The other man spoke slowly as well. "Yes. Right now, the three of us are the strongest people in Baderia City. Besides, even if you called for help now, it would be too late. I doubt there is anyone in this city you truly trust, is there?"
A smile suddenly appeared at the corner of Layla's lips. She slowly raised her hands, and with that movement, two breaths abruptly grew heavy.
At this moment, only Aldebaran, the Apostle in charge of sternness, remained utterly unmoved by the sight before him.
Mu strode forward, took out an exquisite pair of black leather handcuffs, hesitated for a long moment, and only then slowly slipped them over Layla's outstretched wrists.
Saga, the Apostle of Despair, hurried forward. "Your Highness, to prevent you from using any other tricks, allow me to put this collar on you."
Saga held a leather collar in his hand. It did look like something worn around the neck, but its design was clearly one of those erotic playthings nobles used on slaves. It was no different from a dog collar.
But Saga suddenly froze. In fact, the other two froze as well, because they could feel it—the mana throughout the entire space seemed to be trembling.
"It's soul resonance!" Saga screamed. The faces of the other two immediately went pale. Magic generally required communication with elemental spirits before it could be cast. Of course, there were many ways to communicate—gestures and incantations, for instance. Those were the simplest methods.
When a person's strength reached a certain level, they could even drive magic with their thoughts. That was the origin of instant-cast magic.
There was also an extremely impractical method of casting magic: communicating with elemental spirits through the resonance of one's soul. This method was more concealed than ordinary