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―"

the other people in the room began to shift at the same time that the muffled sound of explosions

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

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

was able to communicate

concern. I will provide everyone present with an explanation at a

able to calm the whole situation

for Octavious's voice, there was a good chance that some people

as before, he turned his head to look at Hemlock, who was seated on his chair with a blank

believe that you have

eyebrow twitched slightly in response to

"I believe so too."

spite of the fact that he appeared to be calm on the surface, I could sense the anger that

not expected Everblood to go as far as

of his actions weren't going to

Tap. Tap. Tap.

me for a brief moment, and

Thud―!

to look at him, they discovered to their shock

"He's left."

voice echoed

outside, a great deal transpired in the span of a few minutes, and it was unavoidable that everyone would be

do you think the explosions

her head raised to look up at

her from the corner of my eyes and shrugged my

in this room the entire time, if you want to ask someone, he's your

with my head and Monica's head turned to

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 the numbers steadily grew as

in the room grew increasingly tense, and before long, everyone's attention was

must know something about the situation, don't

person to comment. A smattering of solemnity could be seen in his eyes at

that you would give us an explanation of what is going on. I'm

his arms crossed and wearing a tight black suit, his basketball-sized muscles were accentuated by his attire, which

occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in his chair, which was

the

was extremely oppressive, with the people around him

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

Then again, he was probably wary of Hemlock, who was

I have already stated that I will provide you with an explanation,

hand, and the room fell into an immediate

together,

discuss two topics with you

something about an alliance, wasn't

the one to speak

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

color of her pupils, which were yellow like Liam's, added to the allure of her otherwise lovely

others were, in

extended elbow, she smiled, exposing

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