novelraw Chapter 234
Chapter 234
Chapter 234
"You want one? Big sister will catch one for you~"
The Hero leapt, her hair flowing like radiant light.
Though she had no wings, it was as if one could see the illusion of butterfly wings behind her.
She was the perfect embodiment of both beauty and power.
Livra blinked her large eyes and gave a wry smile. She seemed like she wanted to say something, but then decided there was no need to.
Speaking of which... wasn’t the Kingdom’s Hero supposed to be the protector of Aurus?
But when Lady Xiarette fought for the Kingdom, she didn’t shine nearly as brightly as she just had when looking at Miss Shaya!
Then again, that was understandable!
Livra thought that if she were the one fighting on the front lines, if she could protect Miss Shaya, she’d definitely have that same spirit and fire.
Maybe she was just cheering for her own future, but either way, hope was stirring in Livra’s heart.
"Go for it, Xiare—! Hm? Miss Shaya, what’s Lady Xiarette’s demon name? We can’t just call her by her real name, can we?"
"Xia."
"Xia?"
"That’s right. I go by Shaya in the Kingdom, so she goes by Xia. Isn’t that a perfect match?"
"A perfect match... hmm, true. But... I still feel a little unhappy."
"The Fire Lizard hasn’t even finished throwing its tantrum, and now you’re unhappy too?! Huh? Where’s Belith?"
"Her Highness Belith went off to catch snowmen too. She said she didn’t want to lose to Lady Xiarette."
"Good sister. See that, Livra? Everyone’s doing great!"
"Mm... it’s true, I’m the only one who can’t catch snowmen. I’ll go join Miss Timani and catch some rabbits too."
"Leave a rabbit leg for me?"
"Denied."
"......"
---
64. Tower of Radiance
South of the Northern Territory—blizzards and endless icebergs.
North of the Northern Territory—flowers blooming across the fields, clear rivers and maple willows.
For any traveler who had never set foot in the extreme north, crossing the Demon Domain’s border might leave them stunned by the bizarre transformation of the landscape.
One step was ten thousand miles of snowy mountains, the next, a paradise untouched by the world.
The Demon Domain’s borders were desolate and uninhabited.
But further north, into the lands jointly governed by the higher races, it was as if a mysterious power had blessed the region. Birds returned to the skies, wildflowers covered the mountains, and where once lay an empty wilderness, red-tiled white-walled homes began to appear, quietly claiming their place.
Though the number of residents was still small, these scattered homes seemed to declare to the world—further north lay the most prosperous territory in existence, distinctly set apart from the worldly chaos.
And at the center of this area, which could be called a "buffer zone" between the Demon Clan and the higher races, stood a tower a hundred meters tall, piercing the heavens.
Its name was...
【Tower of Radiance】.
No one knew if this name was meant to flaunt the glory of the higher races, or if the towering spire was built intentionally to awe all living beings.
Regardless, this Gothic-style tower standing alone amidst mountains and open plains had stood for a thousand years. It had withstood wind and rain without faltering. Whenever major issues required the joint deliberation of the higher races, representatives would be sent to this radiant tower.
The interior of the tower was hollow.
Beneath the night sky, beyond the clouds—
Near the top of the tower, a round table connected to the ledge formed the summit’s conference platform.
At this moment, the Tower of Radiance once again bore witness to a momentous gathering in history.
Every word spoken here influenced the global balance of power.
However, the rude and cursing voice that echoed through the hall seemed completely out of place amid such a weighty historical occasion.
“Haha…! You’re killing me! That freak from the Human God Clan really thinks he’s one-of-a-kind, sitting up high above everyone else? Didn't even finish talking before walking out? Saying something like ‘there’s no need to stay any longer’? Hahaha, no need my ass—he’s just scared to stick around!”
A grating laugh echoed out. Purple spiked hair like lightning bolts, tall and thin frame, a tongue piercing, a silver chain around his neck, and dragon wings spread brazenly to both sides behind him—thunderlight flickered in his vertical pupils.
This man lounged with one leg over the other, slapping the table as he laughed, taunting the representative of the Human God Clan who had left early.
