The first figure was so striking that it forced Cyril's attention. It sat to Cyril's right, on the second last throne.
In simple terms, it was a… gargantuan creature. At first appearance it looked like a gorilla but upon closer inspection, it felt more like a toad. It was a massive and fat black monster that sat unmoving. It was unnaturally still, as if dead.
The monster was covered in a thin black fur that looked like sharp bristles. Its figure was vaguely humanoid, reminiscent of a gorilla, but its head looked nothing like one. Its mouth seemed to be shaped like a cross, splitting in four different ways despite being currently closed. It had two large and small ears on the tips of its head, pointing upwards like a bat's, and its eyes seemed to be closed. Its lower half was obscured by the desk, but just its upper half was able to evoke an intense feeling of revulsion from the middle-aged man.
The throne it sat on, while large, was rough and slipshod. It was made of stone and was dilapidated, crumbling and molding over in several areas.
Sheer size was the only thing that this seat had to boast of. It was a stark contrast to Lucifer's white, unblemished throne. Almost like an indication of existence.
The next figure was a man seated directly to Lucifer's right. He was nearly indescribably beautiful, even more so than Lucifer. That was the only word that could be used to describe him. His slightly curly black hair matched his similarly black priestly robes.
If Cyril didn't know any better, he would have appeared almost priestlike and divine. Like a messenger from God. Unfortunately, they were in the court of Hell.
While Cyril couldn't properly see from his viewpoint, the man appeared to be sleeping. It wasn't an eery stillness like the black toad monster, but rather a true sleep with his eyes closed and his chest slowly rising and falling. His facial features were quite strong but still delicate, and the incongruity added to his beauty.
Aside from them, there was nobody else on any of the other thrones.
Lucifer's question echoed throughout the courtroom as he sat there with his hands still raised.
Several long moments passed, but only quiet reigned. Nobody seemed to show any sign of answering.
The priest-like man at the side continued snoozing away, while the horrific monster continued to sit unmoving. It didn't even blink.
But although they didn't respond, Lucifer didn't seem disappointed. He merely grinned before placing the parchment in his hands down on the table.
"Then, by the divine authority sanctioned to me by the One, I declare you, Cyril, my-"
"Please, wait a moment!"
Before Lucifer could end his sentence though, a slightly panicked shout sounded through the quiet courtroom.
Startled, Cyril turned his head to find a bright blue distortion appear below one of the thrones.
It appeared to be a distortion in space itself, like a portal, and it appeared outside of the table. From Cyril's perspective, it appeared in front of the leftmost throne and was level with the ground.
From within the portal came a hand, and following shortly afterwards was the full body of a human old man dressed in scholarly clothing.
The old man stumbled slightly after popping out of the portal. But after catching his bearings, he immediately knelt on the floor, prostrating himself in Lucifer's direction.
"Lord Lucifer, your excellence, this humble one apologizes for the abrupt intrusion! I did not mean to interfere with the court proceedings, but my own Lord has judgement he has yet to pass!"
"…You have interrupted my sentence."
Contrary to the man's concerns, Lucifer didn't seem to care about the intrusion at all. Instead, he seemed more focused on the fact that he had been cut-off from speaking.
The look he gave the old man was a cold one. It was so cold the surroundings seemed to freeze. While Cyril shouldn't have been able to feel the cold as someone already dead, it seemed to stick to his skin.
It didn't seem to be just him feeling it either, as the gargantuan creature on the right blinked its eyes once.
From where he stood, he could see the old man immediately freeze up as he knelt. He couldn't see the man's face, but his shivering and pale skin were clear.
"I-I beg your forgiveness! I meant no disrespect, I was merely following orders before your decree was stated. Please have mercy, Lord Lucifer, if I had been unable to complete my mission then you know what punishment would have awaited me from my own Lord!"
After finishing, he remained prostrated on the ground as he shivered silently.
"As I am merciful, I will forgive your transgression towards me. Ensure it does not repeat." It was only after a full minute did the fallen angel give a small sigh as he turned his gaze away. "Now explain. What does Mammon want."
"Thank you, Lord Lucifer, thank you! I faithfully follow your commands."
Only after Lucifer turned his gaze away did the old man slowly get up. Reaching into his robe, he pulled out a scroll that he quickly unfurled.
"My Lord Mammon has… He has, well…," The old man spoke awkwardly before clearing his throat. "My Lord Mammon has realized that his request is presumptuous and rude, but he wishes to claim this soul for his own."
"…"
Lucifer didn't seem surprised though. He merely sat indifferently, almost uninterestedly. His demeanor prompted the old man to continue with slightly more vigor than before.
"My Lord Mammon understands that this man fits in with your esteemed view of morality and godhood, but his unethical and greedy nature combined with his remorselessness has similarly attracted my Lord's attention."
"…Hm." Lucifer's eyes narrowed just a faction as he listened. It was such a small amount that neither Cyril nor the old man noticed.
"As he sees potential in this man, my Lord wishes to take him under his wing, to make him kin worthy as a judge, to wallow in not only his own, but also my Lord's greed."
"So you mean to say that Mammon wishes to snatch a candidate right before my very eyes. Does he understand the importance of what I am doing? Does he expect me to simply accept it?"
"Your Excellency, my Lord Mammon does fully understand." The old man bowed his head deeply. "Of course, he does not expect such a thing to pass willingly. My Lord offers to trade him at a price willing for you, at any price you desire."
"Oh? Does Mammon truly see that much worth in him?"
"If I may be so bold as to ask in place of my Lord, Your Excellency, do you?"