In another chamber of the temple's upper palace, light glowed from within—flickering with gold and red as dozens of elite Naga clan members sat in a circular chamber filled with wine and laughter.
At the center, leaning against coral-back chairs, Prince Varun swirled a cup of spiritual nectar lazily.
"So… the human boy is going into the Sea Beast Lair tomorrow?" he said with a smirk, lifting his goblet. "Let's raise a toast."
Some of the elders frowned, but most remained silent.
One of the younger advisors hesitated. "But Prince, Princess Nyara personally vouched for him. If he succeeds—"
Varun cut him off with a scoff. "If? That place devoured even our own Heaven Magi. Do you think some lower realm brat with shiny scales will make it out alive?"
The hall chuckled.
"Let him be devoured by the beasts. At least then, my sister won't parade around with a human and stain the royal name."
He raised the goblet higher, grinning.
