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

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 incoming fruit harvesting event―World Decree―that would soon take

the other demons would see through her intentions and perform

is a

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

knee, suddenly felt a powerful pressure bear down on his body for a split second before

"Disappear from my sight."

"Understood."

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

Tak. Tak.

as she walked toward the chair of her desk and donned a fur-trimmed black

as she

make do with what

***

you sure that they

while carefully examining our surrounding environment, his eyes darting toward his right and

to pull it down as far as he could, he didn't look

like the demonic energy has

"Haa..."

my hand over

worry. Look, we're not the only group wearing hoods. If you look carefully, apart from a few, most people here

a lot of 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

only referring to the people I

were quite a few other people who had the same plan as us

us stand out even less as we perfectly blended

"You're right..."

of the other hooded figures that were surrounding us

"Has everyone gathered?"

clear and distinct voice reverberated through the room, reaching the minds of each and

way into the heads of everyone present, and there

fine control of

on the level of my control with

Tak.

building that stood adjacent to the plaza, and with the

she appeared, the faces of many people

'This is dangerous.'

an individual who had been close to achieving the rank of prince and was the same individual

us fight, I might be able to win...but the price will

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

guard increased a notch as I took a small step

"Hm..."

figure that was erecting itself behind her. He was

behind her while maintaining a