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.

have been nearly impossible. It was so small and well-concealed that it might have escaped his notice if it had

trace of a smile that had previously been on his

was an obvious giveaway

to tamper

that contained faint

tampered with his

as Prince Arian, who turned to face the speaker. It was none other than Prince Valling, who appeared as composed as he'd

calmness that bothered Prince Arian, but he decided to let it

Such power is extremely rare, but once the

shifted to Duke Ukhan and Priscilla. Before continuing, he interlaced his hands and drummed his fingers over

only one that's

but Prince Devot turned to face Priscilla. Even

fall toward her, Priscilla almost felt her breath stop. Thankfully, in contrast to before, their gazes were not menacing, and this was the reason why she was able to maintain some semblance of

other for

"Don't move."

"Wait."

interjected. It belonged to none other

She looked at Valling.

do the test. We can't

"Go ahead. "

cool and collected as ever, he took his

for him, and so she immediately turned her

"Relax your mind."

any resistance, and a force ended up enveloping her entire body. The force penetrated deep into her body, and all of a sudden, her body straightened itself out as she slowly felt herself being lifted

"Hmh."

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

long before she felt

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

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

like your guesses

reacting to the unexpected information that he was taken aback in some way. It was

"Hmmmm."

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

of his gaze, Prince Devot turned around to look at

"Let me."

he walked toward the Duke and carried out a similar procedure. It didn't take long before a glow appeared

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

was enough for everyone to

everyone's attention all of a sudden, as Priscilla and Prince Vallian now found

expressions were

isn't a coincidence,

in the direction of Prince Devot as

gazes. With the