3~6

The war council room had been meticulously cleaned, the only evidence of the previous day’s transgression being a lingering, musky scent that clung to the air. Julian, clad in a silken robe, sat at the head of the table, reviewing reports with a detached air. He appeared the very picture of regal composure, a stark contrast to the unrestrained passion he'd displayed just hours before. However, a subtle flush colored his cheeks, and a flicker of anticipation danced in his eyes.

Julian lifted the delicate porcelain cup, the pale liquid within swirling gently. It was rice wine, a favored drink, subtly sweet and calming. He took a long sip, savoring the taste before pursing his lips.

The doors to the war room opened, allowing entry to a woman in a white gown. Platinum blond hair tumbled over her shoulders as her blackened - red pupiled eyes stared off into the empty war room. Her gaze unsettlingly came to rest upon Julian, then the other empty seats as if searching for other important figures.

"Excuse my impudence, but where is m'lady? Or any of the generals that were in charge?"

The woman asked calmly, resting her hands over her lower abdomen. Her words were blunt and to the point.

"I have important matters to discuss."

Julian’s gaze flickered up from the reports, his green eyes narrowing as he assessed the newcomer. The woman’s presence was striking, her platinum hair and unusual eyes demanding attention. He noted the subtle tension in her posture, the way her hands rested protectively over her pelvis. A faint smirk touched his lips as he registered her blunt tone and pointed question.

“M’lady, as you call her, is… busy.”

Julian replied, his voice smooth and carefully measured. He deliberately avoided any specifics, offering a veiled response that left much to the imagination.

“As for the generals, they have been dealt with. They were weak to begin with after all, proven to be inadequate for their roles.”

He gestured towards the empty seats around the table with a dismissive wave of his hand.

The woman’s blackened eyes narrowed, her gaze fixed on Julian with an intensity that could melt steel. She didn’t react to his dismissive tone, nor did she press for details about the missing generals. Instead, she remained perfectly still, her body radiating an aura of quiet power.

"I suggest you alert m'lady Lilith to come here in their place then. I have an urgency to discuss, and it involves our realms as a whole."

The demon calmly stated, letting the door close behind herself. Her gaze now fixated solely on Julian. Her cold stare incinuated she was judging him in silence.

Julian’s smirk widened, a flicker of amusement dancing in his green eyes. He leaned back in his chair, studying the demon with a calculating gaze. Her insistence on Lilith’s presence was… intriguing. It suggested the matter was of significant importance, one that even he, as king consort, couldn’t fully address. He also sensed a subtle challenge in her demeanor, a veiled accusation that he was deliberately withholding information.

“Very well.”

Julian conceded, his voice laced with a hint of challenge. He snapped his fingers, and a shadowy figure materialized in the corner of the room.

“Summon Lilith. Tell her it is a matter of utmost urgency, requiring her immediate attention.”

The shadowy figure bowed deeply and vanished as quickly as it appeared. A moment of silence descended upon the war room, broken only by the faint crackling of magical energy. Julian returned his attention to the demon, his eyes scrutinizing her every movement. He steepled his fingers, resting his chin upon them, a gesture of calculated observation.

The woman stepped forward to the table, her hands spaced, slender fingers tapping something only visible to her. Ornate crystals on the table began to light up, one after the other in front of each seat.

"Lord Wolflace, how connected are you still with the Overworld?"

She asked, merely curious.

Julian’s eyes followed the woman’s movements with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. The sudden illumination of the crystals was unexpected, a display of power that caught him off guard. He observed the intricate patterns forming on the table, recognizing them as complex magical diagrams. He leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued.

“Connected?”

Julian echoed, his voice laced with amusement.

“More than you might think. Though my duties lie primarily here, in the underworld, I maintain a… vested interest in the affairs of the overworld now.”

He paused, a subtle smirk playing on his lips.

“After all, I am still considered a Duke there, a rather prominent one at that.”

He tapped a finger against the table, his gaze locking with the demon’s.

“Why do you ask?”

