At the very center of the castle stood the Grand Meeting Hall.
Inside the hall, many important figures had already gathered. Elders, city lords, and powerful cultivators were seated in orderly rows, waiting silently.
This was the only place inside the castle where the demons were allowed to enter.
Outside the hall, the guards remained alert.
Inside, the meeting was about to begin.
Senryanku entered the hall and quietly joined the meeting. Without drawing attention to himself, he walked to the far end of the long table and took a seat.
The table stretched across the center of the hall and was filled with many kinds of food. Plates of fresh fish, sea foods, fruits, roasted meat, bread, and bowls of different dishes were arranged neatly along its length. Silver cups and polished plates reflected the light that entered through the high windows of the hall.
On the right side of the table sat the merfolks. They were all in their human forms, dressed in elegant clothing that matched the colors of the sea. Their expressions were calm but attentive as they waited for the meeting to begin.
On the left side sat the demons. Their appearances varied, but each one carried a quiet sense of authority and strength. Some sat silently observing the room, while others glanced occasionally toward the opposite side of the table. At the head chair of the long table, a young mermaid gracefully walked from behind the chairs and took her seat. Her movements were fluid, each step measured as if in rhythm with the silent currents of the hall.
She was beautiful. Her eyes were like dark blue pearls, calm and deep. Her long dark blue eyebrows gave her a dignified appearance, her eyelashes carried the same shade and her lips were pink. Her skin was pure white and smooth, almost glowing under the light of the hall.
She wore a short dark blue gown that reached her knees. Around her neck was a necklace made of sparkling silver pearls that rested gently against her chest, she also wore a sliver earnings.
Both of her hands rested calmly on the table as she sat upright in her chair, quietly observing everyone in the hall. Her presence alone made it clear that she held the highest authority among the mermaids gathered in the room.
She was none other than the Mermaid Sea Goddess, Queen Jezebel of the Blue Sea. Her presence commanded the hall without a single word. Every mermaid and demon in attendance instinctively straightened in their seats, their gazes respectful yet alert.
Her dark blue eyes scanned the table calmly, taking in every detail, every expression, and every subtle movement of those present. The faint clinking of silverware and the soft murmur of conversation seemed to pause in her presence.
The long table stretched before her like a river of polished wood, filled with carefully prepared dishes plates of fresh fish, bowls of fruits that shimmered under the hall's light, and delicate pastries baked with precision.
Merfolks on the right side of the table mirrored her poise, their attire flowing in various shades of blue and green, resembling the gentle waves of the ocean. They whispered among themselves occasionally, their soft voices blending into the quiet rhythm of the hall.
On the left side, the demons maintained a controlled presence. Some shifted slightly in their seats, aware that their power was secondary in this place of diplomacy. Even so, their expressions were unreadable, the calm menace in their posture a subtle reminder that strength and influence existed on multiple planes.
Queen Jezebel rested her hands lightly on the table, her fingers adorned with rings of silver and sapphire. Though her movements were minimal, they carried elegance and authority. Her gaze finally rested on Senryanku, who had taken a seat at the far end. Even across the table, she acknowledged his presence with a quiet nod, an unspoken recognition of his reputation.
The air in the hall felt heavier now as the meeting was about to begin.
Queen Jezebel: "You are all called here to discuss how we will deal with the human ships passing through our waters. Some of you are already aware, but I will explain the details regardless. According to our investigation, there are forty-four ships in total, bearing six different flags. About a month ago, we obtained information from one of our prisoners: Britain has split into six countries."
A merman sitting at the sixth chair from the head of the table jerked in shock. His eyes widened, his mouth gaping open. "So… you mean the split countries of Britain have allied to deal with us?" His voice trembled, tinged with fear and despair.
Queen Jezebel's gaze remained steady. "That is not all. There are ten Rank 6 immortals, three Rank 7 immortals, one Rank 8 immortal, and more than a hundred Feral Soul masters. There are also..."
Before she could finish, the hall erupted into chaos. Whispers and exclamations filled the air, and even those who tried to maintain composure could no longer hide their panic. Words spilled out in fragmented, panicked tones:
"What?!"
"How could this be?!"
"There must be a traitor among us!"
"Are they trying to exterminate us all?!"
"We shouldn't have troubled humans in the first place…"
Regret and fear rippled through the assembly like waves across water.
Amidst the uproar, Senryanku remained perfectly still, expressionless. He reached for a wine glass on the table, poured himself a generous mouthful, and drank calmly, entirely unaffected by the panic around him.
The uproar continued for several tense moments, voices overlapping, accusations flying across the long hall. Queen Jezebel raised her hand, her delicate fingers demanding attention.
Silence!" Her voice cut through the chaos like a wave crashing against jagged rocks. The hall froze. Every mermaid and demon turned to her, some with wide eyes, others with furrowed brows. Even the most vocal skeptics dared not speak.
"Let me make this clear," she said, her tone sharp but controlled. "Panic will not save us. Worry will not protect us. We are the rulers of these waters and these lands. The humans may have allied, but that does not mean victory is theirs by default. We are not powerless."
"We have a total of one hundred merfolk Rank 6 immortals, thirty demon Rank 6 immortals, twenty merfolk Rank 7 immortals, nine demon Rank 7 immortals, and three Rank 8 merfolk immortal with one demon Rank 8 immortal," Queen Jezebel announced. Her voice carried across the long hall, firm and authoritative. "We have strength in both quantity and quality. There is no need to be afraid."
The merfolk sighed in relief, their shoulders relaxing slightly as hope crept back into their expressions.
The demons, however, their faces twisted into the kind of grim, ugly expressions that spoke of deep-seated resentment the expression of those who are constantly suppressed, oppressed and bullied but dared not speak it aloud.
Queen Jezebel's gaze swept across the room, sharp and unyielding. "That being said, this does not mean you should underestimate the humans. Every one of these immortals are elite in their rank, renowned across the lands. They are dangerous, skilled, and not to be taken lightly."
A ripple of worry spread through the merfolk once more. One of the younger mermen, his voice quivering slightly. He said. "Your Majesty… what do you suggest we do?"
Queen Jezebel's eyes glimmered like dark pearls under the light. She leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on the table. "The demon will act as the vanguard to test their abilities and powers. If they are not strong enough to defeat the humans, we merfolk will back them up. As for the battle spoils, if the demons succeed without our aid, all spoils shall be theirs."
A demon rose from his seat, ready to speak, but Queen Jezebel's subtle wave of her hand stopped him in his tracks. He returned quietly to his chair, and no one else dared to question her strategy.
With the matter settled, everyone in the hall nodded respectfully, offering greetings before leaving.
Soon, the grand hall was empty except for two mermaids: Queen Jezebel, still poised at the head of the table, and the one seated at her right-hand side was Katherine. Both were Rank 7 Feral Soul immortals. The only difference between thier two was Jezebel mother was the previous queen of the merfolks and ruler of the Blue Sea.