Royal Capital, Yeluvia.
When the Frenzel family encountered trouble, many people noticed the commotion happening at the Frenzel residence.
However, before anyone could react, as they rushed toward the Frenzel residence, an invisible barrier rose from the ground, enveloping the land near the residence.
"Barrier magic?"
"Is it a tactical-class barrier?"
"No, this level of barrier magic can only be solved by Tactical-Class Magicians in the court."
"Who is it? Who sent Tactical-Class Magicians to deal with the Frenzel family?"
"Enough chatter, report the news quickly!"
Knights and scouts from various forces, after a preliminary investigation of the situation at the Frenzel residence, returned one after another to report.
For instance, the royal family, upon receiving the news, immediately dispatched court magicians to destroy the barrier magic and rescue the Frenzel family.
Those with friendly ties to the Frenzel family also prepared to lend a hand, while some nobles, driven by self-interest, also sent assistance.
Of course, some people observed silently from the shadows, indifferent to the situation.
Meanwhile, inside the barrier, a group of people gathered.
They were all ragged, some even appearing skinny, giving the impression of refugees struggling with hunger and cold.
A common feature among them was a collar around their necks engraved with a rune.
They watched as the barrier rose behind them, enclosing them inside. Some showed worry, others looked anxious, and some displayed outright fear, yet not one chose to escape.
"Is it starting?"
The leader of the group, a sharp-eyed man, murmured quietly, casting a sharp gaze toward the side.
There, appeared two figures.
One was a steward with a cunning appearance, while the other was a magician draped in a long robe.
"Are you ready?" The steward asked, wearing a sly expression.
"We've been ready for a while." The sharp-eyed leader coldly snorted.
"That's good..." The steward seemed unconcerned, even saying somewhat proudly. "In that case, set off immediately."
"I know..." The sharp-eyed leader stared intently at the steward. "But don't forget what you promised us."
"Of course." The steward grinned. "As long as this plan succeeds, my young master will release you from the slavery contract, abolish your status as a slave, and grant you freedom."
Upon hearing that, the other ragged slaves, regardless of whether they wore uneasy or fearful expressions, all had a glimmer of hope in their eyes.
Only the sharp-eyed leader continued to look at the steward with cold disdain.
"Hope you guys can deliver on your promises."
Leaving those words behind, the sharp-eyed leader departed in a particular direction, precisely toward the Frenzel mansion.
"Let's go!"
"We're coming too!"
"For freedom!"
"Let's do it!"
The other slaves, one after another, started to show determination, following the sharp-eyed leader, and heading toward the direction of the mansion.
Not long after, the slaves at the scene cleared out, leaving only the steward and the magician.
"With this, everything is ready..."
The steward finally breathed a sigh of relief, turned around, and bowed to the magician.
"Thank you for your assistance this time. If it weren't for the barrier magic you set up, once something happened to the Frenzel family, various factions, even the royal family, would absolutely intervene."
When a Strategic-Class Magician was attacked, the kingdom would naturally react strongly. After all, they were a national treasure, embodying a country's greatest deterrent and military power. Hence, the kingdom would not just stand by if its Strategic-Class Magician were attacked.
Therefore, by taking action against the Frenzel family this time, they were taking a significant risk. Without a Tactical-Class Magician setting up a barrier, their wishful thinking would shatter in an instant.
For that reason, the steward had to express gratitude to the magician.
However—
"Don't misunderstand. I didn't intervene for the sake of your Basolo family. I only did it because it's most advantageous for His Grace."
The magician showed no gratitude, even looking at the steward with a hint of threat.
"This is the only chance. If you fail, we might have to face the retaliation of that madwoman. Last night, she caused a scene at His Majesty's place, leading to the confinement of all royal family children, including the crown prince. If she really goes serious, even His Grace might suffer. Do you understand what I mean?"
Upon hearing that, the steward swallowed nervously and quickly nodded.
"Un-Understood! We won't fail."
"Hope so..."
After leaving those vague words, the magician turned and left.
Watching the magician disappear down the road, the steward's friendly smile gradually vanished before he spat on the ground.
"Tch, just a mere Tactical-Class Magician who got the viscount title... Without latching onto a duke's thigh, do you think you could swagger in front of our Basolo family? What a clown!"
