"Whatever, forget it—there’s really no need to obsess over details. How exhausting would it be to dwell on them every single day?"

But soon enough, after a brief mental debate, I immediately tossed the thought aside. I turned to the other Overlords with a slight smile.

"Yo, how long’s it been since we last met? Ten years? Still, I’m glad I didn’t get any news about any of you getting your heads chopped off~"

I grinned at the assembled Overlords, deliberately locking eyes with a few as I delivered that last line.

"Though we’re not all here yet… Only twelve of the Eighteen Great Overlords have arrived. Six are missing… Hmm. Could someone remind me who’s absent? My memory’s a bit foggy these days."

I didn’t give anyone else a chance to speak, cutting in with the question myself.

"The Second Overlord, *Crimson Summer’s Demise*; the Fourth, *Iron Will*; the Eleventh, *Faded Hue*; the Twelfth, *Eternal Black Flame*; the Fifteenth, *Ghost Seal*; and the Eighteenth, *Azure Feather* haven’t arrived. The Fourth Overlord, Angar of *Iron Will*, and the Eighteenth, Lianyu of *Azure Feather*, face imminent war in their territories and cannot attend."

Vivian replied with a faint smile after hearing my question.

Hearing those six titles gave me a headache.

Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t their absence that bothered me. It was their damn titles…

Look at that! *Crimson Summer’s Demise* for the Second! *Iron Will* for the Fourth! Even *Azure Feather* for the Eighteenth sounded infinitely cooler than my own *Daytime Overlord*!

"...Damn. I really should change my title someday… *White Night Terror* would be better than this garbage."

I rubbed my chin, grumbling inwardly.

Why did I end up with such a lame title? Blame my early ignorance… Ugh. A tragic story. Best left buried.

"Tsk. Since Angar and Lianyu are busy with wars, fine. But what about the other four? We’ve passed the time our ancestors set for Overlord gatherings. Where are they?"

After Vivian’s explanation, I clicked my tongue, hands shoved in my pockets as I leaned against the wall with a lazy swagger.

"Honestly, I’m shocked *you* showed up on time… Frankly, it’s a miracle you didn’t die between some woman’s thighs."

A crisp female voice cut through the air behind me.

I turned to see a girl with dragon horns sprouting from her head. Fiery crimson hair was tied in twin tails. Her petite frame—barely five feet tall—radiated coiled power. Her face was strikingly beautiful, save for one tragic flaw: her painfully flat chest.

"Hey~ Little Lingling! Long time no see~ Still rocking that pancake chest, I see."

I greeted her with a grin.

"Tch."

She bared her teeth instantly, mirroring Lily’s earlier snarl.

"You bastard! You wanna fight?!" she snapped, glaring daggers.

"The one who’s late has the nerve to shout?" I tilted my head. "Besides, I’m just stating facts."

"Don’t think sitting in the First Overlord’s seat makes you special! One day, I’ll drag you off that throne!"

"Fix your habit of cutting it close before talking big, my dear Luo Ling."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"...Says the guy who barely made it himself," Lily muttered under her breath. I ignored her—for now. Tonight would be soon enough to deal with that brat.

"Luo Ling-sama."

Several Overlords nodded respectfully toward the girl I’d called Luo Ling. Clearly, most preferred her faction over standing near me.

Luo Ling. Second Overlord, *Crimson Summer’s Demise*. A subspecies of Dark Dragon known as a Hellflame Dragon. Fearsomely powerful.

Overlord rankings reflected strength. As the Second—second only to me and the Demon Emperor—her power rivaled my own.

But her terror was for others. To me? Not so intimidating.

Naturally, Luo Ling and I didn’t get along. She’d disliked me from day one. I had no interest in forcing friendship… Besides, I’ve got no shortage of flat-chested companions.

"Alright, Xia, Luo Ling—enough bickering. We Overlords gathered today not to feud. Settle scores later; we have time."

A smiling gentleman in an elegant suit intervened. His silver hair and eyes matched Lan Ji’s, and his pointed ears marked him as a pureblood Demon—a core member of our race.

The Third Overlord, *Scheming Chancellor*. Agares. Also the Demon Emperor’s trusted Prime Minister.

The Eighteen Great Overlords weren’t united.

I pursued my own goals, rarely obeying the Emperor. The Tenth Overlord, Vivian *Violet Star*, stood firmly with me. Qiu and Mira, the Fifth Overlords *Twin Fangs*, preferred quiet lives and generally sided with me.

Luo Ling, the war-hungry Second, led six hardliners pushing for total war. The remaining nine, like Agares, formed the Emperor’s faction—loyalists who followed his commands.

Three factions among eighteen Overlords. Almost laughable. But as they say: different paths, no shared journey. A little division wasn’t so bad.

"Fine, Agares. But three are still missing," I said, turning to the Third Overlord and narrowing my eyes.

"Patience. They’re occupied. Arriving late is normal."

Agares waved a calming hand. "But First and Second Overlords—please take your seats. Standing isn’t proper, is it?"

Playing peacemaker, he gestured toward empty thrones. Luo Ling and I exchanged a glare before striding to our seats.

Wuluwu and my attendants stood rigidly behind me. Luo Ling’s seat remained unshadowed—no entourage had entered with her.

"Though three are absent and two confirmed missing… shall we begin?" Agares asked, clearly seeking consent from Luo Ling and me.

"No objections," Luo Ling stated flatly.

"None here. You’re the Chancellor—you decide."

I waved dismissively, slumping sideways in my throne. My right arm draped over the armrest, propping up my head in a deliberately slovenly pose.

Several Overlords shot me icy glares.

"Then let us commence—"

Agares began, distributing thick documents to everyone and launching into a measured explanation.

For efficiency, Overlords discussed key issues internally before meeting the Emperor. Day one aired all grievances; day two began formal negotiations.

Frankly? I found it boring.

Reading files myself might hold my attention. But listening to Agares’ slow, droning voice? Exhausting.

I drifted off almost immediately. Agares, seemingly accustomed to my antics, continued uninterrupted—pausing only for occasional questions and replies.

Silence jolted me awake.

The grand hall was utterly still. Every Overlord except Vivian, Qiu, and Mira stared at me with undisguised contempt.

"...What happened? I just dozed off for a sec."

I blinked, bewildered.

"Dark Lord… you were drooling," Wuluwu whispered helpfully from beside me.

I instinctively wiped my mouth. Damp.

"...Damn. Embarrassing."

I clicked my tongue, cursing under my breath.

"Ahem. I’ve summarized the key discussion points," Agares smoothly intervened, easing the tension. "Now, it’s time to pay our respects to His Majesty."

The Overlords rose as one, preparing to leave for the Demon Emperor’s audience.

"Huh… Haven’t seen that little girl in ages. Wonder if she’s grown taller these past few years?"

As I stood, I recalled my last meeting with the Demon Emperor—and couldn’t help but smirk.