>> Their eyes illuminate on the light of candelabra spreading around. Shadowy faces shade their looks, making my chest tremble in fear.

“Your highness!” the man sitting beside the Queen grunts out, on his voice show anxiousness. “As I declared, Duke Pithius... this man here is the next Demon King of Tophet Kingdom.”

“What...?” the man named Pithius spurred out of disbelief. “What’s that supposed to mean? We are the Demon race! We can’t just let a mortal here to lead the Kingdom.”

Hustle and bustle rise up; each one turns their head to look at each other as they exchange opinions. “Uhm... I...” through the rising tension, I uttered.

Everyone suddenly halted. “... I... I am...” I mumbled. The words don’t come out from my lips. Their eyes locked to me once more. Gosh, I don’t know what to say.

“I smell strong scent of fear coming from him,” a woman from the crowd speaks. She’s the one who glares at me. Standing on the chair, her eyes then look at me.

“Our Queen says this man here is the one who will lead our Kingdom. I reckon it’s not possible.”

Her lips grin. “I am Countess Lilith, the cousin of Queen Juno to the throne.” Bowing down, she introduces. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, our King-to-be.”

“Even you, Countess Lilith!?” Pithius grunts out. “As per the Queen says, that man leads us up. Might be, he will be the key to annihilate the Hero.”

Huh...? What...?

I feel the chills running through my skin as those words heeded. “It’s that time, once more... to face the day a Hero is born from the mortals.”

Lilith’s eyes then turn to look at everyone. “Don’t you agree?”

The whole surroundings turn eerie quiet after. No one dares to speak. Only the growl of Pithius heard. “That day won’t come.” In the silence, a firm voice engulfed.

“What do you mean, that day won’t come?” Lilith asked. Astarte looks at the crowd, still firmly holds my hand. “I won’t allow that day would come in my reign.”

As the silence engulfed once more, Astarte took a deep breathe and calmly looks at everyone. “I want a peaceful treaty with mortals. I know the losing of the ones we loved is painful.”

All eyes focus on the Queen as she continues: “We’ve been through a lot of struggles in the feud of mortals since millennials ago. Our predecessors, as well as our brothers and sisters engaging on the Great War won’t be able to go back.”

A noble cause from the Queen who never wants conflict. To live for your country, and die for the cause of it. Her voice sentients the feelings of every Demons here.

I don’t know the circumstances they’re having, but losing her mother week before is a burden for her.

“A superficial thought.” From the crowd, a voice lifts out. “A twaddle, fluke idealism you speak of.”

A man around same age as mine stands up. “I am sorry for interrupting your speech, Your Highness.” Stepping out from the table, he then walks forward.

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With a firm posture, and pair of horns swirled from the back of his head, he shows intimidate presence. His hair, like a flame, combed in middle piece burning through the light of candles.

His eyes glow in crimson shade and a pale skin glimmer. A fine, good-looking young man, indeed. “Marquis Paimon, Your Highness...”

The clamor rises up again as he stands at the center. “Marquis Paimon, the one my father... the King Mephistopheles trusted completely in the Legion.”

Astarte rebut as she looks at the man. “Indeed, I am the one your father, the former King Mephistopheles entrusted with the Legion.”

Bowing down, he greeted. “As what you have said earlier...?”

“Hmm... ah! Yes, yes... that thing “idealism?”” the Marquis then lifts his head and smirks. “You’re thinking that alliance with mortal is possible?”

Clamors heeded up once more. “It is possible.” The Queen answered. “Oho, an audacious answer. A green-horn Queen, proposing a fluke idealism to us Demons, how preposterous.”

“Marquis Paimon—-"

“Let him be.” Pithius snarls out, but Astarte stopped him. With such reluctance, Pithius bellows inwardly. “Ohoho, Duke Pithius. I know you’re thinking the same as me. There’s no way we can attain common grounds with mortals.”

Paimon’s smile widens. “We’ve been through war with them since the ancient times. They truly believe we’re the Harbingers of destruction; a walking calamity; the one who brings chaos.”

It’s like what he said. I also believed that way. In my world, Demons are atrocious and malevolent spirits. They are the adversaries of good, a symbol for evil.

“And I know that mortal there, who you choose to be your King, believes in what I’m saying.”

His eyes locked to me. A shunned feeling embraces me as our eyes meet. “A mere mortal as you showing here in the Demon Realm sure is a brave thing. You don’t have an idea how much we loathe mortals like you.”

