Chapter 5 - Dinner Debacle (Or, Rei's First Taste of Demon Diplomacy)

The "grand feast" was less banquet, more battlefield. A massive oak table groaned under roasted beasts, jewel-encrusted goblets, and enough guards to storm a castle. Rei sat at the head—thrust there by Lira's insistence—flanked by a beaming Elara (whispering coup codes) and a fidgety King Eldric. Squish, perched like a royal mascot, eyed the gravy boat with predatory glee.[System Notice: Host attends State Banquet. Tension: Critical. Recommendation: Eat daintily to project restraint.]Rei shoveled in a drumstick, starving after the road. System optimized: fork levitated dramatically, sauce dripped like blood omens. Nobles whispered, "He feasts on our doom!"Eldric raised a toast. "To the Sovereign who foretold shadows! And... er, demons?"Doors creaked. Enter the "ambassador": a sleek demon lord named Varak, horns polished, tail twitching nervously. He'd come to "preempt the calamity" after scout reports of Rei's "march." Spotting Rei, Varak bowed low. "Overlord of Slimes and Harvests! I yield my legions preemptively!"Rei choked on bread. "Yield? No, pass the salt—"[System Hint: Host demands fealty. Optimizing for Infernal Accord. Voice: Abyss Command unlocked.]Rei's casual request thundered: "Salt your legions into eternal service, demon!"Varak prostrated. "As you command! My hordes are yours!" Elara pumped a fist—"Our army grows!" Lira blessed the salt shaker as a holy relic.Gravy Goes GlobalChaos peaked when Squish dove for the gravy—knocking platters airborne. Gravy splattered Varak's face; system pinged: Calamity Baptism Complete. Demon Pact Sealed.Varak wept tears of joy. "Baptized by the Sovereign's essence! My clan swears undying loyalty!"Rei wiped mouth, horrified. "It was an accident! I just wanted—"[System Alert: Host humble-brags victory. Global Broadcast: "Demon Lord Kneels at Banquet." Fame +500. New Quest: Manage Your Empire (Population: 1 Reluctant + Millions Misled). Harem Flag: Varak (Bro-mance Variant).]Eldric fainted into his soup. Elara sketched battle plans on a napkin. Lira declared a holiday: "Gravy Day."Outside, fireworks exploded—rumors had spread: "Sovereign conquers demons with dinner!"Rei slumped. Empire? Try food fight fallout.