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.

expected to..Kek…see a day where you all

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

"Are you done laughing?"

glancing at Prince Arian, he looked toward Prince Valling of the House of Sloth and paused his gaze on

His eyes immediately narrowed.

gaze, Prince

Aton? You seem to be looking

Prince Valling's face as he addressed Prince Aton. He didn't

be more precise,

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

Have you all been

"Charm?"

was both mellow and crystalline floated through the air. Instantaneously, the two demons who were

hand, and he then turned to address the person who was responsible for the

the time for your little jokes, Princess

be described as anything but the word 'beautiful', Princess Rhan, the head of the Charm

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

I was just trying to respond to the comment made by Prince Valling. While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has a long way to go before reaching the point where

hand from her mouth, the smile

to know, however, is why she is

look at Priscilla,

that she

staring at her,

at him, unamused. Her eyes

like you didn't understand my

her gaze in all directions. To be more specific, toward

last night while 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

"…Is that a coincidence?"

implying that I'm the one responsible for all

face vanished, and he looked around

month. Do you really think I have the ability to go undetected by the lot

"That's not it."

He was a rather lanky demon with

it's impossible for you to have

didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was crystal clear as everyone's focus once again shifted toward Priscilla who shuddered at

on her at

'Wh-at's going on?'

mind was a

she knew it, she had been indirectly accused

She had no recollection of this ever

was being

you're saying that Priscilla is the one responsible for all

him, taking a good look

I'm well aware of

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