Chapter 388 The Demon Kings Summit (2)
Ilschevar mentioned the Demon Kings Summit's true intention long ago. It is a flexing match between the Demon Kings of their power. Those who are ready to step down show off their successors whereas those who aren't, their right hands. I was initially quite expectant of the level of competence the Demon King's Companions have, but what I am witnessing is greatly underwhelming.
Seeing how easily they fold before my pressure; I was expecting too much. My attention is taken away by Winerva's presence which is getting away from me at a rapid pace. I couldn't detect her presence when Rusceus kept her in his Sub-Dimension. I can do it just fine now that she is in Valeria's hands. Another thing to note is how fast Valeria is going. It is not that surprising, but I am still amazed.
"Kuhum!"
My attention is brought back to the meeting by Ilschevar. I turn to him and quirk an eyebrow. He smiles wryly at me before gesturing at the others as if telling me to pay attention. I lightly frown but don't complain. I may look like I have been paying attention, but I have truly never done that in the first place. To not unnecessarily drag things out, I pay attention to the meeting.
"This is not the ideal meeting I have in mind, but I will pay no mind to that fact in favor of resuming the meeting," Ilschevar's look-alike, Havelar, declares. "We will still conduct the friendly match right after this, but I will give Ilschevar's successor the right to refuse any match. I believe everyone is with me on this." Everyone nods. "Then, let's talk about the reason why I called you here, shall we?"
Everyone straightens their back; even the eternally smirking purple-haired Demoness loses her smirk. Ilschevar also doesn't seem to think it is a trivial matter, prompting me to stop wondering when Valeria will get back. I curiously look at Havelar. I wonder what piece of news he will share with us that makes everyone seem on edge.
"There will be a mass summoning soon." Everyone frowns and the mood turns somber. "It seems God has finally decided to finish the job that his ancestors failed to do."
"Isn't it too sudden?" A green-haired Demon King asks. "We haven't done anything drastic for the last millennium. Both sides have been trying to recover ever since."
"That is your answer," a silver-haired Demon King chimes in while tossing his long wavy hair. "His side has finished his recovery and our side hasn't. That's why he is taking his chance now."
"Gods didn't summon Heroes to defeat us in the past. If your theory is correct, a mass summoning will never happen," the green-haired Demon King counters.
"That was in the past, Cato."
"My point stands: their side hasn't recovered. Therefore, I think it is weird, Sirius."
"Calm down, you two," Havelar interjects before the discussion heats up even further. "None of us can give a definitive reason why their side resorts to that action, but I can make you understand their choice." He turns his gaze to me. "Two batches of Heroes had been taken care of even before they bloomed. That is something that has never happened before, so it is not weird for God to be wary."
Everyone's eyes turn to me for the umpteenth time today. No one is pressuring me, but they are looking at me quite judgmentally. 'It is not my fault that you are a bunch of cowards,' is what I want to say, but I merely meet their gaze with a condescending gaze. I have done them a favor, but they act like I killed their puppy. It irks me.
"So, what are you suggesting?" Ilschevar asks, taking everyone's attention off me. "You didn't call us here just to say that Layland is at fault, right? Even if his action did make God wary, you are not cowardly enough to blame Layland for agitating that bastard, right?"
Havelar scoffs. "Of course not. I would like to commend your successor for whatever he has done. We have always let the Heroes grow to their full potential because we think that we can kill a lot of our enemies during the war. Your successor has proven us wrong; it is better to nip everything in the bud. I want to propose something."
"Hoh? I am not going to trade my successor if that is what you want to propose." Ilschevar quirks an eyebrow.
"I won't." Havelar shakes his head. "I propose to form an alliance to counter the upcoming storm. Anyone can ally with anyone and no one will be forced to have an alliance."
"How about the power dynamics?" a red-haired Demon King who has been silent until now asks gruffly.
