Chapter: 64. Tower of Radiance
South of the Northern Region, winds and snow intertwine, and icebergs stretch endlessly.
North of the Northern Region, flowers bloom across the fields, clear rivers flow with maple and willow trees.
For travelers who have never set foot in the far north, crossing the demon race border might leave them in shock at the bizarre change in scenery.
The previous step was a thousand miles of snowy mountains, but the next step brings them to a paradise on earth.
The demon race border is desolate and uninhabited.
But further north, one arrives at the territory co-governed by high-level races, where it seems some wondrous power blesses the area; birds return to the sky, and flowers cover the mountains and valleys. From the previously empty vastness, rustic red-tiled roofs and white walls gradually emerge.
Although the residents are not numerous, these scattered households seem to inform the world—further north lies the most prosperous territory in this world, distinctly separated from the worldly ups and downs.
At the center of this area, which can be called a “buffer zone” between the demon race and high-level races, there stands a tower over a hundred meters high, reaching towards the sky.
Its name is…
【Tower of Radiance】.
It’s unclear whether this name reflects the glory of the high-level races or is a deliberate attempt to build a towering structure to intimidate other beings.
In any case, this gothic high tower standing amidst mountains and wilderness has a history of over a thousand years, withstanding storms. Representatives of various high-level races gather here whenever there are matters to discuss.
Inside the tower is hollow.
Under the night sky, beyond the clouds.
Near the top of the tower, there is a round table connecting the tower’s edge, forming the entire summit.
At this moment, the Tower of Radiance once again bears the weight of historical meetings.
Every word spoken here influences the course of power in the world.
However, a rather unpleasant voice seems somewhat out of place with this historical weight.
“Hahaha…! You’ve killed me with laughter, does the freak of the human race really think they’re unparalleled and above all? Did they not finish speaking before leaving? Saying there’s no need to stay longer, hahahaha, what do you mean by ‘no need’? Isn’t it because they’re afraid to stay?!”
The sharp laughter, short violet hair standing up like thunder, tall and thin, with a tongue piercing, a silver chain hanging from his neck, dragon wings spreading recklessly behind him, and lightning swirling in his vertical pupils.
This man laughed heartily, slapping the table while mocking the representative of the human race who left prematurely.
His words drew the displeasure of a young man sitting with his eyes closed in the western section of the round table, who had striking crimson hair, a steady and handsome demeanor, and dragon wings of his own, exuding an extraordinary aura.
“Mr. Ka Lei, please watch your language, this is not the territory of your Thunder Dragon Clan, and such remarks are not welcome here.”
“Right, right, right~ I shall heed the Holy Decree of His Highness the Prince of the Fire Dragon Clan~ Tsk tsk tsk, I’m talking about the human race, not your Fire Dragon Clan, why is His Highness speaking for them? Could it be that your Fire Dragon Clan has some secret pact with the human race? Or are you afraid of those trash’s heritage?”
“If the Thunder Dragon Clan has doubts, you may raise them at the Dragon Domain Holy Temple. I remember today’s agenda isn’t senseless suspicion, nor discussions of attacks, and is certainly not about insults and degradation.”
“Then will you first return our occupied area of Flotation West Isle?”
“I’ve said it, territory disputes will be discussed at the Dragon Domain Holy Temple. If that’s the case, I would prefer not to stay here any longer.”
“Hah! What a joke, do you think I want to be here? It’s not that this nasty demon race said there were urgent matters? You all pretend to be harmonious, but in reality, each of you has…!”
——Whoosh!
A terrifying gust of air tore through the space, straight toward the Thunder Dragon Clan representative Ka Lei Lotar’s head.
Ka Lei cast a disdainful glance and tilted his head to evade the chaotic airflow.
Following that, a large pit was blasted open in the decorative stone pillar behind him, stirring up dust throughout the room, obscuring the stars high above.
Ka Lei’s cold voice rang out simultaneously.
“Hey, hey… are the demon race people naturally barbaric? The Tower of Radiance cannot use force; does the barbaric race not understand? Or must they be slaughtered once to comprehend? Huh?!”
“Hahhhh… hmm? I just stretched, what happened? Ah, my apologies! I’m rather strong-handed, and I tend to accidentally hurt others. Mr. Ka Lei, you should watch out, who knows when you’ll be struck by falling hail from above, it’s all an unexpected disaster; if you get hit, can’t blame it on the sky hailing, right?”
Sitting at the northern side of the round table, yawning and smiling while saying these words is Ailer, the Demon Race’s Grand Princess of the Six-Winged Demon.
At the same time, she is the initiator of this gathering at the Tower of Radiance.
Veins bulged on Ka Lei’s forehead, and lightning surged in his hand.
“Seeking death…!”
“Everyone, please stop. Such meaningless disputes should not continue at this moment. What we came to discuss today is about the so-called ‘deity’ behind the Corea Church State, not the old grudges between the races, right?”
The speaker is the dignified representative of the high-level Elf Race sitting at the western side of the table, her golden hair flowing like tassels and adorned with a multi-colored flower crown, dressed in sheer, pure white fabric.
The Elf Czar, Lofnassen.
She gently pushed back the hair from her forehead, her pointed ears appearing slightly, as her emerald eyes cast a light glance at the enraged Ka Lei.
