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―"

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

"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 the situation, all taking

the whole place was sealed; no one was able to

cause for concern. I will provide everyone present with an explanation

able to calm the whole

some people would have already exited the building to see

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

believe that you have been

eyebrow twitched slightly in response to

"I believe so too."

In spite of the fact that he appeared to be calm on the surface, I could sense the anger that was emanating from his

to go as

his actions weren't going

Tap. Tap. Tap.

gaze lingered over me for a brief moment, and then

Thud―!

when they turned to look at him, they discovered to their shock that his figure had already disintegrated

"He's left."

voice echoed beside

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 to the rapidity with which it all

do you think the

her head raised to look up

the corner of my eyes and

room the entire time, if you want to ask someone, he's your best shot at finding out what

nudged in Octavious's direction with my head and Monica's head turned to gaze in

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

tense, and before long, everyone's attention was drawn in Octavious's

know something

A smattering of solemnity could be seen in his eyes

what is

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

than the majority of the room's occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in his chair,

Jordan, the new 7th

was extremely oppressive, with the people around him put in a

one of the few that didn't seem to be intimidated by Hemlock, his gaze

was the fact that he didn't do or say anything. Then again, he was probably wary of Hemlock, who

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

his hand, and the

together, Octavious began

that I wanted to discuss two topics with you guys before we were abruptly interrupted by... you already

something about an alliance, wasn't

one to speak

shoulder, Ivana's disposition seemed wild and unrestrained. She was currently donning a one-piece black dress that accentuated her

lips were fuller than average, and the color of her pupils, which were yellow like Liam's, added to the allure of her otherwise lovely

were, in fact,

her extended elbow, she smiled, exposing her pearly white

us on how