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 middle of his sentence. The expressions of the other people in the room began to shift at the same time that the muffled sound of

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

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

was able to communicate with

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

he was able to calm

chance that some people would have already

his head to look at

you have been

slightly

"I believe so too."

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

not expected Everblood to go as far as blowing

repercussions of his actions weren't going to be very

Tap. Tap. Tap.

gaze lingered over me for a

Thud―!

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

"He's left."

echoed

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

think the

head raised to look up at

from the corner of my eyes and

know? Just like you, I've been trapped in this room the entire time, if you

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

she wasn't the only one that was looking up at him. From a glance, I could count more than ten of the people in the room already staring in his general direction,

grew increasingly tense, and

know something about

the chair directly to his left, was the first person to comment. A smattering of solemnity could be seen in his eyes at times when

an explanation of what

man with fiery red hair and bushy eyebrows spoke. With his arms crossed and wearing a tight black suit,

extremely intimidating. In fact,

the new 7th

people around him put in a somewhat

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

fact that he didn't do or say anything. Then again,

stated that I will provide you with

hand, and the

together,

already stated that I wanted to discuss two topics with you

about

Krala was the one to speak

disposition seemed wild

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

the others were, in fact, her pupils, which

extended elbow, she

guess, for the next ten minutes you will brief us on how the alliance is going