Jaegel[1]

 "Do you know who I am?!"

His voice echoed into the void.

The Heretic didn't react immediately. His eerie, lopsided gaze bored into Rex's, unblinking, unshaken.

Rex continued, pressing forward.

"I am a Silvagold! You won't be able to get away with this!" His voice hardened as he took a step forward, his body tense. "If you release me now, I might take pity on you. Your punishment will be lessened."

He spoke with all the confidence he could muster, using his family name as a weapon.

His father was the highest standing noble. The Holy Knights served the Church, but even they wouldn't dare to ignore a Silvagold.

A Heretic wouldn't risk angering such a powerful house, would he?

For a moment, silence stretched between them.

Then—

A deep, guttural chuckle filled the void.

It started off low, rumbling deep in the Heretic's throat, before escalating into a loud, disturbing laugh.