, she side stepped and roundhouse kicked the man— which threw him of the stage, leaving him unconscious.

What surprised me was the casualness, everything went back as if nothing happened, which made me wonder how often does such a thing happen while they’re singing.

A few minutes later I joined Ynnihlas, he seemed surprised at my appearance.

“What?”

“E-eh? Nothing, just surprised seeing you fine.”

He gave me an answer I didn’t expect.

I raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean?”

He gulped and scratched his cheek.

“Well, when we visited the bar you were staying around an hour ago, you seemed pretty wasted. I thought you wouldn’t be back for at least a day. Which would screw our plans.”

“I’m not that weak.” I scoffed

He chuckled.

“Even as strong as you are, you can’t beat booze.”

I tried to rebuke, my lips shaped to talk but no words came out.

“Fuck”

I gave up.

We continued to watch the princess sing and party away. She did that for hours without pause.

I was getting bored. But the crowd weirdly just seemed to want more. Crazy indeed.

Finally the end came.

“Well Bylmind— I’m afraid It’s time for me to go, I hope you had as much fun as I did.”

She held two fingers in the air as she spoke through the microphone.

*Whooo* +x99

The crowd went crazy once again.

She sent a flying kiss to the crowd and left, she jumped from the platform over the crowd and landed somewhere in a rooftop.

“She sure knows how to make an exit.”

Ynnihlas couldn’t help but comment.

I was struck, “what the hell are we waiting for, let’s follow her.”

“Oh! Shit! I forgot about that.”

Yeah, we kind of forgot what our goal was. Oartying really gives you a way out of reality.

It can be good for those who want to kill themselves. But not for us, not at this case at least.

We also jumped through rooftops, and luckily we could still see her. She was a long distance ahead, but we could still catch up. I was worrying whether these guards Ynnihlas mentioned will be able to notice us. But in this situation, we could only do this. Maybe if I didn’t indulge in booze, I might’ve planned ahead for a more secure plan.

After a bit of running, we arrived at the near corner of the city.

We could see the princess enter a rather old carriage, certainly not fit for a princess, but a smart way to avoid trouble.

“At least not all rich people are stupid enough to ride a luxurious carriage.”

I took the opportunity to tease Ynnihlas— cuz why not?

“It’s just a differentiation of taste.”

He raised his chin. Pridefully.

Idiots can’t be offended, it seems.

“If I was alone, I could’ve kept up with them.”

Ynnihlas wasn’t fast enough to follow me and the carriage.

“I agree. Go alone then.”

Surprisingly he agreed.

“While I follow them, you should also try to catch up to us with Remis.”

He nodded and changed course.

However, contradictory of whatever I thought would happen, the carriage didn’t move. It just stayed in place.

I chose to simply go to them. As I got closer to the carriage, at a certain point— two guards appeared out of nowhere.

“I suggest you do not come any further.”

I looked at them and I suddenly remembered something.

The clothes they’re wearing are the same as the guy at the bar early in the morning.

“Have I seen you somewhere?”

I asked. The two had the same height and size. I couldn’t tell any difference. The one I saw earlier could be either of them.

“We’ve never seen you before. I suggest you leave.”

One of them spoke with a rather commanding tone.

“It’s alright let him come in.”

A voice leaked out of the carriage. It was the princess.

The guards didn’t say anything and made way for me.

I opened the door of the carriage and entered it.

It was ..spacious. Too spacious considering the size of the carriage from outside.

I assumed It was Space Magic. Exactly like the one in the old man’s dungeon.

“Cool.”

I approved.

Which in turn was replied with a giggle.

“Thank you.”

I looked at the princess, but what surprised me while I was looking at her was how pale she is.

“What happened to you?”

I was curious.

“I’m just a little tired that’s all.”

A weak response..

She continued, “I thought you left since I didn’t see you early on.”

“Ah- I was a little busy.”

“Heh, not many would do something else when they have a chance to meet a princess.”

“..Is that so.”

I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t exactly tell her that I was hungover.

“Hehehe, this little demon was hangover, I think that’s enough to make him busy.”

A familiar voice entered my ears, I also didn’t notice another presence.

I looked towards the location of the voice.

“Well, do you have anymore of that wine, demon boy?”

Of course it’s her..

“Hello Sylvie.”

The princess looked confused as she looked at Sylvie and then me.

“Do you two know each-other?”

Before Sylvie said something, I replied to her.

“Yes, we met at a bar, I never knew a cat can drink so much.”

“I also never knew a demon can give the scent of a crow.”

The cat’s words pierced me. I looked at her in shock.

“What do you mean?”

“Oh please!, I could smell it from miles away. That Crow just doesn’t know when to give up. Even after staying dead for millennia, she can’t rest peacefully.”

I was truly intrigued about her words, but I also pieced things together.

This cat is a [Mystic Cat]. The Mystic Cat Clan has a contract with the royal family of Caio. I had my suspicions when I saw her at the bar, but I thought it was just a coincidence.

“Why do you speak as if you know the [Ice Crow] personally?”

The tone she used when she talked about the [Ice Crow] gave me such suspicions.

“Well I’m one of the oldest cats that has been at the side of the cat matriarch, so I’ve indeed met the crow a few times. She was really a pain to deal with. I would have never believed she would accept a demon as a successor until I saw you.”

Her explanation made sense. But that meant that she has been alive for at least a few millennia.

I couldn’t help but move my lips.

“So you’re an old cathag?”