"Are you aware of the time differences between these two realms?"

She asked again, evading his question for only a moment. She desired to see just how much Lady Lilith told him before making him King.

Julian’s expression shifted, his amusement fading as he registered the subtle shift in the woman’s questioning. Her evasion of his inquiry, coupled with her focus on the time differences between realms, suggested she was probing for information. He narrowed his eyes, recognizing the tactic. Lilith hadn't divulged everything, that much was clear. He decided to play along, observing where her line of questioning would lead.

“Of course.”

Julian replied smoothly, his voice regaining its composure.

“Time flows differently in each realm. A single month in the underworld can equate to one year in the overworld, depending on the specific location and magical fluctuations. Or to be technical, one day here equals twelve days in the Overworld. Lilith has explained the intricacies to me, though frankly, it’s a rather tedious subject.”

He offered a dismissive wave of his hand, attempting to downplay his knowledge.

“Why does this matter to you?”

The crystals chimed to life with images appearing in front of each seat. It showcased numerous settlements, cities, and towns left in smoking ruins. Low tier demon monsters not from their specific controlled realm was on a rampage. The final image showed the Kingdom of Órns under siege with much of its Southern district wiped off the map.

"Because this matters to me. As it should for both King, Queen, and our nonexistent demon generals."

Julian’s eyes widened as the images materialized before him, his composure finally cracking. The scenes of devastation were shocking, far exceeding any reports he’d received. The scale of the destruction was immense, the presence of unfamiliar demons deeply unsettling. His gaze swept over the images, his mind racing to assess the situation. The Kingdom of Órns… under siege? That was a direct threat to his interests in the overworld. He felt a cold dread creep into his heart.

A muscle ticked in Julian’s jaw as he absorbed the full extent of the devastation. His hand clenched into a fist, the porcelain cup rattling slightly on the table. The images were a stark reminder of his divided loyalties, the precarious balance he maintained between two worlds. He’d been so focused on consolidating his power in the underworld, on navigating the treacherous politics of Lilith’s court, that he’d allowed the overworld to fall into chaos. A wave of guilt washed over him, quickly followed by a surge of anger. He hadn’t anticipated a threat of this magnitude, and the fact that he’d been kept in the dark was infuriating.

A collective gasp echoed in the war room as Lilith materialized, her presence immediately dominating the space. The air crackled with her power, a palpable energy that sent shivers down the spines of everyone present. Julian, despite his initial shock, visibly relaxed under her touch, his body leaning into her embrace as if seeking solace. The contrast between her tender gesture and the possessive grip on his throat was unsettling, a clear display of her authority and dominance.

Lilith’s milk white eyes swept over the room, taking in the images projected by the crystals with a chillingly detached gaze. She didn’t acknowledge the demon woman’s presence, her attention solely focused on Julian. Her grip tightened ever so slightly, a silent warning to remain compliant. A low, melodic chuckle rumbled in her chest.

"This woman demanded to see you, my queen..."

Julian murmured to his wife softly once her grip relaxed on his throat and then withdrew.

Lilith’s gaze finally landed on the demon woman, her expression unreadable. She tilted her head slightly, her long, midnight black hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes narrowed, assessing the woman with a predatory intensity. The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the faint crackling of magical energy. She didn’t speak, simply waiting for an explanation, her presence radiating an aura of absolute power.

"My lady... I am Jinx, head of your Overworld observation teams. It is truly a pleasure."

The demon introduced herself, offering a short bow in her queens presence. Her blackened gaze stuck on her holding'that' human man however, issuing a light sting of jealousy to her heart.

"Broadcasts on the surface are slim, we are receiving constant interference from an anomaly... further more..."

She composed herself as the images resurfaced in a hazing mess over Órns Kingdom.

"The celestial trumpets have echoed across the lands, from what my scouts have reported in."

Lilith’s gaze flickered towards Julian for a fleeting moment, a silent reprimand for his lack of vigilance, before returning to the demon woman. She raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow, her expression conveying a mixture of curiosity and disdain.

