Ronald and Catherine did not wait long.
Less than five minutes had passed after leaving here when the Great Demon Lama reopened the door at the base of the tree and invited them:
"Both of you, my summoner warmly welcos your arrival and hopes for a more in-depth exchange."
Catherine pointed forward with her hand:
"Lead the way."
Lama hurriedly led the way attentively:
"This way, please."
"..."
Ronald and Casrina followed the Great Demon into the tree, which contained a circular staircase built around the tree's shape. Every three ters or so, it branched off into a floor, so of which had people working on them.
—It was clearly a busy workplace.
"..."
Ronald looked around curiously.
Normally, such modifications would certainly harm the tree's life.
But clearly, so mysterious thods were used here, so even though the inside was hollowed out, this massive tree maintained vigorous life force, even showing signs of growth.
Hamno's administrative body, or rather a city council mber's living and working area, was established in such a special place.
This is truly sothing worth pondering.
Going all the way up, Ronald and the others finally stopped at the sixth floor.
As they stepped from the stairs to this floor, Ronald noticed the difference from the open floors below. The spiral staircase and other spaces here were completely blocked by a wooden wall, leaving only a discreet door for entry—excellent for concealnt.
"..."
"Here we are."
Lama nodded slightly to them, then stepped forward to knock on the door before entering.
Stepping inside revealed a neatly structured office to Ronald and Catherine.
A desk, a bookshelf, and chairs for guests.
Besides so small decorative items for convenience, the room emitted a crisp and efficient atmosphere.
And the summoner Lama referred to, a city council mber of Hamno, was currently seated behind the desk.
"Ah, you're here!"
The middle-aged caster looked up to see the three filing in, promptly stood from behind the desk, and moved to greet Ronald and Catherine with handshakes.
"Lama told that both are accomplished young heroes in their fields."
"Hamno welcos visitors like you."
Faced with the council mber's welcoming smile,
Ronald adopted his usual strategy of not turning away a smiling face, shook hands with him, and prepared for friendly communication.
Unfortunately, Catherine was different.
The tower master of the Astronomy Division preferred straightforward thods to quickly resolve issues.
So when the council mber finished shaking Ronald's hand and approached Catherine,
she disregarded his identity, walked right up, grabbed him, and threw him onto a nearby chair.
Thump!
Seated in the chair, the council mber's back hit the backrest, his expression frozen, lacking even the thought of resistance.
—It was really too sudden.
Even when faced with the nastiest of thugs, none had reacted with such aggression under his friendly premise!
The dangerous elents ntioned by his summoned creature...
really were a cut above!
The Hamno council mber was montarily perplexed.
Yet his calm character didn't hastily act; instead, he glanced at the nearby Great Demon who knew Ronald and Catherine better.
And he discovered—
Lama stood upright, without any intention to assist his summoner.
"..."
The Hamno council mber was speechless.
Though Lama's actions weren't exactly loyal to his summoner, as a reaction from a summoned Great Demon, it confird quite a bit.
anwhile, Catherine stepped up in front of him.
The girl bent down, took hold of the chair back, and displayed an aggressive smile:
"Now—I'll ask, you answer, got it?"
Unwilling to lose control of the conversation, the council mber spoke up:
"Miss, I can disregard your previous conduct, but going forward..."
"Obey!"
Before he finished, Catherine's control spell interrupted him.
As soone who could summon the Great Demon Lama, this council mber had considerable skill in spells.
Yet after resisting for half a second, he lost control of his body—it was indeed frustrating; Catherine's prowess was too extraordinary.
Now, Catherine began her questioning:
"Na?"
"Dalman Bart Ressa."
"Identity?"
"A Walker of the Salaman faction, currently serving as a city council mber in Hamno."
"Do you know the [Nine Commandnts Secret eting]? Are you connected to them?"
"I am aware of the organization, but have no relation to them; the information I know cos from Lama."
After three questions, Casrina remained in position but glanced at Ronald:
"Are there any issues with his answers?"
Ronald shook his head:
"He is completely under your spell, without hidden resistance thods; his answers are naturally truthful."
Catherine released her grip on the chair back, stood upright, and returned to Ronald:
"See, I told you."
"There's no major danger in this city; Ronald, you are overreacting."
"..."
"Even if I overreact, it's not as extre as you using spells on the city council mber, is it?"
Ronald retorted to Catherine.
He then moved forward, gently patting the council mber Dalman's shoulder, thereby releasing Catherine's control over the caster:
"Councilman, I apologize for my companion's actions."
"But please believe us; we ca here with no malice, rely acting out of ignorance of the surroundings, sowhat aggressively."
Freed, Dalman's body relaxed trendously.
He had indeed been frightened by Catherine's aggressive and forceful behavior; if she were an assassin sent by rivals, few could endure such distress.
Afterward, Dalman saw his summoned creature Lama desperately following Catherine's retreat, and heard Ronald's goodbye:
"Councilman."
"We won't trouble you further."
Seeing them leaving, Dalman snapped to attention, abruptly stood, and opened his mouth to retain them:
"Wait, both of you! Perhaps we can discuss!"
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