Bang!
The sound of shattering glass rang out.
Figures suddenly appeared outside every window, smashing through the glass and rushing inside as they swiftly surrounded Shien.
Hum!
Magic power surged from the figures, and they all cast spells.
In an instant, Shien's feet sank into the floor as though trapped in a swamp. His legs were restrained, chains bound his body, and layers of transparent barriers rose around him, trapping him inside. An overwhelming pressure filled the space within, as though it intended to crush Shien to the ground, making his body sink heavily.
At least ten types of binding and restraining magic had been cast on Shien at once. There was even magic designed to seal magic power, leaving him heavily restrained.
As though he had failed to react in time, Shien silently watched the scene without saying a word. Only after a while did he turn to look at Barry.
Barry had already slowly risen to his feet, his face dark.
"You forced me to do this."
Barry spoke those words coldly.
Shien had to admit it.
"It seems I thought too highly of you." As though he had not realized his situation at all, Shien said in an unchanged tone, "I thought a so-called cold-blooded duke like you would understand that I'm not someone you can casually lay a hand on now. But you don't seem as smart as the rumors claim. So this is what they mean by hearing about someone being better than meeting them?"
He truly had not expected this duke to dare attack him so openly.
Although he had long noticed numerous magical reactions around the inn, including hostile ones, Shien had assumed they were Barry's guards rather than hidden ambushers. Their hostility toward him was merely due to Barry's attitude, seeing him