His words drew dissatisfaction from the western side of the round table, where a young man sat with eyes closed, crimson hair cut in tousled layers. He also had dragon wings, a calm demeanor, and refined features that marked him as extraordinary.
“Mr. Karre, please mind your words. This is not the territory of your Thunder Dragon Clan. Reckless speech will not be tolerated.”
“Yes, yes~ I shall respectfully obey the divine orders of His Highness the Prince of the Fire Dragon Clan~ Tch tch tch, I was talking about the Human God Clan, not your Fire Dragon Clan. And yet Your Highness jumps to speak for them? Don’t tell me the Fire Dragons have some secret pact with them? Or are you just afraid of what those trash might be hiding?”
“If the Thunder Dragon Clan has doubts, you’re free to raise them at the Dragon Domain’s Temple. As far as I recall, today’s agenda isn’t baseless suspicion, nor is it warmongering or vulgar slander.”
“Then give back our Floating West Isle that you’re occupying!”
“I said—territorial disputes are to be discussed at the Dragon Domain’s Temple. If that’s how it’s going to be, I have no intention of staying here either.”
“Ha! What a joke. You think I wanted to come here? If not for that nasty-tempered demon saying there was some urgent matter, I wouldn’t have bothered! All of you pretending to be so harmonious—when deep down, everyone’s just—!”
—Whoosh!
A fierce gust, slicing through the air like a blade, hurtled straight toward Karre Lothar, the Thunder Dragon Clan’s representative.
Karre glanced at it with disdain, tilted his head slightly, and dodged the chaotic wind.
Immediately after, the engraved stone pillar behind him exploded into a crater, sending dust swirling through the room and blotting out the stars above.
Karre’s cold voice rang out at the same time.
“Oi oi… Don’t tell me you demons are born savages? No fighting is allowed in the Tower of Radiance. Is your kind incapable of understanding that? Or do you have to be slaughtered once to get the message, huh?!”
“Phew... Hm? I just stretched a little—what happened? Ah, so sorry, my bad! I’ve got heavy fists, always accidentally hurting people. Mr. Karre, you'd best stay out of the way. Who knows when hail might suddenly fall from the sky? That’s just an act of nature, isn’t it? If it hits you, surely you can’t blame the sky, right?”
Sitting on the northern side of the round table, stretching with a smile and waving her hand as she spoke, was none other than the Demon Clan’s First Princess, the Six-Winged Demon, Ailellek.
She was also the one who had convened this gathering at the Tower of Radiance.
Veins bulged on Karre’s forehead, and thunder surged in his hands.
“You’re asking for death…!”
“Everyone, please stop. These meaningless disputes should not continue any further. We are gathered here today to discuss the so-called ‘god’ behind the Holy Theocracy of Coreia—not to dredge up grievances and grudges between races, am I right?”
The speaker was seated on the western side of the round table. Sitting gracefully, she wore a crown of five-colored flowers atop her head, her dreamlike golden hair flowing like tassels. She was clothed in sheer white silk, spotless and ethereal—the representative of the High Elf Tribe.
Elven Chancellor, Lovnarsen.
She gently brushed aside the hair over her forehead, revealing the faint outline of pointed ears. At the same time, her emerald eyes glanced softly toward the enraged Karre.
“Moreover… as the Chief Officer of the Thunder Dragon Clan’s Council Hall, if you continue to lead the way in breaking the no-force agreement of the Tower of Radiance, I fear you’ll face a united denunciation from the various races… I believe Mr. Karre did not come here simply to vent his anger, did he?”
These were words of gentle persuasion.
But at the same time, also a warning.
The arcs of lightning crackling wildly beside Karre grew even more violent, but after locking eyes for a moment with the sidelong glance of the elf representative, they gradually calmed.
He clicked his tongue in frustration, as though giving up, then slumped back into the wide-backed stone chair in a careless, discourteous posture, still muttering curses under his breath.
But at the very least, this meant—he had backed down.
“You elves aren’t any better… always trying to play the mediator no matter where you go. Like you’re above the squabbles of the world.”
“Ah… you’re free to speculate. But we simply don’t like conflict, that’s all.”
The elven maiden let out a soft, airy sigh.
