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.

day where you all look

couple of minutes, during which time none of the demons displayed any reaction to the

"Are you done laughing?"

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

His eyes immediately narrowed.

his gaze, Prince

something the matter, Prince Aton? You seem to be looking at my successor

face as he addressed Prince Aton. He didn't seem too bothered by the fact that everyone was now looking in his

be

displaying up until

something the matter? Have you all been

"Charm?"

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

hand, and he then turned to

for

hair and a face that could not be described as anything but the word

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

While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has a long way to go before reaching the point where she can

from her mouth, the smile on her face

I want to know, however, is why

everyone turned to look at Priscilla, who

implying that she

staring at her, Prince

looked at him, unamused.

you didn't understand

To be more specific, toward the vacant seats behind

and out of everyone present, your successor is the only

tone suddenly took on an iciness as

"…Is that a coincidence?"

I'm the one

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

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

"That's not it."

a rather lanky demon with short green hair

you to have

the sentence, but the meaning was crystal clear as everyone's focus once again shifted toward Priscilla who

turn on her at

'Wh-at's going on?'

mind was

knew it, she had been indirectly accused of killing four Dukes and severely injuring

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

being

that Priscilla is the one

good look at her. He soon

I'm well aware

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