In a dark, gothic room filled with various demonic statues and arge organ, a young girl who seemed no older than sixteen with long ck hair in pigtails wearing an equally dark purple dress was practising her piano skills. Her name is Carmi, and this ce was the Throne of Demons.


    A ce where the demons of various races gathered once a month to discuss things that have happened recently.


    Carmi looked young and weak, but her figure was a trick, designed to seal her power that would devour and suck dry everyone in the throne room, the most powerful of all demon kings in Avalon and the closest to the pinnacle of demon emperor.


    She stopped momentarily and noticed that the candles were dying out.


    "Everyone is here... Except for the newest member and that Oni girl, though rumours that she is pregnant have reached my ears. Let''s forgive them, as the new member probably hasn''t received his weing notice yet."


    "I wonder what a Demon with the bloodlines of both Angels and Dragons will be like..." The small girl smiled curiously as she tilted her head, letting her long ck pigtails brush along the floor.


    At that moment, the doors swung open, revealing a muscr man with ck wings and horns on his head and three eyes.


    A cloak covered his lower body, while his upper body only had some bandages wrapped around him. He walked down the red carpet and towards the empty seat next to Carmi; he was the second oldest named Mchite, an old-fashioned demon.


    His entrance seemed to spell the entrance of all the other sixteen Demon Kings.


    Soon, sixteen thrones lined up and in each one, apart from the two absent seats, sat a unique-looking Demon King with their quirks and abilities. Some looked like humans, while others were more beastly in nature.


    Mchite turned to Carmi and gave a polite smile. "Littlessie, how are you?"


    "Hmph! I''m not a kid anymore!" The little girl said in anger. "But I am fine, do you like my song? I made it just for today, hehe."


    "Ho-Ho-Ho... this old mind finds it pleasant, the melody as if going into battle, fighting a valiant hero and crushing his skull before hispanions!" Mchiteughed gruffly as his three eyes started to shine.


    Carmi giggled. "You''re too much!" She then turned serious. "Everyone, wee back to the monthly gathering of the Demon Kings! This time, we have a new member who has ascended to join us, but there seems to be an issue with his invitation, so let us hope he doesn''t disappoint next month."


    "Ha-ha, there is no way! His lineage is probably weak, and he must be short-lived!" A demon with a snake-like body hissed, mocking the newbie.


    "True, thest ascended died after living for only 200 years! Pathetic!" Another demon with six arms and six legsughed.


    "Now, now, we should respect our fellow kin. I smell great things in the future..." Carmi shook her head with a smile before turning to Mchite. "Do you know anything about the newbie? You always seem to find things out earlier than any of us."


    "Ho-ho-ho... this new demon... he carries the scent of those divine bastards... the tiresome flying lizards who always defy us... and we have heard his name before... The Dancing de of the East...


    The one reported by Eastlin.


    "It cannot be!?" Eastlin shouted... his face turning pale white. "That brat!? That wretched child!?"


    Eastlin was a humanoid demon with bright red skin and six arms, known as a great warrior. However, even he felt irritation when hearing the Dancing de of the East title.


    "What is wrong, Eastlin?" Carmi asked curiously.


    "T-that brat... The Sword Dancer has killed two of my captains, and I have already sent Sargosa to crush him with enough force to crush him easily!" Eastlin clenched his fists tightly. "He is nothing special, merely a human with talent!"


    "Sargosa? When was this?" Carmi asked curiously.


    "About a month ago..." Eastlin replied through gritted teeth.


    The room fell silent at these words; they knew Sargosa should have returned by now.


    "Hoho... this is interesting..." Mchite smiled. "Our newest member killing Sargosa would be quite impressive..."


    Carmi frowned. "This is a problem... we should send a messenger..."


    "Why? Sargosa will crush the newly ascended, and everything will be alright!" Eastlin shouted before Carmi left her seat, each step she made almost floating through the air before arriving before the huge demon with an unimpressed face...


    "That man defeated Valek''todo and his necromancy, and the kingdom is now owned by the newly risen demon king''s wife. A high fairy." Carmi narrowed her eyes dangerously. "If Sargosa fails, he will cause issues..."


