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―"

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

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

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

the whole place was sealed; no one was able to

is no cause for concern. I will provide everyone present

to calm the

Octavious's voice, there was a good chance that some people would have already exited the building to see

look at Hemlock, who was seated on his chair

you

right eyebrow twitched slightly in response to Octaviuos'

"I believe so too."

to be calm on the surface, I

expected Everblood to go as

of his actions weren't going

Tap. Tap. Tap.

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

Thud―!

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

"He's left."

echoed

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

do you think the

her head raised

her from the corner

this room the entire time, if you want to ask someone,

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

From a glance, I could count more than ten of the people in the room already staring in his general

increasingly tense, and before long, everyone's attention was drawn in Octavious's

know something about the situation,

A smattering of solemnity could be seen in his eyes

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

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

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

the new

people around him put in a

of the few that didn't seem to be intimidated

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

I will provide you with

and the room fell into an

together, Octavious

to discuss two topics with you guys before

about an

Krala was the one

crossed and her glossy red hair falling over her shoulder, Ivana's disposition seemed wild and

the color of her pupils, which were yellow like Liam's,

from the others were, in fact,

elbow, she smiled, exposing her pearly

brief us on how the alliance is going to work before finally getting to the