As the translucent light feathers on her back—symbolic of her identity as a high elf, distinct from common elves—emitted a soft iridescent glow, the stone pillar shattered by Ailellek began to mend itself.
Broken fragments rose into the air, filling the hole.
Before long, the brilliant stone pillar had completely restored itself.
Even the engraved patterns on its surface were no different from before—fully and flawlessly restored.
This level of magic, akin to a divine miracle, didn’t surprise any of those present.
And as the one who’d caused the destruction, Ailellek simply smiled without saying a word.
After all, she’d only wanted to test the current relationships among the various higher races.
Just like before.
Even now, they were far from united. The tensions between them remained deep.
Seemingly having seen through the intentions of this Demon Royal, the Fire Dragon Clan’s prince—Doromo—opened his fire-colored eyes and chose not to comment.
He merely raised his left hand slowly, bringing an end to this temporary farce and steering the discussion back on course.
“Now then, the Human God Clan’s representative cast an abstention vote before leaving. It’s our turn. Those in favor of the Demon Clan’s First Princess acting as representative to accuse the Holy Theocracy of Coreia—please raise your hand. If the majority agrees, we will lodge a protest against the Pope of Coreia and impose sanctions.”
Doromo had already raised his hand—this signified the Fire Dragon Clan’s stance.
Since Ailellek was the initiator of this gathering, she naturally had no voting rights.
—And in the end, only the higher races recognized by the law of order held the right to vote.
The Elven Chancellor, Lovnarsen, also lifted her delicate, fair hand, casting the judgment of the High Elves.
Karre Lothar scoffed and sneered but did not raise his hand.
Which meant—he had voted against.
No one asked him why he opposed it, because that was the rule of the Tower of Radiance: every race had the authority to make independent judgments, and that right could not be questioned.
Moreover, no matter how unruly Karre might be, he clearly understood that his stance here did not merely reflect his own temper, but rather the conclusion handed down by the Thunder Dragon Clan’s upper ranks.
Evidently, the Thunder Dragon Clan did not support the judgment against the Holy Theocracy of Coreia.
That was of no concern.
At this point, there were two votes in favor, one abstention, and one vote against.
Whether the resolution would pass now hinged entirely on the decision of the final higher race.
Doromo lowered his hand and looked toward the last corner of the expansive round table.
A cascade of cherry-colored hair spilled across the edge of the table.
Soft snoring sketched out the picture of a gentle dream.
Tiny bat wings fluttered rhythmically with the steady breathing of sleep, flapping with a lively charm.
For the first time, Doromo’s composed expression revealed a hint of displeasure. He cleared his throat twice to issue a reminder.
“Ahem, representative of the Blood Clan, please cast your vote.”
“Huuh… mm…”
“Third True Ancestor, please deliver the Blood Clan’s decision!”
“…!”
Doromo’s words echoed across the round, floating tower summit as though enhanced by some form of Amplification Crystal magic.
The cherry-haired Blood Clan girl was startled awake at once, springing to her feet. She seemed to realize she had made a mistake, yet her blood-red eyes remained heavy with drowsiness, as though she might topple over and fall asleep again at any moment.
The slightly parted mouth, opened in surprise, revealed her sharp fangs. Her pale, nearly bloodless skin made her lineage unmistakable.
Flo Yarl, the Third True Ancestor of the Blood Clan.
Her figure was slightly petite, yet already carried the budding form of a young maiden. That delicate balance between childlike and mature—perhaps it was a unique trait of the Blood Clan.
Her ornate crimson dress was adorned with bat-shaped trinkets. The girl glanced about blankly for a long while before finally regaining her composure.
Once she calmed down and sat back down in her seat, Flo let out a long breath. Her airy voice still carried traces of drowsiness.
She slowly slumped back onto the table, asking weakly:
“Voting…? What are we voting on…? What… are we deciding now?”
“It concerns whether or not to issue a joint protest against the Holy Theocracy of Coreia.” Doromo’s tone already carried hints of frustration, but mindful of the situation and her status, he had no choice but to soften his voice and repeat the explanation once more.
Still, if she continued to nod off, it would count as an abstention.