The Seeker Of The Flames

The door squeaked slightly as a slender human shape entered the hall and started walking in quick paces through the two lines of demons.

A horned armet completely enclosed the face and the neck, hiding the figure's facial expression behind it. The horns emerged in a curvy manner from the metal surface. The full plate armor protected the other parts perfectly, showing no skin whatsoever.

The metallic sound of clangs and clinks of the plate armor began spreading over the quiet hall. Every footstep synchronized with a high-pitched clanging noise.

The full-plated human figure suddenly stopped walking when a large round table came into view. Ten seats encompassed the table while the high pillars adorned the space by surrounding the place.

Eight seats were already acquired by different demonic creatures. Although some of them possessed human bodies, none of them had a human air.

A rough manly voice changed the silent mood, coming from one of the ten seats:

"Here you are, Hellis!"

Following the harsh, grating sound, a soft voice as gentle as an autumn breeze cooled the air:

"Now everyone's here."

The clanging sound of metal plates once again started to be heard as Hellis stepped toward one of the two available seats in the room, joining the other eight demons at the round table.

A childish voice as sharp as the tip of a blade unexpectedly ravaged the room with its unbearable, piercing tone:

"All right, Waphelia! Everyone's arrived. Now, tell us why you've summoned us here. I have important things to do, so be quick!"

"Yes, I also have some works to do. What's this meeting for?" said the same harsh voice from before.

The atmosphere returned to its earlier quiet state for a moment but didn't stay like that as a strong, frosty voice started freezing the room:

"I, as the 2nd seat of the Demon King's Infernal Ten, have called you here. We're now facing the most critical situation in our history of serving the Demon King."

Waphelia paused her speech, but no one used the chance to talk; they were all listening carefully to her words, concentrating on what she's going to say next.

"His Majesty wants to die"

The wondered gestures and the widening eyes showed how much everyone was shocked and stunned by hearing those words.

The confused reactions ensued instantly: "Eh?" "Huh?" "W-what?" "What did you say?" "Our King wants to die?" "How can it be?" "Impossible..."

The loud gentle remarks intermixed with the rough, angry sounds of the demonic beasts, reverberating through the large hall.

"What should we do then!"

"Maybe we should try convincing him to change his mind?"

"We're talking about the Demon King, how are we supposed to convince him?"

"Then we should go by force?"

"Force? Are you out of your mind? Who here has the strength to go on par with His Majesty? Even if we use all of our powers at the same time, there's no way to defeat His Majesty by force!"

"And even if we could, I doubt whether Master would change his intention."

"But then what we're going to do? Our duty is to protect His Highness. We cannot allow it no matter what!"

"You're right! We shall come up with a plan."

"Yes, yes, yes we have to."

"But wait for a second, why would Master d.e.s.i.r.e to die in the first place?"

The series of opinions and remarks immediately died down after one of the Infernal seats brought up that question. All of the looks began focusing on Waphelia, seeking for an answer from the one who had informed everyone about the Demon King's intentions to die.

"His Majesty told me he's bored. I tried my best to entertain our King, but no offer from my side could attract his interest."

"Are you sure you presented every possible thing to get his attention?"

"I bet I could've done better if I were in your position."

"Did you try every possible way to please our King?"

"Doesn't that mean your suggestions were boring?"

The harsh comments on Waphelia's performance didn't affect her cold expression even a little bit.

"I assure you that I've done everything possible to destroy His Majesty's boredom. However, our King is absolutely serious about dying. It was what he suggested, and there's no way to change his decision now. If any of you think otherwise, you're free to try yourself."

Waphelia's response silenced the blames but wasn't enough to actually convince them.

"Incidentally, where's Master right now?"

Everyone stared at Waphelia in suspicion, waiting for an answer.

"Listen, all of you! What I'm going to say now shouldn't get out of this room at any cost."

She put a break before saying her statement, keeping them waiting and thus making everyone even more concerned.

"It's been 17 days since the Demon King left the castle. His Majesty had never gone for such a long time. I've been searching for him, but there's no trace of him. He's completely disappeared. In other words, His Majesty has left us."

None of them thought it was possible to get surprised for a second time after becoming aware of Demon King's death wish, but they were wrong as Waphelia's words stunned them even more than before.

After serving Adin for thousands of years, all of them knew that he's not going to die so easily. That would give them hope and lessen their worries. But hearing that he has suddenly left them didn't put anything but anxiety in their hearts, agonizing them in a single strike.

Immediate shouts followed the angry, confused impressions in the room:

"Whaaaaaaaaaaaat?! Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"Yes, yes, yes, why?"

"Explain yourself! Waphelia!"

"Why would you hide something so crucial?"

Most of them had already stood up from their seats, scowling and glaring at Waphelia ferociously.

"It was necessary to keep things under control. If the news that the Demon King has disappeared spread throughout the lands, it would be hard to put the rebels in their place, and the occurrence of a rebellion would be inevitable. The absence of His Majesty can encourage those little rats to move even if it's for a slight gleaming of hope to save their land and families. Additionally, it may put some stupid thoughts in the head of our land's neighboring countries to start an assault. Of course, we will eventually massacre all of them, but I'd like to avoid any unnecessary struggling from our enemies while our King is gone. I waited until the right time to reveal this truth to you all."

"Also," she added, "I've been looking for His Majesty this whole time, but as I mentioned there's not been even a single trace or clue about his whereabouts. It'd be impossible to find His Majesty if he doesn't want us to. Now, Tell me! Would telling you sooner make any difference?"

Her answer not only silenced their shouts this time but also convinced them thoroughly. Although she was the highest-ranked Infernal in the absence of the 1st seat, and her words were absolute in the room, she still formally explained everything with no trace of emotions or anger, convincing the audience with her words rather than her rank influence.