A single man rushed into the room, ahead of the woman. He was dressed in only harem pants and the few trinkets and skulls that decorated his legs and wrists. His pale grey skin was stained with red markings across his body, almost the same crimson shade as his hair.

  It became clear immediately that he wasn’t human. He was one of the most feared races in the world. A demon.

  “Not so friendly, are they?” He tossed the words over his shoulder to the woman who strutted into the room next.

  She was taller than him and wore a luxurious black and purple skirt. Lace material covered her shoulders and sleeved her slender arms with a femininity that bordered angelic. She was pale, but still had somewhat more of a human complexion compared to her red-haired partner. The notion that she was human immediately went out of the window when I noticed the protruding black horns from the sides of her head.

  They curled upwards with a single spiral, no larger than that of a goat's horns.

  The male knight at Acardt’s left brandished his sword. “You insolent demon, how dare you barge in here?! I’ll cut you down where you–” Before he could finish the thought, a burst of speed shot past him and left the space at Acardt’s right vacant.

  The female knight appeared in front of the demon woman, the thin blade of her sword already pointed out, mid-attack. It froze in the air, only a few specs away from piercing the woman's chest, and trembled in her grasp.

  The knight's confused groans extended to a scowl at the man who stood beside her. The same crimson demon, who just a few moments ago wasn’t standing there. His speed was devastatingly fast, possibly faster than hers.

  “Hey, what’s the big deal? Did you think I’d let you poke a hole in my queen? Not that you’d get the chance– Argh!” The demon boy's face contorted with discomfort as the knight drove her fist into his stomach.

  Based on the chiseled features of his abs, I doubted it hurt much, but the impact sent him sliding across the room and into the wall. Cracks shot across the stone surface around him, but he seemed alright for the most part.

  What monstrous strength… The demon race is said to be much stronger than humans, so maybe he’s not full-blooded? No, it’s definitely due to that female knight's abilities.

  “You won’t dare lay a hand on his majesty’s head!” Her body glowed a fierce blue as the sword carried its glow and pierced the space between them.

  Is she using a skill? I wonder just how powerful a knight under King Acardt is.

  The air around her blade crackled with glowing blue bolts of electricity as she spun the blade and arched it down at the demon woman's head.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Stop this at once!” The command roared out fiercely.

  Her blade froze just before it could reach the woman's nose. The stray beams and bolts burst across the room and struck the opposite walls in a fury. The knight glanced over her shoulder with a look that suggested, ‘Are you crazy?’ but after seeing who it came from, she quickly put her head down. Succumbing to her master's gaze, the knight melted on the spot and fell to her knees.

  “My apologies, your majesty.”

  Lucilia practically jumped out of her chair, surprising everyone. “Altair, is that you?! I thought you said you wouldn’t return for another… Wait, has it already been a hundred years?” she counted on her fingers as she spoke.

  Does she know this demon woman? Altair… I’ve heard that name before. It’s so familiar, but I can’t quite place it. My eyes whipped to the vacant seat at the table. There can be no mistake. It’s the name of the demon who rules the Demonica territory. The demon of curses…Altair!

  King Acardt gestured to the woman, “My apologies for how my knights reacted, Altair.” His eyes sharpened at the female knight.

  This can’t be… I was told she hasn’t attended in over a century! I have no idea what her motives are. Her intentions… she might ruin everything!

  Lucilia leaned over the table, her chest coming close to spilling out of her flowery lace corset.

  She turned to the elf leader, seemingly unimpressed, “I see they’ve allowed you to continue your position.”

  “Of course! Not many territories in Marjna are too interested in politics, so it’s up to me to sit through it all.” Lucilia scratched her temple with a goofy smile.

  “I was referring to your position as leader of the elves, actually.” She turned her attention to me, as if to say she was done talking to Lucilia already.

  “Ack– isn’t that a little mean, Altair… I thought we were friends.” Tears welled up in the corners of her eyes as she reached over the table for Altair's hand.

  Altair's crimson stare reached out to me for only a brief moment before passing by completely.

  “I’m simply here to investigate an ongoing matter and fulfill my duties as leader of my people. The politics of mortals isn’t much of a concern to me.” Altair added.

  “You mere demon,” The knight woman stared daggers at Altair's back as she rose off the ground. “Surely there is a rule against this? She hasn’t attended in over a century!”

  Altair let out a light sigh, still not keeping her eyes on anyone in particular. “Even in a hundred years, nothing really changes with humanity.” She sat down in her seat and wore an expression of pure boredom, as if waiting for it all to end.

  “Lumen!” Acardt barked, “This attitude is beneath you! Stop it at once!”

  “Technically, as long as a ruler is present at least once in the span of ten meetings, they will not lose their seat…”

  I'd better say something, or I’ll be completely lost under all this nonsense.

  “Ahem! If that’s cleared up, then wouldn’t it be a good time to start? I believe this meeting will be more important than ever, given our rare sighting of the ruler of Demonica.” I gestured to Altair with my practiced smile, but got no response from her whatsoever.

  “Y-yes, please!” I believe we can now begin the official summit of rulers!” The king's attendant declared nervously.