Chapter 695
A transmission is sent to a district six blocks away while Ember and Torvak continue to speak for a few minutes, catching up on current events in the lower and upper realms.
"Yes, even in the Lower Realm, the Demon's influence is spreading. Their newest fifth royal family branch popped up about a dozen lifetimes ago. I managed to bond with the Vermillion's Demons a few times, and in one life I bonded with the Morvale Family, but their selection process is even tougher—and information is airtight. No one speaks of the Upper Realm down there anymore."
Torvak nods, staring straight ahead at the door.
"Makes sense. They've taken control of all of the Citadels in the Green Zone. It all started about 12,000 years back; mine was the last to fall just 4,000 years ago. The Wyverns, High Orcs, a Berserker King Race, and, of course, the Ogre Conglomeration still hold enough higher-grade worlds to hold on, but the Demon Families continue chipping away at us, keeping us just out of reach from fighting back."
Ember nods slowly, thinking to himself with his eyes closed.
"If it's that bad even here, the Grand Citadel and higher Zones must be far worse..."
Silence fills the room before Torvak replies.
"One can only assume. We rarely get updates from our higher reps; you know how much it costs to even send transmissions down."
Before Ember thinks of a reply, the doors of the shop shimmer green, and a light chiming sound echoes through the shop to notify those inside that there are visitors.