The small headquarters of Mizuhara Village was cloaked in the fading light of dusk, the sun having vanished behind the jagged mountains, leaving a chill in the air. Inside, the stone-walled room buzzed with a palpable tension that clung to every surface, the flickering iron chandeliers casting restless shadows across the polished oak table. Representatives from humans, elves, dwarves, and demi-humans sat in stunned silence, their faces a mix of shock and apprehension after Malverin's bombshell: the Demon King and Vampire King were already on their way to the conference. Guards stood rigid around the room, their spears gleaming, their eyes darting nervously as if expecting an unseen threat. The weight of history pressed down on the gathering, each breath heavy with the gravity of what was unfolding.
Malverin, the towering demon representative with dark skin, glowing red eyes, and menacing horns, leaned back in his chair, his voice calm but commanding. "Don't worry. Our kings don't intend to make any fuss. They actually want peace."
Calen, the elven representative from Sylvar, stood abruptly, his chair scraping backward with a harsh screech. His luminous emerald eyes widened, his silver hair catching the chandelier's light. "Are you serious? If they come here, we have to prepare many things—increase security, inform all the kings, arrange accommodations!"
Draven, the pale and elegant vampire representative, leaned back in his chair, his sharp features unyielding, his fangs just visible as he spoke. "Actually, we've already sent informers to all the races' kings. You have nothing to worry about."
Malverin interrupted, his deep voice cutting through the room. "We've also deployed our forces, even the vampire race, to assist with security. The costs will be covered by us. The only problem for you is accommodations, and if that's an issue, we can arrange that easily."
The representatives fell silent, their words caught in their throats as they processed the audacity of the offer. The air grew thicker, the chandeliers' flames seeming to flicker in rhythm with their racing pulses. Thorin, the stocky dwarven representative, finally broke the silence, his rugged face set in a scowl. "We don't have a problem, but our kings will be furious with frustration."
Draven's lips curled into a faint smile, his voice smooth. "That's no problem. Don't you think many will be interested? No one has seen our new kings since the monarchy changed. Think about it—all the top-ranking figures will be eager to see the Demon King and Vampire King."
He turned to Kaito, the head of Mizuhara Village, his gaze steady. "Can you arrange the accommodations?"
Kaito, his face a mix of nervousness and confusion, wiped sweat from his brow. "Yes, we can arrange accommodations. Additionally, we'll prepare space for them to rest."
Fenrir, the demi-human representative, leaned forward, his amber eyes glinting with curiosity, his bushy tail twitching. "When are they coming?"
Malverin's tone was professional, his glowing eyes unwavering. "Maybe the day after tomorrow morning, they will arrive. We'll get news regarding this and inform you some hours in advance."
Kaito stood, his voice steady despite the turmoil in the room. "Mr. Malverin, Mr. Draven, please come with me and take some rest. You've come from very far."
Malverin and Draven rose from their chairs, their powerful builds casting long shadows as Kaito guided them toward a temporary rest room. The remaining representatives sat in stunned silence, still struggling to process the whirlwind of events that had unfolded in mere minutes. One of Mizuhara's higher-ups, a grizzled man with weathered hands, spoke up, his voice trembling. "Is this real? Are the Vampire King and Demon King really coming? It feels like a dream."
Calen's eyes narrowed, his graceful frame tensing as he addressed the higher-ups and other villagers in the room. "Please, everyone, go outside."
One of the higher-ups hesitated, confusion creasing his brow. "Why do we need to go outside?"
Calen's lips curved into a smile, genuine but tinged with a terror that sent a chill through the room. "We representatives have to talk about many things regarding this."
The villagers and higher-ups, unnerved by Calen's expression, filed out of the room, their footsteps echoing in the tense silence. The door closed with a heavy thud, leaving only Calen, Thorin, Fenrir, and the other representatives. Calen's voice dropped, his tone sharp. "What do you all think about this? What are they planning?"
Fenrir placed his clawed hands on the table, resting his jaw on them, his eyes narrowing. "Maybe they're trying to start a war."
Sylvar, the human representative, leaned forward, his voice urgent. "We can issue immediate war preparations in case of an emergency and bring more troops."
Thorin interrupted, his gravelly voice rising with exasperation. "Are you serious? Do you think we have time to notify all the kingdoms? It's too far from here, and all the kings are arriving tomorrow, with the Demon King and Vampire King the day after!"
Fenrir leaned back in his chair, his tail still as he spoke. "They planned this very well. Only four days remain for the conference, and it will shake everything." He paused, his amber eyes glinting. "Let's see what future awaits us."
As the sun set completely, darkness enveloped Mizuhara Village, the stars emerging in a sky now devoid of light. Far across the continent Kaladrith, in the dense, shadowed forest , a royal carriage trundled through the night, surrounded by heavily armed guards. The cold breeze swept through the trees, carrying a biting chill that made the guards' armor clink softly. King Veltoz, the human king, sat inside with his wife, their young child asleep in a carrier at the back. Tetsuya, the head guard, scanned the forest with sharp eyes, his hand resting on his sword.
Suddenly, Tetsuya froze, spotting a figure approaching through the trees. "Everyone, ready!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the night. "Someone's coming! Protect the king!"
The figure moved slowly, cloaked in a black robe, a hood obscuring their face. As they drew closer, they uncovered their face, revealing dark skin, glowing red eyes, horns, and claws—a demon. Tetsuya whispered, "Demon," his voice low as panic rippled through the guards.
King Veltoz opened the carriage door, his voice booming. "What the hell are you all shouting about?" His eyes locked onto the approaching figure, and the guards surrounded the demon, their swords poised at his neck.
The demon remained unfazed, bowing deeply to Tetsuya and King Veltoz. "I am from the Demon Kingdom, formally here to deliver a letter from both the Vampire King and Demon King regarding the meeting."
Veltoz's brow furrowed, confusion etched on his face. At that moment, another figure emerged from behind the carriage, their aura oppressive, pressing the demon to the ground. "You say demon and vampire?" the figure demanded, their voice heavy with suspicion.
The demon, still pinned, spoke calmly. "I am only here to deliver the letter."
Veltoz took the letter, tearing open the seal with a flick of his wrist. As he read, his eyes widened, and a smile spread across his face, genuine and intrigued. "The Demon King and Vampire King are finally coming after a century for the conference."
He looked at the demon informer. "Did they send this letter to the other kings?"
The demon nodded, his voice calm despite the swords at his neck. "Yes, we did."
Veltoz's smile widened, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "This is going to be interesting."
Across the continent of Kaladrith , every king received a similar letter from demon informers, their reactions a mix of pure surprise and eager anticipation. In the distant continent of Agnirath, the Demon King and Vampire King prepared to depart with their armies, ready to attend a conference that would mark a historic moment—the first in a century where all six races would converge in Mizuhara Village.