19: An Opening Act

"Summon the noble families. I want them all gathered in the throne hall immediately." Anos ordered, his voice carrying an unmistakable finality.

His ruby-red eyes gleamed with dark amusement as he envisioned the chaos that would soon unfold. He would not merely prove his power—he would etch it into the very souls of his subjects, ensuring none dared to challenge him again.

Iris bowed deeply, a delighted smirk dancing on her lips. "As you command, Master." With a flick of her fingers, her violet Qi pulsed through the air, sending a silent summons to every noble within the capital.

Minutes later, the grand throne hall swelled with tension as the demon lords, high-ranking nobles, and the twenty powerful demonesses of the council entered the throne room, taking their places before the towering obsidian throne.

A palpable unease filled the vast chamber, the weight of Anos's presence pressing down on all who dared to step within his domain.

Anos sat leisurely upon the throne, one leg draped over the other, his fingers lazily tapping against the darkened armrest. His gaze swept over the gathered nobles, assessing them like one would a collection of fragile insects.

Some immediately lowered their heads in deference, unable to withstand the overwhelming force of his gaze. Others, however—particularly the demon lords of old, the ones who reigned as kings in lesser realms—dared to meet his eyes, their own burning with defiance.

One such demon lord, a towering figure clad in beautiful red armor, took a bold step forward. His clawed hand clenched into a fist as his golden eyes flared with fury.

"Your Majesty, we have long served this empire. We have built it with our blood and strength. And yet, you look down on us as if we are mere cattle?" His voice rumbled through the hall, thick with barely restrained rage.

Anos's lips curled into an eerie smile. "Cattle?" he mused, his tone dripping with amusement. He leaned forward slightly, resting his chin against his knuckles. "No, no… cattle serve a purpose. But you?" His ruby eyes gleamed. "You are insects, waiting to be crushed underfoot."

A murmur rippled through the noble families. Some visibly paled, while others tightened their grips on their weapons, their demonic auras flaring in indignation.

The defiant demon lord snarled, his power surging as he reached for his sword. "Do not think that because you wear the crown, you can speak to us like this! Power must be earned through battle, not mere words—"

His sentence was never finished.

In a blur of motion, Anos vanished from the throne—only to reappear directly before the demon lord. A single, fluid movement followed—a hand piercing through flesh.

A horrified silence fell over the hall.

The demon lord's golden eyes widened in shock as he looked down, his breath hitching. Anos's hand was buried deep in his chest, his fingers wrapped around his still-beating heart. Blood trickled from the wound, dark and sluggish, staining the pristine marble floors beneath them.

Anos leaned in close, his voice a whisper that sent shivers down every spine present. "You spoke of battle. But tell me… was this what you imagined?"

With a casual squeeze, he crushed the demon lord's heart in his grasp. The once-proud warrior let out a strangled gasp before his body crumpled lifelessly to the floor. The scent of blood thickened in the air, saturating the grand hall with the undeniable stench of death.

Anos exhaled softly, flicking the blood from his fingers before turning his gaze upon the rest of the nobles. "Let this serve as a reminder." His voice, calm yet absolute, cut through the oppressive silence. "I am not some figurehead for you to question. I am your ruler—your King. And under my reign, disobedience…" He gestured toward the lifeless body. "...has but one end."

Several nobles dropped to their knees immediately, their faces drained of all color. Even the defiant ones, the ones who had held onto their pride, swallowed thickly, their eyes betraying the terror that gripped them.

Anos smirked, reveling in their fear. He turned back toward the throne, his long coat sweeping behind him as he walked. With a casual flick of his wrist, an unseen force dragged the demon lord's corpse away, leaving only the smear of blood upon the marble floor as a lingering warning.

As he resumed his seat, his ruby eyes once more swept over the gathered crowd. "Now then… do any others wish to question my rule?"

Silence.

A twisted satisfaction curled in Anos's chest. Good.

Iris stepped forward, her expression serene despite the carnage. "It seems, Master, that your message has been well received."

Anos chuckled darkly, resting his cheek against his palm. "Indeed. But this was merely the opening act." He glanced at the remaining nobles, his smirk widening. "Now… let us discuss your punishments."

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