In a chamber untouched by dust or decay, light pooled like liquid gold.

The room was small, not grand, yet it carried the weight of centuries. Intricate runes were etched into the circular walls, their faint hum filling the silence between breaths. At its heart stood a round table, forged from pure crystal, so polished it seemed to reflect not light, but thought itself.

Around that table sat six thrones, each carved from the same sacred gold, yet distinct in shape and ambiance, testaments to the ancient powers they represented.

Seated upon them were the six representatives of the sentient races: Human. Elf. Dwarf. Demon. Vampire. Beastman.

They said nothing.

For a long, reverent moment, the only sound was the faint ringing of the runes, as if the room itself was aware that history, once again, was about to be rewritten.

Golden light poured over the chamber's smooth marble walls, glinting off the round table that bound six thrones together, a symbol of unity forged from distrust.The air was perfumed with civility, yet every breath in the room tasted faintly of venom.

For three years, the 'Five-Year Treaty' had kept the world's six great powers from each other's throats. And for three years, they had smiled through clenched teeth, waiting for the moment it would break.

Queen Misha von Velkaris of the Velkaris Empire sat tall upon her throne, posture flawless, the golden embroidery of her gown catching the light like the edge of a blade. Her voice came soft, refined, deliberate as she placed a hand beneath her chin.

"The Order of Nowhere grows restless again. How unfortunate."

Her blue eyes drifted lazily toward the white-haired man lounging two seats to her right.

"Perhaps the Infernal Sovereignty has been too lenient with its… strays?"

Demon King Lucien Draegor's lips curved in an elegant smile, revealing just the hint of a fang. His crimson eyes glowed faintly as he leaned back in his chair, feigning thoughtfulness.

"My dear queen, we do not leash our faithful the way humans leash their dogs. But if the Order were truly ours, the western border of your Dominion would already be ash."

His tone was courteous, amused even, but the air rippled faintly with demonic heat.

A soft, melodic voice cut through the tension like silk through steel.

"And yet, the forests on my border burn just the same," said Lady Seraphina Elendir, Emissary of the Verdant Court, her golden eyes half-lidded with grace and quiet disdain. Her fingers traced the rim of a crystal goblet as she spoke, each motion slow and measured."I do wonder whether human soldiers should learn the difference between an 'accidental patrol' and an armed incursion."

Misha's smile didn't falter.

"I'll have my generals look into it. Though, I recall your people's arrows find human scouts far too often to be coincidence."

From across the table, a low chuckle rumbled.

"Humans and elves at each other's throats again," grumbled Thrain Stoneforge, High Chancellor of the Ironhold Confederacy.

His thick arms crossed over his chest, the gold rings in his beard catching the light.

"You talk of fire and arrows while our mines are being overrun by shadows. The Order isn't picky, they're cutting through our underways like rats through grain. Maybe one of your borders sprang a leak."

Lucien arched a brow.

"Coming from the people who sell weapons to anyone with coin, that's rich. Tell me, Thrain—how many blades marked with dwarven sigils did we find in the Order's hands last month?"

A single snort of laughter cut through them.

"At least the dwarves make something useful," said Fenrir Kael'thar, the Beastlord of the Lycane Tribes, his voice a low growl wrapped in mock amusement. His golden eyes gleamed like a wolf sizing up prey.

"The same can't be said for your kind, Lucien. You destroy what you can't dominate."

The Demon King smiled wider, unfazed.

"And you, my dear Fenrir, destroy what you can't understand. Tell me, how fares your 'pack'? I heard the Order's little tricks with moonlight crippled your western army. Shame."

Fenrir's claws clicked against the armrest once.

"We'll recover soon enough. Wolves always do."

His fanged grin returned.

"Can't say the same for vampires though. Sunlight still giving you trouble, Valeria?"

A soft laugh drifted through the golden air.

"Sunlight," repeated Countess Valeria Nocturne, Matriarch of the Crimson Dominion, her tone dripping with honey and poison. Her long black hair shimmered as she turned her head slightly, crimson eyes gleaming.

"A temporary inconvenience. Unlike, say, the smell of wet fur."

Fenrir growled, but Misha interjected smoothly, tone calm as still water.

"Enough. The Order grows stronger while we trade insults. If the Crimson Dominion or the Infernal Sovereignty are harboring them—"

Lucien's smile sharpened.

"You mistake patience for weakness, human. Keep your accusations where they belong, in your sermons."

Seraphina folded her hands neatly.

"Then perhaps someone should explain why their agents have been seen in the Neutral Continent. Last I heard, the angels forbid any of us from having our troops there."

The table fell silent for a moment, save for the faint hum of golden wards above.

Then Valeria spoke again, softly.

"The Neutral Continent is the heart of the world. Perhaps the Order simply seeks to claim it first. "She smiled faintly, fangs glinting. "Or perhaps one of you already has."

The tension was a living thing now quiet, refined, and suffocating.

At last, Queen Misha rose, her chair sliding back soundlessly.

"Whatever their purpose, if the Order of Nowhere seeks to unmake this world, then we will have to… cooperate."

Lucien's chuckle was dark silk.

"A fine word for mutual distrust."

Thrain's fist hit the table with a heavy thud.

"Call it what you want. But if the Order reaches Ironhold, I'll make sure every one of your armies bleeds beside mine."

The six rulers exchanged looks, smiles polished to perfection, eyes sharp enough to cut worlds apart.

And above them, the golden light flickered faintly… as though the heavens themselves doubted that peace could ever last.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.