## Chapter 171 – Collusion (15)
I can’t breathe.
I felt infinitely small before the overwhelming presence that filled the reception room. The eyes that stared at me as I opened the door made me feel like I was losing my mind. I hung my head low, not even thinking about going inside.
I could hear whispers directed at Number 25, who was standing still. I couldn’t make out what they were saying. I had no idea why such important people had come to see me.
It was Charlotte who pushed Number 25’s back. She casually placed her hand on Number 25’s shoulder and spoke to those who were waiting for him in a friendly manner.
“We’re very late, aren’t we?”
They seemed to be acquainted with Charlotte, as they each greeted her warmly. The first to speak was a small, blonde woman. Number 25 had seen her face when the host introduced the Demon Kings. Her name was Veronica, wasn’t it? She frowned and said in a disgruntled tone.
“Still, you’re too late. How long do you think we’ve been waiting?”
Charlotte bowed her head slightly and then stroked Number 25’s hair as she said,
“I’m sorry about that. This idiot was somewhere else until now.”
Veronica seemed flustered by Charlotte’s unexpected apology.
“No, I wasn’t exactly expecting an apology…”
Leaving her, who trailed off and scratched her head awkwardly, the next Demon King spoke. Despite her large build, she wore an outfit that exuded a very feminine atmosphere. She held Charlotte’s hand tightly and spoke more warmly than anyone else.
“Charlotte, it’s been a while. I missed you so much! I brought some gifts from our district, I hope you like them.”
Next to her was a huge bundle that even most men would have struggled to lift. The contents, which were slightly visible through the gaps, were ingredients such as various meats, vegetables, and fruits – enough food for everyone in the mansion to eat for over a month.
Such favors were always welcome.
“The Demon King will surely like the goods from District 5. I’m sorry to only receive from you, Clara-nim.”
“It’s okay. They’re all my family, like my siblings, so you can accept this much without feeling burdened.”
After finishing her conversation with Clara, Charlotte only glanced briefly at Orca, who was waving her hand cheerfully, and tried to move on to introducing Number 25. Of course, Orca wasn’t going to just watch him.
“Wait a minute, why are you skipping over me? I’m also a guest here.”
Charlotte replied in a voice so cold that it made her friendly demeanor up until now seem like a lie.
“Ah, sorry. I can’t fraternize with beasts.”
Considering what Orca had done in District 7, being allowed to sit in this seat was already a huge consideration. Orca didn’t seem to mind being treated as less than a beast. Instead, he laughed heartily and joked.
“Wow, that’s my big sis for you. Your insults are always top-notch.”
Clara made a ‘tsk’ sound as if dealing with a puppy, and then said soothingly.
“Orca, you need to be polite when you’re in someone else’s house.”
For some reason, even the madman Orca became endlessly docile at Clara’s words. Orca turned his head away and tightly shut his mouth.
Having barely finished greeting Charlotte, they soon turned their attention to Number 25.
“So, this is the kid from the rumors? How cute.”
In contrast to the amicable Clara, Veronica crossed her arms and opened her mouth sullenly.
“I came all the way here to see him, but he doesn’t seem particularly special.”
Number 25 was dazed by the Demon Kings who were evaluating him out of the blue.
“Now you’re finally starting to look useful?”
Amidst the confusion, I didn’t want to even glance at Orca, let alone anyone else. It was a waste to even talk to that trash. Contrary to Number 25’s intentions, Orca seemed to be enjoying Number 25’s reaction of deliberately ignoring him.
Turning his head, he saw a familiar face. When Number 25 saw Jane smiling and waving her hand at him, he felt the tension he had been feeling melt away in an instant. Jane cleared her throat and said to everyone.
“It’s weird to just stand here and talk, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
Jane subtly cleared the seat next to her and said while looking straight into Number 25’s eyes.
“Come sit over here.”
Seeing Number 25 naturally sit next to her, Jane immediately asked a question.
“How have you been?”
“I’ve been doing well. I’ve been a little busy with the tournament lately, but I’m still spending my time diligently.”
“Is that so? That’s good to hear.”
“How about you, Nuna….”
When Number 25 opened his mouth to that point, he noticed that everyone in the room was looking at them. It was quite embarrassing to have everyone’s attention focused on him.
Veronica frowned and said.
“What? You two already knew each other? Why did you pretend not to know each other at first?”
