Chapter 102 - Chapter 17: Test (1/2)
Chapter 102 - Chapter 17: Test
The Demon King’s Palace was the center of the Demon World.
In addition to its geographical significance, it was the center of culture and technology, containing things that weren’t easy to find in other parts of the Demon World.
An airport for flying ships was one of those things.
There were dozens of people gathered at the flying ship airport which contained large and small hangars as well as a large space for take-off and landing.
However, even if it was the Demon King’s Palace, it was rare to have so many people gathered at the flying ship airport:
The concubine's children and their subordinates;
The nobles of the Demon King’s Palace and their servants;
And the servants who came out to meet their masters.
The reasons why all of them had gathered were slightly different, but it was ultimately to meet those who would soon be arriving.
Someone raised their hands and pointed to the sky, then someone else exclaimed and everybody looked up. There were also those who made welcoming gestures.
A sailboat with dark sails was riding the wind.
It was the flagship of the 5th Prince, Silvan Doomblade.
The Black Flame Dragon had arrived at the Demon King’s Palace.
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They had not planned anything in advance. However, Chris and Felicia exchanged glances and got into the most appropriate formation.
In-gong was the first one to get off after Silvan’s crew members put out the folding staircase.
In-gong was immediately followed by Carack, while Chris and Felicia each took on a position to their left and right so that the two men were in the center. As always, Caitlin and Silvan stood beside Chris and Felicia. The rest of the aides, except Carack, followed their masters, creating a formation that centered naturally around In-gong.
This formation had symbolic meaning.
A rectangular table formation like this didn’t exist without reason.
The center of the group...
Was the one who led the group.
Not only had five children of the demon king gathered together, but they were acting together.
5th Prince, 6th Princess, 7th Prince and 8th Princess...
They represented the royal families of the dark elves and the lycanthropes.
Why were they moving together? Who tied them together?
The answer was clear.
Just by looking, they could tell who was leading the crowd.
It was 9th Prince Shutra Ignus...
The one who had defeated the Red Lightning tribe with 7th Prince and 8th Princess.
During the mission, he had rescued the 6th Princess and the 6th Princess showed her devotion by helping 9th Prince.
Additionally, the 5th Prince was added since he couldn’t stand to fight with the 6th Princess.
Their suspicions became certain.
Some were happy while others felt discomfort.
However, all of them understood intuitively.
A new faction had emerged in the Demon King’s Palace.
The youngest and so called Prince of Scraps, Shutra Ignus, was the head of that new faction.
In-gong smiled bitterly as he descended the folding stairs under the flood of gazes. He couldn’t tell what they were thinking through their eyes and facial expressions alone, but he knew.
“This is overwhelming.”
When he first visited, there had been no one to greet him and the second visit only had Felicia’s aides.
Then the third visit...
Everyone was paying attention to In-gong. Moreover, this time there was someone who came out to greet In-gong.
Flora, the butler for his residence at the Demon King’s Palace, stood with two people. As always, Flora seemed somewhat expressionless, so In-gong sighed when he saw her.
”I'm glad.”
”What are you glad about?”
”Flora still seems the same.”
Carack cocked his head at In-gong’s words but In-gong just smiled.
He didn’t want Flora to look at Carack like Karma, Seira, Delia, Sephira and Daphne did.
In-gong erased his smile as he had almost completely descended from the folding stairs. Then he heard Silvan’s voice behind him,
”There are draconians. They seem to be hiding, but they can’t fool my eyes...”
“I smell the nightmares. Everybody has shown up. Don’t you like this?”
Chris said, cutting off Silvan’s words as he was talking.
Unlike Silvan’s haughty voice, Chris’ was mixed with the snarl of a predator.
Draconians and nightmares had come out. There were none in the group, so they hadn’t come out to welcome the party. It was either reconnaissance or spying.
It showed that they were aware of the group.
In-gong couldn’t be ignored.
“It is great to see 9th Prince.”
Flora bowed to In-gong. Subsequently, the servants in charge of Felicia’s and Chris’ mansion were gathered.
There were some concubine children who had greeted him on the second visit and some unfamiliar faces.
In-gong ordered Flora to move the baggage from the Black Flame Dragon to the mansion. Although In-gong had virtually no baggage, Amita had a lot.
Daphne, who was hugging Amita, decided to go with Flora. Additionally, Amita had already agreed to act like a normal raccoon. It was Amita’s request since they didn’t want to be involved in any troublesome business.
Felicia and Chris entrusted their baggage to their stewards and accompanied In-gong instead of heading back to their residences.
As a result, their aides joined the party and a group of over 20 people were moving together. Moreover, In-gong was the leader of this group.
'Returning home in glory.’
There were many concubine children who wanted to talk to In-gong. Among them were Silas and Selene whom In-gong had wanted to secure like Daphne.
He didn’t have to go personally to each person in order to recruit talented individuals. Another way to recruit talent was to create a power that would make the talent come find him.
In-gong moved toward the Merits Department.
His followers, including the concubine children, scattered in front of the Merits Department, but there was still many remaining.
There were five of the demon king’s children and their four aides.
Isabella, who was in charge of the Merits Department, smiled with admiration and confusion as the room felt narrower than usual.
“9th Prince is always surprising me.”
Her lamia tail waved pleasantly. The smile of a beauty was always pleasant, so In-gong laughed alone when a voice interrupted them.
”Isabella, I’m here as well.”
Chris grinned playfully. It would be embarrassing under other situations, but it was different with the children of the demon king who were close to Isabella. She laughed like she was accustomed to Chris’ frivolity and gave an exaggerated bow.
”Of course, I know. It has been awhile since I’ve seen 7th Prince at the Merits Department.”
Chris was satisfied with the intimate tone. Then another voice was heard,
”Me too.”
“Yes, 5th Prince, I know. I’m very pleased to see 6th Prince and 8th Princess.”