I Don't Like Communists
Restraint refers to the act of limiting or binding someone's freedom of action or will, or detaining them to secure criminal proceedings. The explanation is complicated, but in short, getting hit with it means you're fucked. And right now, I was under restraint. Sealed by a sealing orb that suppressed the use of magic, no less.
When a mage has their magic sealed, what are they? Just a machine that shits out crap all day, that's what. The sealing orb on my wrist was sparkling, which meant I was nothing more than a daily crap-producing machine at the moment.
"Lady Glacia, isn't this a bit too flashy for a reunion greeting?"
Turning someone into a crap-producing machine as a reunion greeting? That's flashier than most parades. My physical strength wasn't particularly weak, and I had my martial arts skills, so it wasn't like I couldn't resist. But who were the parents of the girl restraining me? First, her father was the famous northern beast slayer, Melchior Winterhart. And her mother? The Queen of Vampires. In terms of strength and speed, I was no match. They were all like older brothers and sisters to Werner, but she was the exception. She was clearly a monster who hated me for the humiliation I'd inflicted on her in childhood. If she were weak, fine, but no—she was a genius who inherited her parents' talents and excelled in both magic and swordsmanship. On top of that, she had outstanding political sense. She was the very definition of perfection. And the problem was that this woman was trying to kidnap me.
"I haven't even given my reunion greeting yet. Let's save that for later. Because..."
Before Glacia could finish, a silver flash flew from inside the carriage. Glacia dodged the silver light aimed at her neck by a hair's breadth and responded with a smile.
"Your disciple is quite violent, isn't she? I heard she was the daughter of Lord Zick and Lady Media, but I'm disappointed. It seems she didn't inherit their excellent character."
She spoke elegantly, but what she really meant was, "Your disciple's parents are wonderful, but her personality is trash, isn't it?" On that point, I agreed. Checking the silver flash embedded in the tree, it wasn't a dagger—it was the fork I'd given her to use for snacks. But could throwing a mere fork embed it that deeply into a tree? I'd never taught her throwing techniques, not for shuriken and certainly not for forks.
"...Get away from my master before I kill you."
Airi emerged from the carriage, her voice ominous and radiating genuine killing intent. I could guarantee that right now, Airi had the presence to beat a bear to death with sheer force of will. But even faced with that, Glacia showed no sign of intimidation and remained perfectly composed.
"And what will you do if I don't move away?"
"Then I'll make you move. If I cut off both your arms, you won't be able to touch my master with those filthy hands."
Well, cutting off both arms wouldn't just mean she "wouldn't" touch him—she physically "couldn't," right? The thought crossed my mind, but I didn't voice it. I wasn't so tactless as to say something like that right now. Still, I was glad Airi cared so much about her master. Hurry up and save me, Airi. So this is why the princess liked that plumber who made a huge fuss trying to rescue her. But thinking about it, my situation was special. How terrible must the security be in their kingdom for a princess to get kidnapped all the time? Setting aside their kingdom's security issues, what was even more ruined was my life.
"Look, your fathers and mothers are close, so why don't you both calm down a little..."
"Master, please be quiet."
"Kindly remain silent for a moment. I still have business to attend to."
Damn it, I was being forcibly silenced. I thought even a restrained person like me had the right to intervene, but apparently not.
"You may not know this, but Lord Werner is my fiancé. Therefore, taking him away is naturally my right. Do you intend to interfere with the exercise of my rights?"
Damn it, since when did an engagement strip someone of their human rights? Wasn't that basically sexual slavery?
"After standing him up thirteen years ago, aren't you ashamed to act so disgracefully now? If it were me, I'd be too embarrassed to even leave the house."
How the hell did she know about my engagement story? Had I drunkenly mentioned it before? This is why alcohol is the enemy of health. Thanks to it, I was going to die young.
"Ah, back then he said my age was burdensome and disappeared for a while, didn't he? Right?"
Glacia suddenly linked her arm with mine and even asked me a question. At the same time, I felt something sharp against my back. I didn't know what it was, but one thing was clear—if it stabbed me, I was fucked. But since they'd just told me to shut up, I had no choice but to nod. They told me to be quiet, didn't they? I was merely an English gentleman who couldn't refuse a lady's request. It wasn't because I was afraid of the sharp thing at my back.
