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 room began to shift at the same

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

would as a result of the unexpected situation; however, it was obvious that the people present weren't exactly unaffected by the situation, all taking out their phones

one was able to communicate with the outside world for the

I will provide everyone present with an

again, he was able to

weren't for Octavious's voice, there was a good chance that some people would have already exited the

at Hemlock, who was seated on his chair with a blank

believe that you have been

right eyebrow twitched slightly in response to Octaviuos'

"I believe so too."

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

he had not expected Everblood to go as

weren't going to be

Tap. Tap. Tap.

his gaze lingered over me for a brief moment, and then

Thud―!

to look

"He's left."

echoed

her voice, the entire room erupted in murmurs. From the sudden 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 due

think

head raised

the corner of my

know? Just like you, I've been trapped in this room the entire time, if you want to ask someone, he's your best shot at finding out what is going

head and Monica's head turned to gaze in his

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

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

must know something about

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

that you would give us an explanation of what

a muscular man with fiery red hair and bushy eyebrows spoke. With his arms crossed and wearing a tight black suit, his basketball-sized muscles were accentuated by his attire, which seemed to be a size too small for

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

the new 7th

was extremely oppressive, with the people around

few that didn't seem to be

he didn't do or say anything. Then again, he was probably wary of

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

raised his hand, and the room

fingers together, Octavious began to

discuss two topics with you guys before we were abruptly interrupted by... you already know

something about an alliance,

one

back in her chair with her legs crossed and her glossy red hair falling over her shoulder, Ivana's disposition seemed wild and unrestrained. She was currently donning a one-piece

which were yellow like

stand out from the others were, in fact, her pupils, which were horizontal, like a

elbow, she smiled, exposing her pearly white

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