Chapter 173.5
The expression on Camille’s face suggested that he was prepared for his own death. He was no longer the man he had been when he and Ron were talking about the coexistence of the empire and the Demons past midnight.
I nodded at Camille’s words, and gathered my thoughts on what was best to do from here on out.
***
Two days after the release of the prisoners, the heads of three clans from the Demon Kingdom, each with a dozen or so men under their command, arrived at the fort, and as Camille had predicted, the Demon king was approaching his deathbed, and the heads of the leading clans had come to the fort to decide who would be the next Demon king.
Basically, Demon kings were not hereditary, but were chosen from among the leaders of several clans. However, since a few generations ago, when the war between humans intensified, the succession was carried out in order to unite all the Demons.
Camille was the only child of the current Demon King.
However, when the other clans did not recognize Camille, who had human blood, and the Demon King’s will could no longer be carried out, they brought up the [Selection Ceremony], the old ceremony of selecting the past Demon Kings.
Why did the heads of the powerful clans come to this fort to perform it?
It was not because Camille was in this fort, but because the basement of this fort was an ancient dungeon.
The [Selection Ceremony]–that was when a powerful clan would send out a few warriors to bring back a proof from the deepest part of the dungeon. Although they did not know what the proof was, it was said to be something that could be recognized at a glance.
But it was not a victory to bring it back as quickly as possible. This was a battle of prestige between the clans, borrowing the name of a ritual.
“Now, you all know why we have gathered here.”