"----"
Silence.
A deathly silence.
When the tall, upright Hero appeared without a sound and entered everyone's sight, whether they knew him or not, they all involuntarily fell into an indescribable silence.
Misgi, Nobu, Meldo, Yose, and the others who had never seen Shien were especially so.
"So he's Shien Poztut?"
Misgi's eyes narrowed.
"Hero Shien."
Nobu and Yose both held their breaths.
"So that's him?"
Meldo looked at the Hero, who was far younger than himself, his eyes flickering with unreadable emotions.
As for the other Legendary-tier experts and figures from major powers, they all turned to look at Shien, their expressions changing.
Murmurs gradually began to rise from the surrounding crowd as well.
The deathly silence in the air was gradually replaced by clamor.
Shien's sudden appearance both invigorated everyone and caught them completely off guard.
"Lord Poztut."
Yule looked at Shien, who appeared unchanged from before, and for some reason, felt a trace of shame in his heart.
After all, he and Shien had gotten along fairly well. Yet this time, he had come here riding the tide of public pressure, making him feel as though he had gone along with the crowd to pressure Shien. Calling it betrayal might have been an exaggeration, but it was enough to make Yule feel somewhat ashamed.
Shien, however, seemed not to notice Yule at all. He walked out with clearly audible footsteps, his gaze sweeping across the entire scene.
"Master!" Yulin finally dropped her icy expression, flapped her dragon wings, and landed beside Shien. Puffed up with anger, she said, "They—"
Before she could finish, Shien raised a hand and stopped her.
"It's fine."
Shien acted as though nothing had happened, still wearing that same expression.
Yet seeing Shien so calm, everyone present felt an indescribable pressure.
Thus, for