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.

to..Kek…see a day where you

couple of minutes, during which 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?"

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

His eyes immediately narrowed.

Prince

You seem to be looking at my successor

on 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 others

something the matter? Have you all

"Charm?"

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

hand,

time for your little

but the word 'beautiful', Princess Rhan, the head of the

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

While the young lady is indeed beautiful, she still has a long

from her mouth, the smile on her face disappeared

want to know, however,

at

you implying that she shouldn't

at her, Prince Valling's voice

at him, unamused. Her

pretend like you didn't

To be more specific, toward

meeting, and out of everyone present, your successor

took on an iciness as she turned

"…Is that a coincidence?"

implying that I'm the one responsible for

Prince Valling's face vanished, and he looked around at

past month. Do you really think I have

"That's not it."

with short green hair and the head of the Pride

for you to have done it

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

turn on her

'Wh-at's going on?'

mind was

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

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

being set

saying that Priscilla is the

behind him, taking a good look

well aware of her

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