My body starts trembling. A phantom-like sensation gasped on my skin, as if there’s something crawling over. His voice become muffled; I can faintly hear the words he says.

“That’s why I can’t comprehend why is that proposal needs to be consider? You know, of all everyone here will oppose a mortal be the next Demon King.”

“You’re in no position to tell me what I must do, or whom I choose to marry.” Throughout the shuddering feeling, a firm voice echoes in my ear.

That sudden, the fear accumulates inside me vanished in an instant. “I may be the Queen, and you’re all here to support or oppose to the things I consider.”

It’s as clear as day, the Queen’s voice chases the fear overflowing on me. “Marquis Paimon, for this matter I will talk with you in private.”

From that, Paimon go back to his chair. However, his face seemed a bit troubled after the words lurked from the Queen’s mouth. “I am apologizing for the sudden change of mood.” Shifting from eerie feeling to something mellow, Astarte announced out.

“Please, everyone. Let the feast begin.” Showing her smile, she encourages everyone to eat. All of the attendees dig in right after the Queen’s offer.

Servants stops at each seat to pour drinks on the chalice. Once again, the liveliness of the banquet shows up. Nothing’s ever happened, or that’s what I thought.

The Queen then sits down and starts to eat, as she looks at me. “Come on, the food’s safe for you.” Taking a bite of sliced meat on her mouth, she encourages me to eat as well.

On my table are tableware: knife and fork, as well as napkin. A plate made out of ivory serves with meat and savory sauce. Herbs atop designs perfectly.

It brings someone an appetite to eat, but I can’t just eat with the tension awhile ago. “You must eat, because the interrogation is waiting for you.”

Beside me, a bellow mumble heard. I turn to look as Duke Pithius glares at me. “Uhm...” I mumbled. “Eat. The Queen’s words are absolute.”

I don’t know what to say... but it makes me feel anxious. I reluctantly take the fork and knife, cut a piece of meat and delivers in mouth.

A soft sensation lingers on my tongue as the meat perfectly chewed by my teeth. The sweetness and tenderness of meat succumb. Salt, pepper and honey added to the sauce mixes on it.

“How’s the taste of human flesh...?” in between my chew, Pithius utters. That made me shudder up and look at him. “The meat you’re consuming is a human flesh. Now you’re here, you should learn to eat that.”

What...? What the...? I took the napkin and throw up the meat off my mouth. “It’s nice, isn’t it? Eating your own kind?” he grins at me.

“What the...?” I utter out of fear. “Here, drink. Wash the taste in your palate.”

He then offers me the chalice. “It’s a mead, don’t worry. A safe drink for a mortal like you.”

I reluctantly picked it and took a gulp. The strange taste leaves my tastebuds, washing away the thought of consuming human flesh. “But I forgot the fermented human skin is tastier.”

That word spurts out the drink from my mouth. Pithius gaze upturned, as the Queen turned to look at me out of surprise. “What’s the matter?” she asked.

The fear accumulates in me once more. I need to get out of here, that’s what my mind says. But my body trembles and can’t be move now.

“Hey, tell me... what’s wrong?” Queen Astarte asked me. No, I can’t say it. I don’t want to say it. Why...? Why is this happening?

“You’re the Demon King, aren’t you? You should learn consuming your own kind. It’s the best thing, ever... as a Demon.”

In my mind, that word taunts out. “... Uh, I am... I’m sorry.” My voice trembles. I need to force my body to stand up and leave this place.

“Hey, tell me. What’s the matter?” Astarte asked. Damn, I can’t speak it out. With my will to leave this place, I stand up and runs off the door.

Everyone then follows me as I leave the place. Running off the door, I run away on the hallway. The empty passage consumes me. My chest thumps fast, as I run.

“Hahaha! That’s right; you’re a mortal. You should run and leave this place!” his voice still lingers in my mind. My legs wobble out from fear.

My breath ragged out as I stopped. “Human meat...?” I utter. That memory taunts over me, as I felt vomiting. I released it, all of the things inside my gut.

I threw it out, as tears and sweat lingers on my face. “Damn. I want to go home.”

I can’t stand up. I feel weak. My knees are wobbling; my body trembles out. I feel dizzy. I don’t want here. I want to go home. But how...? How should I go home?

The smell of my puke entangles my nose, but I can’t help it. My strength waned out. I don’t know which is which anymore. All I know is the words I muttered repeatedly, “I want to go home.”