Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 973- Acquiring Few Henchmen (7)

The Dragon Lords introduced what came to be known as the Treaty of Valmyr, named after the valley where the Dragon Lords gathered the leaders of each faction to dictate terms.

Simon did not know much about the treaty but from what little information he had, it enforced territorial boundaries, the ceasefire of assault, restriction of forbidden magic and sanctuary for minor and weak races.

The Treaty of Valmyr brought an end to the Second Apex War, ushering in an era of uneasy peace. The balance it enforced allowed the world to recover, but the scars of the war remained.

Of course, all of this was in the future, in the current timeline none of this had happened yet. That said, knowing the information about the future gave Simon an advantage that allowed him to manipulate the situation the way he did right now.

And while his story about the Dragon Lords interfering might have been a clever ruse, it was based on the future events and could be said to be somewhat true.

Simon looked at Vordanaz, seeing that the latter still showed some suspicions, he decided to bring out the ace in his sleeves. He held a yellow crystal marked with several runes in front of the Demon Duke's face.

"Duke Vordanaz since you still doubt me, then can you tell what this is?".

The latter looked at the crystal and in that instant, it was as if his soul left the body. He got up from his seat approached the crystal and looked at it the crystal as if it was some kind of supreme artifact.

"This… how is this possible? This crystal clearly contains the blood essence of a high ranking dragon. What's more the runes it's engraved with are also not ordinary. Normally, an item like this can only be made if the user is willing to shave a portion of the strength to create it. Once it shatters, it would alert the being who created it".

Vordanaz was a Demon Duke for a reason, one look was enough for him to completely grasp the utility of the item.

After he was done checking the crystal, his eyes fell on the demon again. However, unlike earlier when they still held some suspicions and doubts, this time it was completely covered with reluctant acceptance and even some fear.

"Do you believe me now? This item was given to me by one of the elder dragons as a sign of respect and friendship. I don't need to tell you what this means".

With the crystal that Valdris gave him, he had complete credibility over his story.

"So the dragon lord have started to make their moves and you've been planted here... to judge us? To decide our worth in this war?"

Simon shook his head "Not quite, The Dragon Lords are impartial, but that does not mean they will tolerate evil. Humans and demons alike have blood on their hands. Both are at fault for this endless conflict"

"But when it comes to preserving balance, they will not hesitate to act—even if it means forging a justice of their own design."

"For the sake of the world's balance and its survival, the Dragon Lords will not hesitate to uphold their vision of justice, even if it is something they must enforce through their might. They are not blind to the suffering caused by this war, nor will they allow it to continue unchecked."

After explaining all that, he started smiling "My role in all of that is simply an observer. Through me—and others like me—they watch. The Dragon Lords' eyes are on every corner of this war. I am not the only one. There are countless others placed strategically across this conflict, monitoring every move, every decision, and every atrocity."

Gulp… Vordanaz gulped traces of concern could be seen on his face. This was a serious matter, according to what Simon said, the dragon lord were observing them without them even realising it.

In this war where the balance had been maintained by the demon lords, Seraphims and powerful sovereigns of other races even a single mistake or decision could decide the battle.

If in a situation like this the dragon clan decided to join the fray, it would completely break the balance and decide the outcome of the war forever.

In a war, one side will lose, and one side will win. But the victory is not simply determined by swords or spells alone. What the demon was trying to tell him was the side that causes the most destruction, that reaps the most death, will become the greater evil in the eyes of the Dragon Lords.

And that side—be it humans, demons, or both—will face the full force of their intervention.

The chamber fell into an uneasy silence, the only sound the faint crackling of the torches. Vordanaz leaned back in his throne, his expression grim. It was clear he was grappling with the implications of Simon's revelation.

Having said everything, Simon stood up to leave. "I have said all I needed to, Vordanaz. I revealed myself to you for one reason: to warn my own kind—this one time. I have no intention of interfering directly, nor will I take sides. I have given you a chance to understand the stakes, and perhaps, to seek redemption in my own way."

 "Redemption, you say?" Vordanaz's lips curved into a sarcastic smile "A demon like you? Do you truly think I would believe something like that?"

 Demons by far were whimsical creatures who mostly cared about their own interest. The thing about redemption or kinship although not foreign was not important to most demons.

As such, when Simon said that he was doing this for redemption or to warn his kin, he couldn't believe the latter. However, after seeing the completely serious face of the Demon Noble, Vordanaz was forced to reconsider.

"You have my gratitude for sharing such information".

 As if remembering something, Simon turned around to face the Demon Duke "I'm sure you know this, but you cannot speak of what I told you to anyone".