The room was soon filled with nothing, though, without a key moment for something to spark it'd turn into the same.

Sebastian expected it, of course. Everyone did, and as such were the tensions present.

"I understand that people here hold grudges against one another. However, that isn't a reason to start arguing over the little things."

"The little things?" Asmem asked, putting their leg on the table, and then standing up in a rather strange fashion. "I'm rather awe-filled you're taking the cup, despite not being in the lead."

"Our lead is late. Therefore, I can assume his role until then."

"That's not what I mean. You're talking about the little things, and then you speak about the wrong matters. What would you like to start with then, leader?"

Sebastian breathed out, readying a word before a cough halted any sentence from coming out of his mouth.

The monarch of Fort Apharel watched curiously, as some ink was spilt on the paper below him. Patrick turned to his father, who turned to him, with the former looking away with scorn. Still, he only closed his eyes and sat back down, as if giving up.

"Father." Bartholomew put his hands in his direction before Sebastian shook his head.

"Then, guess you're not too fit," Asmem muttered, before jumping off their chair and walking on the round table, stepping over the name they wrote down and knocking the glass of nova over the woman sitting next to him, the leader of a group of villages in Harabara, Ayasa Urbi.

One scoff from her didn't matter though, as it was Asmem taking the lead. No one dared to oppose them.

"How about letting the people guess what words were to be spouted, huh? Anything Demonear-related?" they turned around, stretching their arms out. "I know there's lots to be said about that area in particular. Even your cheap Paladian paper reached the depths of Malikan. Turpin over there wasn't joyous about the same words."

As Asmem's finger pointed, the man in question glanced back and forth, rather awkwardly. Turpin Bravenfort only assumed the role of the leader of Hakh-Nivena, and since the town was split into two factions regarding their stance on Demonear, he only shook his head and gulped.

"There's no Axel to argue over that. Bah, even Bancho's not here to convince him. I'll also let you guess what the Tributal stance is on that matter." they grinned, chuckling. "Hell no."

"If I may." Eryk raised himself off the crutch. "The Tributals from Malikan aren't the only ones representative of your opinion."

"You dare to speak up here?"

"I dare." he ground his teeth. "Demonears solve problems your hand couldn't even reach."

"If you let demon vermin take control of all your business it only means that trouble is bound to brew. Do you know who wears the crown if we proceed?"

"Crown or not-" Ayasa raised her voice. "We must focus on the correct battle as of now."

"The announcement, Asmem." Sebastian raised his head. "We're not talking about any other leaders. Sit down now, won't you?"

"Khehe." Asmem shook their head, before jumping off the table and unfolding the paper they stepped over beforehand.

Sebastian slowly dared to stand again, before glancing back and forth around the room.

"I have to understand where your disdain comes from, Monarch," he uttered. "It's true, to some extent, especially after the various fiascos of last year in Gorro. Anyone could say that Bancho's death set us back years. Though, in the very end, didn't that small group back then prove something to any of you?" he asked. "It's because of Demonears that Saphrith stands to this day. It's why Magna, in the end, managed to rise again and continue striving."

Sebastian coughed, as Eryk nodded, lightly.

"We have someone to thank for creating this new generation. Although Master Quanzi isn't here today, I'm sure if he or any other figure proving your point about Demonears in power was present, we'd have to take a different approach."

With one nod, his eyes drifted over to Patrick and Bartholomew, who sat at the edge of their chairs. It was either impatience over the slower words or thinking over the little things, once more. After all, it was half of them waiting for the throne, and people glimpsed over a few times.

"I can't say otherwise," Mako added, standing up, as Sebastian sat down in accordance. With a tap of the nova glass, he turned to the others. "From personal experience, we have various reasons for Wendigo's safety."

"Alcohol." some other mayor commented, with Mako putting his hand on his forehead and breathing out. "The stench deters them."

"Even if that may be true, there were cases where I could argue for both. Demonears carrying weapons which saved a few drunken folks wandering outside the premises and then again, another that forced some slaughter a couple months ago."

"Some slaughter?" Asmem chuckled. "You're undermining the death of those six Morians at the hands of a rogue Demonear. What was his name again? Did you even bother checking that one out?"

"What I'm trying to say is Monarch-" he turned over, putting both hands on the table. "Even though I hate to be on your side, Demonears can be both sides of the coin. You can't deny that, King Sebastian."

"How come have I not heard of the slaughtering?" Eryk turned to Mako, a few seats away. "You tried covering that up, didn't you?"

"The consensus was that a demon stole a Guardian Demon," Florian added, tapping his finger against the few papers in his hand. "Last investigation spoke of an inhuman presence in the area."

"Who are you to say that?" Asmem continued, shaking their head.

"I'll have you know, Monarch. I take my investigative job very seriously. I doubt you're here for the actual purpose of the levelling."

"Good point there." they continued. "If it's all Demonear business then why don't we just call it off and raise our hands hoping they fix everything?"

"They can't fix everything. There's always light in the darkness." Magdalene continued. "Part of the reason why I refused to join some tomfoolery."

"You." Asmem pointed, clicking their fingers. "What's your stance, if that brother of yours supposedly takes things very seriously?"

Magdalene adjusted her glasses, and Florian shuffled around. "My work doesn't concern Demonear business, but rather, ensuring that certain laws don't cross over too many barriers. It was my father's request as well since Judge Prune didn't seem to understand which step he rested on."

"I'm assuming that Prune isn't present today?" an older woman asked, folding her arms.

