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 so troubled.

the demons displayed any reaction to the behavior he was displaying. It was

"Are you done laughing?"

the size of melons. Briefly glancing at Prince Arian,

His eyes immediately narrowed.

gaze, Prince Valling called

matter, Prince Aton? You seem to be looking at my successor an awful

didn't seem too bothered by

to be more precise,

same cool demeanor he had been displaying up until this point as he looked around at

Have you all been charmed by

"Charm?"

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

instantly brought back to themselves by a wave of Prince Devot's hand, and he then turned to address the person who was responsible for the little

time for your little jokes, Princess

but the word 'beautiful', Princess Rhan, the head of the Charm House, covered her mouth

was like the sound of pearls being clinked together. It was crisp and

by Prince Valling. While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has a long way to go before reaching the point where she can charm everyone in

the smile on her face disappeared and

however, is why she is

immediately, everyone turned to look at Priscilla,

implying that she shouldn't be

at her, Prince Valling's voice

at him, unamused.

pretend like you

be more specific, toward the vacant seats

out of everyone present, your successor is the only one that is

on an iciness as she

"…Is that a coincidence?"

implying that I'm the one responsible for all

that had been plastered across Prince Valling's face vanished, and he looked around at the other demons

past month. Do you really

"That's not it."

was a rather lanky demon with short green hair and

impossible for you to have done it

the meaning was crystal clear as everyone's focus once again shifted toward Priscilla who shuddered at

turn on her at that

'Wh-at's going on?'

mind was a

had been indirectly accused of killing four Dukes

this way? She had no

was being

Priscilla is the one responsible for all

good look at her.

impossible. I'm well

looked at everyone. Seeing their eyes, he knew that their accusations had some ground