The steward's face was full of displeasure.
Although reluctant, he must admit that with the assistance of this magician, the Basolo family's actions could proceed much more smoothly.
Including those special items that could temporarily disable the Frenzel residence's magic defense system—if it weren't for the fact that the magician provided those, it wouldn't be so easy to deal with the Frenzel residence's defense.
He could only say it was no surprise that someone backed by a duke family could casually take out such rare and precious items. The influence of the royal family's relatives and connections truly demonstrated remarkable power.
"Fortunately, Young Master also chose to ally with that person..." The steward expressed some relief with a hint of joy in his demeanor. "Next is to create a commotion and then capture the commoner who upset Young Master..."
As his voice just fell, several masked people appeared from all directions, surrounding him from behind.
"Go." The steward smiled as he gave an order. "Bring Riezel Brynhart to the Young Master."
Upon hearing his order, the masked people quickly dispersed without a word, disappearing from sight.
===
The Frenzel residence's magic defense system was paralyzed.
This fact was confirmed only after a few minutes had passed since the consecutive explosions.
With the magic defense system down, the residence lost its means of alert and defense against external threats, plunging into chaos. Especially for ordinary servants with almost no combat power, facing such a sudden situation had already thrown them into a panic.
"Don't panic!" Ain led a group of knights into the mansion, loudly giving instructions. "Everyone, follow the knights' instructions and head to the basement for shelter!"
Under her lead, the servants in the mansion finally avoided falling into panic, following the knights to seek refuge.
*BOOM!*
The sound of explosions continued outside, making the exploding flames and black smoke increasingly intense, approaching the mansion.
Ain tightened her grip on the longsword at her waist, restraining the urge to rush out and focusing on guiding the servant within the mansion.
As for the outside, it had to be temporarily entrusted to Ian.
===
On the other side, Ian had now discovered the cause of the explosion.
"An alchemical bomb made by alchemy magic? Seriously?"
Ian gritted her teeth as she stared at the fragments of alchemical bombs scattered around the corner of the destroyed wall.
There was no need to think twice; they had fallen victim to a hostile attack and not because of an accident.
The fact that a batch of these bombs had been buried all around the residence without them noticing was nothing short of disgrace!
"It seems the magic defense system has been malfunctioning for a while, only fully collapsing just now..." Ian muttered as she watched her surroundings.
Even if it hadn't fully collapsed, a malfunction in the magic defense system would disrupt the alarm functions. The culprit had probably calculated this, allowing them to plant a large number of alchemical bombs so close to the mansion without being noticed.
Fortunately, they didn't dare bring the alchemical bombs inside the mansion. Otherwise, countless servants would have perished in the explosion.
Just as Ian was grateful for this, suddenly, a group of people rushed out from the surroundings.
"Hold it!"
"Who are you people?"
"Don't come any closer!"
"Halt!"
The knights spotted this group of people and loudly warned them. Unfortunately, not only did these people not listen, but they also viciously aggressively charged forward.
One by one, the knights stepped forward to intercept, only to be met with their attacks.
"Halt!" Ian placed her hand on the hilt of her sword, about to rush out, but her expression soon changed.
She quickly turned around, drawing her sword to block a sudden attack.
*DING!*
A heavy sword struck heavily against her raised sword, sparking friction.
"Oh? Have we caught a big fish?"
"A slave?" Ian noticed the collar around the swordsman's neck and spoke in surprise.
"Don't call me slave!"
The sharp-eyed swordsman roared in anger and launched a fierce attack against Ian like a madman.
===
The same scene unfolded in various corners of the Frenzel residence.
A large group of slaves seemed to emerge from nowhere, storming into the residence, and fighting with knights and guards.
Riezel, with furrowed eyebrows, observed the chaotic battle outside through the mansion window.
'What are these people plotting?'
He was somewhat uncertain. While the sudden invasion surprised everyone, he couldn't fathom its significance.
'Their target must be Yuri, right?'
Without delay, Riezel headed decisively to the top floor of the mansion to meet Yuri. However, after just walking several steps, he abruptly halted.
Ahead, a group of masked people suddenly appeared, blocking his path.