    Eastlin gulped as he stared at the little girl''s beautiful face. "I-I apologise... I will send someone to check... please return to your seat..."


    Carmi nodded with a smile as she floated back to her seat, her cute, childish appearance making many of the males present bored, but those who knew her true form were all but smitten with her... loyal, devoted simps.


    However, Eastlin was not a big shot... he was a relegated Demon King in the Far East... his eyes narrowed as he looked at her back before whispering. "I will crush the bastard, and nobody will stop me."


    There was no chance of him ever pulling back Sargosa... in fact, the Eastern Demon King Eastlin nned to send even more forces.


    He would crush Camelot!


    ****


    Meanwhile, in the empire, Lancelot was in a carriage; after meeting Merlin briefly, he was taken to the south...


    To meet the Baron Lovell. Regarding their marriage and because the first round of the global tournament would take ce in a city close to where Maria''s family resided.


    Merlin had exined to Lancelot that Maria''s family was quite wealthy and had strong ties to the imperial army... so he needed to impress them; also, due to him being of Celtica descent, they would surely make it difficult for him, even though he already made Maria a Queen in Avalon.


    Lancelot found himself travelling with Maria and Sumika for five days to arrive near the Lovell estate... however, he soon discovered that the Lovell Estate was not just a simple manor or house...


    It was a vastnd surrounded by tall walls; beyond the walls were hills of vineyards and crops.


    After entering through the gates, Lancelot saw farmhands working hard, and many guards were protecting the area, but even the guards were kind... helping the farmers when they struggled with the huge loads—or picking up equipment for themselves.


    ''It''s clear the Baron isn''t a bad man...''


    Soon, the carriage arrived at the manor, which looked simr to what he expected, except it had a few extra buildings nearby... it seemed to be a massive trading hub with carriages constantly moving goods, workers running around, and knights patrolling.


    When they entered the main courtyard, Lancelot was stunned... hundreds of maids and butlers lined up and bowed towards Lancelot... greeting Maria loudly.


    He realised that Maria was loved dearly by the territory, people and her family. At first, he wondered if there was some kind of abuse, but seeing this, he realised abuse or a bad father meant he was just over the top... Lancelot could feel the affection towards her from the greetings and wide smiles...


    ''Wow... this is crazy!'' Lancelot thought as he stepped out of the carriage behind Maria and Sumika, the former holding onto thetter.


    Suddenly, a giant of a man approached them, his beard thick and his muscles bulging out of his clothing...


    "Maria, my beloved daughter, how have you been!?"


    "Papa! You are too much!" Maria cried out happily as she ran forward and jumped into her father''s embrace... Lancelot was shocked as he watched Maria''s personality change instantly...


    ''So, she is daddy''s little princess, huh?''


    No... before she hugged him, her body shot out with a spinning kick!?


    WHAM!


    Baron Lovell went flying?! Lancelot stood still in shock... did Maria seriously attack her father?


    "Papa! How dare you try to make me leave Lancelot! And this embarrassing greeting, what if he thinks I am a spoilt princess!!" Maria huffed as she crossed her arms and ignored theughing man on the ground.


    Baron Lovell got up and roared withughter. "Come on, darling, I am your father, and it is natural for fathers to adore their daughters!"


    Maria stomped her feet angrily as she red at her father... Lancelot sighed in relief; it seemed Maria had kicked him as a joke.


    ''Jeez... they are alike...'' Lancelot sighed... watching the scene with Sumika beside him...


    Sumika leaned towards Lancelot and whispered. "Lady Mariaes across so cold to strangers, but she is very strong, loving and caring towards her friends and family."


    Her father stood up, impervious to the damage from Maria''s kick, as she tried to punch his chest, his huge hand ced on her head, keeping her too far to hit him, as he looked at Lancelot with stern eyes.


    "So, you are the handsome stud that knocked my little girl up?"


    BANG!


    A beautiful and mature woman''s feet suddenly smashed into the back of the Baron''s head; instantly his eyes became dim as she shot into the distant stone walls... As the womannded with an elegant pose, Maria called out to her in a delighted voice.


    "Mama!"