Chapter 14: Demon Race Assembly.

Inside the conference chamber of the Demon King’s Castle.

Bain, leader of the Skeleton Clan, sat on the high-backed chair at the far right.

His entire skeletal frame was a dull gray-black, two clusters of ghostly blue flames flickering within his eye sockets, his bones emitting faint clicking sounds from the force of his grip.

He did not speak.

He merely stared at the figure across from him, cloaked in gray robes, face wrapped in layers of cloth—the lich, Eben.

Vera—the leader of the Vampire Clan—leaned lazily against the back of her chair, a crafty glint flashing in her crimson eyes.

She crossed her legs, her toes swaying lightly, deliberately brushing the hem of Eben’s robe with her foot, a wicked smile curling at her lips.

“Hey, you old corpse.”

She spoke with heavy sarcasm.

“How’s that little girl the Demon King sent to you—Friel—doing these days?”

Eben did not move.

He slowly raised his gray-brown hands, dry as withered branches, and lightly tapped the tabletop twice, producing a hollow echo.

“Lady Vera.”

His voice was low and hoarse, as if rising from deep underground.

“You mean that tentacle girl named Friel?

She’s been studying quite diligently lately.

Her control over magic has already surpassed some of the more senior liches in our clan.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Vera sprang up from her chair, slapping her thigh as she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.

“What trash!

She’s here to replace you, you know!”

Laughing, she deliberately leaned closer to Eben, reaching out to tug at the corner of his gray robe, her movements frivolous, like teasing a docile old cat.

“I don’t mind.”

Eben remained unmoved, his voice completely steady.

“Our clan has always been tolerant toward those who seek knowledge.

She is here to replace me, but that does not prevent her from seeking knowledge from us.”

Hearing this, Bain’s grip tightened further, his finger bones nearly crushing the armrest.

The blue flames in his eye sockets flared violently, like ghost lights stirred by the wind.

Vera noticed his reaction and immediately turned her head, grinning as she winked at him.

“Oh?”

“Isn’t this the walking skull?”

She deliberately dragged out her tone, her voice dripping with mockery.

“That corpse over there didn’t get angry at all, so why are you flaming up here?

Hahahaha—”

Bain snapped his head up, the flames in his eye sockets nearly bursting forth.

Bang!

He slammed his palm down onto the table, producing a deafening crash.

“You little bat!”

His voice sounded like it was packed with explosives, dripping with scorn.

“Have you no respect?

Is this how you speak to your elders?

If the Demon King hadn’t summoned me to this meeting, I would’ve crushed you into dust already!

All muscle, no mouth—learn to fight with words for once!”

Hearing this, Vera not only didn’t retreat—she shot up from her chair like a hunting cat and lunged straight at Bain.

She planted herself before him, hands on her hips, crimson eyes glaring straight into his.

“You pile of bones!”

She gritted her teeth, staring at him with pure disdain.

“You’ve got nothing but brute force!

A useless piece of trash!”

Bain trembled with rage, the blue flames in his eyes nearly igniting.

He abruptly stood up, his bones clattering loudly, arms spreading wide as if to engulf her entire body in shadow.

“You—”

Before he could finish, a searing breath of dragon fire surged in from the side, scorching hot, forcing him to step back half a pace.

Irena—the Dragon Clan leader who dwelled within demon territory—had appeared beside him without anyone noticing.

“Bain.”

Her voice was low, firm, and unquestionable.

“We’re here for a meeting.

Not to fight.”

Bain ground his teeth.

The flames in his eyes slowly dimmed, though the anger within him did not fade.

He sat back down heavily, muttering under his breath.

“Tch… two pieces of trash.”

Hearing this, Vera felt her chest tighten, blood rushing straight to her head.

She was about to curse back when a hand seized her wrist, pulling her back into her seat with irresistible force.

Irena had appeared at her side at some point.

“Don’t be angry, Vera.”

Her voice was gentle, yet carried undeniable authority.

“Now is not the time to argue.”

Vera stiffened as she was restrained.

The fury in her heart remained, but she forcibly suppressed it.

She bit her lower lip, letting out a muffled hmph, turning her face away—refusing to look at Bain or anyone else.

Just then—

“Creeeak—”

The heavy doors of the conference chamber slowly opened, and a tall figure stepped inside at an unhurried pace.

“Sorry to keep everyone waiting.”

Morgana laughed softly.

The moment Vera heard that voice, she sprang up from her chair like a startled spring.

“No problem! Not at all!”

She rushed straight up to the Demon King, grabbing Morgana’s hands tightly, looking up with eyes full of anticipation.

“If it’s Morgana-sis, I don’t mind waiting however long it takes!”

Bain sat in the corner and let out a low tch, tinged with disdain.

Morgana ignored him completely.

She simply lifted her hand and gently stroked Vera’s head, her movements tender, like soothing a spoiled little beast.

“Good girl.”

In the next instant, Morgana vanished and reappeared upon the main seat.

“Everyone.”

She swept her gaze across the room, smiling brightly.

“I’ve gathered you here today not only to celebrate the defeat of the Hero, but also to ensure a better future for the Demon Race.”

Under the table, Bain’s fingers curled tighter, joints creaking faintly, the flames in his eyes flickering.

Morgana seemed oblivious to his hostility and continued smiling.

“Today, I have good news to announce.”

She paused, her gaze moving across the crowd.

“I, Morgana, will soon be marrying two queens.”

The moment Vera heard this, she froze as if struck by lightning, then leapt to her feet, both hands raised high, her voice trembling with excitement.

“Morgana-sis! Me too?!

Is one of them me?!”

Morgana looked at her eager expression and gently pinched her cheek.

“Vera.”

Her voice was warm.

“We’ve always been good friends.

You’re very welcome to attend the wedding.”

The excitement on Vera’s face instantly froze.

The light in her eyes dimmed, her mouth drooping as her voice carried a trace of grievance.

“Got it… Morgana-sis…”

Seeing her dejected expression, Bain couldn’t help curling his lips into a cold smile.

The blue flames in his eyes flickered faintly with schadenfreude.

Morgana ignored him.

She simply clapped her hands lightly, her tone still cheerful.

“If there’s nothing else, then let’s adjourn the meeting.”

“I have something to say!”

Bain slammed his palm on the table again and stood up.

“Demon King, as the leader of the Demon Race, you should prioritize our people’s interests!

Your decision to expend massive resources to demonize the Hero’s party—and then allow those demonized heroes to study within our race—has already caused dissatisfaction among some demons.

I urge you to reconsider!”

The moment Vera heard this, her anger flared violently.

She spun around and glared at Bain, her voice sharp and piercing.

“You skullhead!

You’re just targeting Morgana-sis!

If you’ve got complaints, say them outright!

Don’t keep hiding behind ‘the Demon Race this’ and ‘the Demon Race that’—it makes me sick!”