They took a while longer to get the demons settled and calm a few seraphim, who were upset about their presence and yelled bloody murder for their treason. Seonghwa told them he wanted to hear the demons out, and though they grumbled, the angels bowed their heads to his family with respect. It was enough for him.

Once they finally prepared extra space where the demons could sit safely and apart from the others while their three leaders and Morana joined the main round at the large table, they could finally begin with their conference.

Seonghwa took the word first.

"Once more, I greet everyone gathered here formally. Finally, we come together under the sky to share our thoughts and feelings. I welcome all those who have been friends before and all our new friends." He looked upon his round. Was inspired by the smiling faces of his family members who believed in him so firmly. His allies, their rulers and friends; they looked upon him with esteem.

"We have much to deliberate and I wished for us to all be open with one another and find a solution for the future of these lands that benefits us all. I also have much to tell. Much to explain about my disappearance and return, but let's wait with that until we can share stories together at dinner."

They nodded at him, relaxed with some refreshments and their drinks of choice. Aleera, the golem, sat with the dryads and Jongho, listening intently. His other husbands had also all joined their fractions, aside from Mingi, who perched next to Hongjoong and his fanciful mages.

"In fact, I am not here to speak as your emperor. I lost my title long ago and left many of you to tap into darkness. Today, we want to debate if there will be an allied empire again. And who shall rule it? We greet many newcomers as our allies and we also welcome the demons who wish to make up for past wrongs. We shall share our ideas and we shall be kind to one another. No one is obligated to join a new empire."

Everyone looked pleased by that. The demons weren't great talkers, rather preferring a show of strength, and King Richard had been frowning at Seonghwa since he arrived in camp, but they could resolve all those issues one by one.

"With that, I give the word to you. Please, share your stance and have respect when another speaks." Seonghwa lifted his cup to hail proper communication and a pleasant discourse. The others toasted their cups into the air with him.

Seonghwa sunk into his seat and left them to lead the conversation. He wouldn't try to steer it, wouldn't charm anyone with his beauty to do his bidding. This decision was solely theirs.

Hongjoong rose first, hands firm on the tabletop.

"I am Magus Maximus Hongjoong, spouse and diplomat to the Moon Emperor. My word rules the Spire of Magic. Though the mages have been thriving as an isolated nation, we are friends of the elves and support Seonghwa's dedication to the empire and its people. Our emperor has proved himself worthy many times, going through trials like few other rulers before him did, but he bested them with grace. The mages will gladly join an empire under his rule, but will stay sovereign if another person is to take the imperial throne," he announced to their round. His two magisters nodded with their noses high up in the air.

King Richard harrumphed, caressing a hand through his hair.

"An empire benefits many of us, I agree. But this very emperor caused its destruction in the first place. Many elves are weakened from their trials. I say we form an empire, but we let another race rule it. Personally, I would prefer the seraphim or man to do it."

"Without us," Hongjoong replied coolly. "The elves are the balance we need. Your people fear magic and the seraphim hold customs that do not comply with our needs. We won't restrict ourselves to the reign of anyone but the elves."

His frigid response deepened the wrinkles of Richard's forehead, but he left Hongjoong be. Knew the arrogant mages stuck to their personal gain.

"What do the elves say? Is your emperor worthy of our support?" He addressed those gathered around Seonghwa. Rebel leaders, parents who survived the orc caves and fugitives. Each spoke for a community of their own as they experienced the aftermath of the war so differently.

"His family served us well for many generations. If elves are to rule again, we cannot offer you anyone with more care for his people or wiser in the matters of diplomacy and politics. But we don't need a throne. All we want is a home."

And a home was all Seonghwa swore to them. No matter what position he was in, he wouldn't shy away from any labour or expense to bring the Crystal Sphere back to life. They would have villages again, their own communities and forests for their children to play in. Seonghwa would help them without any title.

But he was honoured by their trust. None of the elves faulted him for what happened. In their eyes, he was a victim of treachery and abuse by those stronger than him. He suffered with them and now they would heal together.

Before Richard could push his agenda, Seonghwa spoke up.

"The same goes for me, might I add. I do not demand to be reinstalled. I will serve if that is asked of me, but I bow my head to any who may be more fitting to rule upon us. All I wish is that no more blood will flow among our people," he clarified. He was an option for many of them since they knew him, but that didn't have to mean he could best meet their needs. He didn't want anyone to get hung up on having to reinstall him.

But as he gazed around their leaders, few were in a better position to rule. The elves lost too much to educate another in wisdom and politics. San may be a king in support of Seonghwa right now, but he wasn't a permanent fixture on their throne. Rowan might think differently once he took over. And while Richard deemed himself deserving of an empire, Seonghwa wasn't sure he would care for anything but his own people in his seat of power.

Kindness was the elves' weakness, yes. But it kept these different people together.

Hlin hammered her cup down on the table, startling a few people in their round.

