บท 150: The demon king’s castle in chaos

While Clive was having a conversation with Delphine, the castle was plunged in chaos. It was a very ordinary day. Delphine had finished her morning itinerary. Her morning itinerary included meetings with her generals and ministers.

The war between humans and demons was halted. Humans stopped their attack and went back to their barracks. Demons pulled back as well. Both sides had faced much loss and the war was basically at a deadlock. No side could give the decisive blow.

The demon generals were seeking an audience with Delphine. They wanted further instructions. But that morning, Delphine told them to observe the situation.

And it went on for a while. The morning court was adjourned and Delphine went to her private chamber for a rest. That's when Clive suddenly appeared before her.

Delphine instructed a maid that she would be unavailable for the day. When this news was given, everyone was shocked.

The ministers were talking among themselves.

"What could her highness be doing?"

"She is apparently entertaining a guest. But we did not see anyone pass through the gate."

"Yes. No one requested an audience with her either. And for her to personally entertain a guest, it's unimaginable."

They were very much in disarray. Delphine was young. But she was not foolish. She knew what to do.

Everyone started speculating. But it did not bring a satisfactory answer. So they asked the maid who relayed her message.

"What was her highness's instructions?"

"She told me to inform Sasha that Mr. Clive Belmont had come and to prepare for some refreshments. She told me to relay this message to Queen Mother as well and forbade anyone from going to her room."

The ministers were baffled for a moment.

"Who is this Mr. Clive Belmont? Did you meet this person?"

"Yes. I did see a man with her highness. He was not more than 20 and seemed to be a human. He had black hair and looked fairly normal."

"A human? Right in this castle? Where did he come from?"

Everyone started looking for answers. The guards were questioned one after another. No one saw any human pass through the gate nor the castle corridors. It's like he popped out of thin air.

Everyone was going nuts. How could a single human avoid so many guards and reach the private chamber of the queen? It was a big blunder.

But Delphine called for an afternoon meeting. Everyone was present. Her ministers and advisers and even some generals. Most of all, the Queen Mother, Dahlia McNair, was present.

After the king passed away and Delphine ascended the throne, Dahlia was virtually retired. She never joined any meetings and rejected all visitors. Everyone was shocked to see her beside Delphine.

"I have an announcement to make." (Delphine)

"Pardon my impoliteness your majesty, but we all have a question?"

The prime minister, Rudolf Eustass, asked. He is a man in his 80's. Well, demons do live longer than humans. Their average lifespan is 220 years. By that standard, he was fairly young.

"I can guess what your question is. Let me answer it. The guest I was entertaining just now was of the highest importance. I am sure you all have asked the maid about his name." (Delphine)

"Yes. Mr. Clive Belmont if I am not mistaken." (Rudolf)

"Mr. Belmont is an individual with enough strength to crush our entire kingdom. And if he is enraged, he might do so. I advise all of you exercise caution the next time he is here." (Delphine)

"Your highness, you speak as if he has already left?" (Rudolf)

"He has. After telling us his idea, he left." (Delphine)

"But no one saw anyone enter or leave. How can someone come in?" (Rudolf)

"Mr. Belmont is a man of many mysteries. He can easily use teleport. That's how he came here." (Rudolf)

The entire court was abuzz. Because someone ignored the barrier around the castle and teleported directly inside of it. Even the previous king had troubles with that.

"Silence in the court." (Rudolf)

Everyone became silent.

"Mr. Clive gave me a proposal. He wants to gauge our strengths. Fighting abilities, magical strength, intelligence and technology would be taken into account." (Delphine)

Everyone was lost. No one had ever thought of an idea like this before. But then one person raised his arm. He was clad in silver armor.

"Your highness, why did you bother with such a request? It is a request from a no name human. I get it that he could teleport directly into this castle. That only proves that he has a vast amount of mana. It does not mean that he can triumph over an entire kingdom by himself."

It was General Jacob Higgins. He is a proud man who believes that pedigree does not determine your future. He rose from a normal foot soldier to a general with hard work and dedication alone.

"General Jacob?" (Dahlia)

"Yes, Queen Mother?" (Jacob)

"You know my strength all too well, don't you?" (Dahlia)

"I think everyone knows your strength, Queen Mother. But what does that have to do with this issue?" (Jacob)

"When I first met Mr. Belmont, I caught him off guard with a punch. I punch him in his gut with all my strength. Do you know what happened after that?" (Dahlia)

Everyone shuddered. Before marrying the demon king and giving birth to Delphine, Dahlia was known as the crazy berserker. She would destroy an entire army if she was involved. Which is why, she would go alone on missions.

"I believe no human can survive your punch, Queen Mother." (Jacob)

"Mr. Belmont did not even flinch after taking that punch. He was rather irritated because my hand was completely broken. He had to heal my broken hand." (Dahlia)

The generals almost fainted. They had seen Dahlia in action. Everyone knows just how strong she is. She could most certainly destroy an entire kingdom by herself. And her hand broke from punching Clive.

"Take my advice and be cordial towards Mr. Belmont. He is good natured man. As long as you don't do anything extremely rude, he would not mind." (Dahlia)

Everyone shook their heads. They took it to their hearts because Dahlia said so. The entire castle was in chaos. Delphine asked for advice regarding the idea and those who lurk in the shadows became aware of an existence named Clive Belmont.