VCAM 74

Chapter 74

 “First Time in a Human City”

The obsidian carriage carrying nineteen members of the guard and Lilisia passed through the gate of the demon world.

As the heavy stone arch closed behind them, the air of the world changed.

A dry wind brushed against their cheeks, and from afar came the murmur of human voices.

“—We’ve arrived.”
Lilisia peeked out the window.

Before them spread a human city near the academy. Stone-paved streets were lined with stalls, and the scent of freshly baked bread and sweet fruits wafted through the air.

“W-wow!”
Zeil (already humanized) leapt from the carriage, his eyes sparkling as he scanned the street.

“So many people! A crowd! Such hustle and bustle!”

“Calm down!”
Lilisia grabbed him by the collar from behind, pulling him back.

“My hair ornament… it’s sparkling!”
Meryl immediately became captivated by the jewelry at a nearby stall.

“Princess, can I buy that!? For tasting poisons!”
“You don’t need a hair ornament to taste poisons!”

“Brother! This stick has roasted meat on it!”
“Little brother! That’s a ‘skewer’! We’re buying it!”
“Wait! You don’t even have a wallet!”

And then—Gorm.

Now in human form, he stretched out his arms and gazed at the sky.

“Waaaaah! It’s blue! The sky is blue! The clouds are white! The sun is blinding! My eyes are watering! But I want to see more! I’ve seen too much! I’m crying!”

“Stop narrating your feelings!”
Lilisia hastily covered his mouth, but it was already too late.
The nearby humans turned to look, whispering, “Who is that young man…?”

“Everyone! Do not draw attention!”
Lilisia shouted, but it was an impossible request.

◆◇◆

The guard members were all overly excited by the novelty of the human world.
Some shoved three steamed buns into their mouths at once, some spotted a dog by the roadside and yelled, “Tiny beast!” while others flocked to theater signs, chanting, “We want to see it!”

The city had already turned into a small festival of its own.

“Here! Eat this and calm down!”
Lilisia bought baked goods from a nearby stall and handed them out.

“Sugar! Sweet! My mouth is full of happiness!”
“Hot! But delicious!”
“Choking! Water! Water!”
The guards erupted into chaos all at once.

Gorm chewed slowly, tears in his eyes.

“Crunchy! Crispy on the outside! Fluffy on the inside! Sweet! So sweet it made my throat tingle! This… this is happiness!”

“I said, stop narrating everything!”

Amid the chaos, Lilisia suddenly stopped.
Her gaze fell on the distant academy tower.
The magical circle at the tip of the spire glimmered faintly, reflecting the sunlight.

“…We’ve arrived.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly.

“Father. I will study here. And with these guards by my side.”

From behind, Gorm shouted.

“Princess! I just said ‘Princess’! I did it! Amazing!”
“Yes, yes. I’m glad for you.”

And so, Lilisia and the guard’s “human world debut” became a citywide spectacle from day one.

Yet—this was their natural state, and it marked the beginning of Lilisia’s new life at the academy.