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―"

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

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

one might have 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 out their phones to check

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

concern. I will provide everyone present with an explanation

he was able to

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

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

you have been

twitched slightly

"I believe so too."

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

to go as far as blowing up

his actions weren't going to be very

Tap. Tap. Tap.

over me for a brief moment, and then he

Thud―!

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

"He's left."

echoed beside

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 to the rapidity with

think the explosions

head raised to look up at

her from the corner of my eyes and

time, if you want to ask someone, he's your best shot at

and Monica's head turned to gaze in his

at him. From a glance, I could count more than ten of the people in the room

atmosphere in the room grew increasingly tense, and before long,

you must know something about the situation,

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

said before that you would give us an explanation of what is going on. I'm sure you haven't forgotten what

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

made him extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in

Jordan, the new 7th

oppressive, with the people around him

was one of the few that didn't seem to be intimidated

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

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

his hand, and the room fell into an

together, Octavious

already stated that I wanted to discuss two topics with you guys before

was something about an alliance, wasn't

was the one to speak this

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 black dress that accentuated her great

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

from the others were, in fact, her pupils, which were horizontal,

elbow, she smiled, exposing her

brief us on how the alliance is going to work before