Chapter 30: Kuro, do your best
“I’m sorry. I know it’s tough for you to keep wearing the bag all the time. But it’s for your own safety. If you see our faces, it could put you in danger. It’s safer for you not to see anything.”
A man called Frog spoke to me.
“Why did you kidnap me?”
“We heard that there is a wizard who can see and neutralize what we created. We wanted to recruit you as an ally. But I never expected you to come from another world without any magical powers.”
Frog speaks in an elegant manner. Is he a noble?
“I’ve been thinking all this time, but I don’t understand your intentions. Even if you steal magical powers, they would recover in a day or two of rest. So why do such a thing?”
“There’s no reason for me to tell you that. You must be connected to the lords and palace wizards, right? But since we’re subjecting you to this, I’ll give you a little explanation.”
I sensed that Frog sat down on a chair.
“We can use magic. However, we can hardly use the offensive magic that is desired in this country. We can interfere with magic detection, drain and discard other people’s magical powers, use a little water magic, create weak fireballs, blow weak winds. Oh, and we can create weak barriers to protect this place. That’s the kind of group we are.”
“But if you have magical powers, wouldn’t it be better than not having them in this country?”
“If you have some magical powers, as a noble, you would be considered useless, and as a commoner, you would be seen as someone with magical powers. You would be an outcast from both sides. Especially for drain wizards, they are looked down upon as tainted wizards who work with criminals, maintaining law and order.”
Frog’s voice was tinged with quiet anger.
“That’s why we decided to stop being mere victims. That’s all I can tell you.”
Does it mean they are going against the state’s system? Do they want to stage a coup? But it’s impossible to just drain other people’s magical powers.
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I don’t know how much time has passed since I was brought here. It seems like several days have gone by. Even during meals, I have to keep the bag on, and there is always someone near me. I’m constantly asked to stay in bed.
Being deprived of sight, I really can’t do anything. I lose track of time. I can’t even take advantage of the guards’ moments of inattention.
Reluctantly, I gently stimulated my muscles one by one. It would be troublesome if I couldn’t walk or run when the time comes.
But starting from this morning, I no longer sense anyone’s presence. Have they finally let their guard down?
“I need to use the bathroom.”
I called out, but there was no response. No one seemed to be moving. Alright, this is my chance!
“Kuro, appear inside the blanket without making any sound.”
Kuro appeared around my stomach. It seems that you can’t use a summoning bird, but what about a monster? Can it bypass the barrier? For now, it managed to come to me.
“Let Victor know my whereabouts and bring him here.”
Kuro licked the back of my hand and disappeared. I waited for a while, but it didn’t come back. Alright, it seems that monsters can pass through the barrier. I’m probably safe now. Victor and Pauline-san will surely come to rescue me.
“It’s mealtime. Eat while still wearing the bag.”
At night, I was handed a wooden tray. The bottom part of the bag remained as it was, so only the lower part of my face was visible. Today, it was vegetable soup and bread. I ate every bite without leaving anything behind. After all, I need strength to escape.
The person who brought the meal seems to be keeping watch on the other side of the door. I can hear voices conversing. While exercising, I listened carefully to their conversation.
As I exercised, I pondered their arguments.
Excluded by both nobles and commoners. I can understand the pain of being an outcast, even if only a little. But even if they temporarily take away our magic powers, if time passes, won’t they recover? Even if they were to somehow take control, they would have to keep draining the magic powers of top-class attack wizards forever. Isn’t that impossible?
Moreover, for commoners, it’s a dispute among wizards that has nothing to do with them. It would be reassuring to have strong users of offensive magic who protect the country. Even if Frog and Wildcat were to rise to power, are there any commoners who would support them?
I can’t help but feel that their plan is too sloppy. Are they all just running recklessly with youthful enthusiasm?
One day, when Frog brought me my meal, I decided to speak up.
“Um, isn’t it unnecessary to think that we have to take control? Isn’t finding or creating a place where each of us can be useful another way to live?”
“You, who came from another world, can’t understand our suffering.”
“In the world I came from, there was no such thing as a completely equal country either. There were people who looked down on others, and there were unfair things. But little by little, we made efforts to gain the understanding of many people by investing time and effort. I don’t think attacking important people all of a sudden will solve the problem.”
“Hmph. What you’re saying is just idealistic nonsense.”
Frog said that and left. I expected him to say that. I don’t feel disappointed because I said it with the hope that it might become a catalyst for change someday.
I lay on the bed, facing up, and started doing sit-ups. I wonder if Kuro safely reached Victor and the others. I hope I can guide them here successfully.
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