The demon kings and demon lords were surprised by the need for secrecy about the deal that the realm lord offered. An oath is not a small thing to make. Breaking it will lead to dire consequences. So some of them are not willing to subject themselves to one. Especially when they don't know what exactly they are going to bind themselves to. So the demon God's assurance of safety filled them with relief. That relief turned into fright when they heard the demon God's next words.
"You have nothing to worry about if you leave. The only thing you might have to worry about is your safety after this meeting. The coalition of the abyss might need to consolidate the entire strength of the abyss and unify our forces and resources. You might encounter unfortunate events during the process. It will be very unfortunate. But it can be avoided if you swear loyalty now."
They understood immediately, both the literal and the subtle threats from WRATH. They can swear loyalty, or they can prepare to be forcefully annexed by the coalition of the abyss. It is the threat of a demon God. They can be sure that they will face unfortunate events if they don't swear loyalty.
Everyone became less comfortable. They began to fidget. They are demon kings and demon lords. They control a domain and have many subordinates. Demon gods are strong, that much they can admit to. But that doesn't mean they want to be bossed around. Even if they are bossed around at the end of the day, they will resist a little and they will still have feelings of dissatisfaction and indignance.
They are all unwilling with the offer but no one said anything. They too are leaders. So they know how it will go when someone stands up to them. None of them wants to be the scapegoat that will teach the others a lesson and make them fall in line. So no one said anything. They all kept quiet.
The only sound that can be heard is the howling of the wind. The demon gods also didn't say anything. They were content with watching the demon kings squirm uncomfortably.
Everything was silent. That was until someone raised his hands up. It was Aeternus.
He said, "I have a question."
GREED snarled, "It's you again."
"Go on." WRATH interrupted. "Ask your question."
"Thank you, your Excellency. I am sure the coalition of the Abyss is a good idea. But we don't know that for sure. We are ignorant and cannot compare with the infinite wisdom that your excellencies possess. Forgive us for this sin."
GREED interrupted, "Ask your question ant. Do not bore us with tales of your stupidity, ignorance, and weaknesses."
Aeternus ignored the rabid demon god and continued, "You have told us the detriment of not joining this coalition. Is there anything you can tell us about the advantages of joining this coalition? For example, will our safety from Demon gods be extended to everyone within the coalition for as long as the coalition still stands? Can we attack other demon kings in the coalition or is that limited to those not in the coalition?"
The other demon kings and demon lords were nodding in agreement as he spoke. There is a lot that they don't know about this coalition. The demon gods don't need to give them information about the deal. But surely, they can give them information about the benefits of the coalition.
"What other effects will joining the coalition have on us? Do we have to release the demon kings we captured if they accept to join the coalition? Do we have to pay taxes in any form? What are our contributions to the coalition supposed to be? Is the coalition meant only for secrecy? If so, then we don't need to create a coalition. We can just swear to secrecy and that will be all. And most importantly, why does it matter that we join the coalition? You're demon gods. You are much stronger than us. What do you need us for? What is it that we can do that your excellencies can't?"
He asked a lot of questions. Then he finished his questions with a humble request.
"I ask these questions not in disrespect, Your Excellency. But so that you can enlighten us and shine some light on our ignorance. I hope you will do us this small favor, Your Excellency."
The demon kings and demon lords would have given him a standing ovation if their safety were assured. They would have stood up and clapped. And they would have done so for a long time. But they are in the presence of demon gods. So they will limit themselves to nodding subtly while they watch if Aeternus will be struck down for his impudence.
"Impudence." PRIDE roared.
Apparently, someone thought he was being impudent too.
PRIDE is one of the demon gods on the sidelines about going after Aeternus. It is a little curious about Aeternus's weird energy but it won't bring itself so low as to capture him. Whatever it is about Aeternus, it is beneath it anyway. This meeting is also beneath it. Even the other demon gods are beneath it. So it ignored Aeternus and everyone else.
It didn't participate in the discussion and it doesn't plan to. But Aeternus dared to question a demon God. He dared to show disrespect. Its pride won't allow it. Aeternus should know his place and not mouth off. He should just swear loyalty and be done with it. In fact, every demon king and demon lord here should just do what they are asked to do immediately.
"You dare to question a demon God? You dare?" PRIDE asked Aeternus with a calm but serious voice.
Then it said to everyone else, "Who here agrees with him?"
The spiritual and physical pressure of the demon god of pride blasted all of them with that question. They felt the question slam into them with the force of a hurricane. The tone of the question itself is calm. But it is clear to everyone that the demon god of pride is very angry.