The emperor's mocking greeting made Aria, princess of Lumerious quietly seethe with anger.
"That rotten old man…" she muttered.
Kyran quickly tried to calm her: "Aria, please… stay composed."
He then turned his gaze forward, watching the elderly emperor with his long silver beard spouting flowery words with theatrical flair.
Edgar smiled, the corners of his lips curling like a venomous serpent hiding its fangs.
"Yes, Your Majesty. We are very grateful for such a warm reception." the envoy replied courteously, wearing his familiar diplomatic smile.
From behind, Soren leaned toward Kyran with a half-mocking grin.
"Look at that. Classic politics. Feels like watching actors on a stage, they're so emotional I might cry."
Kyran groaned. "You too, Soren? Can you be serious for once?"
"I am serious. Those puppet smiles were so warm, they almost melted me."
"Soren… enough."
After the superficial exchange, the envoy gestured for two guards to present the tribute chests, taken from their dimensional storage.
Edgar accepted them, greed flashing openly in his eyes. But he was not satisfied. Smirking slyly, he spoke:
"Hmm… acceptable. However, it seems the eaglehide material in this tribute is slightly lacking. Would your kingdom agree?"
The envoy raised an eyebrow subtly: "Could Your Majesty enlighten us about the defect?"
Edgar chuckled, eyes narrowing shrewdly.
"The color is rather dull, the hide wrinkled. I suspect it came from a creature far too old.
"In my opinion, dragon-scale leather from the Fire-Suppressing Dragon is far more exquisite tough, lustrous, undeniably superior. Don't you think so?"
The envoy instantly understood: Edgar wanted more tribute specifically, the near-indestructible scales of the ancient Fire-Suppressing Dragon, a creature over two thousand years old.
His expression tightened for a brief moment, but his experience quickly steadied him.
"Heh heh… Your Majesty's taste is truly discerning. Even our own king treasures the scales of that dragon.
"But unfortunately, the tribute list for Kumeroa this year does not include it. I'm afraid we cannot acquire such an item in time. We humbly ask Your Majesty's understanding."
Edgar's smile froze. His eyes darkened briefly before he forced a gracious laugh.
"I see. It was merely a small suggestion. No need to mind it."
He snapped his fingers.
"Prepare the royal suite for our esteemed guests. They must be weary from their journey."
The attendants bowed and obeyed.
Edgar then turned again, sounding almost friendly: "Now then… please join me for the imperial feast prepared in your honor."
As the group was led down the long hallway, a chill ran down Kyran's spine.
Both walls were lined with eerie, twisted, ominous paintings emitting an unsettling aura.
Sharian frowned: "What… are these?"
They stopped in front of a massive painting enclosed in a solid gold frame, sealed behind layers of magical barriers.
Light reflected off its surface like shifting mist, giving the artwork an unnervingly lifelike presence.
Aria, Sharian, Soren, and Kyran all shivered instinctively.
"Who is the girl in that painting?" Kyran whispered.
The image depicted a young woman in a translucent gown, holding a cracked mask, smiling seductively almost invitingly.
"That symbol… the broken mask… it's recorded in the Ancient Holy Scriptures. That means…"
Sharian covered her mouth, horror filling her eyes.
The sinister aura pouring from the golden frame made all four of them tense.
Beneath the painting were intricate inscriptions, so beautiful and hypnotic they made one's breath catch.
A cold draught swept through the hallway, making the lanterns flicker.
Kyran felt as though the girl's eyes were staring straight into him…
A smile beautiful yet terrifying to the core.
"The Holy Maiden of Illusions and Love, Mirathiel."
The engraving gleamed softly, its elegant strokes so captivating one might feel their soul being pulled into it.
A sharp clap echoed, the signal from Commander Camesis.
"You four, stand guard outside. The envoy, Deputy Commander Lexus, and I will attend the feast with His Majesty. If anything happens, enter immediately."
The Lumerious guard unit spread out, forming a tight defensive perimeter.
Aria, Soren, Sharian, and Kyran were positioned near the grand entrance, one of the most critical points.
From where she stood, Sharian could still see the enormous painting. It made her chest tighten painfully, as though an invisible hand was squeezing her throat.
"This can't be… That symbol… the broken mask hiding emotion… It's exactly what I read in the Scriptures…" she whispered, trembling.
Aria noticed Sharian's pale face and strained breaths. Though she couldn't abandon her post, she leaned in slightly.
"Sharian, are you alright?"
No response.
Instead, Sharian muttered something, it that made all of them turn toward her.
"The broken mask… the cracks… yes… that's it… I remember now…"
Her face grew paler and paler.
"Sharian! Hey, Sharian!" Aria called sharply.
Suddenly, Sharian screamed. Her whole body shook violently as though trapped in a nightmare.
"Is she alright?" Soren rushed over; Kyran followed closely.
Everyone stared in shock Sharian, usually composed and brilliant, now looked deranged, lips quivering, eyes empty and lifeless almost hypnotized.
"I… remember… that thing is…"
The painting seemed even more alive than before.
That twisted smile beneath the cracked mask appeared to be calling her in.
"No… don't look at me!"
Sharian collapsed. Aria caught her just in time.
Kyran and Soren rushed to help, but Sharian had already fainted.
When she woke up, the sun was high.
A faint medicinal scent filled the dim room. Seeing her comrades nearby, she finally exhaled softly.
"You fainted this morning," Soren said worriedly: "It's nearly noon now. How do you feel?"
Kyran stepped closer: "Lady Sharian… what exactly did you see?"
Sharian remained silent, expression pale.
Aria crossed her arms coldly: "See what? Everything was fine until she suddenly screamed like a lunatic. I advise you maintain your noble image. Don't embarrass us again."
"Princess Aria, that's enough," Kyran said firmly: "She was terrified. Don't make it worse."
Aria shrugged with a scoff: "Fine."
Kyran sighed and returned to Sharian. His voice gentler: "I'll ask once more. Did you see something in that painting? Did something cause such a reaction?"
Sharian stared vacantly, then lowered her head.
"If you don't want to say, then…"
"Wait!"
All three turned back to her.
"I… I'll tell you. That painting… that girl… she isn't a goddess at all."
Silence froze the room.
"What did you say?" Aria whispered.
"She isn't a goddess," Sharian repeated shakily: "The inscription is a lie. 'The goddess of love and sincerity'?
No…
It's the opposite."
Aria's face drained of color. "You mean…"
Sharian gave a bitter smile.
"Yes. Princess Aria, you remember the Ancient Holy Scriptures, right? The symbol of the broken mask…"
Aria's voice trembled: "…No… that can't be…"
"It is…" Sharian said, nodding slowly.
"That girl is a creature that feeds on the souls of the weak, the lonely, and those consumed by desire and obsession.
"She traps them eternally inside her own prison."
"The Infinite Cage…" Aria whispered.
The words sent chills down Soren and Kyran's spines.
"So what does the symbol truly represent?" Soren asked.
Sharian's voice lowered to a grave whisper:
"The inscription claims she is a goddess of love and sincerity.
"But the truth… is that she is a demon masquerading as a deity, one who lures humans to willingly surrender their souls."
Kyran swallowed: "So that girl is… a demon?"
Sharian shook her head.
"Not just any demon."
Her voice trembled as she said each word:
"She is one of the Seven Primordial Demons… Mirathiel, the Demon of Desire and Deception."