Chapter 419: Making Bold Moves
The Grand Courtroom was nothing short of colossal. Every wall, pillar and archway had been built on a scale that made even the tallest demons appear ordinary. Towering pillars sculpted into the likeness of ancient beasts stretched upward until they disappeared into magnificent vaulted ceilings painted with scenes depicting the conquests of the Princes of Lust across countless realms.
Massive chandeliers forged from black crystal illuminated the chamber with an elegant violet glow while banners bearing the crest of the nine tailed fox hung proudly between every pillar. The polished obsidian floor reflected the entire hall like a mirror, adding to the overwhelming majesty of the palace.
Rows of ministers stood in disciplined formation on both sides of the chamber, each dressed in elegant robes of deep purple or royal blue according to their office.
Their expressions remained composed, yet countless pairs of eyes quietly observed one another beneath lowered brows. Behind them stood ranks of palace guards in black armor, each one standing motionless with weapons planted firmly upon the ground.
Beside the throne waited a towering demon nearly fifteen feet tall dressed in magnificent eunuch robes embroidered with golden foxes. His enormous hands rested calmly before him while his expression remained unreadable.
The throne itself stood upon an elevated platform overlooking the entire court. It resembled an enormous cushion of black velvet surrounded by nine gigantic fox tails carved from violet crystal that curved protectively around the seat like living guardians. Behind it stood an immense stone sculpture depicting the face of a majestic fox with its mouth opened wide as though silently roaring over the kingdom.
Dong!
The deep toll of a ceremonial bell echoed throughout the palace. Moments later, the thunderous voices of the eunuchs outside reverberated through the corridor.
"HIS MAJESTY HAS ARRIVED!"
Every minister, guard and eunuch immediately lowered themselves into respectful bows as the massive palace doors slowly swung inward.
Silence descended upon the courtroom.
Everyone waited for footsteps but none came. Several ministers slowly frowned before instinctively raising their heads.
The next instant, countless eyes widened.
Damian was already seated upon the throne but no one had seen him enter or sensed his presence approaching. It was as though he had simply existed there all along.
He lounged comfortably against the oversized throne dressed in flowing black and violet robes that draped naturally over his towering frame. His long black hair flowed freely behind him like a waterfall of darkness, reaching beyond the throne itself. Black cracks spread around his eyes, consuming everything except two narrow violet slits that stared calmly across the courtroom.
The longer they looked, the stranger the throne became. Many officials suddenly felt as though the magnificent fox statue behind Damian had disappeared entirely.
In its place, only endless darkness remained. Deep within that darkness a pair of gigantic violet eyes quietly stared back at them.
Several lower ranked officials immediately felt cold sweat gather across their backs while others subconsciously lowered their heads, unable to continue meeting Damian’s gaze.
The ministers, however, merely smiled. So their Prince possessed a rebellious streak.
He had ignored the traditional entrance entirely. Rather than walking into his own court he had appeared upon the throne before anyone even realized he had arrived.
Even his dressing could not have been approved by his Chamberlain. Damian has shown willingness to disregard customs. To many of them that spoke more of brutality than wisdom.
Yet another thought quietly settled inside every experienced politician’s mind.
None of them, not even Amon had sensed him move. Had Damian rushed past them at unimaginable speed, someone should have noticed.
Instead, It genuinely felt as though he had teleported.
"The makings of a tyrant."
A faint smile appeared beneath the cloth wrapped across Grand Chancellor Dabin’s empty eye sockets as one hand calmly adjusted the black folds concealing the place where eyes should have existed.
His enormous twelve foot frame towered over many of the surrounding ministers while his skin carried the distinctive purple undertone belonging to the Damika Clan.
Not far away Amon merely let out a tired sigh as the courtroom slowly completed its bow.
"May Your Majesty rule for ten thousand years!"
Their voices merged into one.
Damian quietly observed them from above. Very few truly meant those words. He could almost feel the hostility buried beneath their polished smiles.
Several of these scumbags wanted him dead.
The ministers gradually returned to their feet while the gigantic Chief Eunuch stepped forward carrying an enormous golden tray piled high with beautifully wrapped gifts decorated in expensive silk.
He bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty. The Royal Court has prepared gifts celebrating your miraculous recovery."
Damian’s eyes briefly rested upon the towering demon.
The pressure emanating from the man’s body was astonishing. His Demonic Force quietly shook the surrounding space despite remaining completely restrained.
’Another Demigod.’ Damian inwardly frowned.
Just like nearly every influential figure gathered inside this hall. The Underworld truly was a terrifying place.
"Alright."
