The Author's POV

The words spoken by Prince Arian brought about complete and utter silence in the room. It was so quiet that one might have been able to hear a pin drop.

The focus of everyone's attention quickly shifted to him, and all he did was smile in response to it. He had long anticipated that his words would elicit such a reaction. And he was all for it.

"Is this some sort of joke to you?"

Prince Aton raised his voice and looked intently at Arian. It was common knowledge that Arian took pleasure in pulling such stunts.

It wouldn't come as a surprise to find out that he may have been pulling one of his typical pranks at the moment.

Unfortunately, it didn't seem to be the case this time. Rather than looking at them, Prince Arian looked behind him, where Velmout stood.

Although he was barely holding on, he was still conscious. This was enough for Prince Arian, who started speaking.

"...I found something rather interesting last night while I was trying to save him."

As the Duke extended his hand toward him, his body shot in his direction, only stopping when it was a few centimeters away from him.

Turning his head, Arian looked at the others with a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"It almost slipped past me. Had it not been for my strength, I would've probably missed it, but..."

Suddenly, a dark glow materialized on the Prince's hand and encased Velmout like a cacoon. At the same time, the Duke's limbs shot up and straightened out in an unnatural manner.

"Khg. Uhk."

Velmout let out a series of groans that could only be described as wretched and agonized, but the Prince paid them no attention and continued with whatever it was he was doing.

The procedure was completed in a little under two minutes. When Prince Arian withdrew his hand, the Duke helplessly fell to the ground. Unconcerned, he extended his hand to the others, revealing a thin silver thread.

"What's this?"

"What in the world?"

Immediately, everyone's pupils shrank.

Seeing their reactions, Arian smiled in delight. He had been waiting for this moment ever since the start of the meeting.

The only reason he hadn't revealed it to them from the very beginning was because he wanted to see their reactions, and seeing exactly how they were reacting, he knew that it was all worth it.

"I'm sure all of you understand what this means, right?"

Bringing the thread forth, he casually threw it on the table before looking down at Duke Velmout. While he had lost consciousness, his core was still intact. He'd just need a couple of days to fully recover. His situation wasn't serious.

It was only through sheer good fortune that he was able to find it. He happened upon the thread completely by accident. It was during the time that he was tending to Velmout's wounds.

so small and well-concealed that it might have escaped his notice if it had not been situated

a

thread was an obvious giveaway of what

tamper with

while uncommon, wasn't unheard of. This thread that

with his

turned to face the speaker. It was none other than Prince Valling,

bothered Prince Arian, but he decided to let it go for now as he

right. It's very likely that someone has tampered with his memories. Such power is extremely rare,

and Priscilla. Before continuing, he interlaced his hands and drummed his fingers

isn't the only one

face Priscilla. Even Prince Valling turned

Thankfully, in contrast to before, their gazes were

looked at her grandfather. Staring at each other for a couple of seconds, he extended his

"Don't move."

"Wait."

her grandfather's hand reached her, a voice interjected. It belonged to none other than the Princess who

She looked at Valling.

We can't

"Go ahead. "

collected as ever, he took his

didn't want to make things too difficult for him, and so she immediately turned her head

"Relax your mind."

and a force ended up enveloping her entire body. The force penetrated deep into her body, and all of a sudden, her body

"Hmh."

her groan. It felt as though countless needles had punctured her body and traveled

the process lasted no longer than a couple of seconds, and it wasn't long before she felt the Princess let

everyone's attention was concentrated

it to Prince Valling, who caught it, and then turned her attention to Prince

like your

way he was reacting to the unexpected information that he was taken aback in some way. It was clear that he had not planned for such

"Hmmmm."

his chair, musing to himself. Not until some time later did he look at Prince Devot. There was no trace of a

the meaning of his gaze, Prince Devot turned around to look at Duke

"Let me."

carried out a similar procedure. It didn't take long before a glow appeared all around the Duke's body, and shortly after

from Duke; however, when he extended his hand again, subtle changes appeared as nothing appeared

enough for everyone to

and Duke Ukhan found themselves the center of everyone's attention all of a sudden, as Priscilla and Prince Vallian

were anything but

this isn't a coincidence,

Serling's gaze was fixed intently in the direction of Prince Devot as he posed the

Devot remained silent as he calmly absorbed their gazes. With the hood