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.

to attract the

for her to beat. Her goal was to recruit as many talented people to her side in order to aid her with the incoming fruit harvesting event―World Decree―that would soon take place,

the other demons would see through her intentions and perform similar mass

is

she peered at her servant through the corners of her

felt a powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before finding it disappear into thin air, and

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

of his words, his figure quietly melted into the background of the room, leaving

Tak. Tak.

heels reverberated throughout the room as she walked toward the chair of her desk

arm, the cape followed her as she walked toward

to make do with what I have for

***

sure that

our surrounding environment, his eyes darting

at the edges of his hood, trying to pull it down as far as he could, he didn't look much different from someone who had completely lost their

demonic energy has also started

"Haa..."

my hand over his

not the only group wearing hoods. If you look

large plaza. One look was enough to tell that the vast majority of them were

only referring to the people I could

had the same plan as us

even less as

"You're right..."

becoming aware of the other hooded figures that were surrounding

"Has everyone gathered?"

the room, reaching the minds of each and every one

everyone

control of demonic

the level of my control

Tak.

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

many people present changed,

'This is dangerous.'

from the 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

fight, I might be able to win...but the price will definitely not

she wasn't even one of the strongest demons in this city made me aware of just how dangerous the place I was

a notch as I took a

"Hm..."

time, I became aware of a second figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was also

behind her while maintaining a calm