As expected, everyone looked at Rise as though he were crazy, except Zarilan and his clan elders and Halwyn. They remained composed, even if deep inside they might not be.
So glanced at them, frowning. So of them almost wanted to speak up, only that they still rembered the lesson Kamille inflicted earlier.
Most of these clan leaders and elders were not combat types, and they were quite old. The surrounding fire was enough to keep them in place.
Rise swept his eyes over the crowd. A playful smile lingered on his lips. He looked down at them; he completely showed off his superiority.
However, he purposely lowered the mana exuding in their bodies to make him seem weak. Why did he do that?
Just...
Look at them. Rise could discern and almost hear their thoughts.
’That silver-haired man is only relying on that monster.’
’How dare he act superior?’
’A man leeching off a man, how disgusting.’
Rise quite liked to receive such gazes and see their obvious disdain. So, it would be more satisfying to crush their hope, leaving them in despair; they wished they could die.
Humiliation. A great show of authority. At least, for a wicked Rise, he preferred to be hated. He never took respect seriously. He was not there to cultivate feelings or loyalty.
They were all tools to achieve his goals, nothing more.
He only needed to be feared. That was how it should be.
In this place, espers and guides were not the majority, and relationships between n were not widespread. They reacted strongly when Rise leaned more toward Kamille.
Rise’s playful grin widened. As much as Rise loved to play more, they were quite pressed for ti.
Five minutes had passed, and no one stood up or surrendered to him. If anything, they did not really take his words seriously. This was how the scenario exactly played out in his head.
"None?" Rise asked, his voice echoing throughout the whole room.
No one answered again. So even huffed and rolled their eyes, but refrained from saying sothing nasty even if they really wanted to. They were cautious of Kamille’s existence.
"I guess no one wants to submit voluntarily," Rise sighed and pursed his lips. "That’s so sad."
His words made the majority twitch their lips; even Kamille could not help but raise the corner of his lips. For him, it was adorable.
However, for these leaders and their entourage, it was an absolute mockery!
One could not take it anymore and stood up, raging, but managed to act composed. Rise arched a brow in intrigue. When he noticed his gait and the way he postured himself, and added intricate embroidery to his coat, Rise already knew which clan he ca from.
"Tell us what you need us here for. We’re all busy and have responsibilities back in the clan. We can’t fool around here with you... outsiders." The way he spoke the last words showed his disgust and resentnt.
Rise almost laughed, but he did not. He was only happy that such a big fish was caught in the net. A comrade. One of the few villains to obstruct Epsilon in this world.
The Clan Leader of the Golden Crow.
Ayen would not reminisce here, though. Since Kamille was easily jealous as well. He could not have such a good comrade perish early!
"Haven’t I already told you all?"
He frowned. "What?"
Rise smiled and stopped playing around. After all, if a big fish was already captured, there was no need to make a big fuss any longer.
He did not answer him; a huge force field descended. It completely enveloped the whole wall; even his subordinates, like Zarilan’s clan, were not spared.
This was more intense, even beyond what the central city felt. While the effects were not obvious, like shaking of the ground, the crowd present felt it even more vividly.
Their shocked faces stared at Rise in disbelief, at that smiling demon!
This force field was not just Rise’s own and was magnified by the lingering aura that the book possessed. It was imbued by the world itself.
Of course, Rise could not easily do this anywhere; after all, it was not his own power. He did not care either way; it was enough to create an intimidating appearance.
Kamille did not need to be asked and cooperated with Rise; the black fire around them roared suddenly again and beca chaotic. They coiled, as though wanting to devour the crowd.
No one could easily move either, and so they could only watch in fear when the black fire surrounded them.
"Submit to ."
Rise spoke then, devoid of any emotion. It was as though the person smiling playfully just a minute ago was now a different person.
His pupils turned dark until they almost occupied the whites in his eyes.
Everyone trembled, and their hearts raced, thumping restlessly inside their chests. There was sothing in his voice, as though it were imbued by so mystical power.
It was true in so sense.
Zarilan was familiar with this power, but he still felt shaken to his bones and closed his eyes.
It was over.
Kamille clenched his fist; his crimson pupils flickered in unrest. He did not like Rise’s body being influenced by others’ power; it made sothing inside want to fiercely crawl out and devour whatever was inside Rise.
As a result, the black fire let out an eerie howl.
In that room, the deepest hell had descended.
Rise did not care about their answers; subconsciously, the contract process was initiated without the subordinates’ consent. It was a tyrannical rule, and everyone would know about it!
The others tried to stop it, the shadow that wanted to shroud them and take sothing from their soul. Zarilan rely closed his eyes, not wanting to see everyone’s state.
For the years that would co, this was a sin he would have to atone for. However, he did not regret it. He could only move forward. He finally understood what Halwyn said, to save this world... They could even bow to a demon.
Halwyn was the only one composed enough and remained in her seat. Her eyes stared only at Rise.
’Our hope... lies with you.’
Even without a contract, she was ready to prostrate herself and serve Rise as her master. This was her mission.
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