“Be nice, hm? No hissing when she tries to look at those cute little feet.”

“Coo.” The dejected dip of her head makes me smile. [The dog is a brute. She wants to pull me apart to see what’s on the inside.]

Ha! That sounds like Cloud, alright. “That’s no way to talk about a friend, pet. Besides, she only wants to play with you a little.”

[She will not be able to handle the kind of play she wants.]

“Not that I can tell her different.” Sensible is not a word one would use to describe a young woman who thinks it’s her sacred duty to wrestle monsters so she can ‘commune’ with them. Hm. She should be fine. In fact, she might thank me for this. “I’ll make you a deal. You play nice and keep the mental affinity out of it, you can ‘tame’ her however you like.”

“Coo~” Her smile has a hint of danger about it. Good luck, Cloud! [Thank you, Master Lou. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

“What’s going through that devious little mind?”

[The invitations. You want to know what the wind caster is planning. I can find out.]

“Ah, you want to help out, huh? Thank you~ but this might not be a good time.” My smile quickly fades as I remember my interview. Miss Talia talked with someone at the end, confirming my responses. I’m sure of it. While it could simply be Dunwayne, which would be its own problem, it could also be an interrogator. Someone practiced in mental affinity could be at the Hall, keeping an eye on me. What would happen if such a person were to discover my imp?

“Coo coo.” [I see. Then shall I be bait? If they are indeed watching you, they will undoubtedly intervene if they discover your elemental probing the residence of an instructor.]

Bell, did you miss a few details in my thoughts? These aren’t a bunch of acolytes and researchers. They’re trained professionals. Not to mention they’re already suspicious.

[Their suspicions mean nothing if I do nothing to validate them. There are means of investigating Aurelius without the use of magic. For all any observer will be able to prove, I am a simple imp, sent to confirm the address on my master’s dinner invitation.]

I’m ready to continue arguing the point but stop. My reason is I don’t need to do anything to be accused and targeted but that is something of a moot point by now, isn’t it? I’m already being targeted. I’m already under threat of execution. “Geneva, your opinion on this?”

[I am confident Bell is strong enough to escape someone of Dunwayne’s level. Capturing the one sent here will be a good step in unraveling this decree. We may obtain clues in identifying the group supporting this decree.]

These crazy succubi. They’re not just talking about identifying a threat. They want to outright kidnap a court official. I’m assuming they also want to interrogate said official? And then proceed to kidnap and interrogate anyone connected to this possible agent of the court?

[My summoner, I’ve talked with many wise thinkers and have extensive knowledge with laws. In a desert, there is occasional rain but who would believe in water falling from the sky while walking endless dunes of sand?]

…what?

[It means humans believe what they can see and tend to disbelieve what they can’t see. If there is no evidence, did it happen?]

“That is a very twisted way of seeing things…and I love it. Be careful, Bell.” If anything happens to you, there really won’t be a way to handle this outside of outright war.

“Coo!” [I will return safely, Master Lou!]

“After breakfast.” I scoop her into my lap and hand her another sausage. I can’t help but grin as she does her adorable eating routine. “Has Callan stopped by yet?”

[No.] Geneva answers.

“I’ve just had a fantastic idea.” Who says good things can’t come from the king trying to screw you over? “This is a good opportunity to get him moving.”

Geneva exits the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron, tail swaying. Likely just as amused by my thought as I am. “I want you to visit him. Tell him that about the decree and ‘warn’ him off it. When he no doubts insist on obtaining the ‘forbidden’ power, like the arrogant prick he is, I want you to give him some very special summoning records.”

Geneva’s tail whips faster. “Are you sure you want to introduce that creature into this realm? The effect can be far-reaching. Perhaps even beyond this kingdom.”

Hehe. My dear succubus, that is precisely the point. While driving Mr. Self-Made to the very brink of desperation is a goal in of itself, this is also a way to raise awareness of summoners as a whole and to remind the king how terrifying a summoner can be.

“Very well, my summoner. It will be done.”

“Good. Now, I have a meeting with a future saint.”