The Author's POV

"Are you here to kill time, or do you intend to declare war on us directly?"

"I wonder about that..."

"Don't feign ignorance."

It was the sound of Octavious and Hemlock's voices that roused me awake.

When I opened my eyes, I noticed that the scene was continuing to unfold exactly as it had been when I had closed them.

I lowered my head to check the time.

'Only two minutes have passed.'

I was surprised to see that not much time had passed since I had activated Monarch's Indifference and that the scene had not changed much since I had left.

'You'll find out in due time.'

These were the words that Kevin told me before ending the connection.

What did they mean? ...I didn't know. There were so many questions that I had, yet at the same time, had no one to answer them.

Whatever was happening was fucked up.

All this secrecy bullshit, I was fucking tired of it.

'In the end, I'm still probably not strong enough.'

I silently clenched my fist under the table. All it took was a deep breath to calm my nerves down.

There was something else that needed my immediate attention at the moment.

"I don't get it; why are you people willing to throw away your lives in such a reckless way? Do you have any idea how formidable the Demon King really is? Do you honestly believe that you have even the smallest chance of beating him?"

"What I'm doing is for the good of humanity, which you guys are unwilling to acknowledge. I have already spoken with the Demon King, and he has promised me that if we choose to submit to him, he will provide us with a land where we can survive in the future."

"Why must we waste so many lives when the solution is right in front of us? Are you really willing to let our race go extinct?"

The air resounded with Hemlock's voice. His voice had a peculiar allure that briefly hypnotized me, but I was able to quickly shake off the effect and my gaze fell on Octavious.

For some reason, Octavious was strangely calm.

Even stranger was the fact that he appeared to be quietly listening to Hemlock's voice without any hints of rage or impatience.

The Octavious that I was familiar with would have almost certainly put an end to Hemlock's life right then and there; however, for some inexplicable reason, he had remained perfectly still the entire time.

For some strange reason, it appeared as if they were both stalling for time.

'It can't be right?'

Another ridiculous notion occurred to me, and I turned my attention to the direction in which Octavious was sitting.

'What exactly are you planning?'

"You seem to be waiting for something."

"I am―"

of the other people in the room began to shift at

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

result of the unexpected situation; however, it was obvious that the people present weren't exactly unaffected by the situation,

no one was

relax. There is no cause for concern. I will provide everyone present

again, he was able to

chance that some people would have already exited the building

he turned his head to look at Hemlock, who was seated on

believe that you

right eyebrow twitched slightly in response

"I believe so too."

that he appeared to be calm on the surface, I could sense the anger that was emanating from

as far as blowing up half of

of his actions weren't going

Tap. Tap. Tap.

me for a

Thud―!

taken aback by his abrupt action, and when they turned to look at him, they discovered

"He's left."

echoed beside

appearance of Hemlock to the explosions that echoed outside, a great deal transpired in the span of a few minutes, and it was unavoidable that everyone would be a little unnerved by what was occurring

think the explosions

asked, her head raised to look up

corner of my eyes and shrugged

like you, I've been trapped in this room the entire time, if you want to ask someone, he's your best

my head and Monica's head

that was looking up at him. From a glance, I could count more than ten of the people in the room already staring in his general direction,

and before long, everyone's attention

something

sat in the chair directly to his left, was the first person to comment. A

an explanation of what is going on. I'm sure you haven't forgotten what you

tight black suit, his basketball-sized muscles were

the room's occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in his chair, which was obviously too small for

Jordan, the new 7th

was extremely oppressive, with the people around

few that didn't seem to be intimidated by Hemlock, his

didn't do or say anything. Then again,

you with an explanation, and I will. I am a man of my

and the room fell into an immediate

together, Octavious began to

you guys before we were abruptly interrupted by... you

was something about an alliance,

Krala was the one to speak

and her glossy red hair falling over her shoulder, Ivana's disposition seemed wild and

pupils, which were yellow like Liam's, added to

were, in fact, her pupils, which were horizontal,

extended elbow, she

will brief us on how the alliance is going to work before finally getting to the main