"You see? Lord Werner says so himself. That was merely postponing the engagement ceremony. It didn't mean breaking it off, young lady."
Why did that sound to my ears like, "So shut your mouth, you ignorant newbie who doesn't know how the world works"? Also, it was kind of funny that she was twenty-one herself yet calling Airi a "young lady."
Airi seemed to have gotten angry at the age comment too, her eyes flaring up. Yeah, dragging age into a fight like a coward would piss anyone off.
"Ah, so that's why you couldn't come properly and had to launch a sneak attack instead? What are you, a thief? Looks like there are still bandits left that haven't been subjugated."
Since when was she so good at badmouthing people? They say your true nature comes out when you're angry— so this was Airi's true nature. I thought her head was full of flowers, but those flowers were flames. This confirmed that her attribute was fire.
"What a low-level provocation. You're just a monkey who got lucky with her parents..."
"Sorry, but could you shut your mouth? From earlier, you've been giving off the stench of a vulgar bitch who's even been rejected by her own fiancé. I can't stand it anymore."
The two of them stared at each other without saying a word, smiling, then clashed. Glacia drew the Demonic Sword she was holding, and Airi responded by drawing the sword her father had left behind.
Bang! Sword met sword. How could the sound of swords clashing resemble two dump trucks colliding?
"You seem quite skilled with the sword. As expected, even a monkey has some talent."
"Do you have a disease where you'll die if you don't run your mouth? If so, I'll nail your lips shut so you can die just like that."
Damn, those weren't normal things to say while two girls were sword-fighting. But thinking about it, two girls sword-fighting in the first place was strange. As the sound of clashing blades continued to ring out, one of the attackers pressed a sword to the unconscious Irina's neck.
"Take your hands off my friend, you bastards."
Ignoring the order to stay quiet, curses flew out of my mouth before I knew it. Whether it was the body's instinct from having Irina as a friend or my own sense of justice, one thing was certain—my killing intent had spread. Everyone present turned to look at me, but what could I do? I couldn't use magic, and they had a hostage. It was just me trying to look cool for a moment.
As expected, they didn't release my friend. Instead, they took a stance indicating that if I made any more suspicious moves, they'd take Irina's life. Without realizing it, my feet moved toward Glacia. Of course, staying with my fiancée might put my own life in danger. But I had no desire to put an innocent person at risk for my own safety. Werner wouldn't either, and neither would I.
"Glacia Winterhart, my fiancée."
"Yes, what is it?"
"I'll go with you, so please send my companions home safely."
"Yes, if that is what you wish..."
Fortunately, Glacia seemed reasonable in this regard. But Airi didn't seem to be getting the message.
"Master, what are you saying! You want to go with that woman? Then what about me..."
At that moment, Glacia approached Airi and whispered something in her ear. I didn't know what she said. It probably wasn't something like "Your shit is thick, you bitch." Maybe she hit her with a daddy joke to shake Airi's mentality? For reference, that kind of thing didn't work on me or Werner. We both had no parents. But whatever the daddy joke was, it must have been severe—Airi's body was trembling.
Did she say something like "Your dad got caught stealing spoons from a restaurant and died while running away"? Glacia linked arms with me and tried to lead me to the carriage they'd brought. But Airi soon seemed to overcome the daddy joke and grabbed my collar.
"Master, if you leave like this..."
If I went like this, both you and I would be in danger, my disciple. Left with no choice, I embraced Airi and spoke.
"Sleep for a while. Don't come looking for me..."
And at that moment, I struck her vital point and knocked her unconscious. Even with my magic sealed, I still had enough strength to knock someone out by hitting their vital point at this close range. After confirming Airi was unconscious, I spoke to Glacia.
"You'll send my disciple and friend home safely, won't you?"
"I have no desire to create discord by touching Lord Zick and Lady Media's daughter unnecessarily."
She sure talked well for someone who'd just been sword-fighting moments ago.
"And if that child wakes up, please tell her not to come looking for me."
If Airi came looking and caused trouble, the situation would only get more complicated.
"Understood."
After receiving confirmation, I finally boarded the carriage heading north. I was now being dragged to the north. Fucking northern bastards. That's why I don't like communists.