A complete silence fell over the Black Meeting.
No laughter.
No arguments.
Only the distant sound of rain striking the windows of Noctharis Isle.
The blue flames along the walls burned low, casting long shadows across the marble floor.
Ikiro leaned closer to the crew and spoke quietly.
"If there's going to be a vote… do we vote for Bellini's death?"
Mil stared at the glowing voting crystal on the table.
"Is there even a choice anymore? We already lost this debate."
Junyu's eyes remained fixed on Aurex's golden throne.
"Does Bellini even know about this? He has no idea what's happening here."
His voice lowered.
"And I'm not even sure he can defeat all those rulers together."
Katsa looked directly at him.
"Then decide now."
Junyu turned toward her.
"You're the captain. Your answer matters more than ours. A captain doesn't get the luxury of uncertainty."
Junyu took a slow breath.
The collar around his neck suddenly felt heavier than iron.
At last he nodded.
"Fine."
His crimson eyes sharpened.
"We stand with Bellini."
The Devil Horns silently agreed.
The masked host raised the black crystal staff.
"Enough discussion."
The hall grew still again.
"You have debated, argued, threatened, and negotiated. The time for words has ended."
Servants moved between the tables and placed glowing crystal panels before every delegate.
"Press red if you vote for the death of Re Lorenzo Bellini."
A crimson light pulsed through the chamber.
"Press green if you vote for peace."
An emerald glow answered it.
The host stepped back.
"Vote."
Tick.
Tick.
Tick.
The sound of crystal buttons echoed through the enormous hall.
Some delegates pressed immediately.
Others hesitated.
A few stared at Aurex before making their choice.
Junyu did not look at his panel.
He kept watching Aurex.
The ruler of Paraben sat motionless, golden eyes half hidden beneath shadow.
One by one, the Devil Horns pressed green.
A soft emerald light appeared before their seats.
Across the hall, red lights bloomed like drops of blood.
Too many of them.
Junyu already knew the outcome.
The ticking stopped.
The crystal panels darkened.
The masked host opened a sealed scroll.
"The votes have been counted."
The entire chamber held its breath.
"Three hundred and twelve delegates voted."
He paused.
"Fifty-four voted for peace."
A faint green glow flickered across the hall.
"Two hundred and fifty-eight voted for death."
A heavy silence followed.
The host's voice echoed like a sentence.
"By majority decree of the Black Meeting, the assassination of Re Lorenzo Bellini will proceed within the coming months."
Thunder exploded outside.
Rain lashed the windows harder than before.
High above the chamber, Aurex smiled.
Slowly.
Confidently.
His gaze met Junyu's.
Junyu did not look away.
The black collar still hung around his neck, yet his eyes burned with defiance.
Aurex's smile faded slightly.
"Lacod Junyu," he murmured, "interesting."
For the first time, Aurex seemed less amused and more curious.
The hall gradually filled with whispers again.
Some delegates celebrated.
Others looked pale.
The Devil Horns sat in uneasy silence.
Katsa broke it first.
"So that's it? The decision is final?"
Ikiro stared at the darkened voting crystal.
"Do any of you remember why we came here?"
His voice sounded distant.
"We came to stop Organization X."
Michael let out a bitter laugh.
"And now look at us."
He glanced around the hall of kings and emperors.
"We're nothing here. Our opinions don't matter in this world."
Junyu shook his head immediately.
"No."
Everyone looked at him.
"We mattered enough to force this room to argue."
His gaze returned to Aurex.
"And Organization X is hiding something. There's no way Aurex arrived just before this vote by coincidence."
The blue flames reflected in his eyes.
"There's something bigger happening here."
At that moment, a man in a dark cloak hurried to the masked host and whispered into his ear.
The host listened, then struck the floor with his staff.
"Day One of the Black Meeting has concluded."
Servants began opening the side doors.
"Return to your chambers. Rest well."
His masked face tilted toward the crowd.
"Tomorrow we begin the Grand Auction and the negotiations concerning the future of Bloodveil Harbour."
Delegates started rising from their seats.
The cloaked messenger bowed and quickly slipped away through a side corridor.
As he ran, something beneath his sleeve flashed with a faint blue glow.
Junyu noticed it instantly.
"Wait."
He stood halfway from his chair.
"Look at that man. He's hiding something."
Salim glanced briefly toward the corridor.
"Forget him. Focus on what's in front of us."
But Junyu kept watching until the man disappeared into the darkness.
A cold feeling crawled down his spine.
Something is moving behind the curtains of this meeting.
He clenched his fist.
I can't prove it yet… but tonight something is going to happen.