NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21 - Episode 21: Noble's Work is Done! But, Detained.
Episode 21: Noble’s Work is Done! But, Detained.
“Well done! This is your reward!”
“Thank you very much.”
I’m watching the exchange of rewards between the cheerful Bursa-sama and Mr. Myued.
Huh? That’s strange, isn’t it? Mr. Myued is stepping forward and receiving a small bag from Bursa-sama in a deferential manner, but isn’t that something I should be doing? If Mr. Myued considers himself the boss’ watchful eye, then it’s correct, but…
“And Frim, I have something for you too.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a water magic book. I found the same copy while organizing the warehouse, so take it.”
“Thank you very much!!”
It’s a different magic book from what I received from the boss. I should have modestly refused and returned it at once, but maybe it’s better to accept it straightforwardly to avoid any trouble.
“You should use this to improve yourself. Regardless of whether it’s sharp or not, a rusty sword is unsightly.”
“I will continue to do my best to serve the boss and the nobles!”
“Yes, keep up the good work.”
It might be some sort of expression, but I somehow understand the meaning. Yes, the floors, stairs outside the mansion, toilets, and the main statue have all been cleaned, and Bursa-sama seems satisfied. Although I wonder about working for a mafia and deeply entrenched government officials, perhaps this job was very beneficial for my survival? I leave the noble’s mansion and head back to the gambling den. Mr. Myued, who leads the way, probably received a large sum of money for the job, so it’s good if he holds onto it since having it myself would only cause mental unease. Just thinking about dropping or losing a large sum of money makes me shiver. I don’t know how much is in there.
“Frim-chan, could you pass me that magic book?”
“Huh? Sure.”
“Sorry, consider this bad luck. Don’t tell Dad, okay?”
I’ve been had. This big brother intends to take all the rewards!? He briefly shows his knife at his waist—threatening me.
“If I’m asked, I can’t help but speak, you know?”
“Well, that’s true, right? I know I’ll get scolded later, but please listen to me.”
“Myued, what’s going on?”
Markea stepped forward for me. Even though Logan says it’s an emergency, he’s not moving for some reason. The siblings are stepping back.
“”
Everyone became immobilized. I may not be a slave, but if even slaves couldn’t move—… there’s no one left to protect me.
“”
“Wha…!?”
Markea seems to resist, her neck tightens, and she falls.
“Sorry for the uselessness, Frim-chan.”
I’m pushed into a house in the alley, not knowing whose it is or if it’s okay to enter. Markea is also carried into the house by Logan, and the door is closed. Moreover, there’s the sound of something wooden. It seems like a bolt or something has been put on. Kidnapping? Is it a kidnapping?! And wait, if Logan didn’t resist anything about Myued’s actions, does that mean he’s also Myued’s accomplice?
Logan is only a step away from me. From Logan’s perspective, it’s within his reach to kill me with his strong arm.
“Eek!”
In the dark room, not knowing what to think, I crouch down in fear and cover my head with my hands, then I’m embraced from behind. It’s Talarine. And in front of that, her brother Olmiroi approaches Logan.
“………”
“………”
I don’t know what’s happening, but there’s a single sound of flesh being struck, then silence.
—My heart beats uncomfortably fast.
What’s happening, what’s going on? When I shake my shoulders and raise my face, the expressionless Olmiroi is in front of me… Logan’s cheek is red from being slapped, but he’s standing upright without moving. What on earth is this? Logan, who immediately bows his head to me…
“I-I don’t understand!”
My voice got louder. I don’t understand at all. Having my reward taken, Logan moving as if he knew, being detained in this house… being treated like this by Logan, whom I trusted, makes me want to cry a little.
“……”
Yet Logan says nothing, or rather, can’t he speak?
“Please speak, it’s an order.”
“……”
Logan points to the collar and lifts his head. Initially told not to move, he seems to have moved temporarily, but it appears he still cannot speak. Can he not speak under my command…?
Logan wears a very bitter expression, but he remains standing and gestures for me to come closer.
There’s only a faint light shining through the window frame, so it’s dark and hard to see clearly.
There’s bread and soup on the table, but the windows seem poorly sealed with iron frames, and the house itself seems designed to prevent people from escaping.
If I were to shout, it would surely reach outside, but that wouldn’t be good for Logan, and even if it did, there’s no guarantee we’d be freed from here.
There’s food, and it seems Logan has no intention of harming me… anyway, I’ve only come to understand that I’ve been confined.