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―"

middle of his sentence. The expressions of the other people in the room began to shift at the

"What's going on?"

"What's happening?"

have anticipated it would as a result of the unexpected situation; however, it was obvious that the people present

the whole place was sealed; no one was

cause for concern. I will provide everyone present with

was able to calm

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

expression as before, he turned his head to look at Hemlock, who was seated on his chair with a blank expression on his

that you

slightly in

"I believe so too."

appeared to be calm on the surface, I could sense the anger that was emanating

to go as far as blowing up half

of his actions weren't going to

Tap. Tap. Tap.

drummed over the wooden desk, his gaze lingered over me for a brief moment, and then he suddenly dropped his head on

Thud―!

look at him, they discovered

"He's left."

voice echoed

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 which it

you think

asked, her head raised to

corner of my eyes and

this room the entire time, if you want to ask someone, he's your best shot at finding

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

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

tense, and before long, everyone's attention was

you must know something about the situation,

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

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

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

mere fact that he was a head taller than the majority of the room's occupants made him extremely intimidating. In fact,

the new

the people

didn't seem to be intimidated by

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

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

and the room fell into an

together, Octavious began

wanted to discuss two topics with you guys before we were abruptly interrupted by... you

something about an alliance, wasn't

the one to speak

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

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

in fact, her pupils, which were horizontal, like a

she

minutes you will brief us on how the alliance is going