"—!"
The instant Shien made his move, the Combat Mages guarding Danas reacted at once, darting without hesitation in front of him.
"Buzz!"
With a tremor of magic power, a pitch-black barrier appeared before the Combat Mages, protecting both them and Danas.
"Boom!"
Roaring flames crashed against the barrier like a storm of fire, like enormous waves striking scorched rock. A thunderous roar rang out before the barrier blocked them.
Waves of fire surged around the barrier, scorching the temple floor black.
"What!?"
Oz and Mafy were both taken aback by the sudden change.
Shien, however, looked ahead with a mocking smile until the flames dispersed and Danas's group emerged from behind the barrier.
"What does this mean, Lord Poztut?"
Danas's expression did not change. He showed no panic over the attack just now.
Yet, upon closer inspection, one would notice that the smile in Danas's eyes had vanished.
Shien, on the other hand, smiled far more happily than before, as though their positions had completely reversed.
Then Shien spoke.
"Sorry, I just couldn't hold back." Shien said bluntly, "Don't ask me why. The reason is that you picked the wrong person."
The reason really was that simple and crude, without the slightest embellishment.
But when one got down to it, wasn't that exactly how things were?
"I have no interest whatsoever in conquering the world, much less in taking ancient beings who were unfortunate enough to become sacrifices and conquering the world with them." Shien said leisurely, "Or rather, can't you villains come up with something more interesting when trying to recruit someone? You always go with this world-conquest routine, drawing a big empty promise and expecting people to work for you. There's no sincerity at all."
"Is that so?" Danas fell silent for a moment before smiling. "I