Chapter 44: The Council
Chapter 44: The Council
Despite the various incidents that had occurred, the morning of the Demon Council finally dawned.
The Council, which was to be held in two sessions, served as a stage where the Demon Lord candidates—each entrusted with the full authority of their respective races—would vet one another. During the second session, the Demon Lord would be elected by a majority vote.
Thus, throughout the Council, the candidates would verify each other's strength, knowledge, experience, philosophy, and abilities. They would judge who was most fit to be the Demon Lord, asking questions and proving their own worth.
In the late afternoon, Jaejin met with Lena. They were waiting together to enter the Council right on time.
"Are you nervous, Jaejin?"
"Of course I am... This is a place where six other high-ranking demons, as powerful as you, are gathering. And I have to prove my worth there... Honestly, besides this specific ability of mine, I’m not much help at all."
While demon society was a rational one that operated under its own set of rules, the Demon Lord was usually chosen based on the Rule of the Strong.
It was obvious how Jaejin—who couldn't even overpower a Lust Demon, a race known for being physically weak—would be evaluated by that standard.
"It’s alright. That’s why I’m here. I can do the things you can't."
"Yeah, I’m counting on you."
Jaejin wondered if the Council would actually go according to the plan he had discussed with Lena. However, if things proceeded as they had rehearsed, they would be able to seize the upper hand.
Jaejin unfolded the white robe Lena had prepared. It wasn't particularly loose for a robe, but thanks to the high-quality material and craftsmanship, it was comfortable and provided excellent insulation.
"It suits you well. Shall we go?"
"Let’s go. If we leave now, we should arrive exactly on time."
They opened the doors to the Room of the Round Table just as the Council was about to begin. When he had visited for a tour with Lena before, the place had felt empty and desolate, but now it radiated a terrifying sense of intimidation.
The individuals seated around the round table each possessed an extraordinary aura, befitting those representing their respective races.
Amidst the crowd of unfamiliar faces, the only one he recognized was Sheryl, who sat lost in thought with a calm, cold expression.
"Ha, arriving late, just like a member of a half-baked race would."
"No, we're right on time, Miss Purple."
The one who initiated the exchange was Veled of the Jaun Tribe, the purple-skinned demon Jaejin had seen yesterday. She seemed to have a history with Lena, as she began growling and nitpicking the moment they met.
"And what’s with bringing a slave into this sacred Council? Did you two catch feelings or something?"
"Hehe, is that something someone who laid hands on that slave without permission should be saying?"
"You... were you watching?"
"Of course. You were so predictable."
As Jaejin had suspected, Lena knew Veled had entered the changing room. He had guessed as much since she burst in before he could even take off the choker he was still wearing, but it was now confirmed.
"Can't you just stay quiet? You've been blabbering by yourself for a while now."
"Huh? What's your problem now?"
Just as Sheryl, who had been listening silently, joined the argument to make it a three-way spat, a man with a sturdy, elderly build entered the room.
He had fading, grizzled blue hair and an air of dignity that suggested he must have been exceptionally handsome in his youth. He was the Supreme Elder of the demons.
His black suit with gold embroidery and epaulettes shaped like anchors, along with his physical features, identified him as a member of the Three-Eyed Tribe.
He scanned the room and uttered a single sentence.
"It is time. Silence."
Everyone at the table was overwhelmed by that short command. His spirit was more than enough to overpower everyone present. Jaejin, being the weakest, momentarily found it hard to breathe, but he regained his senses when Lena wrapped her arm around him and held him close.
"Since everyone seems to be seated, let us begin. First, I shall introduce myself. I am Cuthbert, an elder of the Three-Eyed Tribe and the Supreme Elder of the Demon Race. It is an honor to preside over your Council."
Cuthbert gave a slight nod, and everyone seated returned the gesture. Seeing even the fiery Veled offer a polite greeting, Jaejin could guess that his standing was quite significant.
"As you all know, the Demon Council has no set procedure. You simply get to know one another during the first meeting, and a month later, at the second meeting, a majority vote is held by a show of hands. The methods and the process are entirely free."
This was why Lena had only explained the general direction of the Council and hadn't given any specific details whenever she mentioned it.
"However, since this is the first time many of you are meeting, it would be best to introduce yourselves. There may be some who are unfamiliar with one another."
Amidst a general atmosphere of agreement, Cuthbert looked at Sheryl, who was sitting next to Jaejin. Being of the same race, he seemed to want her to start.