"You shall be equal in the alliance, Lupheus. But if you are asking about the number of Warriors you have to 'donate' to the alliance, you may decide that by having your strongest weapon fight the strongest weapon of the person you ally with."
"Straightforward. I like it!"
Murmurs fill the space as the Demon Kings look at each other as if encountering an alien from space. Demons are solitary creatures who rarely cooperate with anyone. They mature by killing their parents and grow up alone without a sibling. There are some exceptions, but those instances often end in tragedy. Cooperation is a strange thing for Demons.
Even though they claim themselves to be siblings, the Demon Kings act toward each other like anything but. They plot against each other, waiting for an opportunity to strike. They are used to making the best out of someone's misery. They know the concept of helping each other but never do that. They want to flourish alone and rule over others.
Although the Demon King's position doesn't necessarily represent their power and ranking in the hierarchy, the one who claims himself to be the first must not be someone you can easily trifle with. Havelar is no different from the rest. He must be planning something and they don't know what. It must never be something noble. That is why the Demon Kings are hesitant.
However deceiving they are, I think Demons are easy to read. What Havelar is planning must be something along the lines of establishing dominance in the alliance. It is a baby step given his method, but he is on his way there. His proposal might backfire, but he seems to be very confident in his right hand as he easily disregards the chance.
"Hm? She is coming back?" I mutter to myself.
Valeria's presence is approaching. She has safely taken Winerva to Antares. It took me three days to reach this place, but she went back and forth in minutes. Valeria is indeed amazing. I don't consider myself the strongest, but I know I am strong. It is mindboggling how lacking I feel when I compare myself to Valeria. I wonder when I will surpass her.
'That being said, these eight Demon Kings must be a pain in the ass too. I have a feeling that most of them are not more powerful than Valeria, but that still makes me a scrub before them.'
My thought causes me to involuntarily wince. I have to admit that I was too hasty to threaten Rusceus. Although there was a chance to survive his attack, I didn't know how high it was. Even if I survived, that attack might not be his strongest one. He might have figured out my Origin before he used his real power and then killed me in one go. That was a risky gamble, but I don't regret my actions.
Buzz.
The space trembles slightly before Valeria appears beside Ilschevar. Everyone takes that as a cue to cease their murmur and turn to Havelar.
"This matter of alliance—can we settle it in private?" the purple-haired Demoness asks.
"No one is stopping you," Havelar answers simply.
"Then, can you tell us when this mass summoning will happen?" the green-haired Demon King, Cato, inquires.
"I can't give you the exact answer. But I predict it to come in three years."
"Hm… what if we declare war against them before then?" the silver-haired Demon King, Sirius wonders aloud.
"Are you ready to have a full-on war against God and his 'prized' creations?"
Sirius thinks for a moment before scoffing and tossing his hair. Silence descends upon the table as everyone is busy with their thoughts. The thought of fighting God and his armies soon seems enough to make them wary. It is not that surprising given what happened last time Demons fought against Gods. I wonder how much we will lose this time. Will we even survive?
'We will. I will make survive my people and I survive,' I resolve as I gaze at Valeria. 'I can't afford to lose. I lost in my last life and I don't want to lose in the second one.'
Knock. Knock.
Havelar knocks on the table thrice, attracting everyone's attention. "I would like to offer you alliance. I will not limit myself in how many Warriors I am willing to give to aid you, but your companion is free to challenge mine." He looks at Ilschevar. "I will be happy to ally with you, Ilschevar."
Everyone looks at Havelar and Ilschevar alternatingly, waiting for Ilschevar's response expectantly. Ilschevar remains silent for a few seconds before smiling cordially.
"I thought we were already allied. We are siblings, right?"
The purple-haired Demoness snickers faintly whereas Havelar frowns lightly. He nods his head not long after and then turns to the others. Three Demon Kings raise their hands. Their companions step up and so does the hooded figure standing beside Havelar. He was the only person who didn't pressure me when Valeria left. I thought he was a chill guy, but his pressure says otherwise.
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