“Moreover, as the Chief Officer of the Thunder Dragon Clan’s Council Chamber, if you continue to lead the charge in breaking the treaty that prohibits violence in the Tower of Radiance, you may find yourself condemned by all the races. I believe Mr. Ka Lei is not here just to vent his anger.”
This was a kind admonishment.
At the same time, it was also a warning.
The chaotic arcs of electricity around Ka Lei grew fiercer, but after briefly locking eyes with the Elf representative, they gradually calmed.
He seemed to give up with a click of his tongue and casually and rudely sat back in the wide stone chair, muttering complaints nonstop.
But at least this proves he has compromised.
“You elves are not so benevolent either… always playing the peacemaker wherever you go, wanting to appear as though you are above the fray.”
“Eh… speculate as you will, but we simply do not like fighting.”
The elf girl let out a light sigh.
As she spread her transparent light wings, which symbolize the difference between high-level elves and ordinary elves, shimmering with rainbow-like glimmers, the stone pillar that had been blasted open by Ailer began to gradually recover on its own.
Fragments floated up, filling the hollow.
Before long, the pillar was restored to its original state.
Even the carvings on it showed no signs of having changed at all.
To those present, this kind of miraculous magic was not surprising.
As the one who caused the destruction, Ailer smiled silently.
After all, she just wanted to test the relationship among the current high-level races.
Just like before.
To this day, they still are not united, and the contradictions between them remain significant.
As if noticing the intent of the royal member from the demon race, the Prince of the Fire Dragon Clan, Doramo, opened his fiery-colored eyes, refraining from commenting on the matter.
He simply raised his left hand slowly, bringing an end to the chaotic scene of the temporary meeting and redirecting the topic back on track.
“Well then, the representative of the human race has already cast an abstention vote before leaving. Now it’s our turn. Those who support the Demon Race Grand Princess’s accusation against the Corea Church State, please raise your hands. If the majority agrees, we will lodge a protest against the Pope of Corea and impose sanctions.”
Doramo has already raised his hand, which means the Fire Dragon Clan’s stance is clear.
Since Ailer is the initiator of the gathering, she naturally has no voting rights.
—Moreover, in the end, the high-level races granted voting rights based on order.
The Elf Czar, Lofnassen, also raised her delicate hand, indicating the judgment from the high-level elves.
Ka Lei Lotar snorted disdainfully and did not raise his hand.
This is equivalent to voting against.
No one asked him why he opposed, for this is the rule of the Tower of Radiance; every race has the right to independent judgment, which cannot be questioned.
Moreover, no matter how unruly Ka Lei might be, he surely understands that his expression here does not merely represent his own temper but rather the conclusion of the entire upper echelon of the Thunder Dragon Clan.
Clearly, the Thunder Dragon Clan does not support the judgment against the Corea Church State.
It doesn’t matter.
At present, there were two votes in favor, one abstention, and one against.
Thus, whether this resolution can pass now depends on the last high-level race’s result.
Doramo lowered his hand and looked toward the last corner of the large round table.
Sakura hair spilled like silk over the table’s edge.
A faint snoring painted a picture of a gentle dream.
The small bat wings fluttered rhythmically in sync with the sounds of peaceful sleep, showing a remarkable sense of spirit.
Doramo’s previously calm expression revealed a hint of displeasure for the first time, and he cleared his throat twice to remind.
“Ahem, representative of the Blood Clan, it’s time for your vote.”
“Whew… Hmm…”
“Third True Ancestor, please give the conclusion on behalf of the Blood Clan!”
“…!”
Doramo’s words seemed to have employed some magic akin to an amplification crystal, resonating throughout the circular space floating high above.
The sakura-haired Blood Race girl was instantly awakened, sitting up. She seemed to realize her mistake but still had a dazed, tired expression in her blood-red eyes as if she might fall asleep again at any moment.
The slight gap in her mouth, with sharp teeth and slightly pale skin, all indicated her Blood Clan identity.
Blood Race Third True Ancestor, Floro Ael.
The girl’s figure appeared slightly small but already hinted at youthful grace; this subtle balance between innocence and maturity might well be a characteristic of the Blood Clan.
Her blood-red, ornate dress hung with bat-shaped ornaments, and after looking around dazedly for a long time, she finally steadied her thoughts.
Relaxing back into her seat, Floro let out a long sigh, her light and airy voice still carrying a hint of drowsiness.
She slowly leaned back onto the table and weakly asked.
“Voting…? Where are we at…? What are we voting on now?”
“About whether to jointly protest against the Corea Church State.” Doramo’s tone was already tinged with anger; however, due to the situation and the other party’s status, he had to temper his speech for another explanation.
But if she continued to doze off, that would be equivalent to an abstention.
Floro lay her head on the table for a bit longer.
Gradually, it seemed she recalled something, trying to lift her small face from her sakura-colored hair, staring with her uniquely lively crimson eyes at Ailer.
The drowsy Third True Ancestor of the Blood Clan seemed to regain some alertness at this moment.
“Whew… Before voting, can I ask you a question?”
“Ask me?”
“Yeah.”
Floro smiled, her expression natural yet expectant.
But beneath it lay a trace of inexplicable sorrow.
“If I vote in favor of you demons, can I meet Sister Xue Fei?”