"My name is Sheryl. Sheryl Floatingwood. I am a navigator for the 7th Fleet of the North Sea Fleet and the Demon Lord candidate for the Three-Eyed Tribe. Well, we're rivals, but we'll be seeing a lot of each other, so I look forward to working with you."
A blonde boy sitting across from Jaejin clapped loudly, and the others followed suit with polite applause.
Seeing this, Cuthbert flashed a brief, proud smile at Sheryl before returning to his solemn expression.
The introductions proceeded clockwise, meaning Jaejin would be the last to introduce himself. The next turn went to a black-haired man and a black-haired woman standing behind him.
The man looked to be in his mid-to-late thirties and had the appearance of a single-minded swordsman who didn't care for his looks.
"I am Biwon of the Snow Noble Tribe. I am usually called the Ilyang Sword rather than by my name. I hope we can have a sincere conversation through our blades. Behind me is my assistant, Wollyeon."
The woman behind him gave a slight bow at Biwon's gesture. She looked to be in her late twenties; if the man in front was a swordsman, she gave off the vibe of a rogue or a ninja.
The blonde boy who went next was difficult to age. He had a child-like smile and the fresh youth of a teenager, yet he also possessed an unfathomable air of experience.
He stared straight at Jaejin with an almost overwhelming intensity as he introduced himself.
"My name is Nero. I'm from the Demonic Dragon Tribe. Since the others in my tribe are all quite old, I ended up coming. This is my first time being around people my own age. Nice to meet you."
As he bowed deeply following his cheerful greeting, Jaejin felt compelled to return the gesture and bowed his head as well.
"How boring. To think these are the ones who will lead the demons in the future. We're doomed, absolutely doomed."
Veled clicked her tongue and began her scathing criticism the moment it was her turn. However, everyone seemed to take her words in stride, and no one fired back like they had before the Council started.
"I'm Veled. A pureblood Demon. I'll make sure to properly nurture the future of the demons that the Former King entrusted to us, so just do your part and vote for me."
Despite her words being beyond confident and bordering on arrogant, no one reacted. Even that was a form of psychological warfare, and there was no need to create a mess that would only play into her hands.
At the lackluster reaction, Veled clicked her tongue again, crossed her arms, and passed the turn to the next person.
Next was the race that had piqued Jaejin's curiosity from the start, but whom Lena had strictly warned him never to touch first: the Fairy Tribe.
She was wearing a robe, but her green hair and the plants peeking out revealed that she was a Dryad.
"I would appreciate it if you removed your robe, at least for the introductions. That way, we can greet you properly."
"Yes... will this be enough?"
When she pulled back her hood, she revealed a green-haired woman who looked somewhat introverted. Adorned with leaves and vines, she looked as though she might be nearly naked under the robe.
Seeing Cuthbert nod, she placed a hand on her chest and introduced herself.
"Hello. I am Nia, a Dryad and a Nymph of the Fairy Tribe. Please feel free to call me Fairy, Nymph, or Nia—whatever you prefer. We don't really distinguish between them strictly ourselves."
She looked so harmless that Jaejin couldn't understand Lena's advice, but he pushed the question aside as the turn moved on.
The next candidate was a female warrior of the Red Oni Tribe, with reddish-brown skin, a height as tall as a basketball player, a muscular build, and a single horn on her head.
Since Jaejin had encountered many of her kind in the village below the castle, he felt a greater sense of familiarity with her than with the other races.
"I am Vivian of the Red Oni Tribe. I earned my chance through the Demon Lord candidate selection matches and was lucky enough to win and sit here today. I have much to learn from you all."
In contrast to her appearance, which made her look like the strongest person in the room, her extremely polite attitude was a testament to why the Demon Race was composed of the Six Great Races plus others.
The probability of these individuals—who must have been selected from among the influential figures of each race through fierce competition—actually becoming the Demon Lord was less than ten percent.
With odds as low as those of the Lust Demon Race, it was only natural for them to take a humble stance.
While Jaejin was lost in thought, his turn arrived. Even those who had been listening half-heartedly until now focused their attention on Lena.
From the way they were looking at her, it could be said that the strategy Lena had devised was halfway successful.
They were all filled with the same question: why on earth had she brought a human slave to such an important Council?
"Hehe, it’s been a long time since the Lust Demon Race has received this much attention. Very well, I shall introduce myself. I am the daughter of the current Succubus Queen, Sitri. I am this gentleman's assistant and a Joint Demon Lord Candidate."
The moment Lena spoke, a flurry of emotions—doubt, curiosity, excitement, bewilderment, joy, and anger—shot from everyone's eyes and pierced straight into Jaejin's face.