Not a few of the Demon Race's upper ranks now quaked in heart and gall; had they not been sitting in chairs, they would likely have sunk limp to the floor there and then.
Zhao Chen was in no haste to speak, but took up the tea beside him and slowly drank a mouthful.
The company watched the Owl Dragon Commander in their tension, as men awaiting sentence.
"I, Zhao Chen, have always been one whose word holds good. Before this, to General Chitong's stock I promised not a few things. For the risk they bore was the greatest of all. They were the earliest to choose to stand upon our Owl Dragon's side," Zhao Chen said in a low voice.
At this the eyes of the Demon upper ranks present all fell upon three Demons among them.
These three Demons were of Chitong's own kin.
"Kababa." Zhao Chen suddenly spoke out a name.
One of those three Demons rose sharply to his feet.
"Commander…" The Demon Kababa stood, not understanding why he had been called all of a sudden.
Zhao Chen did not explain, but called on: "Katan."
"Here." Another Demon, of sturdy build, rose as well.
"Kabas," Zhao Chen called.
A Demon of middle years rose slowly; set against the others, there was a far steadier air about this Kabas.
For he was Chitong's uncle, own younger brother to Chitong's father.
"Besides these, there were two others. They fell bravely in the action before. Huska and Beksu," Zhao Chen said, his expression grave.
Hearing the Owl Dragon Commander speak these two names, not a few Demons present were moved.
"Here I declare that the direct kin of Huska and Beksu shall have household registry in the Owl Dragon Star System outright. And their direct issue shall have the qualification to enter outright into the industries under the Owl Dragon Galactic Interstellar Group. And if they are willing, they may hold the office of lord within the Demon eastern territory as well. This is the promise I gave to their fathers. The Owl Dragon will shelter them!" So saying, Zhao Chen swept his eyes over all the Demons present.
It seemed meant as a warning.
For all knew well that if Huska and Beksu themselves had held such offices as lord within this star-firmament, perhaps no one would have said anything.
But if their issue held such offices here, it would certainly draw the covetousness of others, and even the seizing of power by force.
For they had been gone from this Demon star-firmament many years, and here were as duckweed without root.
But now it was otherwise.
With these words of the Owl Dragon Commander's, they had a shelter vast as heaven.
Unless one day the Owl Dragon should fall into decline, or a man should be weary of living, the kin and issue of these two would surely flourish and grow within this star-firmament.
Not a few Demon houses would even seek of their own accord to claim connection with them, and to help them make firm their ground and their hold upon it.
So saying, Zhao Chen raised his hand.
And opened a map of the Demon Race's eastern territory that Lilith had long since prepared.
"Look, all of you. This I call the Eastern Demon Interstellar City-States. These star systems and star regions I have divided into ten interstellar city-states. These ten interstellar city-states shall be in the charge of you who are seated here." So saying, Zhao Chen pointed his finger at one of the marked-out regions.
"The Vanes Interstellar City-State, with Kabas to hold the office of lord. And the five named above to be vice-lords; the six of them to form the city-state council, and take charge of this interstellar city-state's affairs."
As Zhao Chen spoke, Lilith beside him had already brought out a brocade case.
The case being opened, within it were crests of exquisite work, one upon another.
Each crest was different, standing for its own interstellar city-state.
But in one thing they were alike: in the details of every crest's design the trace of the Owl Dragon crest could be seen,
as though to say that the Owl Dragon was at every moment and in every place.
"Let the six come forward." Lilith looked toward Kabas and the five with him.
Kabas and the other five came forward: some in excitement, some in calm, some past believing it.
Zhao Chen with his own hands fastened upon these six Demon notables the six crests that stood for this interstellar city-state, one of gold and five of silver.
The procedure thereafter was much the same.
Every interstellar city-state had one lord and several vice-lords, and then formed a city-state council.
By the end of this round, a little over an hour had gone by.
The procedure might well have been dispensed with.
But Lilith had said that this was a good occasion for setting a brand upon the spirits of subordinates.
Such a procedure, seemingly so cumbersome, could in fact deepen those subordinates' sense of allegiance to Zhao Chen as their leader.
Above all at the moment when Zhao Chen fastened the crest upon them.
It was as though to say that all they now possessed was of Zhao Chen's bestowing.
Zhao Chen, this Owl Dragon Commander, could bestow these rights and this standing upon them, and could as readily take them away at any moment.
"I wonder whether such an arrangement contents you all," said Lilith, her eyes sweeping over everyone present.
Perhaps some thought within themselves that what they had got was too little.
But in the present case, whose wits would be so addled as to stand forth and say so?
However it might be, at the least everyone had now got what was due, and that was enough.
"In times to come there may be a Southern Federation of the Demon Race besides, and a Western Federation, and a Northern Federation. All these are matters for hereafter. By that time we may set up certain other offices as well. Notice will be given when the time comes. I hope that, since you have taken up this crest, you will understand clearly that this crest stands not for rights and standing alone, but for a responsibility besides. Those Demons who support you were moved to rebellion in their hearts by the former Demon King's cruelty, and by his indifference to the people's livelihood. I hope you will not become a second Demon King. To that end, my Owl Dragon Galactic Interstellar Group will give you the greatest help. We will furnish you with technologies and products for developing the people's livelihood, and build more of the ground works besides. And if there be need, we can give you certain investment loans as well. I believe that only when the life of all is good can your seats be sat in securely. Otherwise the crest you have got today will, sooner or later, one day be taken off you by another!" Zhao Chen said in a low voice.
"Understood!"
"The Commander speaks truly!"
So said the demon lords, one after another.
Lilith at this sent out a document, and said: "Next are certain rules of the interstellar city-states. The chief of them are these. To prevent strife among the interstellar city-states, no interstellar city-state may form any fleet offensive against others, save only its guard fleet. And the purchase of interstellar warships shall likewise be in the charge of the Owl Dragon Galactic Interstellar Group. Should anything of an evil sort occur within the northern interstellar city-states,[1] we shall form an interstellar court besides, to try such matters expressly. We shall also arrange plans of development for your interstellar city-states, and we hope you will cooperate. And there are certain small details besides…"
All that Lilith set forth at this moment was as so many unseen hands winding themselves about the Demon Race.
Bringing the Demon Race, wholly and utterly, to its knees before the Owl Dragon!