Bright sunlight shone through the gray clouds of Kazdel onto the gathering ground below, making the Scar Market unusually quiet today.
"How much longer...?"
Before entering, the guard checked with his companion again.
"It'll be here soon, don't be so nervous."
The companion was somewhat helpless, but also understanding, after all...
"That's His Highness!"
The guard's excited voice drew the attention of his other companions.
"That's one of the six heroes, the Demon Lord of Sarkaz!"
No one spoke out in condemnation; everyone nodded silently.
In Kazdel, where education was so backward that it was almost limited to prenatal education, history was often passed down orally.
In modern times, the most widely circulated story is that legendary war to save the nation.
Faced with another siege from various nations, Kazdel's city was on the verge of falling once more. Six heroes turned the tide and led the Sarkaz to defend their homeland.
What adds another layer of mystery to this legend is--
At the very moment the war ended, the Crown simultaneously chose two siblings among these six heroes.
Ultimately, the elder brother humbly relinquished the Crown to his younger sister, and thus, the Sarkaz gained New Demon King.
"Didn't you see General Theresis this morning? She and His Highness are siblings; just imagine it."
The guard suddenly fell silent, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"General Theresis has such a strong presence; when he came over this morning... I didn't dare to look at him."
"You're really something..."
My companion sighed, wanting to say something.
"Puff--"
A soft laugh rang out, and everyone instantly tensed up.
That was a woman's voice, not belonging to anyone here.
"Feel sorry..."
"You don't need to apologize; it was my oversight."
The pink-haired Sarkaz, dressed in a white dress, apologized to the Banshee beside her. The Banshee brandished her Bone Pen and chanted incantations.
"Now, besides his physical form, His Highness's voice has also been concealed."
"May I laugh out loud?"
Theresa blinked, amused by her friend's offspring.
The Banshee was speechless, then nodded slightly.
"If this is your request, then please allow me to reinforce the incantation."
Theresa smiled and shook her head.
"If it were your mother, she might have tried to cover my mouth just now."
"I dare not overstep my bounds..."
The Banshee spoke seriously, yet a slight smile played at the corners of her lips.
The two walked through the crowd and into the street, where the one-horned Giant awaited them.
At Theresa's signal, Logos dispersed his concealment. Scar Eye was not surprised by the sudden appearance of the two and bowed in greeting.
"We have been waiting for you, Your Highness."
"Long time no see, Scar Eye."
Theresa replied softly, then reached out to the side, preparing to make an introduction.
"Welcome, mistress of the valley."
"It seems I don't need to introduce him further..."
Logos nodded in response.
Without much small talk, Scar Eye led the two deeper into the area.
During this time, the two men kept glancing at the broken horn on Scar Eye's head.
"I cut it myself."
As if anticipating their questions, Scar Eye offered a slightly weary explanation.
"As for the reason, please forgive me for keeping it a secret."
The two nodded, without pressuring him to pursue the matter, Logos crossed his arms.
"You knew we would come. How could the Cyclops's prophecy be so accurate?"
"I've just been waiting here."
Scar Eye's words silenced Logos, and Theresa looked around and asked softly.
Did you evacuate the people from the market?
"Yes, after all, it concerns your meeting."
"Pity..."
Theresa sighed.
"I'd like to see what this place originally looked like again."
"If you're looking for changes, you might be disappointed."
Scar Eye's voice was calm, neither sad nor happy.
"Like Kazdel today, it's already quite good that the Scar Market has remained unchanged."
Theresa paused, Logos frowned slightly.
Scar Eye's meaning couldn't be clearer—many Sarkaz couldn't understand this civil war, and Theresa, as a leader of one side, responded at this moment—
"I'm so sorry..."
"You don't need to apologize," Scar Eye without turning around. "The winner will prove who's right."
A silence fell over the group, and they continued on their way.
We've arrived.
Scar Eye stopped in front of an inconspicuous building.
The Confessarius on either side bowed to Theresa, and one person emerged from the shadows.
"Your elder brother has been waiting here for a long time, Your Highness..."
The newcomer was dressed as Confessarius, but his standing posture among the many kneeling figures revealed his identity.
Theresa remained expressionless, a rare occurrence that prompted Logos beside her to raise his Bone Pen.
"Qaisatusta, Theresis, you even brought you along...?"
"It's not just me."
Qaisatusta stepped aside to make way for the path leading inward.
"Many of your 'old acquaintances' are still here."
Ignoring the Banshee's wary gaze, Qaisatusta stared intently at Theresa, or rather...
Staring at the vanished Crown.
The atmosphere was tense when Scar Eye spoke up, interrupting the standoff.
"Since Your Highness has delivered it, I will take my leave now."
Theresa shook her head slightly at Logos, then turned her gaze to Qaisatusta.
His calm gaze, however, suddenly increased the pressure in the air.
Qaisatusta obediently lowered his head.
There's nothing funny about it.
Before him stood the Demon King, but he would not underestimate her power because of her gentle demeanor.
