The invitation arrived the next morning, delivered by a carriage made of obsidian and drawn by two flaming steeds.
The entire headquarters froze when the driver—a demon knight clad in gilded armor—announced:
"By decree of His Highness, Prince Kairoth, Director Rayan Arvale is summoned to the royal banquet."
The letter was sealed with molten gold, embossed with the royal crest of the Demon Realm. The wax pulsed faintly with demonic authority, as if daring me to try tearing it.
I held the letter with shaking hands.
"A banquet?" I muttered. "That sounds… civilized."
The Ledger flickered open.[ Scenario: Royal Banquet Invitation. ][ Warning: Refusal = Death. Attendance = Potential Death. ]
My knees buckled. "Of course."
The news spread like wildfire.
"Director Arvale is summoned by the prince himself!""It's unheard of! A human-looking demon, already rising to the royal stage!""They say the banquet is where alliances are forged… and enemies are made."
By noon, merchants delivered tailor-made suits to my office, each claiming theirs would best reflect my 'fearsome elegance.'
I had no idea how to wear any of them.
Grack stormed into my office, slamming his axe onto the table. "Director, we will accompany you. No banquet is safe."
Lira followed, arms folded, her cursed flames simmering faintly. "The royals play games within games. You'll need protection."
Darron wandered in last, yawning. "If there's food, I'm coming."
The staff chimed in next, offering advice on etiquette, gifts, and what gestures would mean offense. My head spun as they argued about whether bowing at a thirty-degree angle was humble or insulting.
Finally, I snapped. "Everyone, stop! I'm just going to eat and not die. That's it."
The room went silent.
Then someone whispered, "So humble… so cunning."
I wanted to cry.
That evening, the carriage rattled through the streets of Demon City. Crowds lined the roads, cheering and bowing as if I were already a high noble.
"Arvale! Arvale!""Bring glory to our Directorate!"
The flames from the steeds lit the night, casting my pale face in golden glow. To the demons watching, I looked regal. To myself, I looked like a condemned man on his way to execution.
The Ledger chimed.[ Reputation Bonus Active. ][ Current Perception: "Mysterious Overlord." ]
Great. Just great.
The royal palace loomed ahead, carved into the side of a colossal mountain of black stone. Towers pierced the sky, their tips crowned with eternal flames. Bridges of glowing crystal connected the spires, while statues of past Demon Kings guarded the gates.
I swallowed hard. "That's… bigger than five cities stacked together."
Grack grinned. "An honor, Director."Lira smirked. "A trap, Director."Darron yawned. "Big house."
The carriage rolled through the gates.
Inside, luxury beyond comprehension awaited.
Seven-star halls lined with carpets woven from enchanted silk. Chandeliers of crystallized souls bathed the room in eerie light. Demons of every shape and size gathered in finery, their laughter sharp, their words venom wrapped in honey.
Everywhere I looked, eyes turned to me.
Whispers slithered through the air.
"That's him.""The Director who humiliated Varis.""The one the prince acknowledged.""Is he truly a demon… or something else?"
I walked stiffly, trying not to trip over the cursed silk carpet.
The banquet hall opened like a dreamscape of nightmare opulence. A table stretched endlessly, covered with dishes that hissed, bled, or growled. Goblets brimmed with liquid fire. Thrones of obsidian lined the dais where the royals sat.
And in the center, watching me with golden eyes that seemed to pierce through flesh and soul, sat Prince Kairoth.
He lifted his goblet. "Welcome, Director Arvale."
Every demon in the hall turned to me, waiting for my response.
I forced my legs to move forward. I bowed awkwardly, muttering, "An honor, Your Highness."
Gasps rippled.
"So humble.""So calculating.""He hides his true strength even here."
The Ledger pulsed.[ Reputation Reinforced: "Unfathomable Strategist." ]
Inside, I screamed.
I was seated near the head of the table, far closer to the royals than any newcomer had a right to be. Every noble's glare burned holes into my back, dripping with envy and suspicion.
Food was served. Plates of writhing tentacle-meat, roasted beasts with too many eyes, soups that whispered secrets. I poked one dish and it hissed at me.
Grack tore into his meal happily. Lira ate with elegance that made nobles nod approvingly. Darron… fell asleep in his chair, snoring softly.
And yet, demons around us whispered:
"He is so confident, he allows his guard to rest.""A show of dominance. Brilliant."
I nearly choked on my wine.
Prince Kairoth leaned toward me. His smile was thin, sharp. "Tell me, Director Arvale… what do you truly seek in this realm?"
