The Aleskra Adventurers' Guild was not simply a building; it was the heart of political power in the region.
That a former Rank F "Porter" had humiliated a Rank B hero in the main square was a stain they could not ignore at any cost.
At that moment, Ethan found himself sitting at a table in a luxury tavern—one that, just a day ago, would have forbidden him entry.
Seraphina stood behind him, motionless like a beautiful statue of marble and steel.
Her presence was so overwhelming that the rest of the customers had moved to the other end of the premises, leaving an empty circle around them.
"It is not necessary for you to be standing all the time, Seraphina. You can sit," Ethan said, while cutting a piece of high-quality meat he had paid for with the gold he took from Kevin.
"My place is at your back, my Lord. A sovereign must not worry about his flanks while his spear is present," she responded with a voice that, although icy, seemed to contain a hint of softness only for him.
Ethan smiled to himself. 'She is so stubborn and loyal. I like it.'
The peace was broken when the double doors of the tavern swung wide open.
A man dressed in a dark blue robe embroidered with gold threads entered, escorted by ten guards in heavy armor.
The man wore a monocle and an expression of disgust, as if the very air of the tavern offended him.
It was Marcus, the Chief of Inspectors of the Guild, a man known for his cruelty and for his unique Rank A skill:[Mana Shackles]
"So you are the brat causing these disturbances?" Marcus said, stopping in front of Ethan's table.
He didn't even look Ethan in the face; his eyes were fixed on Seraphina, shining with a mixture of greed, lust, and suspicion.
"I have received reports that you possess an unregistered summoning of a dangerous level. By decree of the Guild, that creature must be handed over for an immediate security evaluation."
Ethan paused for a moment, looked thoughtfully at the guard, then lowered his gaze to return to his meal. Then he did something he had never dared to do before.
"If you want to talk to me, first learn to ask permission to interrupt my dinner."
Marcus's face turned red immediately.
"You piece of trash! Do you have any idea who I am? I am the Chief Inspector. A single stroke of my pen and you will be executed for treason. That woman... is property of the world system under the custody of the Guild."
'Property...' thought Ethan, and a spark of purple fire shone in his eyes.
"Seraphina," Ethan whispered with terrifying calm. "Have you heard? He says that you belong to him."
The air in the tavern dropped ten degrees. Seraphina took a step forward, and the wooden floor creaked under the pressure of her aura.
"I have heard, my Lord. My spear cries out for the right to tear out his heart for such blasphemy."
"Dare to move and you will regret it!" shouted Marcus, extending his hand. "[Mana shackles: Maximum level!]"
Suddenly, blue-colored energy emerged in the air, enveloping Seraphina's body before transforming into chains.
These were shackles strong enough to suppress even a young dragon.
Marcus let out a laugh. "Ha! No matter how strong your summoning is, before my technique, it is nothing more than a chained dog. Now, boy, kneel and ask for forgiveness if you want to keep your head."
The crowd watching from afar held their breath. Among them was Kevin, hidden behind the guards to savor Ethan's fall. A slight smile played on his lips.
"That's it! Crush him, Inspector!"
However, the laughter died out in the next instant as they witnessed the impossible.
Seraphina, who until then had not resisted the chains, made a single, slow movement of her shoulders, causing the metallic wings on her back to expand just a few centimeters.
Then, the sound of shattering metal resonated through the tavern.
Crack!
The Rank A shackles shattered as if they were cheap glass.
Marcus stepped back, tripping over his own feet, while the mana flow of his skill rebounded against him, making him spit blood.
"Is—is it not possible? No one can break my shackles!" Marcus stammered, terror plastered on his face.
"Is that all?" Ethan asked as he stood up.
He walked toward the Inspector, who was now on the floor, trembling.
"You speak of laws, of registries, and of property. But there is only one law that matters."
They had made sure to teach him that law themselves.
Ethan gave a sign to Seraphina.
She moved so fast that human sight could not follow her. In a blink, she appeared in front of Marcus, the tip of her lightning spear pressing gently against the man's throat.
"The law is power," Ethan continued, looking down at Marcus. "And you are too weak to give me orders."
"D-Dammit! The Guild will not forgive you!" shouted Marcus, although his pants were visibly soaked.
"Seraphina, break his right hand," Ethan ordered coldly. "The same one he used to chain you."
"With pleasure, my Sovereign," she responded.
A soul-piercing scream filled the tavern as Seraphina lifted her leg and stepped on Marcus's hand with her armored boot.
The sound of crushing bones was so clear that several guards dropped their weapons and fled without hesitation.
Not even they would dare to challenge someone capable of crushing their leader so effortlessly.
Ethan crouched down and took the monocle from Marcus, breaking it between his fingers.
"Go back to your superiors. Tell them that I am no longer a citizen of their Guild. Tell them that the Volks Valley is now my territory, and that if they send an insect like you again, I am going to send him back in pieces."
Seraphina withdrew and positioned herself beside Ethan again, her wings flashing with a celestial glow.
She looked at her lord with a devotion that bordered on madness. 'No one is more worthy to rule than him,' she thought, feeling her bond of loyalty vibrate with strength.
"Let's go, Seraphina. This place is starting to smell like trash," said Ethan.
"Yes, my Lord," she responded, slightly bowing her head before following him toward the exit.
Upon going out into the street under the moonlight, Seraphina approached Ethan a little closer.
"My Lord... thank you for allowing me to punish his insolence. I felt... honored that you defended my honor."
Ethan stopped and looked her in the eyes.
"Make no mistake. You are my most valuable asset. No one has the right to lay a hand on you while I breathe." He frowned slightly. 'Did she just blush?'
Seraphina squeezed the handle of her spear, feeling an unknown heat in her chest.
Ethan looked toward the horizon, where the mountains of the Volks Valley loomed like gigantic shadows.
'Kevin has already fallen socially. The Guild now fears me. It is time to start the true construction of my empire.'