The dining table was laid with a hearty spread to restore Ocean’s strength—crispy roasted river fish, a tureen of rich bone broth, tender slices of venison, and a basket of warm bread rolls. Fresh fruits drizzled with honey added lightness, while spiced tea and a glass of goat’s milk completed the simple yet nourishing feast.

The Lords of the Underworld, Archmage Silas, Kai and even Davian and Sol had arrived at the dining hall.

Ocean watched Davian and Sol and asked, "Why aren’t you two resting?"

Davian frowned a little, "How could we possibly rest after knowing what happened here, Master?"

Sol didn’t say anything but just sat at his table beside Kai and Ocean sighed.

"Fine," he then turned to the guests.

"I hope you don’t mind giving me the reports while I eat, I’m famished." Ocean said and the three Lords exchanged looks.

"It’s fine, we’re relieved to have you back." Lord Devil said.

"That’s right, Young Master had been fulfilling his responsibilities so well that you might not have to worry a lot in future." Zach beamed.

"Shall we start with our reports then?" Lord Hawke asked.

Ocean nodded, picking up his silverware, "Go ahead."

The three Lords went over their reports accordingly as per the tasks bestowed upon them by Ocean. They had almost finished the work from their sides and Ocean nodded as he ate while listening, Silas remained silent while Remi and Enora who had been around were standing behind Ocean serving him.

"And as for the tests then we have everything prepared as per your orders," Lord Devil concluded.

Ocean nodded before he picked up the glass of water and took a sip.

"What about the preparations of the ball, Enora?" Ocean asked.

Enora, who stood behind him answered in a composed tone, "The preparations for the ball are finished, and the invitations are also sent."

Ocean dabbed his mouth with the kerchief before he faced the people who were waiting for a word from him.

"The ball shall be pushed to the end of the month,"

The ones present weren’t shocked hearing that Ocean had pushed back the ball as they thought it might be to investigate the matter about the Oasis Foundation school on fire. But what Ocean spoke further confused them.

A smirk graced his features as he leaned back in the chair and glanced at Enora, "Get some expensive stationery for me and also increase the amount of food and prepare for the extra..."

Ocean seemed to ponder about the number before saying, "around 100 guests."

Enora’s eyebrows twitched and Roan ended up asking, "Master, who else are you inviting?"

The smirk on Ocean’s face darkened as he tilted his head slightly, "I’m inviting those who are dying to see me fall."

Nobody was able to understand what Ocean meant but Enora responded, "I shall arrange everything accordingly, Master."

Ocean’s eyes then swept over everyone and he started, "As for why no one was able to contact me for the past two days,"

Roan and Kai leaned ahead to listen and Silas’ eyes sharpened.

"That’s because a similar terror incident happened in Denril," Ocean said making everyone apart for Davian and Ocean to gasp.

"What?"

"It was an assassination attempt of the King and Crown Prince but we got the information on time and we happened to prevent it but,"

"But what?"

"The assassins were cursed with secrecy and there were also some other creatures who resembled demons." Ocean said making the chill run down everyone’s spines.

"Demons?"

"But, how..."

"How could there be..."

The Lords were in shock while Silas’ brows furrowed.

"I’m afraid, I don’t understand," he spoke up.

"What?"

"The motive." He answered and Ocean sighed.

"The enemy is a demon this time," Ocean said, "somebody summoned it and it’s been showing its presence for a while now."

Ocean’s eyes drifted over to Zach, "Like spreading a random plague among animals."

Zach flinched and Silas’ frown deepened.

"The result says it all, right?" Ocean asked Silas and the latter didn’t say anything.

Ocean inhaled and exhaled loudly, "The demons enjoy playing around while endangering other people’s lives. The modus operandi is the same every time: create chaos so that there are a lot of casualities. Both the plans were executed by precise planning. I hadn’t expected demons so, it was a surprise for me back in Denril but having something similar happen here has just forced me to show my true colors."

"Pardon?" Silas frowned.

"I’ll discuss that matter with you later, but as for the ball, then, I’m planning on opening the doors of Ryujin for the outsiders."

Ocean didn’t glance at the faces of the ones present as he announced that.

"I want to see who’s daring enough to have tried to mess with me." Ocean spoke.

