As Astara's population and economy grew, its central city became a sight to behold with stunning architecture. Walls with detailed carvings adorned every street, telling stories of heroic ancestors. By day, warm sunlight shone on the city, and by night, stars shimmered like breathtaking jewels, while the aurora borealis beamed in shades of green and violet.

The Flare Wing Palace of Middle Astara had a grand throne room, surrounded by tall columns and endless hallways with ornate, carved arches. Its dome-shaped roof, decorated with stunning mosaics, resembled Pars architecture of West Asia. The palace garden had statues of their respected ancestors, leaders, and ancient Astaran warriors who had achieved great glory. One statue honored Deming's father, reminding everyone of their fight for freedom from the Faerie Tribe.

Feng Deming's face twisted in disgust as his eyes, resembling molten lava, scanned the throne room, filled with disapproving glances from his people. While most honored him as a great leader, some West Astarans refused to surrender.

"You're just a man who's barely passed the age of a boy," the Western King sneered at the younger man seated on the grand throne on a raised platform.

"Oh, is that so?" Deming raised an eyebrow, his demeanor calm as he found the man's bold words rather amusing. He held the highest authority as the King of Kings, dressed in luxurious black-gold robes and dark, shiny armor that sparkled in the dim light.

"I may lack your strength, but when my people unite, our collective power becomes unmatched."

The room fell silent. Deming's eye twitched, his fists clenched, and his head took on a subtle tilt as he considered his next move.

With a fierce glare, the Western King took his silence as an insult. "Feng Deming, we demand a fair battle for the throne!" His words echoed off the stone walls.

Standing up from his throne, Deming's tall, imposing figure formed a dark shadow over the trembling man. His fierce gaze on the Western King ignited fear, causing the man's eyes to widen under the Supreme Lord's threatening stare. The surrounding crowd began to lose confidence in supporting the Western King.

Deming narrowed his eyes and spat out each word to intimidate, maintaining an unblinking glare. "King... of... the... West," his voice harsh and deep.

The ministers and the kings from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern regions trembled in the throne room, anticipating Deming's intention to execute the Western King.

"You want to kill me? Then try," Deming's strong voice echoed, and he walked down the stairs with purpose, each step growing more intense.

The Western King swallowed hard as the peril in the suffocating throne room struck him. The nobles held their breath, waiting for the Astaran Supreme Lord's next move.

Deming stood tall over the Western King. His golden eyes, fierce as the sun, pierced through the older man's gaze, forming a scowl that frightened those present. "However..."

In an instant, a crushing pressure tightened around the Western King's throat. He struggled to breathe as Deming lifted him off the floor, struggling to break free. He trembled, unsure if he would survive.

"Before you kill me, let me ask this," Deming snarled, tightening his grip as the room fell silent. "Officials of West Astara, you have suffered for years under Faerie Rule, and what did your king do to make you blindly follow him? What has he done to restore Astara's glory?"

The Western King's gasps and wheezes broke the eerie silence from time to time as he fought for breath. Nobles and officials murmured, their faces reflecting shock and fear.

"ANSWER ME!" Deming's frown deepened, his eyes burning with intensity.

The officials of West Astara, who had underestimated the Supreme Lord, could only avoid his gaze in fear.

"If you had the power to overthrow any Astaran Supreme, you would have done so to my father or his servant years ago while they were still alive. But you failed where a mere boy succeeded. You and everyone in West Astara lack the means to end my life, for I am... immortal," Deming sneered.