"..."
"We are here."
Eyes locked on the seemingly zoned out young lord of Ashgate...
Sariel declares as she peers out the carriage window, her expression remaining stoic as they pass through two enormous gates, adorned with gold and diamonds, which serve as the entrance to the capital of the Demon-realm!
{Hatchett's City.}
Commonly referred to as the 'City of Dreams'. Hatchett's City is easily distinguished by the massive glass dome in its center.
An enormous, two hundred-meter-tall, one hundred-meter-long building that was built to honor and worship the Healing Goddess Hatchett of Vita.
Built what feels like over a lifetime ago though, the cathedral is no longer the city's focal point. Instead, what many consider to be the 'dream life' has taken its place.
In the years since it's creation, an increasing number of nobles and merchants, who wished to demonstrate their oneness with the gods to their followers, moved their stations in and around the structure.
Quickly settling and growing the city until it inevitably changed... And evolved.
Establishing itself as the center of elitist culture and defining the standards for life at the top of the social scale.
Currently inhabited by numerous high-ranking officials, snobby nobles, and celebrities, the 'City of Dreams' represents the pinnacle of what life has to offer for not only demons but also humans as well.
This is never more evident than in the emissaries from the human realm, who, in spite of the protracted war, continue to battle it out for any assignments that require spending even a brief moment in the opulent city.
Isolated from the remainder of the continent, and reveling in worldly pleasures without a trace of guilt or concern...
Hatchett's City is not just another roadblock en route to Castle Ashgate; rather, it is more like a tiny, remote nation all its own.
Truly! The societies in the Land of Per Sempre have reached their peak!!... And that peak, is the breathtaking City of Hatchett!!!
"..."
Kasper silently observes the streets outside his window, where both humans and demons walk around with impunity.
Each of them exudes an air of both arrogance and elegance that attaches itself to them as if it were apart of their mana.
"...it's been a while since I was last here."
The young prince ponders aloud and melancholy remembers his last visit, which was more than thirteen years ago.
At the time, the family was invited into the city for the yearly 'Goddess festival' because of his father's status as Demon-Lord Supreme.
An annual festival held towards the end of the year that spans three days in total. Celebrating not only the Blessings bestowed upon the realm by the Goddess Hatchett of Vita that year, but also wishing for new blessings in the coming year as dawn approaches.
Maria was only three years old back then... And even though they were left to fend for themselves while their father negotiated with the various nobles and merchants of the Demon-realm, Hatchett's City was able to leave a lasting impression on the Demon-Lord's only children.
Serving up a core memory that Kasper and his younger sister hold dear to this day.
"..."
"Demetrius."
Kasper calls out to the headless butler who is stirring the carriage in a somber tone.
His bored gaze wandering aimlessly through the streets before settling on a specific building.
"Make a turn here; we are taking a detour."
The young lord says, his expression brightening and his tone perhaps hinting at excitement.
Their destination?
A little bar whose obviously outdated infrastructure and faded paint make it instantly stand out from the rest of the city's architectural design.
"Huh?"
Taken aback by both the abrupt detour and the choice to dock at what is likely the most unimpressive building in the entire city, a bewildered Sariel exclaims incoherently.
*Cling!
"..."
A lone demon with striking long locks of white stands silently wiping a few glasses as Kasper and Sariel enter the bar.
His back's curvature and the lines on his face suggest that he has lived a very long time. Even for a demon...
The bar itself is not very impressive, but it is very clean and well-maintained when you take into account how outdated and out of style all of the furnishings and decorations appear to be.
An aesthetic choice perhaps?
"Zeno."
With a gentle wave and a small smile, the young lord of Ashgate calls out to the older man and then takes a seat.
"... Charles."
Upon meeting the young lord's gaze, Zeno replies in a raspy yet lively and upbeat tone.
The Lotus Nectar.
Originating around the same time as the first construction on Hatchett's Cathedral's foundation, approximately four centuries ago, this particular bar has been a mainstay of Hatchett's City... And that is in spite of the fact that numerous merchants have moved in since then, all of them trying to buy the property but being turned down by the elderly demon Zeno.
Maintaining his space and continuing to run a successful bar for so long that it gained enough renown to become a hallmark of the city.
