Volume 6 Chapter 25 Captive
When I woke up, I saw an unfamiliar canopy.
"A canopy...?"
It was like a mosquito net hanging over the bed, a typical feature of a fancy bed. I'd never seen such a bed before, so of course, the canopy was unfamiliar too.
I sat up and tried to remember why I was here. The memory of losing to Fist of the Dragon came back. I quickly jumped out of the room.
Just then, someone spoke to me.
"Hey, kid. Where are you going?"
I turned around at the door. It was someone I recognized. A female knight in armor. She had so many swords at her waist that it looked like she was wearing a skirt.
When I saw her picture, I thought she seemed strict, but in person, she seemed pretty easygoing.
"'Discarder'"
"Oh, my nickname. You know it, huh, Slow? Well, you're a prisoner now. You can call me Brada. Can I call you Wade?"
"...Sure."
"Well, it's no good standing here talking. Follow me."
'Discarder'――I mean, Brada――walked ahead lightly, not even considering that I might attack her from behind. I wasn't entirely sure, but I followed her for now.
As we walked, I asked,
"Why am I not tied up?"
"Oh, you are tied up, kid. Just not with restraints."
"...?"
"If you don't get it, ask Sieg. It was his decision."
Sieg. Fist of the Dragon Sieg. The generals I've fought so far, who were called 'Commander-in-chief'. So Brada is closer to him than the others.
As I thought about that, I wondered if there was some kind of magic trick on my body, so I patted myself down. Brada giggled and said, "Turn right at this corner," and turned down the hallway.
Following her, I heard a groaning sound from a room with its door open in the middle of the hallway.
"Huh?"
"Ohhhhhhhh...!"
The woman’s appearance was strange. She was groaning while her long hair whipped around wildly. I couldn’t help but be shocked when I saw it.
"Wh-what is that?"
"Oh, right. Sorry for the unpleasant sight. That’s Misty from the 'Phantom Beast Army.' You know, she got completely beaten by those three girls of yours, the 'Ice Army,' 'Poison Sea,' and 'Thunder Strike,' the other day? So she’s in a frenzy now."
"Oh, I see..."
"Misty was especially good at taming phantom beasts. Since phantom beasts are summoned by magic, she doesn’t really die."
"I don’t even know what to say..."
"You don’t need to say anything. This is what war is like. Even prisoners aren't losers, so there's no need to apologize."
Following the laid-back Brada, we arrived at what seemed like a terrace. There, sitting at a table like it was a tea party, was the Fist of the Dragon.
"Oh, you’re here."
"Yeah, I brought him, Sieg."
"Thanks for the trouble, Brada. Now, Slow... or should I call you Wade? For now, please sit."
"..."
While remaining cautious, I obediently sat in the chair facing the Fist of the Dragon, as indicated by his muscular arm. Brada took a seat next to me.
The Fist of the Dragon spoke.
"Now, let me explain your situation. Currently, you are a prisoner of our Fist of the Dragon army. Normally, we treat prisoners well, and since you have particularly high abilities, you’re being treated like a noble."
"Does that mean nobles aren’t restrained even if they're prisoners?"
When I showed my hands as I said this, the Fist of the Dragon chuckled.
"What are you talking about? You have the world's best restraint right in front of you."
"...Ah, I see. Even if I run, you’ll catch me, so there's no need for handcuffs, right, Fist of the Dragon?"
"That's right. Besides, for a Gold-ranked adventurer, any restraints are meaningless. You could probably tear through iron now, right?"
"Well, I guess. But aren't you going to use something like a magic seal to stop me?"
"No. Wade, I don't want to hinder your growth as a warrior. You have that much value. After the war, I'd like us to get along."
"The guy who started the invasion war is saying that?"
"Tell that to our king."
"The arrogant king, huh?"
I leaned back in my chair, starting to get a sense of Fist of the Dragon's personality.
Then, glancing at Brada, I spoke to Fist of the Dragon.
"But isn't it bad to be overconfident like that? What if I took Brada or someone from the 'Phantom Beast Army' like Misty as a hostage and escaped?"
Fist of the Dragon shrugged and said,
"You wouldn't do that."
"..."
I felt awkward, pursing my lips and snorting. This guy observes people well. Losing and being treated with respect, it would be shameful to act out like that.
As I was thinking that, Fist of the Dragon spoke.
"You...you wouldn't, right? Wade, you're really strong enough that no one else can match you now. Please don't do something like that."
"I won't. Don't worry. You're one of the strongest in the world, so stay confident."
"Eh, is this boy that strong? I thought Misty and I could handle him together, but we can't match him?"
I made a joke about Fist of the Dragon's unexpectedly friendly personality, and Brada seemed confused by the unexpected power dynamics.
Fist of the Dragon said,
"How about a get-together for now? Wade, there are many things I'd like to talk to you about."
"Eh...? Why do you like me so much, Fist of the Dragon?"
"Sorry, Wade. Sieg is, you know, a bit of an airhead."
"I see..."
To my understanding, Fist of the Dragon vigorously shook his head and said, "There's no airhead here." I think that's the kind of person he is.
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