Despite its name, Silver City was surrounded by green land. Iris had never seen anything like it in her whole life. She hadn't been to a big city in Dravial, but as she looked at the dwellings and large structures below them, she supposed that there weren't much differences between the world of the darklings and the human kingdoms.
There was so much color, so much sunlight here, unlike where they came from. Calaren Town couldn't be compared to the magnificent architectural landscape of Silver City. Silver City was teeming with life and magic.
"It's beautiful here." Chrysanthe commented next to her, equally at awe with the scenery in front of them. "What do you think, Melia?"
Amelia looked impassively at the city from the hill they were on. The city below sprawled across a valley nestled between two great mountains. Cold winds howled around them, biting their exposed skin.
"It's not what I expected. It reminds me of the capital of Dravial. There are so many people buzzing around in the daylight." She said, and it was only then her friends noticed several species walking across the streets of Silver City. Some looked like humans, while others had pointed ears. Being humans with no real exposure to the magical world, the three of them couldn't differentiate those pointed ears as faeries, elves or a demon from a distance.
"Ladies, we have to enter the palace now." Ricci called them out. She paused for a moment and looked at Iris, straight in the eyes.
"Master Yuri has a message for you, Lady Iris. We wish for you not to reveal your creation magic in front of the Court of Shadows."
"I don't understand, Miss Ricci. I don't think I'm capable of chanting such magic."
"Master Yuri expected that you would say that. He says that you will know what I mean if I tell you about dispelling the endless winter in Calaren Town and restoring life in the woods. It would be dangerous for you if the other demon lords find out what you are capable of."
Iris found herself rendered speechless. How did Lord Kieran and the rest know about what she did in the woods? Was it possible that they were in the area while she and Amelia were stuck in a fight with the direwolves?
The three shared a knowing look at each other and held each other's hands. They weren't sure what to expect during this meeting with the rest of the demon lords. Once all the other maidens finally regained their consciousness, with Amelia being the first one waking up amongst them, they followed Ricci's lead as they entered the court.
The maidens followed with chattering teeth, with the legion of Frost Guards marching behind them—minus Lord Kieran and his three loyal vassals. Iris had a vague feeling that the demon lord couldn't wait to release them from his protection. They were merely an obligation for the Undead Lord - to ensure their safe arrival in Asnar.
Sweat trickled down the side of Iris's face. She felt suffocated although the place wasn't crowded and they weren't bound by anything. She tried to shove away her fear and uncertainty, reminding herself that she would rather be here than allow Junifer to encounter these frightening darklings.
As soon as they entered the palace, darkness greeted them. The hallway was only lit by the magical lamps attached to the white pillars on each side. The marbled floor was so smooth that everyone had to be careful with their steps. The only sounds the maidens could hear were their own footsteps and the racing beat of their hearts.
Once they reached the end of the hallway, they entered a coliseum-like place where the ceiling was almost as high as the towers and the seats hovering over them, preventing them from clearly seeing who was seated on them.
Iris lowered her head, not daring to look up to see the rest of the thirteen demon lords of Asnar. She could feel Lord Kieran's heavy stare on her. As to why she was able to tell he was looking at her, Iris wasn't sure herself. Her nerves were tingling at the incredible fact that she and the rest of the maidens were being presented in front of the Court of Shadows.
A female laugh could be heard, its tone was enough to make the rest of the maidens, except Iris and Amelia, tremble in fear.
"That human kingdom is getting worse as decades pass. You would think that with their insistence of protecting their kind by separating their country from Asnar, they would treat their people better. These maidens look no better than the Night Critters with their dirty hairs and scrawny figures."
Iris winced. Although she shared the same sentiment as this demon lord, she couldn't help but feel offended by this darkling's words.
"Caelea, you have to remember that these humans lived along the border of Dravial. What can you expect from the rulers of that human kingdom?" Another woman said, her voice was stoic and cold at the same time.
"Don't tell me you are taking pity on these humans, Riasa? Don't you think that we've been tolerating these foolish mortals long enough? If they are able to sacrifice a few of their kind for this farce of a treaty, then what makes them think they are greater beings than us? It's about time we end the treaty with those human kingdoms and let them deal with the Night Critters that will invade their lands by themselves!" The demon lord named Caelea said.
"We've already discussed this before, Caelea." A man with a domineering and authoritative voice said, stopping the discussion between the two female demon lords. "We will not enter a futile war against the mortals."
Iris, who was overcome by her own curiosity, lifted her gaze to look at the being who had just spoken and immediately regretted it once she met his eyes.