"You mean, it’s not Golden Serpent?" Lord Hawke asked and Ocean looked at him.

"We have no evidence, I’ll have to have just one look at her or her cronies to see who’s into this business. Once I confirm, I’ll take them out." Ocean said and the rest exchanged looks.

They had a lot of questions especially regarding the demons as all they had known about these demons was from the history but to hear that they were suddenly being involved. It was worrisome. But then again, if a Dragon had appeared then, the butterfly effect might have given a way to the demons as well or was it the other way around?

Ocean gave brief instructions to the ones present before he gestured for Silas to stay as he looked at everyone else.

"I’d like to have a private word with Archmage, rest all can leave." Ocean said as he rose to his feet.

Davian, Kai and Sol reluctantly left and Ocean looked at Silas. They walked towards his office with Roan following them.

Once inside the office, Ocean gave the three young aides a break and as soon as they left he picked out his personal communication device and placed it down on the table before them.

"I’ll explain what happened so, please have a look at this and fix it somehow, Uncle." Ocean said before he started explaining about the night of the New Year.

Silas’ face grew darker and his mana seemed to choke the air around him as he sat silently without a word until Ocean finished.

"It was a good thing that I could use Prince Davian’s brooch or I might have arrived in two further days." Ocean said and Silas remained silent.

Ocean waited until he spoke and Silas sighed picking up the communication brooch.

"I’ll bring you another one for use while I repair this one," he said before he glanced at Ocean up and down.

"... You’re not hurt, are you?" He asked and Ocean smiled.

"I’m not, don’t worry, Uncle. I just had to expend a lot of mana so I was passed out but then I woke up normally." Ocean assured him and Silas sighed.

"The Golden Serpent has crossed the line," Silas muttered.

"We can’t be sure that it’s her, Uncle. Though, the spies were sent from Sestia but I’ve kept that information hidden to avoid any friction between the kingdoms. Still, we can’t be sure that it really was Sestia or some third party who while targetting me is trying to mess with my plans." Ocean spoke and Silas frowned.

Ocean then glanced at him with the hint of worry on his face, "Also, I’d like to meet Aunt Alys."

Silas’ expression grew cautious, "You-"

"Listen to me first," Ocean spoke before Silas could deny any topic about her public appearance.

"We can’t hide her anymore, if it is Golden Serpent who has summoned a demon then apart from Eric, Alys is also in a grave danger. You can’t protect her alone, we’ll need to tell her that she can’t hide forever. And it will be an even bigger problem if she’s harmed even when were around... Do you think you’ll be able to live with that?"

Silas’ jaw clenched and his mana flared with the murderous intent, he didn’t mean to harm but his anger was enough to make Roan step away from him.

After a long moment, Silas’ mana slowly receded and he asked, "... What’s your plan?"

"I’m going to see His Majesty today, even if Alys can’t enter the palace, we’ll have to make sure that everyone knows of her existence." Ocean explained.

"She’s a part of the Mage’s Tower and my fiance, if she announces that she doesn’t want to be a part of the throne war then, do you think it’ll work?"

Ocean nodded, "Yes,"

Silas looked at him with a bit of hope in his eyes and Ocean continued, "But, we know that Golden Serpent won’t just let her be so, we must hurry with the marriage. If she’s already the wife of the Archmage of the Mage’s Tower who also has ties with both Mordino and Nelius kingdom then, even the Golden Serpent wouldn’t dare try to mess up."

Silas frowned, "But, we don’t have any ties with Nelius kingdom."

Ocean smiled, "Don’t worry about that, I have ties with the King of Nelius, he’ll sign an agreement with the Mage’s Tower."

Silas sighed deeply before he asked, "But if she really has summoned a demon then what could be done?"

Ocean reached out and held Silas’ hand, "She’s my Aunt, Uncle. I’ll protect her at all costs."

Silas hung his head before he placed his other hand over Ocean, squeezing it slightly.

"... I’ll help convince her so... keep your word and don’t get hurt too." He spoke in a low voice.

Ocean could understand Silas’ condition, it must be a torture to even think of making Alys do something that she was desperately avoiding all her life. She had been running from her death all her life and now she had to step in the spotlight where those who wanted her dead could see her clearly. If they made even a single mistake then she would be as good as dead.