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.

a day where you all look so troubled.

time none of the demons displayed any reaction to the behavior he was displaying. It was as if they were already used to

"Are you done laughing?"

another demon spoke. He was a burly looking demon with muscles the size of melons. Briefly glancing at Prince Arian, he looked

His eyes immediately narrowed.

his gaze, Prince Valling

Aton? You seem to be looking at my

smile lingered on Prince Valling's face as he addressed Prince Aton. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that everyone was now looking in

to be

had been displaying up until

something the matter? Have you all been charmed

"Charm?"

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

Prince Devot's hand, and he then turned to address the person who was responsible for the

time for your little jokes, Princess

could not be described as anything but the word 'beautiful', Princess Rhan, the head of the

was like the sound of pearls being clinked

lady is indeed beautiful,

from her mouth, the smile

know, however, is why

everyone turned to look at Priscilla,

that she shouldn't be

at her, Prince Valling's voice

at him, unamused. Her eyes extremely

like you didn't understand

cast her gaze in all directions. To be more specific, toward the vacant seats behind a few of

night while we were having our meeting, and out of everyone present, your successor is

tone suddenly took on an iciness

"…Is that a coincidence?"

implying that I'm the

Prince Valling's face vanished, and he

was with all of you for the past month. Do you really think I have the ability to

"That's not it."

lanky demon with short

you to have

sentence, but the meaning was crystal clear as everyone's focus

turn on

'Wh-at's going on?'

was a complete

so quickly that before she knew it, she had been indirectly accused of killing four Dukes and severely injuring

She had

being

saying that Priscilla is the one responsible

him, taking a good look at her. He soon

well

carefully looked at everyone. Seeing their eyes, he