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 expressions of the other people in the room began

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

it would as a result of the unexpected situation; however, it was obvious that the people present weren't exactly unaffected by the situation,

was able to communicate with the outside world for

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

again, he was able to

chance that some people would

look at Hemlock, who was seated on

that you have

eyebrow twitched slightly in response to

"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

to go as far as blowing up half of

actions weren't going

Tap. Tap. Tap.

me for a brief moment, and

Thud―!

room was taken aback by his abrupt action, and when they turned to look at him, they discovered to their shock that his figure had already disintegrated all

"He's left."

voice echoed beside

voice, the entire 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 few minutes, and it was unavoidable that everyone would be a little unnerved by what was occurring due to the rapidity with

do you think

asked, her head raised to look up at

her from the corner of my eyes and

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

Octavious's direction with my head and Monica's head turned to

moment, 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

in the room grew increasingly tense, and before long, everyone's attention was

something

who sat in the chair directly to his left, was the first person to comment. A smattering of solemnity could be

of what is going on. I'm sure you haven't forgotten

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 a size too small for

of the room's occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact, he appeared quite comical seated in his chair, which was obviously too

Jordan, the new 7th

extremely oppressive, with the people around him put in a somewhat difficult

to be intimidated by Hemlock, his

say anything. Then again, he was probably wary of Hemlock, who was the strongest human

I will provide you with an explanation,

and the

his fingers together,

to discuss two topics with you guys before we were abruptly

something about an

Krala was the one to

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

her pupils, which were yellow like Liam's,

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

her extended elbow, she smiled, exposing her

how the alliance is