Damian casually waved one hand. The gifts failed to hold his attention. Instead, his gaze slowly swept across the gathered ministers until it settled upon one particular figure.
"I’ve been informed that the Shaki Clan delivered gifts upon my arrival despite my unconscious state."
His calm voice echoed effortlessly throughout the enormous courtroom and his violet eyes narrowed slightly.
"They also presented gifts immediately after my awakening. Jugo, step forward."
A subtle ripple immediately spread through the courtroom. Several ministers exchanged brief glances while others frowned openly.
Among the assembled officials, a broad shouldered shark headed demon wearing elegant light blue robes stepped out from the line before respectfully lowering himself.
"Sire."
Damian quietly studied him. Then a faint smile appeared upon his face.
"I appreciate both your gifts and your family’s continued efforts. I look forward to working with you in the future."
Buzz!
Dozens of expressions immediately changed. Some frowned while others narrowed their eyes.
Many silently looked toward Jugo.
The shark headed minister could practically feel countless gazes piercing into his back. Slowly he raised his head and his eyes met Damian’s.
Instantly, the magnificent courtroom disappeared. Only darkness remained. Within that darkness, the same gigantic violet eyes silently watched him carefully as if asking him if he would stand by or against him.
Jugo instinctively held his breath.
He knew every powerful individual standing within this courtroom possessed terrifying authority.
Yet, the man seated upon the throne had killed Duke Haborym. He had slain Bachi and Mudhhibb. Most unbelievable of all, he had defeated Kaizer.
Not merely defeated.
Broken him. Even today, Kaizer himself reportedly remembered nothing from the battle’s final moments.
The Dragon Prince woke screaming from nightmares. It is said violent fits plagued him almost every night. His own people no longer referred to him as the Tyrant Dragon now call him the Mad Dragon.
If Jugo had to gamble his family’s future, there was only one person worth betting upon.
"My family stands at Your Majesty’s beck and call."
He lowered himself even further and Damian’s smile widened ever so slightly.
He slowly nodded then without lingering his attention shifted toward another minister.
A handsome pale skinned man dressed in dark crimson robes quietly looked back at him. Dark circles surrounded his blood red eyes while his expression remained unusually weary. Despite being a man with a mustache, he had a striking resemblance to a woman.
"Lord Talus."
The Blood Demon minister visibly stiffened.
"I’ve been informed your family has remained isolated since the death of my predecessor."
Talus quietly nodded.
"That is correct, Your Majesty."
Damian rested one arm against the throne.
"There is no longer any need for that. So long as I sit upon this throne your people have nothing to fear from Sol."
The entire courtroom grew silent and several ministers instinctively stiffened they waited to see the young prince burst in flames for mentioning Sol’s name in vain but Damian continued speaking without the slightest hesitation.
"If necessary I’ll personally travel to Aurelios and settle the matter myself."
Buzz!
The atmosphere exploded and every official instinctively tensed. Several ministers unconsciously took half steps backward.
Everyone stared toward Damian in absolute disbelief.
Someone had openly spoken Lord Pride’s name inside the Royal Court and nothing answered. Confusion immediately spread throughout the chamber.
How?
Lord Pride had sworn to purge countless races throughout existence. The Blood Demons remained among those he despised most. So why had he ignored such blatant defiance?
Talus himself remained completely frozen. His trembling hands slowly clenched then emotion finally overwhelmed him. He stepped forward before dropping into a deep salute.
"THANK YOU!"
His voice echoed throughout the chamber.
"THANK YOU, SIRE!"
His body trembled violently.
His family has been anxious for the longest time because no one dared cross Sol by taking them in and for the first time in many years, someone powerful had openly declared the Blood Demons worthy of protection.
Damian merely nodded. His cold gaze slowly swept across every minister gathered before him. He wanted every single one of them to understand exactly what he had just done.
Far below Duke Dabin quietly watched everything unfold. A faint smile stretched across his lips.
’Interesting... Very interesting.’ He laughed inwardly.
Within moments of taking the throne this young Prince had already secured the goodwill of two Baron families.
Openly favoring the weakest nobles would spread quickly throughout Velmora. Every forgotten Baron family would begin wondering whether this Prince truly rewarded loyalty and that will attract them all with their different armies to Velmora forming his foundation.
Damian wasn’t hiding his intentions to go against them. He was leveraging his terrifying reputation to build an entirely new faction beneath the noses of every established power inside the courtroom.
Not far away Amon quietly folded his arms and a small sigh escaped him.
"He’s bold..."
A faint smile appeared upon his owl beak.
"I’ll give him that."