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―"

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

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

chaos as 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

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

please relax. There is no cause for concern. I will

he was able to calm the

there was a good chance that some

he turned his head to look at Hemlock, who was seated on his chair

that you have been

right eyebrow twitched slightly

"I believe so too."

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

as far as

of his actions weren't going to be

Tap. Tap. Tap.

finger drummed over the wooden desk, his gaze lingered over me for a brief moment, and then

Thud―!

abrupt action, and when they turned to look at him,

"He's left."

echoed beside

of Hemlock to the explosions that echoed outside, a great deal transpired in the span of a

think the explosions

asked, her head raised to look up at

corner of

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 what is going

my head and Monica's head turned to gaze in

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

increasingly tense, and before long, everyone's attention was

must know something

his left, was the first person to comment. A smattering of solemnity could

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

bushy eyebrows spoke. With his arms crossed and wearing a tight black suit, his basketball-sized muscles were accentuated

extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in his chair, which was obviously too small

the new 7th

people around him put

seem to be intimidated by Hemlock, his gaze remaining firm throughout

the fact that 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

raised his hand, and the room fell

fingers together, Octavious began

topics with you guys

something about an alliance,

Krala was the one to speak

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

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

the others were, in fact,

extended elbow, she smiled, exposing her pearly white

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