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 to shift at

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

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

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

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

able to calm the

Octavious's voice, there was a good chance that some people would have already

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

you

slightly in response to

"I believe so too."

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

go as far as blowing up half

his actions weren't going

Tap. Tap. Tap.

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

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 his figure had already disintegrated all over

"He's left."

voice echoed beside

in the span of a few minutes, and it was unavoidable that everyone would be a little unnerved by what was

do you think the explosions

her head raised to

her from the corner of my eyes and shrugged

trapped in this room the entire time, if you want to

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

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, and the numbers steadily grew as

increasingly tense, and before long, everyone's attention

know something about

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

of what is going on. I'm sure you

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

extremely intimidating. In fact,

the

with the people around him put in

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

do or say anything. Then again, he was probably wary of Hemlock,

already stated that I will provide you with an explanation, and I will. I

the room fell into an

his fingers together,

with you guys before we were

about an alliance,

one to speak this

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 bodyline and muscular

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

stand out from the others were, in fact,

she smiled, exposing her

brief us on how