The clouds and mist parted.

The White Swan Demon Emperor pawed at the ground. It had already gained some sense of this lion's temperament from the other demons' accounts.

Yet hearing a hundred times was nothing to seeing once.

When it actually witnessed the scene before it, it found itself somewhat astonished all the same.

A moment later, the White Swan Demon Emperor laughed again. "Very well."

As it happened, it had wanted to blunt the creature's edge. And since this lion was in such a hurry, it wouldn't mind obliging.

To rest arrogantly upon one's merits simply did not work within the Thousand Demon Den.

"If we're to fight, then let us fight properly!"

The White Swan let out a long whinny, whereupon a crowd of demons came rushing in — and then scattered away again!

Soon, a pair of eyes appeared in the heavens.

Then a second pair, and a third...

Those eyes all seemed to have woken from slumber, still carrying a certain haze, which swiftly turned to curiosity.

A full five mysterious existences had begun to attend to this place.

"Since we are choosing a new great demon emperor, it is only fitting that you all see for yourselves which is the more suitable."

"Only — blades and spears have no eyes, and life and death are as fate decrees."

"You had best consider carefully."

The White Swan Demon Emperor's words rolled slowly outward.

Besides the five great demon emperors, a great many lesser demons likewise gathered cautiously toward the place.

Their gazes settled on the two figures at its center.

"Hah."

The Gold-Winged Demon Emperor gently pressed a hand to her brow. By what she knew of the lion, if there had been any room to defuse this a moment ago, the instant this whole spectacle was laid out, there was no possibility whatsoever of him turning back.

Having spoken, the White Swan Demon Emperor stood in silence.

What it wanted was to snap this lion's ramrod-straight spine before the eyes of every demon present.

If it managed the business well—

then perhaps it needn't…