NOVPUBThe Royal City of Naka Island in the Demon World, two hours past dawn, the sky remained a deep purple color of an eclipse.
The clouds above the island were swirling with mist, and dusk enveloped the ground; this ancient city-state of the Demon Race seemed to be sleeping at the edge of time, awaiting the arrival of a new day but forever at the last second of night.
The royal palace stood towering in the center of Naikarisu, close to the coast of Naka Island.
The base of the front square served as a reception and security checkpoint connected with Coastal Boulevard and was mostly open to the public, allowing the Demon Race to visit and learn about the history of the Demon World.
Order was usually strict here, but this morning it was particularly bustling; the military guards of the Demon World and media reporters filled the platforms outside the front square passage. Although Naikarisu’s elite guards had set up protective barriers outside the royal palace to ensure order and safety, this did not lessen the expectations of the Demons.
And wherever there was a magic screen in Naikarisu, Demons began to gather.
They held their breath in anticipation, waiting for the major events happening inside the royal palace to be communicated to them through the projections of specially invited Demons.
The Demon elites, stepping over the long stairs of the front square of the royal palace, would enter the Demon King Palace, and after walking through the long corridor of the royal palace, their view would suddenly open up.
The first floor was home to the Regency Hall, offices, and the resting area for the nobility, also the core area for the internal work and meetings of the royal palace.
As for the restricted second floor and above,
Only royal family members, summoned individuals, and ministers of the Fallen Queen level were permitted entry.
At this moment on the second floor,
"Your Highness, take a deep breath, you look too tense."
"I’m not tense at all."
Her Royal Highness Hyperion and her court attendant Lisandra were walking together down the hallway of the second floor, with occasional faint sounds of conversation.
There were no Fallen Queens watching them now, but they both knew that the Fallen Queens were currently waiting downstairs in the Regency Hall, and the first floor was filled with Demons; there was no chance at all for escape.
The hallway was spacious and bright, adorned with ancient paintings from the Demon World on the walls, and sculptures and antiques were placed on both sides, each a masterpiece of the Demon World.
The lights dotted the carpet in the hallway, and Hyperion was dressed in a light blue gown that shimmered like ice crystals, with her hands covered in white silk gloves. Her silver hair was elegantly twisted into a bun at the back of her head, with every strand carefully woven, creating a look that was both dignified and noble. A few loose strands lightly graced the sides of her cheeks.
"..."
Lisandra knew why the princess beside her was nervous.
The princess, having experienced grand events as a member of the Demon Race, was more composed than most Demons, and even on a day concerning significant matters about her, she wouldn’t be unsettled.
However, today the princess was going to meet McCarthy.
They hadn’t seen each other for a long time.
Every time the princess heard McCarthy’s name, she would show a genuinely happy expression, curious and caring about him. The usually calm princess would become easily emotional because of him, and every day they were apart felt especially long.
Clearly, McCarthy was the real reason for the princess’s nervousness.
"Do you think Mr. McCarthy will win, Your Highness?"
Lisandra asked tentatively.
Although Lisandra didn’t know why the princess was so certain that McCarthy could take her away today, even if McCarthy could convince Fallen Lord Calila, McCarthy’s opponents today were not just those of the Great Demon Clan, but also Ulysses, the Tenth Ancestor of the Blood Clan.
"He will win," assured Hyperion with a nod.
"Is he even more powerful than the Tenth Ancestor Ulysses?"
These days, Lisandra’s interactions with McCarthy had not been few.
Yet the more she felt she understood McCarthy, the more she realized she couldn’t grasp his true nature, and she even began to doubt if McCarthy could actually be a high-ranking Demon hiding his true strength.
After all, when she could clearly feel that her opponent’s magic power was weak yet stable, there were only two possibilities: either the opponent was truly weak, or he was so strong that it was difficult for an ordinary being to comprehend.
Setting aside those unfounded fantasies of Lisandra, she was certain that the Tenth Ancestor Ulysses was an opponent few in today’s world could possibly overcome in terms of artistry.
Even the most ancient master craftsmen of the Demon World would find it hard to claim victory over Ulysses of the Blood Clan.
Ulysses, who already possessed unique artistic talent, had boundless years to dedicate to his studies.
For many years, he had not picked up his brush again, perhaps immersed, or perhaps having already reached the summit of his craft, tired of painting.
Now, no one knew to which realm he had ascended.
"I do not know."
Hyperion answered truthfully since she had never seen Lanci paint,
"But he is more skilled than the finest painters I have ever seen."
She said with conviction.
Perhaps in various other skills, Lanci could not surpass Duke Migaya, known as a man of many talents, but in painting alone, Hyperion believed Lanci far exceeded her father, Duke Migaya.
She trusted her father, so she trusted Lanci even more.
"Then may I understand that your belief in his victory is equivalent to you being prepared to marry him today?"
Lisandra asked softly.
"!"
Hyperion’s steps stiffened for a moment.
Lisandra stared at Hyperion’s fair skin, which reddened, convinced it was not the work of cosmetics.
It seemed that all was well until the matter was brought up, and the princess truly could not maintain her composure.
"No, it’s just a wedding, what’s the big deal? If he dares to propose, I will dare to accept!"
Hyperion quickened her pace towards the staircase,
"You wait and see who will be the shy one then."
"..."
Lisandra followed the princess with a helpless smile, making their way to the stairs and descending.
Due to today’s duties, Lisandra had left the house exceptionally early.
She had seen the lights in the McCarthy household already on at four or five in the morning.
Clearly, McCarthy had also made up his mind.
Passing through the lengthy stairway, they arrived at the corridor leading to the Regency Hall.
Every few steps, they could feel an invisible barrier laid by Fallen Lord Calila all the way to the front of the Regency Hall.
The Regency Hall of the royal palace, with the largest floor space, had its towering doors wide open.
Rings of fan-shaped seating arrangements unfolded from low to high, forming a spacious semicircular array of seats.
Here, the nobles and ministers of the Demon World mingled, most witnesses already seated, whispering opinions to one another.
Hyperion looked around, her gaze settling on Fallen Lord Calila, who was beside her throne at the center of the hall.
Fallen Lord Calila glanced at her as well, but soon lost interest in her, the princess who was the main character.
Calila was merely puzzled, looking at the silhouette of a man seated at distance.
There was a Demon Race man named McCarthy, dressed in formal attire, held in high esteem by the upper-class nobility of the Demon World.
He was engaging in lively conversations with many prominent figures in the political landscape of the Demon World.
"Second time now, why does this fellow still not look at me," Calila murmured under his breath, full of discontent.
