From a distance, an elf darted through the courtyard, her footsteps light and swift.
It was Ilya.
Her hair was a little shorter than before, bobbing slightly with every movement. Her face looked alive, brighter, lighter.
She moved with energy, a complete opposition with what she looked like before.
The members of New Horizons and Elysia turned to look.
"Who is that...?" Ronan murmured.
"She’s... an elf, right? But she looks so... cheerful?" Elysia blinked. "That’s rare."
Then they saw something even rarer.
Bel smiled, really smiled.
He stepped forward to meet her halfway. The two exchanged a short nod before Ilya started measuring the height difference.
"You’re so taller," she teased. "And very, very... fit. I see you didn’t just sit around."
Bel chuckled lightly.
"I improved a bit."
"That is not just a bit."
He looked her up and down.
"You’re different too. More mana, more... raw energy. I can feel it."
"Mhm," she nodded. "I’ve been doing well."
The others were silent, watching in disbelief. It was the first time they had seen Bel act... friendly. Even kind.
Cassandra leaned to Arkel.
"Are they...?"
He shook his head slowly.
"No idea."
Ronan raised a brow.
"Maybe you should be worried?"
Crest stared like he’d seen a ghost.
"Who is she...?"
Before anyone could answer, Ilya stretched her arms, smiling.
"I always had a feeling you’d go lone wolf, but you seem surrounded," she said.
Bel shook his head.
"Coincidence, I am alone. Works better for me. What about you?"
Ilya opened her mouth to answer when another voice joined in.
"Bel!"
Bel turned again, eyes slightly wide this time.
Lena.
She walked toward him with a joyful hurry, her steps quick and light.
Behind her, a few people from the same direction glanced curiously.
Bel greeted her with a nod, but his gaze shifted between her and Ilya.
They had both come from the same place.
Coincidence? He doubted it.
Behind him, everyone froze. Even Crest was stunned.
What was going on? Bel was actually popular?
Lena and Ilya stood across from Bel. Lena smiled.
"You’re here too. Good to see you."
"Didn’t expect to see both of you," Bel said. "So you’re forming a party again?"
There was a long pause. Lena looked to the side with a small, dry smile. Ilya rolled her eyes.
Better than a confession.
"More or less," Ilya said. "It’s not that deep. I met some of my sisters again. And I’m tagging along with someone who might end up on the throne. She’s the most talented of us... and actually willing to reach our goal. Unlike..."
She trailed off. Bel stared at her.
"An elf, I assume."
"Obviously. We can’t let the same mistake happen again. Don’t you think?"
She gave a casual glance toward the humans standing nearby. They didn’t catch the insult.
Except for Elysia, who frowned and pointed silently at herself.
Ilya continued.
"Anyway, when she heard her story, she went to find her. Said a broken warrior who can still fight is better than one who cries forever."
Lena laughed nervously.
"Yeah... That happened."
Bel nodded.
"Still... I’m glad to see you both. Means you’re doing better."
"We are," Lena said. "Although, there’s not much for me to do. Madam is so powerful... it feels like I’m just along for the ride."
"Which is good," Ilya said with a jab, "Can’t rely on that kind of healing forever. I make sure I don’t get injured and I buy my own healing. Been doing better since."
Lena looked aside.
Everyone watching understood. There was tension between them.
Crest leaned in, unable to help himself.
"What... happened between you three?"
Ilya gave him a glance so sharp it could carve stone. He flinched.
Before anything else could be said, a horn sounded.
The guards stepped forward.
"All guests! Please make your way inside. The summit is about to begin."
Some guards formed lines, guiding the crowd.
Ilya sighed.
"Guess that’s our cue."
She looked at Bel.
"You coming?"
Bel looked at Elysia. She met his eyes, flinched... then smiled and nodded.
Bel looked back at Ilya.
"Yeah. After I catch up with someone."
Ilya smiled faintly.
"She said the same thing. See you inside. We’ll fill you in."
She turned and walked off with Lena. Bel, meanwhile, turned the opposite way.
The others watched them leave.
Airi raised her hands dramatically and walked away without a word. Cassandra narrowed her eyes, watching both women suspiciously.
Crest stared, too, confused. Until Ronan nudged him.
"Jealous much?"
"What? No! I was just..." he passed. "It’s just... weird."
"Pathetic." Arkel sighed.
Crest tried to talk back, but the damage was done. The group headed toward the grand building, the heavy doors slowly opening before them.
The Royal Summit was about to begin.
The conference room was a separate building, nestled just beside the Royal Castle, grand, but not overwhelming.
It was circular, shaped like a giant amphitheater carved from smooth white stone, with elegant seats spiraling downward to a central speaking platform.
There was enough space for hundreds, though many seats remained empty.
Not everyone had accepted the summons. Some had chosen to stay away, wary or indifferent.
Crest sat next to Airi, leaning slightly forward as he looked around the room.
"This place is kind of amazing," he whispered. "You know, this is where the counterattack against the demons was planned, the first big push. It’s a historic site."
Airi crossed her legs, unimpressed.
"Yeah, yeah. History is old news. What will make this place legendary... is that I’m here now."
Crest sighed.
Suddenly, a horn sounded.
The murmuring crowd quieted immediately. The guards at the entrance shifted formation, their spears raised and armor gleaming.
A voice rang clear.
"All rise for His Majesty, King Albrecht Velmoran, and his sons, Crown Prince Adrian and Second Prince Edward!"
All around the room, people stood. The doors opened with a deep, rumbling sound.
The King entered first, wearing a long robe of gold and navy. His silver crown shimmered in the light, his gaze calm and commanding.
Adrian walked to his right, tall and composed, his long white hair flowing behind him, a mirror of his father.
Edward followed on the left, also tall, with short beige hair and a serious gaze.
No one dared speak. This was the King, the most important man in Eldoria.
Meanwhile, outside the castle, Bel strolled through the royal gardens.
Flowers bloomed in bright colors, but he barely saw them. His steps were slow, thoughtful.
He extended his perception, letting his senses stretch like threads across the space.
He felt each guard’s aura, each wandering patrol route. It was easy to avoid them. Just like dancing through shadows.
He was headed to meet Selith, the elf who had once defended him when others pointed blades.
That was the plan...
But his thoughts were elsewhere.
Playing the demon had been easy until now. The humans have showed hostility toward him, and would antagonize him once his nature would be revealed.
The only one who treated him with care were the demons, and they knew about his true nature.
His position was easy to maintain, but now...
Now, the elves were a problem.
He liked the elves. They had been kind, reasonable.
They seemed ready to hear that he was a dragon and just accept it.
But before being a dragon, he was a demon lord, and being a demon lord meant becoming the enemy of their kind.
One day, he might have to fight them. Maybe Selith. Maybe all of them.
And not just the elves.
He clenched his teeth slightly, his mind flicking back to Airi.
From the outside, she was loud, proud, annoying.
But the moment he felt her energy... something was wrong. No, not wrong. Different.
Different than like Vezalia, different than...
"You look troubled," someone said gently.
Bel paused, then smiled faintly.
He turned.
On a bench beside a fountain, Selith sat, reading from her large blue book. She didn’t look up.
"I see you’ve perfected the concealment of your presence. It’s terrifying to think someone like you could walk behind me without being noticed."
She closed the book softly and raised her eyes to meet his.
"Long time no see, Bel."