The Rule of Power (Part 9)

When Baren and Mariel hugged, the guests thought their first impression of Baren was wrong. He didn't look cold and cruel, nor did he have Gladius's menacing aura.

They saw only a joyful, cheerful young man who possessed great power. Perhaps some of the guests were touched by the scene, even though Baren destroyed the banquet hall upon his arrival.

In a way, he was allowed to do so, because he was Baren De Rouzet, at least in the past.

But... soon their opinions changed again, as drastically as the first time.

Smash.

Istrid's arm slammed into the wall, halfway into the solid stone, wide cracks spreading around, only to be covered in thick blood a moment later.

Her arm managed to keep its shape, but the flesh was torn in multiple places, blood continued to flow in various streams, bones shattered into tiny pieces as if pressed under a multi-ton press.