Chapter 187: Question

Desolate Fallen Continent, Starlight Palace.

A large crowd of demonkin had gathered on the spacious square. They had come from all across the land, each with different backgrounds. Some were heirs of notable families, others were bandits who roamed the mountains and wilderness, and some were mercenaries who fought for their lives every day.

Yet every single one of them had come to Starlight Palace for the same purpose—to witness the enthronement of the new Demon King.

“I heard the ancient families held a secret meeting and already decided on the candidate for the next Demon King?”

A well-dressed young noble fanned himself with a folding fan, partially covering his face. His eyes carried an ambiguous smile.

His name was Luca, the youngest person in charge of a prominent family in the eastern part of the Desolate Fallen Continent.

“This new Demon King jointly nominated by the ancient families is truly mysterious. Even now, we still don’t know his identity.”

“Why should we just accept the new Demon King chosen by the ancient families?”

A demonkin with a large blade strapped to his back showed a wild, defiant smile. After hearing Luca’s words, he deliberately raised his voice to draw everyone’s attention.

“The position of the new Demon King is something for all demonkin to decide. It’s not something a few old fogeys from the ancient families can decide just by saying a few words!”

“Oh? If I’m not mistaken, you must be… Mr. Xize, leader of the Black Sun Mercenary Group?” Luca quickly recognized the man from his appearance.

The Black Sun Mercenary Group was a rather well-known force in the Desolate Fallen Continent.

In the past, many families in the western region had been locked in conflict. One of those families paid a heavy sum to request help from the Black Sun Mercenary Group. Xize then led his elite members there and resolved decades of disputes in less than a month, mercilessly annihilating several families in the process. The Black Sun Mercenary Group became famous overnight because of that battle.

“You know me?”

Xize glanced at Luca.

“Only one-sided. I’ve heard of your great reputation, Mr. Xize.” Luca responded politely on the surface. He had no desire to offend such a dangerous figure.

“Mr. Xize, it seems you have a different opinion from the ancient families regarding the next Demon King?”

“The position of Demon King has always belonged to the capable. Every demonkin here has the right to sit on that throne. You have a chance, and so do I.” Xize’s words carried hidden meaning.

Luca had already guessed what the other party intended to do.

This enthronement ceremony for the new Demon King was organized by the ancient families at Starlight Palace for all demonkin. Xize clearly wanted to use this opportunity to defeat the candidate chosen by the ancient families and replace him, establishing his dominance with this once-in-a-lifetime chance.

What a bold plan.

Xize arrogantly looked around.

“Everyone, do you agree with what I said?”

Most of them knew their own limits and had mainly come to watch the show and broaden their horizons, so they avoided Xize’s gaze.

However, a small number of demonkin met Xize’s eyes without backing down. They more or less shared similar thoughts to Xize, believing they too could vie for the position of Demon King.

“The ancient families have arrived!”

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted.

Everyone’s eyes turned forward at once. Led by Sali, the leaders of the various ancient families appeared together. They walked along the red carpet toward the center of the square.

The most eye-catching figure was the mysterious demonkin walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Sali. He was tall, wearing a wide black robe, with long black hair and lifeless eyes. Every step he took carried a faint but unmistakable sense of oppression.

His appearance instantly silenced the noisy square.

“Who… is that?”

Luca realized his hand was actually trembling and fine beads of sweat had appeared on his forehead.

He didn’t recognize this demonkin at all.

Could this be the next Demon King chosen by the ancient families?

“Thank you all for accepting the ancient families’ invitation and traveling great distances to Starlight Palace to witness this historic moment.”

Hels used a voice-amplifying magic device to spread his voice to every corner of the square so all the demonkin could hear him.

At this moment, he was speaking on behalf of the ancient families.

“As you can all see, the new Demon King we have carefully selected together—Lord Nicholas—will be enthroned here at Starlight Palace today. We believe he will shoulder the responsibilities of the Demon King and lead us demonkin into the future. I’m sure you all will approve of the ancient families’ choice—”

“Enough with the fancy words! What ‘lead us demonkin into the future’? You ancient families are just colluding to pick an obedient dog to control the entire Desolate Fallen Continent!”

Xize immediately cut off Hels’s speech. The atmosphere in the square grew heavy at once.

Several leaders of the ancient families looked displeased, but Sali remained smiling.

Hels asked, “May I ask who you are…”

“I am Xize, leader of the Black Sun Mercenary Group! I oppose this man of unknown origin becoming the next Demon King!”

Xize openly challenged the ancient families.

It was true that the ancient families held significant influence in the Desolate Fallen Continent, but that didn’t mean they could decide the future of all demonkin just by gathering together.

They couldn’t just move their lips and place someone above every demonkin’s head.

No such easy thing existed.

In the world of demonkin, strength had always been supreme.

“That’s right. The ancient families are indeed worthy of respect, but… who truly rules the Desolate Fallen Continent has not been completely decided yet, has it?”

Luca couldn’t help speaking up. He felt the ancient families were too arrogant and didn’t put anyone else in their eyes.

“I think Mr. Xize makes a good point!” Others seized the opportunity and chimed in one after another.

“In that case…”

Hels glanced at Sali. Whatever he said or did next would depend on the leader of the Shadow Family.

“No problem. Since everyone has doubts about Nicholas, he does indeed need to prove his ability. After all, gathering so many people here was done in anticipation of this very situation.”

Sali smiled as he raised his cane and tapped it on the ground, sending the signal to Nicholas.

At that moment, a cruel killing intent hid behind his smile.

“Go ahead, Nicholas. Kill all those who refuse to submit. Show no mercy to these fools.”