Jane remained silent. Clara stared intently at Jane and Number 25 as if she was amazed, and then asked cautiously.
“Jane, I didn’t know you could make expressions like that?”
“Th-that’s not important right now, is it?”
Orca leaned back on the sofa, put his legs on the table, and said sarcastically.
“Why isn’t it important? Do you not know what this meeting is for?”
Jane asked Orca again with cold eyes that were different from when she was talking to Number 25.
“This meeting? What kind of meeting is this?”
“What? I was just saying, but it seems like there’s really something going on between you two?”
Jane glared at Orca without saying anything. The two seemed ready to fight at any moment, and Clara was fidgeting and trying to stop them, but it was to no avail.
Meanwhile, Veronica was encouraging their fight.
“Just take this opportunity to have a good fight.”
Jane stood up from her seat, approached Orca, and brought her face close to his.
“Should I play with you like I used to so you can come to your senses?”
As the atmosphere began to turn increasingly hostile, Number 25, terrified, hid behind Charlotte and tightly grabbed her sleeve. If the Demon Kings fought in a place like this, the mansion wouldn’t be left standing. Contrary to Number 25’s anxiety, Charlotte had an expression that seemed calm for some reason.
“Charlotte-nim?”
“It’s okay. Just watch.”
How could she just watch? Orca’s madness, which seemed like he would pounce at any moment, was fatal to Number 25, but the other Demon Kings seemed unfazed, as if they were used to it.
As time passed, Orca’s fighting spirit gradually began to wane. Orca turned his gaze away from Jane with a bored expression and leaned back on the sofa again.
“Forget it. Fighting you makes me feel like I’m fighting a ghost.”
It was rare to see Orca back down so easily. Number 25, who didn’t know Jane’s strength properly, couldn’t understand the scene, but those who had experience fighting each other, whether they liked it or not, were reluctant to fight Jane.
Charlotte finally opened her mouth after the atmosphere had calmed down.
“Have you all vented your anger now?”
Jane gave an awkward smile and carefully sat down in her seat.
“Sorry, I showed you an unsightly sight.”
“Can I introduce you now?”
While Jane and Orca were having a war of nerves, Charlotte grabbed the wrist of Number 25, who had been hiding behind her the whole time, and brought him in front of her. Number 25 hesitated and carefully opened his mouth.
“I heard that everyone came to me because you had something to discuss.”
“It’s not as grand as a discussion. We just came to see you because your match was so impressive.”
Jane was genuinely telling the truth. Plus, she also wanted to see Number 25. However, the other three Demon Kings, except for Jane, had somewhat different reasons. Of course, they implicitly agreed to remain silent about Number 25’s qualifications. The reason they came here now was to identify in advance someone who had the potential to become a Demon King.
If he didn’t create a new faction, it would surely be helpful to recruit him in the future. But what if he didn’t join anyone’s side or insisted on staying with Acer to the end?
She felt sorry for Acer, but she didn’t want a new Demon King to be born and upset the balance of power. They were considering the possibility of eliminating Number 25 if he became their enemy in the future. Of course, Number 25, who had no way of knowing that, thought that they had come to this place purely to see his match. Number 25 avoided eye contact, feeling embarrassed, and said in a small voice.
“It wasn’t that great, but thank you for coming all the way here.”
Jane looked at the Demon Kings sitting next to her or across from her and asked Number 25.
“Ah, is this the first time you’re seeing these guys up close like this? Do you need a separate introduction?”
“I heard their names and saw their faces at the stadium, so I know them all.”
Immediately after finishing his words, Number 25’s body floated into the air. Before he even had time to panic, Number 25’s body landed on Clara’s lap. Clara, who had lifted Number 25 with one hand and placed him on her lap, looked at Number 25 with eyes as if she were looking at a cute puppy.
“By the way, this child is really cute. How about it? Would you like to come visit our district?”
Number 25 couldn’t say anything.
What is this energy?
There was definitely a benevolent feeling. It felt as warm as a mother’s embrace, but on the other hand, there was an indescribable, overwhelming fear. He hadn’t seen all of Lowe, but it was an energy comparable to her. Number 25 was sweating profusely and barely managed to nod his head.
Jane, Charlotte, and Orca’s expressions briefly hardened at the sight.
Clara Bell, the philanthropist.
She herself was unaware, but she was known to be the most dangerous of all the Demon Kings, and she had begun to take a serious interest in Number 25.
