The Demon Lord's Bride (BL)
Chapter 558: A Round Table of Wickery

Chapter 558: A Round Table of Wickery

Inside a basement room hidden from even the most trustful servant in the tower, a pale-skinned demon with a simple nightgown sat in front of a table.

The table, made of a strong black timber excellent in channeling mana, was in a circular shape. There was no chair around it except for the one used by the demon; instead, eight communication orbs connected to the table’ circuits were placed in eight directions. Six of them glowed, including the one in front of the pale-skinned demon.

"Did you get the invitation?" the demon asked.

[Everyone gets it] one of the communication orbs replied. [This is the usual party he does every five years]

"Hmm..." the demon glanced at the luxurious-looking card they placed beside the orb. It had an insignia with two black wings on it; meaning that it wasn’t an invitation from the realm, but Ra Natha personally. "How should we proceed with this? Will you come?"

[Do we even have a choice?] the orb in front of seat number 7 replied. [It’s one thing if the gathering happens right after New Year, we can easily make excuses like doing some secluded family tradition, but...]

"But it’s impossible now," the demon agreed.

[They choose the timing carefully]

[Damn cunning bastard!]

The invitation was received on the last day of the New Year celebration, and the event was to be held a week after. Just looking at the invitation and the venue, which was the biggest hall in L’Anaak Eed instead of the Castle, they knew it would be big.

It was sent to every prominent house and named merchants, as well as distinguished scholars. The nobles had been talking about it in their soiree, and the commercial district was filled with discussion about this gathering invitation.

Everyone seemed to be excited and preparing themselves well for this gathering; clothing stores and jewelers were busy accommodating the influx of orders, while the merchants and the scholars were busy preparing business proposals.

Not the people behind those communication orbs, however.

[But...are you sure this has something to do with us?] Number 8 asked timidly. [I mean, with the attempt?]

[Attempt! Attempt!] suddenly, an angry shout came from orb number 3. The sound of table slamming and something breaking could be heard. [It should have been a successful raid!--not just an attempt!]

They had waited with their forces to follow the attack after the infiltration group succeeded in taking over the Castle by blackmailing the Lord with the ’treasures’, but they had to stop when no signal was received and the Lord was reported to be back.

When no contact was made even after a few days, they knew everyone in the infiltration group was caught. It was a week filled with tension as they waited for any retaliation from the Lord, but when there was not even any announcement about the crime, they became confused.

Unfortunately, since they lost the broker, they lost contact with the spies too--if there were still any. With no way of knowing what happened inside the Castle, they could only tensely wait and prepare for any ambush.

But when weeks rolled by without any sign of movement, they naturally thought they were safe. That was, until the ’execution’ happened on the first morning of the Sacred Days.

[That stupid broker and obnoxious Spectre!] again, number 3 was hitting something in the background. [They talked big and everything but what? But what?!]

Number 3 spent more time just cursing in the filthiest demon tongue, and number 6 suddenly followed along, pouring curses and insults and making the room filled with verbal pollution.

"Enough!" the pale-skinned demon slammed its thin, bony hands against the armrest. The noises from the orbs went quiet suddenly, and the demon took a deep breath to calm themselves. "Get back to the topic."

[Hmph!] Number 3 scoffed. [I’m not going to come; it’s clearly a trap!]

[That’s not necessarily so] number 7, who had been quiet, interjected. [I mean...does he really know there’s someone else behind the attempt outside of the ones he caught?]

[That’s...]

[Think about it; the only ones who knew about us are the broker and the Spectre, but do you really think they’ll squeak?]

The room fell to silence as they contemplated the question, until number 8 spoke. [I don’t think the Spectre will, but I’m not sure about the nightmare]

[Nah] Number 5 said. [That one hated the Lord even more than us. Wasn’t the reason we let them proceed first because they all have a grudge against him?] they chuckled lowly. [They’re not seeking benefits like us]

[Yes, that’s what I’m talking about] Number 7 spoke again. [All of them had a strong reason to attack the Lord, so isn’t it possible that the Lord thinks that’s that?]

"Hmm..."

[We’ve been laying low anyway, so is there really any reason to be suspicious?]

