"...Ugh, you're definitely thinking something weird again, aren't you?"

Lily, walking beside me, couldn't hide her slight disgust at seeing my faint smile.

"Yeah. I'm thinking how best to tease you tonight."

"Ugh..."

I met her gaze with that reply. Lily paused, then decided silence was safer—anything she said would only give me more ammunition.

"...The others still haven't arrived."

After answering Lily, I glanced toward the other Overlords' positions. The three missing Demon Kings were nowhere in sight.

Thirteen Overlords now marched in formation down a grand avenue toward a colossal palace hall. Elite imperial guards stood rigid along the path. As First Overlord, I walked dead center. Second Demon King Roling flanked my left; Third Demon King Agares, my right. Lower-ranked Overlords tapered toward the wings.

Attendants couldn't enter the Demon Emperor's audience. They'd wait outside—no issue for now.

"Hmm. Today might wrap up quickly," I told my four companions. "You four wait by the doors afterward. If nothing else comes up, we'll head straight to the Imperial Capital for some proper sightseeing."

"Mew! We get to go out today?" Ona perked up instantly. "I thought we'd be stuck longer."

"First day's just formalities," I explained. "Greet the Emperor, dump the agenda, then we're free for dinner."

We reached the palace gates. Three late-arriving Overlords slipped into formation behind us. Time to part ways with my attendants.

"Alright. Wait here—about two or three hours. Find ways to pass the time, but keep it quiet." I eyed the massive doors, then the three newly arrived Overlords. *Ah. That explains their absence.* I turned to Wuluwu and the others. "Understood," they murmured.

Like the other Overlords, I stepped forward alone. Attendants stayed rooted. The latecomers fell into rank. The thirteen of us formed a single line, centered on me.

***BOOOOM—***

The palace doors swung open with a thunderous boom.

Inside, towering pillars supported the vaulted ceiling. Faded yet intricate patterns coiled up each column. Above, the dome bloomed with lavish designs—minimal ornamentation, yet every motif screamed imperial opulence.

The hall stretched vast and empty. Ahead stood a council table. Beyond it, elevated on a dais, sat a throne.

Upon it rested a girl in ceremonial robes, a silver crown glinting on her head. Silky white hair framed a face of breathtaking beauty. Flawless porcelain skin. Azure eyes held an alluring gleam. Though young, her future radiance was undeniable.

Yet her expression carried a chilling severity no child should possess. Even facing thirteen world-shaking Overlords, her aura only intensified.

Beside her stood Lan Ji—the woman I'd seen earlier. Their resemblance was uncanny. Different hair lengths, an age gap... but in another life, they might have been twins.

"First Overlord, Daytime Overlord Xia," I announced, halting at the proper distance. My cloak snapped as I swept it back. Right hand pressed to my chest, I knelt with a smile. "Paying respects to His Majesty, the Demon Emperor."

"Second Overlord, Crimson Summer's Sorrow Roling—paying respects to His Majesty!"

"Third Overlord, Trickster Chancellor Agares—paying respects to His Majesty!"

Following my lead, the Overlords knelt in rank order. Their voices echoed through the hall—mighty rulers reduced to humble subjects before the throne.

"Rise."

The Demon Emperor's voice was sweet, bell-like. We stood as one.

*Heh. Still no growth spurt after ten years... Typical Demon Royal Family. Even during maturation, their bodies age as slowly as Elves'.*

I studied the child-emperor on the throne. This delicate demon girl ruled our entire race: Demon Emperor Lan Ling.

This generation's ruler was... unusual. She'd ascended young after her predecessor's sudden death, yet already wielded formidable power. Her governance was competent—only her immaturity remained a concern.

"Be seated," Lan Ling gestured. We claimed our seats at the council table by rank. As First Overlord, I sat closest to the throne.

"Let's begin," I said, turning to Agares.

"Before that," Lan Ling interjected unexpectedly, nodding at Agares. "There's a matter to discuss."

*Huh?* I raised an eyebrow.

"Your will, Your Majesty." Agares rose smoothly.

"You all know of Champion Artifacts. Essentially, they're weapons forged from pure positive energy—"

*Obvious much?* I thought. *But if positive energy makes Champion Artifacts, negative energy must birth Eternal Night Artifacts. Though chaos reigns in the Eternal Night factions, so such artifacts rarely surface. Even fewer become truly powerful.*

"You're about to say a powerful Eternal Night Artifact is emerging," I cut in.

"...Heh. As expected of the First Overlord." Lan Ling's smile didn't reach her eyes. Her chin rested on her palm, that faint smirk practically calling me an old-timer. *Which I am.*

"...Impressive deduction," Agares conceded, clapping slowly. His smile was tight. *Annoyed I stole his thunder. Can't blame him.*

Truth was, balance favored humanity—they found more Champion Artifacts. The stronger Eternal Night factions rarely birthed equivalent weapons.

"Xia is correct," Agares continued. "An Eternal Night Artifact will soon manifest..."

"How strong? Stronger than Holy Light's Wings?" I leaned back in my chair, grinning.

"...Unknown. But it will rank among the top ten Eternal Night relics." Agares frowned slightly. "Divination reveals its name: the Sword of Solomon. The blade that commands demons."

Silence crashed over the hall.

"...The Sword of Solomon?" Roling's voice turned grave. "Of Solomon—the Demon Emperor who once ruled the Seventy Two Great Demons of the Infernal Realm?"

"Confirmed by multiple sources," Agares affirmed, glancing at the three late Overlords.

*...I see.* My fingers brushed my chin. *Fate truly favors me. The Sword of Solomon? Delightful. Not part of my plans... but an extra trump card is never unwelcome.*