The room was thick with tension, the air heavy with the aftermath of Raoul's taunting escape. The heads of the Elemental Continent were visibly shaken, their expressions betraying a mix of shock, anger, and disbelief. What they had just witnessed—their children's bodies taken, and a demon brazenly infiltrating their sacred meeting—was an insult that cut deep.
Mr. Royoveil's fiery aura flared uncontrollably, his anger mirroring Xue's. "How dare those vile creatures step into our land and mock us?" he roared, his voice echoing through the chamber. His fists clenched, flames licking at his fingertips. The other leaders nodded in agreement, their own frustrations bubbling to the surface. Mrs. Aqoun's typically serene expression was now one of cold fury, while Cerflix grumbled under his breath, stroking his beard as if formulating a strategy.
As the heated discussion among the leaders began to escalate, Alissa and Seraphina focused on Xue. He was trembling, his knuckles white from clenching his fists, eyes dark with barely-contained fury. Alissa gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "Xue, calm down. We'll get them back," she whispered, her voice soft yet firm.
Seraphina knelt in front of him, her golden aura glowing faintly as she used her healing magic to ease his physical pain, even as his emotional wounds remained raw. "Xue, listen to us. You can't let them win by losing yourself to anger," she said, her tone calm but pleading.
For a moment, Xue didn't respond. His crimson eyes were locked on the floor, his thoughts racing with guilt and rage. Slowly, he exhaled, forcing himself to cool his head. The suffocating killing intent that had filled the room began to fade, and the tension among the leaders eased slightly.
Finally, Xue slumped into a chair, exhaustion overtaking him. His voice, quiet but steady, broke the silence. "I'll find them," he said, his tone laced with determination. "Even if I have to tear apart the entire Demonic Continent, I'll bring them back."
Mr. Royoveil, still simmering with anger, slammed his fist onto the table. "It's not just your fight, Elite of Darkness. Those demons have crossed a line, and they will pay for it."
Mrs. Aqoun, her hands trembling but voice steady, added, "We must act swiftly, but with a plan. Charging in recklessly will only lead to more loss."
Cerflix stroked his beard, his sharp eyes fixed on Xue. "Boy, you're strong, no doubt about it. But strength alone won't bring back what was taken. We'll need strategy, allies, and preparation. This isn't just a personal vendetta anymore—it's war."
The heads exchanged grim looks, their collective resolve beginning to form. Meanwhile, Alissa and Seraphina stayed close to Xue, their presence grounding him as he prepared for the next step in a battle that had become far more personal than anyone had anticipated.
The room fell silent as the Head of the Elves, Alphin, stepped forward, his sharp emerald eyes scanning the gathered leaders. His tone was measured, carrying the weight of carefully guarded knowledge.
"So, that was one of the Twelve Seats," Alphin said, his voice breaking the heavy quiet.
All eyes turned to him, a mix of confusion and curiosity in their expressions. Mrs. Royoveil narrowed her gaze. "The Twelve Seats? What do you mean by that?"
Alphin crossed his arms, his expression grim. "While investigating activities on the Demonic Continent, we came across rumors of a new faction forming. The Twelve Seats—an elite group of demons who report directly to the Demon Lord. Their purpose, as far as we could gather, is to spearhead his plans and enforce his will. Each member is said to possess overwhelming strength and unique abilities, making them far more dangerous than the average demon."
Mrs. Aqoun frowned, her voice trembling slightly. "And you didn't think to warn the rest of us about this sooner?"
Serisa, Alphin's wife and co-leader, stepped forward to defend him. "The rumors were unverified until now. We didn't want to spread panic without concrete evidence, but this... Raoul's appearance confirms the Twelve Seats are real, and they're active."
Cerflix grunted, his expression dark. "So, what are they up to? What's the Demon Lord planning with this new group?"
Alphin's gaze shifted to the coffins' previous resting place. "We don't have the full picture, but there's one thing we do know—they're collecting bodies. High-ranking soldiers, elites, even common warriors. For what purpose, we don't yet understand. But if the bodies of Iblis, Marina, and Corrine have been taken, it's safe to assume their aim is far more sinister than simple desecration."
Xue's jaw tightened, his fists trembling in his lap. "They won't get away with this," he muttered under his breath, his voice cold and resolute.
Mr. Royoveil growled, his anger barely contained. "If the Demon Lord is gathering his forces and using this Twelve Seats to carry out his plans, then we need to respond. We can't let him gain any more ground."
Mrs. Aqoun nodded in agreement, her serene demeanor replaced by steely resolve. "But we must be cautious. The Twelve Seats are clearly no ordinary adversaries, and charging in without understanding their strength or purpose could spell disaster."
Alphin turned to Xue, his gaze softening slightly. "Elite of Darkness, you've already fought and survived one of them. If we're to stand a chance against these demons, we'll need your insight—and your strength."
Xue met his gaze, his crimson eyes burning with determination. "I don't care what their plans are. All I know is, they took something that wasn't theirs, and they'll pay for it. I'll bring them back, no matter what it takes."
Alphin nodded. "Then let's prepare. If the Twelve Seats are moving, we must act swiftly before they can carry out whatever dark purpose they've set in motion."
The leaders began discussing strategies, their collective will to fight reigniting in the face of this new threat. Meanwhile, Alissa and Seraphina exchanged worried glances, knowing that this was only the beginning of a battle that would test them all in ways they couldn't yet imagine.