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

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

it would as a result of the unexpected situation; however, it was

the whole place was sealed; no one was able to communicate with the outside

will provide everyone present with

was able to calm the whole situation

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

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

that you

right eyebrow twitched slightly in

"I believe so too."

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

expected Everblood to go as far as

his actions weren't going to be very

Tap. Tap. Tap.

wooden desk, his gaze lingered over me for a brief moment, and then he suddenly dropped his head

Thud―!

in the room was taken aback by his abrupt action, and when they turned to look at him, they discovered to their shock that

"He's left."

echoed beside

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

think the

head raised to look up at

glanced at her from the corner of my eyes and shrugged my

should I 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

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

count more than

room grew increasingly tense, and

something about

left, was the first person to comment. A

you would give us an explanation of what is going

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

a head taller than the majority of the room's occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact,

the new

with the people around him put in a

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

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

that I will provide you with an

raised his hand, and the room fell

his fingers together, Octavious

that I wanted to discuss two topics with you guys

something about an alliance,

one to

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

her pupils, which were

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

on her extended elbow, she smiled, exposing her

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