The Author's POV

The room was beautifully illuminated by a glittering chandelier placed in the middle of the ceiling.

Click―!

The handle on the door to the room clicked as it was opened, and a moment later, a tall, graceful figure dressed in black clothing that were rather revealing entered the room, casting about.

Priscilla Pertinol didn't look around as she quietly walked toward the far end of the room, where a large window stood.

Arriving at the window, by her side, was a massive, 10-foot-tall glass pane that was gently tilted toward the side of the wall.

Reflected in the mirror was a graceful figure with long pink hair that reached the ends of her back, stopping right above her waistline. Two thin horns protruded from the top of her forehead, separating her hair and leaving her unable to hide her pristine looks that seemed to make any man drool.

Her face was carefully composed in an almost-statuesque placidity, absent even of the slightest emotion as her red eyes gazed past through the window.

"How many people have decided to sign up for the task?"

In the moment that she opened her mouth, the area behind her warped, and a black figure appeared out of thin air, with one knee to the ground and a respectful expression.

"We've received several applicants so far."

"A rough estimate."

"About a hundred or so."

Priscilla's delicate brows furrowed ever so slightly, unable to disguise her annoyance.

"This little?"

"Yes...it appears as though the other houses have put up similar quests."

"I see."

Priscilla gave a curt nod, the hint of a frown on her lips indicating that she did not appreciate having her hand forced in this manner.

"Looks like they caught on to my intentions."

"It appears so..."

The servant answered, his head lowering and his voice becoming quieter.

"What do you plan on doing? Will you still proceed?"

"..."

Silence filled the room as Priscilla contemplated. Originally, she had anticipated having more than a thousand different participants join her on this quest.

It wasn't just about her fame and good looks that attracted people to join her mission; it was also the fact that the monetary reward was high.

was definitely high enough to attract the attention

was obviously not taming the Abyssal Mammoth, which, although difficult, wasn't impossible for her to beat. Her goal was to recruit as many talented people to her side in order to

would see through her intentions

appears as though there is

was no change in Priscilla's facial features as she peered at her servant

who was quietly kneeling on one knee, suddenly felt a powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before finding it

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

quietly melted into the background

Tak. Tak.

rhythmic echo of Priscilla's heels reverberated throughout the room as she walked toward the chair of her desk and donned a fur-trimmed

followed her as she walked toward the far

with what I have

***

you sure that

while carefully examining our surrounding environment, his eyes darting toward

hood, trying to pull it down

energy has also started to affect

"Haa..."

sighed to myself, placing my hand over his shoulder, and

If you look carefully, apart from

was enough to tell that the vast majority of them were

referring to the people I could

other people who had the same plan as us and were concealing their identities by donning hoods that were very similar to the ones

less

"You're right..."

became calmer after becoming aware of the other hooded

"Has everyone gathered?"

reverberated through the room, reaching the minds of each and every one of the people who were

into the heads of everyone present, and there was a slight alteration

control of

on the level of my control with

Tak.

figure materialized on the balcony of a white building that stood adjacent to the plaza,

of many people present changed, unable to hide their infatuated

'This is dangerous.'

demon was comparable to that of Suriol, an individual who had been close to achieving the rank of prince and was the same individual who had come close to defeating me some time

the two of us fight, I might be able to win...but the

she wasn't even one of the strongest demons in this city made me aware of just

increased a notch as

"Hm..."

figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was also a demon, and he was

her while maintaining