Inside the quiet hall, Katherine spoke while facing Queen Jezebel.
"Is it wise to let the demons fight alone and take all the benefits?"
Katherine had long black hair that flowed down her back. Her skin was pale and smooth, and her light blue eyes carried a thoughtful look. Her lips were painted with soft pink lipstick, and her figure was tall, nearly the same height as Queen Jezebel.
Queen Jezebel's lips slowly curved into a faint smile.
"So what if they get all the spoils?" she replied calmly.
"We merfolk control the entire Blue Sea. In truth, it would be better if they all died."
Katherine blinked in surprise but remained silent as the queen continued.
"Whether they win or lose, we merfolk will not lose in this gamble. Those humans are not ordinary. They are elites."
Jezebel leaned slightly back in her chair, her eyes calm and calculating.
"My plan is simple. I only want to reduce the demons' strength and their numbers. Over the years they have grown far stronger than we ever imagined. Especially that demon, Undin."
Her expression hardened slightly.
"He managed to cultivate to Rank 8. If we did not have three Rank 8 immortals among our own forces, they would have rebelled against us already. And if that happened, they would likely win."
Katherine listened in silence.
"Undin alone fought against two of our Rank 8 immortals and he still has the upper hand," Queen Jezebel continued. "If Aquarion had not joined the battle at the last moment, we would have lost a rank 8 immortal."
Katherine stared at the queen in shock, her mouth slightly open in disbelief.
After a moment she slowly closed her mouth and let out a long sigh.
"You truly are a genius," she said quietly. "Such a scheme… all for the benefit of the merfolk. Even I would never have thought of something like that."
North of Blue Earth Sea.
Inside a large living room, only high-ranking demons were present. The room was quiet and tense. Around the central table sat several Rank 7 immortals, while at the head of the room sat a single Rank 8 immortal.
He sat cross-legged on the main seat near the table.
Two horns rose from his head, marking his identity clearly as a demon. His appearance was otherwise ordinary, but his body was large and muscular. His dark skin and powerful frame made his presence difficult to ignore.
This demon was Undin.
The other demons sat on chairs arranged around the table, each one carrying the aura of a rank 7 Feral Soul immortal.
Undin let out a low snicker.
"Since the first demons appeared in this world, the mermaids have been suppressing us," he said slowly. "And now they plan to send us to our deaths."
His gaze swept across the entire room.
"What do you think we should do in this situation?"
His eyes eventually stopped on a demon sitting in at the right side seat close to him.
Lucifer a rank 7 immortal. He sat calmly in his chair, close to the corner wall, his posture relaxed.
A faint smile appeared on Lucifer's face.
"I have a plan," he said. "But this plan will require some sacrifice."
Before he could continue, Sirena a female Rank 7 immortal demon who has a beautiful appearance second only to Lucifer immediately interrupted him.
"We already have very few immortals," Sirena said angrily. "Our entire race is small compared to the merfolk population, and you still want to reduce our numbers? You are no different from the merfolk."
Several demons around the room nodded in agreement.
Murmurs quickly spread.
"He might be a spy for the mermaids."
"Lucifer doesn't care about his own people."
"I know he is the type who would slaughter or lead his own kinsmen to death."
"He has no loyalty to our people."
Voices of suspicion filled the room.
Throughout the chaos, Senryanku remained completely expressionless.
He calmly picked up a cup from the table and poured himself some wine. Raising the cup to his lips, he took a slow sip before placing it back down.
Only then did he speak.
"You cowards can shout all you want," Senryanku said calmly.
"But I want to hear what Lucifer has to say."
The room fell silent.
Lucifer shifted his gaze from Senryanku to Undin.
Undin met his eyes for a moment before speaking calmly.
"I would also like Lucifer to continue."
Lucifer's faint smile remained on his face.
"This is a prime opportunity for the demons," he said.
One of the demons scoffed loudly.
"An opportunity?"
Lucifer continued as if he had not heard the interruption.
"I suggest that we attack the humans but avoid the ship where the Rank 8 immortal is located. We focus on the weaker vessels. Once we gather enough resources, we withdraw and head toward Europe."
Undin clenched his fist slightly.
"Europe is far worse than the current threat of the mermaids and Britannia," he said. "Wouldn't that be like sheep running into a lion's den?"
Senryanku suddenly smiled.
"Brilliant plan," he said calmly.
"Europe is vast. There must be many places where we can hide and build a home. Or, if the opportunity appears, we could simply conquer one of the countries and claim it for ourselves."
Siren. A demon who has an average appearance with horns on his head like other demons. He was sitting close to Sirena.
"Wouldn't that cause a war with Europe?" Siren asked.
Trion smiled faintly and replied in a soft tone.
"Senryanku is only making a suggestion, Siren. If you don't have a better plan for this matter, then keep quiet. Stop complaining. You are not a child."
Siren frowned slightly and turned his face away in arrogance, choosing not to respond further.
Lucifer had an exceptionally beautiful appearance, the kind that could surpass countless girls among both mermaids and demons. His skin was white, smooth, and flawless, giving him a refined and almost delicate look.
His dark eyes carried a deep coldness, calm and distant, as if he were always observing everything from afar. He was tall, with an average but well-balanced build that gave him a quiet sense of elegance rather than brute strength.
His long black hair flowed down his back, reaching all the way to his waist. The strands were straight and well kept, moving slightly whenever he shifted.
He wore a simple black garment that hung loosely over his body, its dark color making his pale skin stand out even more. The clothing was plain but neat, giving him the appearance of someone who preferred calm composure over outward display.
Despite the noise and accusations in the room, Lucifer remained completely relaxed, his faint smile unchanged as he prepared to speak.
He spoke calmly.
"Animals perish in their hunt for food, while humans perish in their pursuit of benefits. Animals risk their lives for food, and in the same way humans take risks for benefits. Without risk, there will be no gain and no good results."
After Lucifer finished speaking, the room fell completely silent. No one spoke, and the only sound was the quiet breathing of the demons present.
Lucifer continued.
"I suggest we attack the humans now, before the merfolk send someone to remind us."
One by one, the demons nodded in agreement.
Only Siren remained unconvinced.
He frowned and spoke again.
"Why don't we head straight to Europe instead?"
Then he turned toward Undin.
"Supreme Lord, please consider my suggestion."
Undin's expression turned serious as he looked around the room.
"Everyone go put the mortals and rank 6 immortals in your Spirit Land," he said firmly. "We will go along with Lucifer's plan."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"In this operation, Lucifer will be in charge. Anyone who dares to leave before Lucifer gives the signal will be executed. His corpse will be fed to that dragon."
"Subarashi."
Siren's body trembled.
Even though no name had been mentioned, Siren clearly understood that Undin was referring to him.
In a frightened tone he spoke again.
"Supreme Lord, please reconsider my suggestion. Wouldn't we be able to avoid casualties if we left now?"
Siren's face showed confusion and fear.
Undin replied calmly.
"If we try to escape without facing the humans, the mermaids and mermen will be the first to attack us. When that happens, the humans will join them."
He looked directly at Siren.
"There is a very high possibility that our entire race would be exterminated, your plans are filled with flaws."