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

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 aid her with

the other demons would see

there is a

features as she peered at her servant

a powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before finding it disappear

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

the fade of his words, his figure quietly melted into

Tak. Tak.

throughout the room as she walked

with a light swing of her arm, the cape followed her as she walked toward the far end of the room, where she opened

to make do with what I have

***

sure that they

environment, his eyes darting toward his right

his hood, trying to pull it down

like the demonic energy has

"Haa..."

hand over his shoulder,

wearing hoods. If you look carefully,

people surrounding us as we stood in the middle of a large plaza. One look was enough to tell that the vast majority of them were demons, but a closer inspection revealed that there were also orcs and

was only referring to the people I could

Jin, there were quite a few other people who had the same plan as us and were concealing

stand out even less as we perfectly

"You're right..."

of the other hooded figures

"Has everyone gathered?"

the minds of each and every one of the people who

its way into the heads of everyone present,

control of demonic

on the level of my control with

Tak.

graceful figure materialized on the balcony of a white building that stood adjacent to the plaza, and with the tap of her

the instant she appeared, the faces of many people present changed, unable to hide their

'This is dangerous.'

been close to achieving the rank of prince and was the same individual who had come close to defeating me some

able to win...but the price

of the strongest demons in this city made me aware of just how dangerous

guard increased a notch as I

"Hm..."

second figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was also a demon, and he was dressed in what appeared to be heavy

her while maintaining a calm and