Meeting

Kyel was in a hurry; the shadow manipulation skill was particularly useful in these scenarios. Kyel had the concealment cloak, but he didn't want to use it, especially since Arlott might have left something behind proving its presence, and the guards in the magical tower might have a way to detect that cloak. So, Kyel didn't want to risk using it, even if it meant the cloak would remain in the system's storage space.

Kyel placed what he had bought in the system's storage space and was now rushing towards his room. He could sense that a number of guards had started searching; it seemed the seller had informed them.

Kyel, even though he had lost all his feelings and emotions, felt trapped inside the magical tower, unable to roam freely. If only Arlott hadn't left a message; if only he hadn't belittled Arlott, he didn't know that Arlott was this cunning.

But it didn't matter; nothing mattered.

Kyel arrived at the room. For now, all he was waiting for was the meeting tonight with the other demons. There was nothing to prepare for, especially since he was considered their leader here. Time was passing quickly, and in a moment, night had fallen and the meeting time had approached. Kyel was heading to the room where the meeting would be held. The room belonged to one of the demons, Simon; the meeting would be held in his room.

The moment Kyel arrived at the room, he knocked on the door and whispered an incomprehensible word, 'Nuk'thar.' Someone opened the door for him afterward.

Kyel entered the room, but he didn't expect to see this scene. Only three demons attended the meeting? Where were the remaining 22?

Kyel, with a cold and emotionless face, asked, "What does this mean?"

The person who opened the door had long hair down to his waist, giving off a feeling of gloom, as if he were a bookworm. His eyes were not clear. He replied in a hoarse voice with some traces of fear, "We don't know. Every day we lose contact with someone. We are under attack. We thought you had fallen too. We didn't know your room number, so we didn't know where you were."

Kyel glanced at the other two; nothing special about them, he thought, 'Arlott had nothing special about him either, but...' Then he said in an indifferent tone, "So it's just the three of you left?"

The fat man standing near the window replied, "No, there are two others, but they didn't want to come out of fear that it might be a trap."

Kyel had been looking into the fat man's eyes for a while before saying in an authoritative tone, "So, what are you waiting for? Go and bring them!"

Gilbert apologized, "Sorry, I'll leave now!"

After a short while, three people entered the room; two new faces, actually, the other was Gilbert. Currently, there were five demons in the room: the fat one, Gilbert; the long-haired one, Simon; the dark-skinned one, Azalt; the stupid one with glasses, Bentia; and the one with prominent ears, Hanzel.

Their gazes were directed towards the person sitting on the bed and watching them, Kyel.

After a while, Kyel got up from his place and started walking around the room, and of course, he began to speak, "As you know, we have been here for eight years. In these years, you haven't completed many missions. If we combine all of you, you have killed seven students, not even elite or honor students, while I alone have killed more than 30 students, seven of whom were honor students, eight if you count the last victim, Mcben Arlott."

Simon, in a surprised tone, asked, "You? Did you do it?! That commotion entirely?"

The five were surprised to hear this coming from Kyel's mouth. A few minutes passed, and they absorbed his words. Then, the one with the ears, Hanzel, asked, "Why are you telling us this?"

Kyel forced a smile and stared at Hanzel before replying, "Today is a busy day. As you know, I was the commander of this battalion, but not anymore since we lost contact with the others. They might have died by now, but let's set that aside. I received news from the high command, and there were some strict orders and instructions as well!"

What Kyel said was like a thunderbolt; everyone was astonished and scared. Orders from the high command? Since they arrived here, they had not been provided with any information from the outside or sent any orders. But that changed today; strict instructions and orders, as Kyel said. What does this mean? This was the question that the five were wondering about in their minds, and it was clear and evident on their faces.

Kyel continued, "The high command was clear and straightforward. Our group has disappointed them. Compared to the other groups in the other magical towers, we have occupied the last ranks. And with the majority of us out of contact, well likely dead, I expect that the high command will cut off communication with us soon, forget us, and leave us alone."

Kyel was lying to them; there were no orders or information from the high command. Even the idea of groups of demons in the other magical towers was a complete fabrication on his part, but perhaps it was logical.

Kyel wanted to use these demons to his advantage and manipulate them, but when he learned that only five of them remained, he had to use them with great cunning and keep them alive because their lives were worth his own in return. Losing even one of those five would be like losing a vital organ. If he used them wisely and cunningly, he might gain something and succeed in several endeavors.

The poor souls were on edge; some lost their focus, and fear crept deep into them, especially after realizing that the high command had abandoned them. What could they do? Someone was hunting them down, and there was no escape for them.

Kyel expected this; he couldn't let their morale and spirit fall, so he spoke, "I held this meeting tonight to discuss such a matter, but before we proceed further, I must remind you of something, so engrave it well in your minds."

"As I said, there are orders and instructions. The high command has not abandoned us yet. As long as we carry out those orders, we will have a chance to return."

Kyel raised his voice, "Not only that, but it is an honor to be subservient and slaves to the high command; people who are used as bait and cannon fodder and thrown into death without caring about our lives. To become people without freedom, without desires and ambitions, people born to live in hell and die in hell, people living a false dream."

Kyel continued, "So, do you want that? To see the orders of the high command? But let me add something else: eight years. We survived for eight years without them. They didn't give us any help from abroad. We have three more years to spend here, and after graduation, we will be free and roam every corner of this vast land. In these three years, we can do what we couldn't do in these eight years."

Kyel faked a look of hatred, as if he harbored resentment towards the high command. "Are you scared of the Dark Duke? The mental seal that is implanted in our minds? I can get rid of it for you. All I want from you now is just one word. Will you follow me on this? Or do you want to hear the orders?"

The five were in a state of complete confusion; everything was contradictory and opposed to what had come before it. Their minds were racing against time to analyze what Kyel had said. Was he challenging the high command? Was what they heard real? What was that, anyway? They did not realize what happened during those passing minutes.

After a while, the black-skinned Azalt was the first to speak, "Do you have a way to remove the mental seal?"

Kyel smiled and said, "I just want a word from you. Will you follow me or not? After that, you can see and verify the truth of my words. There is nothing to lose. If none of you agree, I will tell you the orders from the command and leave immediately, and you can figure things out for yourselves."

Without any second thoughts, Azalt said, "So, keep me in mind; I will be with you from today onwards. What you said poses some challenge, but if you have a way to remove the mental seal, everything is possible. Not only that, everything will change radically!"

"Azalt, that was your name, right? Good, come here!" Kyel ordered.

Azalt approached Kyel and was just a step away. Kyel placed his hand on Azalt's head and then said, "Retrieve."

Ding! [Processing, Dark seal manuscript discovered]

[Does the host want to continue?]

Kyel: "Yes."

After that, Azalt fell to the ground, screaming in pain and writhing. The others were in a state of awe and shock; some were scared, and some were angry. "What have you done?! Why did you attack him? What did you do to him?! We don't need any more meaningless deaths; we are few already!"

A few minutes passed, and Azalt seemed to be regaining consciousness, and the pain lessened. The other four were in shock.

But the one who was shocked the most was Azalt himself.