Ethan enjoyed the scratching and reflexively rolled over on Shella's warm thighs, exposing his belly. He then felt the strange glares from Mio and Lucia and felt a wave of embarrassment. Being a perfect transformation, he was occasionally influenced by feline instincts.
After breakfast, they headed to the palace. As they walked, rumors spread through the city that Mio was here to reclaim the throne. This was clearly the Council's doing.
In the palace, Demon King Leohart watched Mio through a magical device. He was surprised by her calmness. He had expected a naive girl, but Mio seemed entirely indifferent to the throne and the pressure.
When they entered the main hall, Ethan saw Leohart—a handsome, dark-skinned devil with purple markings. He was dressed for combat rather than noble ceremony. Ethan scanned him with his cat eyes; Leohart was at most Satan-class, though he could likely punch above his weight in a crisis.
The meeting began. Leohart leaned back on his throne. "Mio Naruse... you are Wilbert's daughter, but the throne..."
"Whoever wants to be Demon King can have it," Mio interrupted, following the plan. "I came here to see my uncle. As for the rumors, they have nothing to do with me. I have a perfectly good life in the human world; why would I want to be Demon King in a place that doesn't even have a phone signal?"
Leohart burst out laughing. Even his secretary sighed in relief. They knew Mio hadn't brought an army, and if she really wanted the throne, she would have come with the Gremory and Sitri families.
"If you're just here to visit family, you are welcome," Leohart said, his tension vanishing. "To stop the rumors, I'll use my authority to announce your renunciation of the throne. You just need to show your face and confirm it."
"Deal," Mio said.
While the atmosphere was harmonious, the Council elders were fuming. They couldn't understand why Mio would give up such power.
Suddenly, the sound of rhythmic footsteps echoed from a side corridor, accompanied by a pungent, cheap perfume-like scent. Everyone frowned—especially Ethan, whose feline nose was extremely sensitive. He knew that scent; it was the smell left behind by crude, "bottom-tier" life-essence harvesting techniques.
A purple-skinned monster in a suit walked into the hall. It was Belgos. He bowed to Leohart, but his eyes were fixed on Mio.