Chapter 1

The demon realm's royal city, Nika Island, was two hours past dawn, but the sky remained a deep, eclipse-like purple.

Clouds swirled above the island, and twilight lingered on the ground. This ancient demon city-state seemed to slumber on the edge of time, forever waiting for a new day that never arrived, perpetually stuck in the last second of night.

The towering royal palace stood at the heart of Nikalis, near the coast of Nika Island.

The front plaza's base level, serving as a reception and security checkpoint, connected to the coastal avenue. Most of the time, it was open to the public, allowing demons to visit and learn about the history of the demon realm.

In the past, order reigned here, but this morning it was bustling. Demon realm soldiers and media reporters crowded the stands outside the front plaza's passageway. Though the Nikalis guard had set up protective barriers outside the palace to ensure order and safety, it did not diminish the demons' anticipation.

Wherever there was a magical screen in Nikalis, demons began to gather.

They held their breath, waiting for the great events unfolding within the royal palace to be conveyed to them through projections from invited demons.

One by one, demon nobles ascended the long staircase of the royal palace's front plaza, entering the royal palace. After passing through the palace's long corridors, the view suddenly opened up.

The first floor housed the Regency Hall, offices, and noble lounges, serving as the central area for the palace's internal work and meetings.

As for the second floor and above, they were off-limits.

Only members of the royal family, those summoned, and ministers of the Fallen Lord rank were allowed to enter.

At this moment, on the second floor...

"Your Highness, take a deep breath. You look too nervous."

"I'm not nervous at all."

Princess Hyperion and her court attendant, Lysandra, were walking together along the second-floor corridor, their soft voices occasionally drifting.

The Fallen Lords were no longer watching them at this moment, but they both knew that the Fallen Lords were waiting in the Regency Hall downstairs. The first floor was filled with demons, making any attempt to escape impossible.

The corridor was spacious and bright, with ancient demon realm oil paintings hanging on the walls and sculptures and antiques displayed on both sides. Each piece was a masterpiece of the demon realm.

Light illuminated the carpet in the corridor. Hyperion wore an ice-crystal-like light blue dress, her hands covered in white silk gloves. Her long silver hair was elegantly coiled into a bun at the back of her head, each strand meticulously woven, making her look both dignified and noble. A few stray hairs gently hung on the sides of her cheeks.

"..."

Lysandra knew why the princess beside her was nervous.

As a demon who had seen grand occasions, the princess had a more stable mentality than most demons. Even though today concerned a major event for her, she shouldn't be flustered.

However, the princess would be seeing McCarthy today.

It had been a long time since they had last met.

Whenever the princess heard McCarthy's name, she would always reveal a heartfelt, happy expression, showing her care and curiosity for him. The usually calm princess would easily experience emotional fluctuations because of him, and every day spent apart from him seemed particularly long.

Clearly, McCarthy was the real reason for the princess's nervousness.

"Does Your Highness think Mr. McCarthy will win?"

Lysandra asked tentatively.

Although Lysandra didn't know why the princess was so sure that McCarthy had a way to take her away today, even if McCarthy could convince the Fallen Lord Kaliella, McCarthy's opponents today were not only those great demons, but also Ulysses, the tenth progenitor of the blood clan.

"He will win."

Hyperion nodded with certainty.

"Is he even more powerful than Ulysses, the tenth progenitor?"

Lysandra had had quite a few interactions with McCarthy these days.

But the more she felt she understood McCarthy, the more she found him incomprehensible. She even began to suspect that McCarthy might actually be a great demon in disguise, hiding his true strength.

After all, when she could clearly sense that the other party's magical power was weak and stable, there were only two possibilities: either the other party was truly weak, or they were actually so strong that it was difficult for ordinary beings to understand.

Setting aside Lysandra's unsubstantiated fantasies, Lysandra was certain that Ulysses, the tenth progenitor, was an opponent that few beings in the world today could possibly defeat in terms of artistry.

Even the oldest master craftsmen in the demon realm would find it difficult to surpass Ulysses of the blood clan.

Ulysses, who already possessed a unique artistic talent, had endless years to devote to research.

He had not picked up a brush for many years, perhaps immersing himself, or perhaps he had already reached the pinnacle of achievement and become tired of painting.

No one knew what realm he had reached now.

"I don't know."

Hyperion answered truthfully, as she had never seen Lanche paint, after all.

"But he's better than the most amazing painter I've ever seen."

She said with conviction.

Perhaps Lanche couldn't surpass Duke Mi Haiya, who was known as a man of all talents, in various skills, but only in painting did Hyperion believe that Lanche far surpassed her father, Duke Mi Haiya.

She trusted her father, so she trusted Lanche even more.

"Can I understand that your belief in his victory is equivalent to being ready to marry him today?"

Lysandra asked in a low voice.

"!"

Hyperion's steps stiffened slightly.

Lysandra stared at Hyperion's fair skin, which had turned slightly red, and confirmed that it was not makeup.

It seemed that it was better not to mention it. Once this matter was brought up, the princess really couldn't remain calm.

"No, it's just getting married, what's the big deal? If he dares to propose, I dare to say yes!"

Hyperion quickened her pace and walked towards the stairwell.

"We'll see who's shy at that time."

"..."

Lysandra smiled helplessly and followed the princess to the stairs, descending them.

Because of today's official duties, Lysandra had left home very early.

At four or five o'clock, she had seen that the lights in McCarthy's house were already on.

McCarthy, on the other hand, had obviously thought things through as well.

Passing through the long stairwell, they arrived at the corridor connecting to the Regency Hall.

Every few steps, they could feel the invisible barrier set up by the Fallen Lord on the first floor, until they reached the front of the Regency Hall.

The royal palace's Regency Hall, which occupied the largest area, had its massive doors wide open.

Circle after circle of fan-shaped seating spread out from low to high, forming a spacious semicircular arrangement.

Here, the demon realm's nobles and ministers moved among them, most of the witnesses already seated, exchanging opinions in low voices.

Hyperion looked over, her gaze falling on the Fallen Lord Kaliella beside her throne in the center of the hall.

The Fallen Lord also glanced at her, quickly ceasing to pay attention to her, the princess who was the main character.

Kaliella was only looking in confusion at a male figure in a seat far away.

Now there was a demon named McCarthy dressed in formal attire, who was deeply admired by the upper-class nobles of the demon realm.

He was currently chatting and laughing with many powerful figures in the demon realm's political circles.

"It's the second time. Why does this guy still not look at me?"

Kaliella muttered in a voice that could barely be heard.