The Author's POV

Approximately fifty feet beneath the grand hall was a separate space.

Typically, discussions between the parties would be held above the surface, in the main hall. Only rarely would the lower level ever be used.

...and when this occurred, it almost always indicated that something of an extremely grave nature had taken place.

The atmosphere of the bunker was cold and tense. Ten people surrounded a large oval-shaped table that was lit by a single spotlight that shone down on the table's center point.

The tension in the room was almost palpable.

Everyone's attention was directed toward a demon who was dressed in a long black robe and a hood and stood at the opposite end of the table.

He was, Prince Devot. The current Patriarch of the House of Envy.

He silently surveyed the room with a look of contempt. As the others looked back at him expressionlessly.

Behind Prince Devot was another demon, similarly adorning a black hood to cover its features. The demon seemed somewhat out of it, as they held onto the chair to support themselves.

In spite of that, their gaze was currently focused on Priscilla, who was standing behind her grandfather.

Their gaze wasn't a friendly one.

Prince Devot spoke again.

"Judging from how there's only ten of us, the situation is a lot more serious than anticipated."

His voice resounded throughout the room as soft, repeated whispers that uncomfortably tickled the ears of those present.

It caused Priscilla a great of discomfort, but all she could do was remain standing in silence.

"More serious than anticipated?"

One of the seated demons spoke, his voice bordering on amusement. Similarly, there was another figure standing behind him, but compared to the one standing behind Prince Devot, he wasn't wearing a hood, and everyone was able to see the state he was in.

…It wasn't good.

His skin was as white as paper, and he could hardly keep his eyes open. He appeared to be in a lot of pain. It was likely that he would have collapsed to the ground had it not been for the thin white film that was covering his body.

It also seemed like he was being forced to stay awake.

Another demon glared at the demon that spoke.

"Is there something funny about the situation, Prince Arian?"

"I do, I do… Prince Serling."

Prince Arian covered his mouth to hide his smile while addressing Prince Serling.

"You may not find it amusing, but it's nothing short of amusing to me."

Unable to hold it in anymore, he started cackling out loud.

never would've expected to..Kek…see a day where you all look

for a couple of minutes, during which time none of the demons displayed any reaction to the behavior he was displaying. It was as if

"Are you done laughing?"

glancing at Prince Arian, he looked toward Prince Valling of the House of Sloth and

His eyes immediately narrowed.

gaze, Prince Valling

be looking at my successor an awful

addressed Prince Aton. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that everyone was now looking

to be more

up until this point as he looked around at

Have you all been charmed by her

"Charm?"

and crystalline floated through the air. Instantaneously, the two demons who were standing behind Prince Devot and Prince Arian fell

to themselves by a wave of Prince Devot's hand,

the time for your little jokes,

but the

pearls being clinked together. It was

by Prince Valling. While the young lady is indeed beautiful,

mouth, the smile on her

however,

turned to look at

you implying that

staring at her, Prince

him, unamused.

you didn't

in all directions. To be more specific, toward

we were having our meeting, and out of everyone present, your successor is the only one that is completely

suddenly took on an iciness as she turned

"…Is that a coincidence?"

implying that I'm the one responsible for

face vanished, and he looked around

of you for the past month. Do you really think

"That's not it."

a rather lanky demon with short green hair and

impossible for you to have done

was crystal clear as everyone's

everything turn on her

'Wh-at's going on?'

mind was a

it, she had

out this way? She had no recollection of this ever

was being

is the one responsible for

a good look

impossible. I'm well aware of

leaned forward and carefully looked at everyone. Seeing their eyes, he knew that their