The two walked past it, pushed open the door, and found that the interior space was much larger than the small building outside.
"This is..."
"It's been a long time since I've sent my greetings, Your Highness."
An aged yet spirited voice came through.
Theresa looked toward the source of the sound, somewhat surprised, but also somewhat understanding.
"... Fremont, your magic has become increasingly refined."
"It's just a minor spell to expand space, not worth mentioning."
The tall, thin old man, dressed in a black suit and sporting a white goatee, calmly replied.
[Fremont, Lord of the Lich King Court]
After bowing to Theresa, he turned his gaze to Logos beside him.
"The new mistress is actually a female Banshee?"
"Aifanel Ducanfaris."
[Queen of the Banshee King Court - Aifanel]
Logos gave his real name, and Fremont nodded slightly in response to his impeccable manners.
"The Banshee's elegance remains as strong as ever, and hopefully her magic will too."
"Nature."
Logos's Bone Pen danced lightly, and the intricate incantations on the dress appeared and disappeared, their quantity and exquisite detail causing Fremont to raise an eyebrow slightly.
Even a brief observation reveals that if someone were to touch this garment with malice towards its owner, a mental breakdown would likely be the mildest punishment.
"The Banshee's caution remains as strong as ever."
"It's ironic that these words came from Lich."
A flippant voice came from the side, and Vampire with red hair and red eyes, dressed in a white tuxedo, swirled the wine glass in his hand.
[Lord of the Vampire King Court - Ducare]
"For you Lich who entrust your lives to the Wasteland, who is more 'cautious' than you?"
Ducare deliberately emphasized the word "cautious," but Fremont showed no sign of yielding.
"It's a pity, bloodthirsty beasts can't learn sophisticated magic. Even if they could, no one would be willing to teach you given your tarnished reputation."
"Reputation?"
Ducare's lips curled into a playful smile.
"Do cowards who flee to other countries and avoid everyone have the right to bring this up?"
Fremont's face darkened.
He could certainly defend himself, but he had no doubt that the other party would retaliate in a way that disgusted him even more.
The space trembled slightly, and the stench of blood began to permeate the air.
"Stop! This is in front of His Highness."
A deep, hoarse voice came through.
A putrid stench filled the air, and Carrion Eater, their bodies wrapped in countless strips of cloth, rose from the ground.
[Lord of the Nachzehrer King Court - Nachzehrer]
His tall figure stood between the two, blocking out the pervasive tension.
Theresa lifted her skirt and bowed to the teacher. Nachzehrer bowed slightly, then turned his gaze to Logos standing to the side.
"The budding of new life always fills us with anticipation. Are you ready to shoulder the responsibility for the rise and fall of your clan...?"
Logos was about to reply when a calm voice rang out.
"Forget the old man's lecturing, can we get started already? I'm so bored..."
A green-haired boy/girl wearing a cloak lay on the table, calmly glancing at the person who approached, showing no intention of getting up to greet them.
[Lord of the Shapeshifter King Court - All members are considered as one]
"What the hell? What right do you have to call him 'old man'?"
The gaze shifted to the source of the sound; black soul flames floated in mid-air, while golden cross-shaped beams turned towards the Shapeshifter like eyes.
Lord of the Revenant King Court - Name Unknown
"But it has indeed dragged on long enough. You should tell me why you dragged me out here."
"You will find out in the upcoming Royal Court Council."
All eyes turned to the last person, a tall man sitting at the end of the long table, who opened his eyes and looked at his sister.
[Regent - Theresis]
A brother and sister who defend their homeland for the same cause.
The two leaders parted ways due to differences in their ideologies.
The two gazed at each other in silence, observing each other's changes.
"How much longer are you going to keep watching?"
The Dead Souls impatiently broke the silence, and Theresis sighed almost inaudibly:
"You still look so sad..."
"I wish I could hide it like you."
Theresa responded softly, her legs slightly bent, gracefully lifting her skirt.
"It's been a long time since I last greeted you, elder brother."
[Demon King - Theresa]
"Please take a seat, Theresa."
Theresa sat down at the other end of the long table, with Qaisatusta standing beside Theresis.
The other Royal Court rulers took their seats in succession, leaving four of the twelve seats empty.
"This is rare; more than half of the Royal Court have gathered. When was the last time?"
The Dead Souls kept rambling on, but no one paid any attention.
Everyone knows each other's temperament; once someone gets entangled in their nagging, they're bound to get a lecture, but it's hard to argue back.
After all, this ancestor's seniority was frighteningly high...
All eyes finally turned to Theresa, awaiting her to open the Council.
Even though she didn't initiate the meeting, no one dared to underestimate the Demon King's status.
"Then, please begin," Theresa said softly, looking at her brother opposite her.
"Please tell me the reasons that would allow you to halt the war and summon the Royal Court."
"..."
Theresis closed her eyes, and her first words exploded like a thunderclap:
"Kazdel is going to be destroyed."