Two days after the assault on the Demon Castle, the Kingdom declared a Week of Festivity to honor their victory. Proposed by the defected heroes during a closed-door meeting, this celebration was meant to ease the grief of the mourning and keep morale high as the city began to rebuild.
Festivities in the domain rarely lasted more than three days, but the heroes insisted on an entire week. They argued that this victory was historic—worthy of humiliating their former nation, Leori. Word of the extended celebration would undoubtedly reach the spies still lurking in the domain, delivering a message the heroes gleefully called "the greatest failure of the century."
Now, on the final day of the festivities, the castle bustled with activity. A grand banquet was planned, where Demonlords and high-ranking nobles—powerful beings who governed cities and regions—would gather. The highlight of the evening would be the official announcement of the heroes' defection.
"I must say, the heroes are far from what I imagined them to be," the Demon King muttered, scanning the reports spread across his desk.
The past few days had seen the heroes in constant motion. Galagand, the Paladin, and Mary, the Saint once anointed by Leori, had thrown themselves into the rebuilding efforts. They had shed their holy garments, donning simple attire that blended practicality with the ceremonial elegance of demon nobility. Despite the hostility of many, no one dared obstruct them. Gradually, those working alongside them began to warm to their presence.
Meanwhile, Rei and Sylvie turned their attention to understanding the domain's inner workings. They studied its political structures, cultural norms, and even its treatment of human captives. Though careful not to overstep boundaries, they pushed close to classified secrets before backing off when warned.
Their efforts bewildered their demon watchers. "They act like scholars, governors, and politicians," one said, shaking his head. "Why were they ever playing adventuring heroes?"
As for the rest of the group, their specialties in combat and espionage kept them confined as castle guests. The demons couldn't risk letting them roam freely.
Lilith approached the Demon King's desk, laying down a new set of papers. She glanced at him, recalling the ominous magic the heroes had unleashed during the battle. To the untrained eye, it had seemed like advanced offensive magic—a dark orb that drained life from its targets. But Lilith, with her expertise in magic, had recognized it as something else entirely: a ritual offering.
"What disturbs me," she said, "is that the humans they sacrificed had no idea they were marked as offerings."
The Demon King frowned. "And yet, nothing came of it."
"They may be keeping some large-scale magic in reserve," Lilith replied, her tone cautious. "For now, it's impossible to say."
She handed him two documents, their titles enough to raise an eyebrow: Research on Faith Magic Alteration and Blasphemy by Mary, and Approach to Immortality: Soul-Body Binding by Rei.
"These studies would get them executed in Leori," Lilith added. "How they remained there undetected is beyond me."
The Demon King sighed and set the papers aside. "We'll discuss this later."
For now, preparations for the banquet consumed the castle. Guards tightened security, scanning every shadow for potential threats. Servants raced to arrange decorations and prepare dishes from across the domain. Demonlords, ruling as governors over their regions, and high-ranking nobles—demonic elites wielding both influence and power—would soon share the same table. Though united by the celebration, tensions simmered just beneath the surface.
The western gate, the furthest from Leori, bore the brunt of today's arrivals. Guards meticulously verified every guest while merchants and common travelers were redirected to other gates. Inside, the castle's halls buzzed with anticipation.
The banquet's program was simple: an opening speech by the Demon King, an introduction of the defected heroes, and finally, the feast itself. But beneath the veneer of celebration, an air of unease lingered. With so many powerful demons in one place, the evening's outcome was far from guaranteed.