Dragon King: Throne of Demons and Gods
Chapter 103: No Place for Monsters

Chapter 103: No Place for Monsters

A heavy silence fell across the amphitheater.

All eyes were on Elysia, tense and shocked.

Airi frowned. Crest sat frozen, his mouth open.

Then came the murmurs. Whispers of confusion that spread like smoke, slowly, then faster, louder, until it swallowed the silence whole.

The prince raised a single hand.

"Silence," he ordered.

The room quieted. He looked directly at Elysia.

"Did you say... you could reveal a demon?"

Elysia nodded, her voice steady.

"I did. Or at least, I asked what if I could. What if a demon were to attack us right now? This room, this moment? It’s the perfect opportunity."

Tension climbed again, people leaned forward.

"You gathered the strongest adventurers in the world," Elysia continued. "The potential Sacreds. The leaders. The very heart of our strength. In one room... One place."

Her eyes locked with the prince’s.

"And you know how the demons work. Calculated. Tactical. You said it yourself. So... doesn’t this seem a little convenient? Like... you made it easy for tIt’s almost like you’re inviting them to murder us."

Crest swallowed. He couldn’t believe she was speaking to royalty like this. But as he glanced around, he realized something worse.

She was making sense.

Too much sense.

Why would they all be called here publicly? It wasn’t a private event, everyone knew who would be there.

So what if someone among them was waiting for this moment?

A single well-planned strike, and they would lose the best of their world in a single blow.

The murmurs returned.

The prince held up his hand again. He observed her quietly.

"So then," he said, "what you imply is... you know someone among us who is a demon?"

Elysia’s eyes narrowed. She knew this question would come. She exhaled slowly.

"That’s the problem, Prince. It’s an impass for me. No. I don’t know a demon. Like everyone here, I can only have assumptions. Demons can hide. That’s the point. If I did know, truly, I still wouldn’t say it. Because the moment a demon is revealed, they would act. And based on everything I’ve seen... there is no plan for that."

More silence.

Then the prince smiled.

"Interesting. Because now, you’ve done the exact opposite. You’ve put us in danger."

Gasps.

"If a demon were here, they might have waited. Watched. But now, thanks to your warning, they might think there’s a chance, and they might attack. And end the war before it even begins."

The crowd shifted. Anxiety growing. People looked around, uncertain.

Elysia didn’t move.

The two stared at each other, a quiet war in their eyes.

Then, a calm voice came from the back.

From behind the prince, the man who had earlier been watching them alongside a wizard, stepped forward.

"Brilliantly said," he spoke. "Your analysis is impressive. But rest assured, everyone. We can be certain of one thing."

He smiled, turning slightly to the crowd.

"There isn’t a single demon in this room."

A collective gasp.

Elysia frowned, blinking.

"How can you be so sure?"

The man raised a gloved hand and pointed upward.

The room followed his gesture, and saw it.

The ceiling.

The ceiling. Vast, curved, painted with angelic figures carved in stone.

At intervals, tiny gems glowed faintly. The light was soft, but continuous.

"This is a blessed chamber," the man explained. "Bathed in permanent Holy Light, cast during the final years of the last holy war. This amphitheater is the first bastion of the light, so of course, we took our precautions."

People gasped again. A dwarf nearby gave a low whistle.

"Now that’s clever."

Ilya tilted her head.

"So that strange feeling I had earlier... that was it."

Elysia stared at the ceiling, stunned. "...Impossible..."

The prince turned back to her, satisfied.

"There is no safer place to reveal plans, Lady Knight. So unless you know someone who chose not to attend today... You’re free to let us know."

Elysia and the prince resumed their silent duel.

Then Elysia smiled faintly.

"It was just an idea," she said. "Suppose you’re right. There’s no demon here."

A breath of relief spread around, but then she added, voice quiet.

"Still... it doesn’t change the fact that if one appeared, we wouldn’t stand a chance. Especially someone like... a demon lord."