'The Lotus Nectar, where the Gods gather to drink.'
"...two cherry cream milkshakes, please."
Kasper, with a soft grin on his face, makes the order as the elderly demon happily moves to the back to grab some fruit.
Aaaah, the nectar of the gods... Old man Zeno's bar serves the best shakes in all of Per Sempre.
-A Short While Later-
"Haaaaa...."
After finishing three glasses of Zeno's milkshakes, Sariel beams with glee.
"No matter how I look at it, this place just seems so...--"
"--Perfect?"
Kasper finishes her sentence with a warm grin, sipping from his glass.
Very much still on his initial order.
"..c-can I get another?"
The demon with purple hair asks, trying not to look her master in the eye while sheepishly raising a single finger.
"..."
Her shy submission to the famed nectar makes Kasper smile mischievously, remembering how he discovered the location while exploring the city with his younger sister... And how, at the time, he truly believed they would have to leave her behind in the city due to her growing addiction to the shakes.
"Visiting Hatchett's City for the first time in so long reminded me of how isolated the demons here are from the rest of the realm."
"Yeah, it is almost like we have been transported to a completely new world."
Sariel acknowledges the young lord's deduction with a nod.
Being cooped up in the castle all day playing politics appears to have had an impact on the young lord.
"...As the Demon-realm's capital, Hatchett's City is dedicated to demonstrating all of the benefits that come with living under the rule of the Demon-Lord Supreme."
The blue-haired demon says softly.
"Even with the current war... No, perhaps because of it..."
"The city's importance has grown even more."
"Show that we are still as powerful as ever... That the war does not phase us in the least, and that our standards will not be lowered no matter what they do..."
"It is a simple but brilliant wartime tactic, to be honest."
Saying softly, Sariel downs another glass before turning to face Kasper and look out through the tinted glass of the bar's windows at the city's streets.
It is easy to forget that the Demon-realm has been at war with humanity for as long as anyone can remember when you take one look at the vibrant city and the snobby, fashionable demons that stroll its streets.
As a simple indication of the strength they possessed, Hatchett's City was the Demon-realms most valiant mascot.
...but perhaps, also, it's most naive...
*Tak! *Tak!
"Huh?"
Sariel exclaims curiously as pebbles pelt the bar's tinted windows one by one.
Seemingly in an effort to draw their attention...
"...what the"
She mumbles softly when she spots a small girl at the end of a dim alleyway.
Laying against the wall, looking worse for wear in tattered clothes and without shoes.
"...master."
The purple-haired demon calls out blankly to Kasper before standing and heading for the door...
-Meanwhile-
[Atop Hatchett's Cathedral, Minister's Office]
"What are you going to do about this, Minister of Hatchett?!"
A burly but well-dressed demon grumbles in frustration. Banging a heavily accoutered fist against the tabletop!
"Indeed! The appearance of the Demon-Lord Supreme's son in Hatchett does not bode well for us, does it?"
Another demon joins in, her heavy makeup and high-pitched voice almost as distracting as the absurdly long cigar she holds!
"I would like to think that you, Samael, care as much as we do about maintaining the status quo so--"
"--S-SILENCE!..."
The elderly minister gives a single shout, and the entire room falls silent.
His speech's notable stutter does not lessen the ominous atmosphere his words evoke!
"Y-you all forget your places."
The balding demon says in his usual unimposing tone.
One that would no doubt disarm those who did not know the real him.
"I-I am ruler over Hatchett's City and I will not tolerate this level of disrespect..."
Samael declares...
The obedience of his audience serves as a quick reminder of the hierarchy in this room.
"There will be no disruptions to the business we conduct in the City of Dreams..."
The old demon makes a soft declaration..
"And as for the young lord of Ashgate..."
The Minister of Hatchett takes a moment to gather his thoughts before placing his wrinkled old hand on the glass that surrounds his top-floor office...
"..."
"Well..."
"I-I believe I have some medication that will relieve this particular... 'headache'..."
Amidst a gathering of the city's most powerful residents, Samael gives the decree unassumingly.
His diminutive presence and power in direct contrast with each other as he gazes out into his domain!!
And the city that he alone is the sole ruler of!!!
"..."
"..."
-To Be Continued-