They held back and made no move all winter, laying in caution, trying not to alert Ra Natha’s eyes. Knowing him, the nightmare would have made a move immediately if he knew they were behind the whole thing. Especially because instead of him, they tried to target his ’treasure’, including that new husband of him.

Still, those with wicked minds were cautious by nature, because they knew they did something wrong.

[Ah, whatever] Number 7 said. [We’re still going to attend]

[What?!]

[Tsk] Number 5, who seemed to be the most eager to attend, clicked their tongue. [Don’t you know what his gathering meant? It’s always a stage for future profit! People with business ideas will be there to pitch them to him, and he’d pick some to be invested in]

[Y-yes, and ninety percent of them are usually something that will multiply your investment to five--no, tenfold even] the timid Number 8 chimed in. [Sometimes, it’s something he proposes himself. Don’t you see how successful that amusement park thing he made in the spring?]

They could hear Number 8’s silent greed even through the orbs.

[Well, It’s always a chance to gain profit] Number 7, who had declared attendance, added. [All the prominent clans would pitch into whatever business he chose. It’ll be painful if everyone gets it but not us]

[Hear, hear]

"I still think it’s suspicious," the pale-skinned demon said. "The timing is too close to that...execution."

Talking about execution made them groan involuntarily. There hadn’t been anything like that ever since the current Lord of Envy massacred the whole family of the previous Lord.

[Hmm, if we think about it, perhaps there’s truly a relation...] Number 5 said.

Number 3 slammed something on the other side--perhaps a table. [See?!]

[Not in that direction, but...] they heard a rustling sound from Number 5’s orb. [Look--the theme here is ’celebration’ and ’victory’]

"Oh?" the pale-skinned demon reached for the invitation and brought it closer to the glowing orb to observe it.

[If he is still suspicious, there’s no way he’ll boldly call it a ’victory’] Number 5 continued. [And here--you can see the flower and leaf pattern on the invitation’s emboss; this ornament also felt like a druid pattern]

[...so?]

"So, it has something to do with celebrating his spouse," the pale-skinned demon said.

[That half druid?] Number 6 responded in confusion. What does that have to do with anything?

[Didn’t the broker say that man was sick? But from what I heard, he was completely healthy during the ceremony, and the community banquet] Number 5 explained.

[Ah, are you saying he’s celebrating his spouse’s recovery?]

[It’s...it’s possible] Number 8 said. [Haven’t you heard it? He’s so smitten and devoted to that human; wasn’t that why we were planning to hold him hostage at first?]

It was the talk of the realm; stuff about how the Lord’s gaze always softened in the presence of his spouse. Despite rarely seeing them together in public, they could see it enough during the court trial and the wedding parade. Not to mention, the talked-about amusement park was said to be the Lord’s birthday gift for the half-druid. The hopeless romantics had spun a lot of articles and books--even created plays surrounding their relationship.

[Tsk--disgusting] Number 3 grunted in disdain. To succumb to one’s love--how unreasonable. [But, fine; I can see your reasoning. I’m still not going to come though--I can’t act like I’m willing to lick his ass--unlike you people]

Number 5 jeered openly. [That kind of thing doesn’t work for insult]

[Tsk]

"Ah, do whatever you want," the pale-skinned demon waved his hand in the air, although the other couldn’t see him. "Just remember that staying off might make it more suspicious. But still, for those who will go," they lowered their voice and warned the rest of the group firmly. "Exert caution."

[Mm]

[Eh, whatever]

* * *

The glowing orb dimmed and vanished on the other side of Number 5. Just like the pale-skinned demon, the orb was located in an empty room with just a table and 8 communication orbs, hidden from anyone.

Well, at least until a few days ago.

The owner of the room, a half-demon mercenary guildmaster, lay on the floor, trembling from anger but also...fear. He looked at the one sitting in front of the orb, who looked just like him--appearance, intonation, even the word choice he might use.

The shapeshifter turned their head toward him, with a wide, cheerful smile he would never use. He watched in dread as his own face and body melted to that of a teenage boy, who jumped off the chair and grabbed his face.

"Well, well...now you have no use anymore."

The boy’s cheerful smile and twinkling eyes were the last thing the half-demon saw in his life.