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.

nearly impossible. It was so small and well-concealed that it might have escaped his notice if it had not been situated near one of his major veins. One could say that

again, any trace of a

was an obvious

tamper

that contained faint demonic

with

who turned to face the speaker. It was

to let it go for now

very likely that someone has tampered with his memories. Such power is extremely rare, but once the source is removed, one can easily identify it

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

the only one

Devot turned to face Priscilla. Even

Thankfully, in contrast to before, their gazes were

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

"Don't move."

"Wait."

reached her, a voice interjected. It belonged to none other than the Princess who stood up and walked up to

She looked at Valling.

test. We can't have

"Go ahead. "

cool and collected as ever, he took his hand back and

make things too difficult for him, and so she immediately turned her head to face Priscilla,

"Relax your mind."

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

"Hmh."

as though countless needles had punctured her body and

felt the Princess let go of her. Immediately

everyone's attention was concentrated on the thin thread that was

with it for a few seconds before tossing it to Prince Valling, who

your

information

"Hmmmm."

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

gaze, Prince Devot

"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 that,

on Prince Aton's face did not change as he withdrew his hand from Duke; however, when he extended his hand again, subtle changes appeared as nothing appeared

enough for

themselves the center of everyone's attention all of a sudden, as Priscilla and Prince Vallian now found themselves thrust into the

were anything

this isn't a coincidence,

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

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