As the Devil Horns stepped down from the stage, the laughter did not stop.
Coins rained from the balconies.
Gold shards clinked across the marble floor.
Bundles of money were thrown at them as if they were street performers instead of invited guests.
"Good dogs!"
"Here's your reward!"
"Fetch it!"
One thick packet of cash spun through the air toward Katsa's face.
Before it could hit her, Junyu stepped in front of her and caught it with one hand.
The entire hall fell quiet for a second.
Junyu looked at the money, then at the man who had thrown it—a noble from Zone Two lounging lazily in his chair.
Without a word, Junyu hurled the money back.
The bundle struck the noble squarely in the chest.
Junyu's voice was cold enough to freeze the room.
"Eat your money."
The noble stood up angrily.
"Know your place, dog."
He pointed toward the exit.
"Be a good dog and leave."
Red lightning flickered around Junyu's fingers.
For a moment, everyone thought he would attack.
Then Ikiro grabbed his wrist.
"Not now," Ikiro whispered.
Junyu did not resist, but as he turned away he looked across the arena with a stare so cold that several weaker guests instinctively looked down.
It was not rage.
It was a promise.
Inside Mil's mind, a deep growl echoed through darkness.
Ragnarok.
Let me come out for just this once.
Mil clenched his fists.
"No."
The dragon's voice rumbled again.
They insulted our king.
Mil took a slow breath.
"I know. But not here."
The growling faded, though the dragon's anger still burned inside him.
The Devil Horns walked silently through the hall and took their seats in Zone Four.
The black collars remained around their necks.
The laughter gradually died.
The chandeliers dimmed.
Blue flames along the walls brightened, casting long shadows across the marble floor.
At the center stage, the masked host raised his hands.
"Wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
His voice echoed through the enormous chamber.
"What a performance by the Dogs of the Black Meeting! Though I must admit, I expected a little barking."
A fresh wave of laughter spread through the audience.
Junyu did not react.
His eyes remained fixed on the collar around his neck.
Time will bring their doom.
The host clapped his hands once.
"Now then, honored guests, let us begin the Black Meeting."
The words rolled through the hall like thunder.
Servants closed the great doors.
Chains locked into place.
The meeting had officially begun.
"First, a few important announcements," the host continued.
"This gathering will last two days. Tonight, each faction will be escorted to its assigned chamber. Tomorrow, the negotiations and private councils will begin."
He paused dramatically.
"And tonight…"
Golden curtains opened behind him.
A colossal crystal platform rose from beneath the floor.
"…we hold the Grand Auction of Noctharis."
Gasps spread across the audience.
Rare weapons, ancient relics, sealed beasts, and glowing artifacts appeared behind glass displays.
The host smiled beneath his mask.
"One rule above all others."
His voice sharpened.
"No bid may begin below one billion shards."
Junyu nearly choked.
"A billion?! That's the minimum?"
The host tilted his head toward him.
"No one asked me to remove my mask."
Aurex Valdren leaned back on his throne with amusement.
"Oh, come now. You think I need permission to see your face?"
The pressure in the room increased instantly.
Several nobles lowered their heads.
The host laughed nervously.
"My apologies, Your Majesty."
Even the masked man feared Aurex.
The Devil Horns exchanged uneasy glances.
The gap between them and the rulers of Zone One felt larger than ever.
The host's tone suddenly changed.
The amusement vanished.
The blue flames darkened.
"Before we proceed with the auction," he said, "we must address the true reason this Black Meeting was convened."
The hall became silent.
No laughter.
No whispers.
Only the distant sound of waves striking the cliffs of Noctharis Isle.
The host slowly spread his arms.
"The Black Meeting gathers today to discuss the assassination of—"
He paused.
Every eye in the chamber turned toward him.
"The King of Wanderers… Re Lorenzo Bellini."
A cold wind swept through the hall.
Some nobles looked shocked.
Others looked afraid.
Aurex Valdren's expression did not change.
Junyu felt the atmosphere tighten like a noose.
For the first time since arriving on Noctharis Isle, he realized this meeting was not merely a gathering of powerful people.
It was a gathering of rulers preparing for war.