Inside of a large reception hall, dozens of people were gathered. From their outfits, adorned with silken frills and shiny jewels, it was quite clear they were rich. Not everyone there was dressed the sa way. A second group of people wore practical boots and thick clothes; weapons hung from their waists or backs, and scars marked their bodies. The two types of people were separated, not interacting with one another.
The doors to the reception hall swung open, and a demon with three red horns on his forehead walked through. Chad looked around, ignoring the butler that had co up to receive him. After taking in his surroundings and ntally marking the exits, Chad turned his gaze onto the well-dressed servant. The Black Hounds, he said, not giving the butler a chance to speak.
The butler bowed his head. Welco to the esteed guests from The Black Hounds, he said. If youll follow , Ill lead you to your VIP booth.
Are the Swirling Winds here yet? Devon asked from behind Chad. There were no marks on his body indicating he had been thrown by a dragon a week ago: his limbs werent broken, and his skin was unbruised.
The esteed guests from Swirling Winds have already been seated in their VIP booth, the butler said. If youd like, I can ask them for permission to let you in.
Dont, the pink-haired demon by Devons side said. She rolled her eyes and tugged at her brothers sleeve. Ruji doesnt want to see you, and shell like you even less if you pester her like this.
Devons face flushed red, and he glared at his sister. Im not pestering her, he said and scratched his neck while looking away. I just wanted to say hello.
The butler glanced at Devon and Natalie before shifting his gaze back onto Chad. The three-horned demon kept a straight face. Ignore them, he said. Take us to our booth.
Right this way, the butler said and stepped ahead.
The people who were standing around while waiting in the reception hall stared at The Black Hounds as they passed. Why do they get special treatnt? a woman asked. Is it because theyre demons? Is the Edward family a traitorous one? Two parties of demons have been let through first, but not a single group of humans has been invited to the VIP section. This is simply outrageous.
The man standing next to the woman paled. He grabbed his wifes arm and pulled her aside. Youve been drinking a bit too much, he said, cold sweat dripping down his back as he observed The Black Hound mbers reactions. Luckily for him, they either hadnt heard or didnt care. They stepped through the doors leading to the auction hall without looking back.
Drink your head! You havent let touch a single glass of wine since weve stepped on this island, the woman said. Whats wrong with pointing out the elephant in the room? All of us standing here are nobles or respected adventurers. Why are we being treated like commoners? She glanced around the room to see if anyone agreed with her sentint. When she saw so red-faced people nodding, her eyes lit up. She pointed at the group. See! They agree with .
Theyre drunk, the womans husband said. Its understandable so stronger adventurers receive preferential treatnt. If the king of Konigreich showed up, would you expect to be treated like him?
King of Konigreich? the woman asked. What king? Isnt he just a barbarian in the end?
Before the womans husband could respond, the doors to the reception hall swung wide open. Six n marched into the room with brass instrunts pressed to their lips. Trumpeting sounds resounded through the hall as the n split up into two groups of three. A red carpet rolled in from outside the room, passing between the six musicians. Two won with baskets filled with flowers strolled on the sides of the carpet, not daring to step on the red fabric, and scattered flowers into the air, letting them fall to the ground. The six musicians stopped playing at the sa ti and saluted. Now entering, His Majesty, Vur Besteck the First!
The won with flower baskets stepped to the side, standing next to the musicians. Vurs bare foot stepped on a flower as he entered the room. Ed Edward walked in behind him, and Vur turned his head to look at the well-dressed skeleton. Is there a Vur Besteck the Second?
Is there? Ed asked in return. All I know is you are definitely the first.
If you renad Snuffles to Vur, therell be a Vur Besteck the Second, Stella said, popping her head out of Vurs chest. She glanced around the room and saw lots of familiar faces. They were the adventurers that had attacked Vur a week ago. Why arent they kneeling?
As if on cue, the adventurers dropped to their knees, much to the confusion of the nobles in the hall. Adventurers were prideful people, and the strong ones didnt treat nobility any better than they treated commoners, so why were they kneeling now? The woman that had spoken about unfair treatnt was baffled. She was about to say sothing, but her husband covered her mouth and dragged her to the ground. He wasnt sure why everyone was showing the king so much more respect than required, but it was better to not stand out.
Nobles were nobles, but they were still people. Upon seeing everyone else in the room dropping to their knees, the ones left standing beca nervous. They exchanged glances with one another and cautiously dropped to their knees as well, observing their kings reaction. Vur took in the sight and nodded; things were as they should be. His every footstep echoed through the room, and thered be an occasional crunching sound as he stepped on a flowers stem. The nobles and adventurers remained silent, and it was only after Vur had entered the auction hall and the doors closed behind him that the adventurers let out their breaths.
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