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

any reaction to the behavior he was displaying. It was as if

"Are you done laughing?"

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

His eyes immediately narrowed.

his gaze, Prince Valling

to be looking at my successor an awful lot. She's

He didn't seem too bothered by

to be more precise,

until this point

matter? Have you all been

"Charm?"

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

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

the time for your little jokes,

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

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

trying to respond to the comment made by Prince Valling. While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has

her mouth, the smile on her face

I want to know, however,

look at Priscilla, who looked around in

that she shouldn't

at her, Prince Valling's voice

him, unamused. Her eyes

pretend like you didn't understand my

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

our meeting, and out of everyone present, your successor is the only

took on

"…Is that a coincidence?"

that I'm the one responsible for

plastered across Prince Valling's face vanished, and he looked

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

"That's not it."

a rather lanky demon with

for you to have done

as everyone's focus once

on her at

'Wh-at's going on?'

was

so quickly that before she knew it, she had been indirectly accused

had everything turned out this way? She had no recollection of

was being set

that Priscilla is the one responsible

behind him, taking a good look

well aware of her

Seeing their eyes, he knew that