Chapter 11
The room settled into a thick silence after the chief's mocking words, broken only by the wet squelch of meat being chewed.
Jared stood still, letting the moment stretch.
"Your home is certainly… welcoming," he said, eyes scanning the abundance of food on the table. "The smell of roasted greed is hard to miss."
The chief's laughter rolled through the dining hall like thunder.
"Hah! You're sharp. I like that. Sit, Dragon Master. I'd hate for your legs to grow weary while we chat."
Jared didn't move. Neither did Lucy or Paimon.
"I prefer standing," he said. "This is just a courtesy visit. I came to Ravana to observe its structure, its people… its success."
"Oh? You're interested in me now?" the chief said, licking his fingers before snapping.
The butler poured him a glass of wine without being asked.