The hall went silent. Nobles leaned in, eager to hear my answer.
My brain blanked. What did I seek? To not die? To go home? To survive this nightmare?
The Ledger flickered desperately.[ Suggested Response: Cryptic Statement. Maintain Mystery. ]
I opened my mouth, praying words would save me.
The silence in the banquet hall pressed down like a mountain. Every noble, every guard, even the servants pouring wine seemed to hold their breath as they waited for my response.
Prince Kairoth's golden eyes glimmered, sharp as blades. "Tell me, Director Arvale… what do you truly seek in this realm?"
My palms were slick with sweat. My brain screamed: Don't say survival. Don't say money. Don't say food.
The Ledger pulsed.[ Suggested Response: Cryptic Statement. Maintain Mystery. ]
I swallowed. My lips moved before I knew what I was saying.
"What I seek…" I paused, letting the silence stretch. "…is balance."
The hall erupted in whispers.
"Balance?""He speaks of the ancient principle.""Does he mean between chaos and order?""No—between wealth and power!"
Some nobles nodded gravely, stroking their beards. Others leaned back, eyes narrowed in thought. I had no idea what they were talking about.
But then Prince Kairoth laughed, deep and booming. "Balance. How bold."
I forced a shaky smile. "Yes… bold."
The Ledger flickered.[ Reputation Increased. ][ Current Perception: "Visionary Philosopher." ]
Inside, I wanted to crawl under the table and vanish.
Wine flowed. Courses came and went. Each time someone asked me a question, I answered with vague nonsense, and every time they misinterpreted it as profound.
A noble leaned across the table. "Director Arvale, how do you view the war with the northern clans?"
My fork hovered. I wanted to say, War sounds scary. Please leave me out of it. But instead, I muttered, "Conflict breeds opportunity."
The noble gasped. "Opportunity! He dares to see beyond suffering, straight to growth!"
Applause rippled across the table.
The Ledger chimed.[ Current Perception: "Master of War Profits." ]
I stabbed my meat in despair.
At one point, a demon noblewoman with horns like ivory serpents leaned close. Her perfume was intoxicating, her smile sharp.
"Director Arvale, they say you toppled Varis without lifting a hand. Is it true?"
I froze. My mind screamed: No! I barely survived that fight!
But then I remembered the Ledger's trick. I leaned back, letting silence answer for me.
The woman's eyes widened. She whispered, "So mysterious… silence itself as a weapon."
The table shivered in awe.
The Ledger flashed.[ Current Perception: "Silent Executioner." ]
I nearly choked on my wine.
The banquet grew rowdy. Demons laughed, boasted, and subtly tried to probe me for weakness. Each time, my half-baked replies became legendary quotes.
Grack drank like a warlord, smashing goblets and roaring songs. Nobles cheered him on.Lira, graceful and aloof, charmed half the royals with her fiery wit.Darron snored through most of it, face buried in a platter.
And somehow… all of this made me look stronger.
"They fear nothing, not even offending the royals.""They eat and drink like kings already.""Such confidence is terrifying."
The Ledger chimed like it was laughing at me.
At last, Prince Kairoth rose, lifting his goblet. The hall fell silent again.
"Tonight, we welcome Director Rayan Arvale, a man whose vision of balance has shaken even this palace. May his Directorate thrive, and may his strength bring prosperity to the Demon Realm."
He raised his goblet toward me.
Hundreds of demons followed, their voices echoing: "To Director Arvale!"
I stood on trembling legs, raising my cup with them. My wine sloshed dangerously close to spilling.
"To… balance." I croaked.
Cheers thundered like war drums.
The banquet ended in roaring applause, and I was escorted back to my carriage. My legs gave out the moment I sat down.
Grack slapped my back hard enough to nearly shatter my spine. "Hahaha! Director, you conquered them all without a blade!"
Lira smirked, eyes glowing faintly. "You've just stepped into the game of kings, Rayan. Now there's no turning back."
Darron burped in his sleep.
I buried my face in my hands. "I just wanted to eat dinner…"
The Ledger's final notification for the night glowed before me.[ Event Complete: Royal Banquet. ][ Reward: +5000 Chaos Credits, +200 Soul Points. ][ New Title Acquired: "The Prince's Guest of Honor." ][ Warning: You are now a key player in the Royal Succession Struggle. ]
My stomach dropped. "Wait… what succession struggle?"
The Ledger flickered ominously.[ You'll find out soon. ]
And thus began a nightmare far worse than I imagined.