People turned toward her, eyes wide.

What does she know?

But then, the man who had revealed the ceiling laughed softly.

"Now that," he said, "would be nostalgic."

He stepped forward.

"If a Demon Lord were to appear... I’d deal with it. Like I did in the old days."

Then, in a smooth motion, he pulled back his hood.

Gasps spread all at once.

Golden-blond hair, a golden beard, blue eyes that seemed to reflect the sky.

The face was one of the most famous in the world.

Aurus, the first Hero.

Back in the garden, everything was quiet. Bel and Selith stared forward.

Finally, Bel crossed his arms and let out a long sigh.

"...Be more precise."

Selith didn’t answer right away. Her pale eyes remained fixed ahead.

"You don’t have to play dumb," she said quietly. "I just want to talk about it. If you don’t want to, you’re free to refuse."

"Then I refuse."

"That’s fine." She closed her book, setting on her lap. The silence returned.

Bel stared at the grass in front of them. Then, after a moment, he asked without looking at her.

"How did you come to that conclusion?"

This time, Selith turned her head slightly.

"Your form."

Bel’s eyes shifted.

"The one you took in the dungeon, against the boss," she continued. "I didn’t recognize what kind of beastman you were. It was... different. A sort of reptilian with fire power. So I did research. It wasn’t that hard, I found out that it was a sort of partial transformation... and the closest sketch I could find was something that isn’t supposed to exist."

She turned her head to observe him.

"It wasn’t exact. But it was close enough."

Bel didn’t move.

"So," he muttered, massaging his sinuses, "you’re telling me I’m doing a mistake by letting the people who saw this form roam free?"

Selith tilted her head slightly.

"Why would you think that? I’m on your side too."

He turned his head, surprised. She smiled.

"It’s easier to speak with you than most humans. You’re different," she continued. "Even beastmen tend to feel more... base. You have a distance in you. But not cold. Focused. This is something I expected from such a noble race, so I’m glad seeing that with my own eyes."

He looked at her, confused.

"You’re not scared?"

"Of what?"

He didn’t answer. Not directly.

She continued anyway.

"In ancient legends, your kind is a blessing. A miracle that guarantee victory."

She turned her gaze to the sky.

"To some, you are a threat, maybe. But to me, you are simply... needed."

Bel’s brows furrowed.

"You realize what this kind is, right? If they’re labeled as dangerous, maybe there’s a good reason."

"Or maybe not," she replied. "The first time I returned to a village I visited 40 years ago, people called me a monster because I didn’t aged at all. To some people, elves’ longevity is a monstrosity. So I believe that there’s not such a thing as a monster. That much, I believe."

He leaned back, staring at the clouds.

"And you really think someone like me is a blessing? Without knowing me?"

"You fight with us," she said. "You protect people. I’ve also heard about your feat, killing a demon. Right now, that’s enough."

He fell silent.

For a while, they just sat. No words. Only the fountain, the breeze, and their breathing.

Then, Bel bit his lip.

She knew.

Not just that he was different. But what he was. Or at least, close enough.

And she didn’t panic.

That made things harder.

He hadn’t planned on being found out so soon. Not before he was stronger. Not before he could face the consequences of his evolution.

Because he had already sided with one army... In principle at least, and he was thinking of stopping doing raids and quests with humans.

So a miracle...

He needed to let his choice known as quickly as possible, so he wouldn’t feel too bad about deceiving them.

He needed to evolve and disappear.

Selith watched him.

"You’re worried. But don’t be," she said. "I might be the only one who noticed. My teammates think you’re unusual, but not that unusual. And humans... species with a short lifespan panic easily, so I won’t tell anyone."

Bel exhaled slowly.

"Why?"

She looked back at him, her eyes gentle.

"Because I’m your ally. If I can do anything to help you grow, I will. So keep going, alright?"

Bel stared at her.

Then looked back at the sky.

What now?

What path did he walk now?

He didn’t know.