Chapter 356: New Recruits, Old Rivals, and the King's Decision

'A meeting of demon kings? Right now, when we still have a pending battle against the church and an incarnate deity...' Ryan thought, quickly assessing the situation. 'If I refuse to attend, it would be admitting that I'm on the side of humans, or worse, the church, which completely contradicts the warning I gave them just a minute ago.'

It was a matter of utmost importance to consider. Ryan didn't know how he would actually be treated by the other demon kings, much less could he foresee if arriving at that assembly would lead him into some kind of mortal conflict.

But, on the other hand, it was also an invaluable strategic opportunity to meet the rest of the world's monarchs face-to-face, analyze their personalities, and get a clear idea of the true extent of their power.

Although Aedan had told him he could refuse to attend if he wished, it was actually a cunning trap question, and Ryan knew it very well. Rejecting the invitation would provide an indirect answer about his position and his worth as a ruler.

Aedan might not have known and was perhaps just a messenger, but it was definitely a malicious idea coming from his father, Demon King Rohan, or from Juba himself.

'And here I thought I could just focus on acquiring the materials I need for Runa and Mika to work on my new idea,' Ryan sighed inwardly. 'Using the system's "Debt" bug has benefited me enormously in gaining power so far, but I want to go a step further. If there's a possibility to create stable grimoires using the wood from the Mana-Bark Tree we extract from the Ignis nation, then I could store some of my skills in them, like healing magic. If my theory is correct, through a grimoire, and by executing a coherent command, I should be able to passively gain stat points every time someone else uses them...'

Ryan thought about it carefully. For better or worse, if he wanted to maintain temporary neutrality and keep a trade route open with Rohan's nation to carry out his stat farming, he had to accept this dangerous proposal.

"Alright. I'll go to this place," Ryan finally replied, maintaining his usual icy, inscrutable tone. "As long as the date they choose is a day that doesn't interfere with my own affairs."

'But young master, that could be a very dangerous death trap,' Lise's worried voice interjected through their mental link, while the dragoness maintained her unwavering posture next to the throne.

'Don't worry, Lise. I won't be careless. I'll be prepared,' Ryan immediately replied to calm her down.

"In that case, I will inform Demon King Rohan of your favorable response, Your Majesty." Aedan gave a slight bow, satisfied with the diplomatic outcome.

Just as Ryan was about to announce the formal end of the meeting and dismiss the guests, the sound of loud, heavy footsteps echoed from the hallways, rapidly approaching the main door.

"This bloodlust..." Solaris hissed, her eyes widening. The young demoness with red braids immediately put her guard up, summoning a spark of heat in her hands, but she was abruptly stopped by Aedan's arm.

"Calm down and don't do anything stupid," her older brother warned her in a sharp whisper.

The heavy doors swung wide open. Helen, Mirian, and Irina had returned from scouting the borders on the wyverns.

"Hey, Ryan! We found a group of demons who say they want to work for you in this castle," Helen announced loudly, bursting into the throne room.

Behind the loud swordswoman, a group of demons—all women—walked in cautiously. There were twenty-two women in total, and judging by the density of their auras, they all appeared to be warriors of at least the Principality rank.

"It looks like Ryan is in the middle of an important meeting..." Irina murmured, slowing her steps as she noticed the strange atmosphere and the guests.

"Huh, and who are these guys supposed to be?" Mirian asked, frowning and analyzing the red-haired emissaries with a critical eye.

Helen, curious and completely lacking any sense of danger, walked across the rug and stood directly in front of the princes of Ignis.

"I don't recognize them at all. Who the hell are you three?" the swordswoman said. Then, narrowing her eyes, she leaned incredibly close to Solaris's face, completely invading her personal space. "You... I feel like I've seen you somewhere before." Helen said, raising a hand and gently poking one of Solaris's horns with her finger, as if she were inspecting cattle. "Anyway, I don't remember you."

That disinterested comment made Solaris boil with absolute rage. The veins bulged on her forehead at the humiliation of being manhandled and, even worse, forgotten by the exact same human woman she had fought to the death in a dungeon.

And just as Solaris was about to explode and shout, Ryan intervened, releasing a fraction of his overwhelming pressure.

"Helen, Mirian, and Irina. Since you've finally returned from your punishment, stay in your places in complete silence," Ryan ordered sternly.

"Yes..." the three replied, nodding their heads, intimidated by their king's tone. They quickly broke formation and returned to their usual posts.

After that chaotic and strange interruption, Aedan cleared his throat to regain his diplomatic composure and spoke up again.

"Then, Your Majesty, I will inform the demon king of your answer. And of course, from now on, your envoys may go to our border kingdom to collect the wood and materials you desire without fear of reprisals."

Ryan nodded, considering the deal closed. Then, before they could turn around, he locked his gaze on Rohan's youngest son.

"Hey, brat."

Hearing him, the little demon flinched and immediately stood at attention.

"Y-Your Majesty?"

"When you grow up, if one day you manage to control that erratic power you have inside you and want to switch sides, then come find me. You will have a guaranteed place in my army," Ryan said, looking at him from the throne with a faint smile, but one laden with a strange sincerity that left no doubt his proposal wasn't just a simple lie to annoy his father.

Irnina, Solaris, and Aedan looked at each other, genuinely confused and disturbed. They didn't understand what kind of twisted interest an SSS-rank Demon King could have in someone who, in the Ignis nation, was considered a useless freak—a shameful defect of a living being.

"Your Majesty... are you saying that... that this defect in my lineage can actually be controlled?" the young prince asked, his voice cracking and his eyes full of doubt, clinging to that tiny ray of hope.

'Of course you can,' Ryan thought, evaluating the child's chaotic mana flow. 'I suppose it will take you many years, pain, and effort to achieve it, but... if you manage to master it yourself without dying in the attempt, it will be very interesting.'

With that in mind, Ryan wiped his smile away and looked at the young hornless demon with profound seriousness.

"Think about it yourself."