Samuel, sitting at a table near the counter, remained silent, his gaze as stoic as usual. He was trying to draw the last drops from his mug, each movement of the beer bringing him a small sense of satisfaction.
Suddenly, the tavern door burst open with a bang. Two individuals entered, immediately capturing the attention of everyone present. The contrast between them and the relaxed atmosphere of the room was striking.
Chained, a young man entered, bare-chested and barefoot. His brown hair was messy, his eyes barely seeing through his dirty and emaciated face. His was wearing only a piece of torn fabric covering his genitals, leaving his thighs exposed to view. His appearance was that of someone who had lived in dreadful conditions, probably forced to crawl and drag themselves through unforgiving terrain.
At the end of the line stood a man in a crisp white and blue uniform, impeccably groomed. His carefully styled blonde hair shone in the flickering light of the lamps. Beside him, a woman, dressed in the same elegant outfit but with perfectly maintained curly pink hair, walked with a distant grace.
The atmosphere in the tavern changed instantly. The customers turned around, whispering to each other, as the two newcomers made their way to the counter.
The man in uniform positioned himself in the center of the room, his voice resonating in a way that immediately captured the attention of the tavern's patrons. He exuded an aura of authority and disdain as he began his speech: "Ladies and gentlemen, you are now witnesses to a demonstration of our relentless justice." This young man, whose pitiful state is now visible to you, has been chained since he was ten years old. He was captured for a theft he committed when he was still a child, an act as insignificant as it was desperate. "Since then, he has dragged his misery and shame, never having the right to a second chance."
He cast a disdainful glance at the chained young man, dishonor and cruelty in his eyes.
"And let this serve as a lesson for anyone who disobeys us, the royal guards." We do not compromise with transgressors. "They get what they deserve, and we make sure that everyone understands the significance of their actions."
The woman in uniform, observing Samuel, made a gesture towards him. "Look at that one," she said, pointing at Samuel with her head.
Samuel, lost in his own world, continued to sip the few remaining drops in his mug. He didn't understand a word of what was being said, but his demeanor showed a calm indifference to the events unfolding around him.
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The man in uniform, furious at Samuel's blatant indifference, approached with a menacing stride. He was lecturing Samuel with a voice full of contempt, the words sharpened by anger, but Samuel remained impassive, his jaded gaze fixed on the man without understanding a single word.
The collar made from Helydia's paw allowed Samuel to communicate telepathically with Helydia at any time. However, he felt that there was little point in sharing what was happening with him at the moment, preferring to keep his own thoughts focused on the immediate situation.
The growing agitation of the royal guard was palpable in the atmosphere of the tavern. The man, annoyed by Samuel's complete lack of reaction, was losing patience. He walked over to Samuel, grabbed his beer mug with visible anger, and in a fit of rage, struck it with the back of his hand, sending the container flying across the room.
Without waiting, the man gripped Samuel's wrist with brutal force, his fingers closing like pincers. Samuel, although surprised by the physical aggression, maintained his apparent calm. This involuntary physical contact suddenly connected Samuel with the man's thoughts.
Samuel then heard a series of tumultuous thoughts invade his mind: "That son of a bitch doesn't even have the decency to respond." What does he believe? That we are here to entertain him? The contempt he displays is unbearable. I must show him and all those other dogs watching that they must respect royal authorities. And this insolent one, perhaps this lesson will open his eyes. Maybe I should chain him up like that kid; this old man will serve as an example."
Samuel now understood a bit better why this individual was agitated and shouting in all directions.
Although he was trained to remain calm in all circumstances, he could not tolerate a man who prevented him from drinking and insulted him for no reason. The physical aggression combined with the humiliation inflicted by the man exceeded the limits of her patience. A feeling of cold, calculated anger rose within him. He decided to respond with targeted violence.
He quickly activated his "Muscle Enhancement" skill, his muscles swelling under the effect of the enchantment. Without a word, he made a quick and precise movement. His fist met the face of the man in uniform with a force amplified by fate. The blow was so powerful that it propelled the man to the other end of the room. The shock was such that the man's armor crumpled under the impact, and his arm, which had remained stuck to Samuel's wrist, was torn off with a sinister sound.