Other spells shot out from different directions, freezing everyone who had chosen not to take part in the operation where they stood and leaving them to topple stiffly forward, crashing to the ground with a thud.
The sudden attack caught those wizards completely unprepared. Then, in terror, they realized that while Graves had been speaking, the group of masked wizards had silently shifted positions and completed an encirclement around those who wanted to withdraw. Now that they struck without warning, not a single wizard could dodge.
The wizards who had originally stayed behind to take part instantly stopped mocking the petrified wizards. Alarm stirred through the woods, but in the next instant their attention was drawn by Graves's voice.
"Everyone, please forgive my Roughness." Graves pressed both palms downward and raised his voice slightly. "This was unavoidable. Our operation this time must remain strictly confidential, and because this opportunity is exceedingly rare, we need to keep the colleagues who are not participating here in place... All of this is to ensure the smooth progress of our operation, and also out of consideration for our safety."
"I support you, Graves."
"Since this bunch of cowards backed out of the operation, we have to consider the possibility of a leak."
"Besides, we only immobilized them. We didn't hurt them."
A rough voice rang out in the cold night, drawing a jumble of other voices with it. They were all expressing their understanding, while some people nodded silently. Once they understood that the situation involved their own safety, they accepted Graves's explanation and began to admire his thoroughness.
"To save time, I beg you, my friends, help me use 'Obliviate' to make these immobilized colleagues forget tonight's events." Graves extended a hand in invitation toward the wizards who had calmed down. "This is,