"He's not a figure which would've been concerned with the levelling," Florian added.

"Well then, at least the two of you have something to speak of when it comes to a reason for your appearance. The two other sons only seemed to be flaunting around with a pout on their faces." Asmem shook his head. "The free seat also speaks. Then again, I assume there must be an even bigger reason why Sebastian didn't assume the throne."

"Asmem. That's enough." Sebastian uttered, after a quick cough.

"Killed for being rational. Back to what Mako here said, I heard the attacker was a Demonear Haran. Not to point fingers, though, I'm sure you understand."

"Kania wouldn't kill someone." Patrick butted in. "Even if he tried."

Bart quickly turned to the brother, with Patrick wiping sweat off his forehead.

"So don't imply that."

Some silence filled the room. Asmem leaned back in their chair with the same grin, while Sebastian rolled his eyes again, breathing out.

"Does anyone else want to add anything to what mayor Mako said?"

Turpin raised his hand, unsurely tapping on the glass and raising himself.

"A-Axel's been missing for far too long. It was usually a letter at least twice a month, but it's been two seasons since we received anything else." he glanced over at the Tributal, who constantly eyed him. "I know I'm no real leader to speak, but I agree with Mako's point. It's good and bad, but I can't help but lean towards the former. I still remember the night those demons attacked us, supposedly only disguised as the Kabun Clan. We lived for years thinking that Saint Axel was fighting the demons in his solitude. Then again, I can't help but see the poked holes. Are we supposed to suddenly believe that it was all a ruse the second we heard the news? The people fought for the right opinion." he glanced back and forth. "No other town in the Mainland accepts half-demons to the same degree we're forced to."

"Forced to?" Inigius added, raising a brow. "A population can't just be the pure humans. Ya always have a few those who differ, but not everybody's of a bad heart."

"Not a good heart either." Turpin gulped. "If Master Quanzi was here, I could've asked him if there was anything in his power he could do to possibly restore some peace, since Hakh-Nivena, despite the news, is still living in tension. Is Demonear business all that can be taken care of? Do we, as a nation, have to accept the wrongs, because the world forced them to be like this?"

"Ah, Turpin, buddy, don't kill me here!" Inigius stood up, as gazes averted to him. "Yer half-Mirillian yourself, I mean, this damn palace could've been something of yer brethren! Saying ya can't speak, but then ya spout the worst ya can."

"Talking about people who wouldn't rather make their point." Linno finally added, after a quick breath. "Didn't the Star Sun Cave expedition end in a complete disaster because of your incompetence, Sir?"

"Don't even call me Sir, Linno!" he waved his hand around.

Linno tapped the glass and then stood up.

"Think about it. You sent out a demon disguised as one of your townspeople, which allowed the armies to track the troupe, eventually resulting in Bancho's death."

"I told ya, Linno. I never sent Pollimer with them. I had suspicions about the man, and I don't even remember seeing the troupe with my own eyes back then."

"Then, it speaks even more volumes. It's because of demons that everything spiralled because you let it happen. The Demonears weren't keen enough to seek the problem beforehand. We wouldn't have to have a reason for this levelling to be about them. If they were quick enough, the small bunch could've eliminated Shi Hon. Though, I guess everyone makes mistakes."

Inigius ground his teeth, before sitting back down.

"Inigius Smugbeard. You pride yourself in Soban never really changing, but then again, didn't Turpin make a great point against your argument? Maybe it is time to consider where you made that mistake." Linno turned forth. "King Sebastian. I'm in no way against Demonears, especially nowadays. Though, is this the right time for things to take place?"

"Who else are we supposed to rely on?" Eryk peeked his head out, quite annoyed. "There's no Bancho to make the final decision, or Axel to take his place. As far as we're concerned, they're their sphere. Why would you ever want to intervene when you saw them help the world? Of course, demons take some, but we have to take them first!"

"Khehehe." Asmem laughed again. "Your words are as full of lies as your stomach."

"Excuse me?" Eryk smashed his hand against the table.

"The hunter doctrine was of some calling." The mayor of Windsdale, Ciel Baron, added, putting his chin on his clasped hands. "Back when we fought against them in my town, there was one conclusion amongst the masses."

"Great you took my point." Asmem shrugged. "They wreak havoc wherever they appear, and always were, always will be. Be honest, do you want to sacrifice all of that just for a chance they'd make things right?"

"What other solution do you propose, Monarch?" Eryk continued.

"Leave it to fate." Another man spoke up, placed next to Ciel and a few seats away from Asmem. "If we already adapted to living with the demons, if it wasn't even as ridiculous to propose an attack on Shi Hon, how would we be able to handle change?"

"Yer backtrackin' now!" Inigius pointed.

"Thousands of things are built upon the lives we lived," Turpin added. "I mean, change the things we can change."

A drop of sweat rolled down Linno's face. Turpin quickly scribbled something down on the paper, before standing back up again.

"That's my proposition, at the very least." he turned to Asmem again, before staring at Sebastian. "Don't let them attack Shi Hon if it means his wrath will affect everyone present." he gulped again. "Though, leave space for change."

"Do you want to live your whole miserable life in the fear of demons?!" Eryk raised his voice.

"If it means peace, in the very end-" Turpin continued.

"It will never be peace. Just because it doesn't concern you, it doesn't mean that-"

All of a sudden, the bell rang again. Linno was the first to turn his head, among some of the guilt that rested in the words spouted.