"Bow your head to none! The gryphon-borns also support that moony elf! He killed the damned orcs when nobody else could and he fended off some sons-of-bitches backstabbers against his people so often. You complain about what he lost but think how many he saved despite his delicate body! Could you have saved more? Anyone can be betrayed. Even you, you slick little king." She pointed a finger at Richard and he scrunched his nose in distaste at her behaviour.

Sylvia spoke up for the first time, and the gentle hum of her voice calmed the ruckus. Richard let Hlin's behaviour slip to listen, but Hlin strengthened his resolve to support only specific people as rulers.

"Seonghwa bargained with a dragon to save our people that night. Within a few years, he allied with three groups no one before him managed to draw on their side. His daughter moved the demons to repent, and he wiped out everyone's shared enemy by himself without demanding another to do it for him. I can see other rulers who helped their people here, but none who helped all of us just as much without neglecting certain groups," the dryad said, beckoning around the titans sitting in silent vigil in the clearing behind them. They preferred to listen to the little people yell about their government.

But the nymphs nodded in their stead.

"We met Seonghwa before the war. We could tell how much he cared for his people then and now. Everyone here thought him dead and he could have retreated with his family to live in peace eternally. But here he is, the one trying to protect everyone," Lillwen whispered and the loudmouths around the table shamefully had to quieten down to listen to the singing voices of reason.

Even after being broken, the elves and their related races were ethereal, capturing the hearts of many. They were creatures that transcended their social and cultural shortcomings. As the trees rustled and the moon bathed their emperor in its glow, Richard had to admit that nature chose in their favour as well.

"So many of us fight among each other unless the elves balance us out. I say we need an empire and we need the elves on the throne. Otherwise, the war between the seraphim and the demons will last eternally," San spoke up and Jongho just nodded, happy with anything that meant Seonghwa got his peace.

Nozurri Greyback also beckoned at Seonghwa.

"Not the elves were the problem in this ordeal. His brother was a wholly different person than him. We saw genuine results from Emperor Seonghwa. However, we support whoever pays us. We have been promised a seat in your cabinet for our aid, so whoever rules next gets to deal with us."

Richard grumbled to himself since he wasn't much interested in that.

Morana lifted from her seat and Mingi perked up when he heard her voice, interested in what his imp had to say.

"The same goes for the demons. If we want them to be allied with us, we need an empire and we need people ready to make peace with them. As their current queen, I vow not to repeat past mistakes or butts will be kicked among our own."

Hlin pretended to wipe a tear. Yeosang was hiding behind his branches.

"From what I hear, most rule in favour of an empire since it brought us the most peace. And most agree to expand its current horizons to span across the entire continent, including our friends the nymphs, titans and dwarves, correct?" Jongho summarised for them and Aleera hummed by his side. Pebble somehow found their way between them even if she was supposed to stay back with the pets, and she stared at the edge of the table, too small to see above it.

"Correct. Now we just need someone who would put up with ruling all of it," Richard grumbled.

"Perhaps a split in the middle is wiser?" A mage offered, but some others shook their heads.

For the first time, Crius spoke up. He just sat and listened until then, bemused by their small politics. The titans intimidated everyone outside of Seonghwa's closer circle, even when he assured them plenty of times the giants were friendly.

But they were old beings, and everyone was aware of that. The oldest among them all. When they spoke, wisdom rang true.

"I only see one among you who may live up to this gargantuan task. Only one who dealt with so many predicaments at once and managed to unite foes into lovers and enemies into allies. The only one who dealt with us newcomers all at the same time and gained every favour. Can you really claim any other would do his work?"

Silence as those who doubted peered at Seonghwa's serene expression. They considered his family, the position they were in, what Morana attempted with the demons and the elves he saved from the orcs.

"The stars rarely make a mistake in their calculation. They know all of your paths long before you have been born. Tonight, they shine only on one. Seonghwa will aid your folk no matter which position he is in, even in preparing this meeting today. See how he prepared a safe shelter for you all? How his family maintains your protection and comfort? Who else made this much effort? Shouldn't you consider trusting him?" Asteria added, and everyone peered at the sky. The dwarves and demons cared little for it and humans found the idea of the stars bringing meaning frightening and unholy.

But Seonghwa thanked Asteria with a smile. To her, it was easy, but this wasn't a contest to win their favour. It was about what was best for them.

"Should have brought us some mead if you wanted our support," Hlin noted towards Richard and he bristled his feathers.

"Seonghwa might be trying to grovel, so he gains our favour until he'll bring yet another calamity upon us. Too weak, I insist."

Back in the day, the demons would have agreed. But Morana spoke for them now and her comment was rolling her eyes.

"You think he enjoys death and bloodshed? Would you? Moron," she called him, and Seonghwa stood from his chair to beckon for peace.

"Please, let us take a break. You may confer with your people or discuss in private before we make our final decision. Let's have a meal and meet again in the afternoon, yes?"

Grumbling, they moved their fighting elsewhere and Seonghwa got to thank those who supported him before they reached their result.