“Jinx, you say? A rather… pedestrian name for someone overseeing such crucial operations.”

She paused, her eyes narrowing.

“Interference, you claim? And celestial trumpets? Elaborate at once.”

Her voice was a silken whisper, yet it carried the weight of command. She gestured with a languid hand, indicating for the woman to continue. The possessive energy around Julian softened slightly, though she remained close, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

"Celestial trumpets, heavens judgement.."

Jinx paused for a moment, twirling her thumbs together as images of destruction pass one after the other.

"We might be looking into another realm war, my queen... with the Celestial's already making their moves..."

Lilith’s eyes flashed, her grip tightening on Julian’s arm. A realm war… the thought was both terrifying and exhilarating. It meant chaos, destruction, and opportunity. She had faced celestial beings before, and knew their power was immense, their motives often incomprehensible. The idea of another conflict brewing in the overworld was a significant threat, one that demanded immediate attention. She turned her gaze to Julian, her expression hardening.

“And you, my king, were unaware of this?”

Her voice was dangerously low, laced with barely suppressed fury. She didn’t wait for an answer, her attention already shifting back to Jinx.

“What kind of celestial beings are we dealing with? And what are their objectives?”

"We aren't sure on the objectives. Images are just now coming in... some reports say only two angels attacked. Others mention some triple S tiered celestial hydra that an adventuring party was dealing with..."

As for information, that was all Jinx knew. Unfortunately as it went for photos, there was nothing else. Nothing indicating the fights with either the angels or hydra, just the aftermath that came with.

Lilith’s expression darkened, her lips curling into a snarl. Two angels and a triple S celestial hydra… that was a formidable ****, even for seasoned adventurers. The lack of information was infuriating, a testament to the chaotic nature of the situation. She turned to Julian again, her gaze piercing.

“You have connections in the Overworld as Duke, do you not? Utilize them. I want to know everything about this hydra, the party that engaged it, and the circumstances surrounding their battle. And as for these angels… find out their identities and their motivations.”

She paused, her voice dripping with menace.

“I want answers, and I want them now.”

She then turned back to Jinx, her eyes narrowing.

“Continue monitoring the situation. Increase surveillance on the Kingdom of Órns. I want a constant stream of information."

Lilith’s gaze swept across the room, settling on each individual present with a chilling intensity. The air crackled with her power, a silent warning to anyone who dared to underestimate her. She turned her attention back to Julian, her hand gently caressing his cheek.

“This situation requires a delicate touch, my king. We cannot afford to be caught off guard.”

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“The celestial realm is a dangerous place, filled with beings who despise our kind. We must tread carefully, lest we provoke a full-scale war.”

She straightened up, her expression regaining its composure.

"Send me to the overworld then. I will represent the demons and humans as a united front on your behalf my queen."

Julian murmured calmly. His stomach was twisting into knots at the mere thought of war - but he was both an overworld Duke and an underworld king consort. He had to step up to the plate and prove his worth.

Lilith pursed her lips at his willingness to follow through. Her milky eyes darting to the table, registering each image of the wide spread destruction on the surface.

"I'll turn back time, by five Overworld days."

She murmured, unsure of when exactly these attacks started. Especially if it was true that there was some interference playing a hefty role, all to keep the Underworld in the dark.

"I'll send you back, rally both realms against the oncoming threat. Prepare the Kingdom if it hasn't happened yet."

A ripple of energy pulsed through the room as Lilith’s power surged, the crystals shimmering with an ethereal glow. The air grew thick with anticipation as she prepared to manipulate the flow of time, a feat reserved for the most powerful beings. Her eyes locked onto Julian, a flicker of something akin to affection crossing her features.

“Be warned, my king.”

She said, her voice resonating with authority.

“Make sure to send as much information to me upon arrival.”

She paused, her gaze hardening.

“The stakes are far too high to hesitate.”

She extended her hand, a swirling vortex of energy forming around it.

"Go now, and may the shadows guide your path."