novelleonline Chapter 343: Captured
Chapter 343: Captured
If they thought it was foolish or unimportant, then that was that.
He had no intention of forcing his views on anyone.
If he had one selfish wish, it was simply that Katarina’s burden might become a little lighter.
"More importantly, why are you all so afraid of Grandma in the first place?"
He suspected they had probably witnessed Katarina disciplining someone or dealing with an especially troublesome person.
Sure enough, when they explained, the reason was exactly as he had expected.
Since they were fellow adventurers, Qiong Xing thought they did not need to be quite so intimidated.
Still, because they were experienced fighters, perhaps there were things he simply could not understand.
"She’s actually a very lovely person. And she’s always wearing such intricate hairstyles. Her posture is wonderful too. Just looking at her is pleasant. People say it’s difficult to maintain muscle as you grow older, but Grandma is beautiful."
Rather than mentioning things like weight, which would be rude to say to a woman, he chose to phrase it in terms of maintaining muscle.
Katarina’s face turned red once again from embarrassment.
Beside her, Sarin’s smile grew even wider.
Apparently, hearing Katarina praised made him happier than receiving praise himself.
"Umm... I think we’ve been misunderstanding things all this time... Would you maybe teach me how to do that hairstyle?"
"S-since you asked, I suppose I can teach you!"
Though still flustered, Katarina nodded in agreement.
The sight of her trying to hide her embarrassment was rather adorable.
Danan joined in as well and Qiong Xing quietly watched the three of them begin talking, awkward though they still were.
"Thank you."
When Sarin said that and gently patted his head, Qiong Xing tilted his head, unsure what he meant.
"Thank you for thinking so much about Katarina’s sake. And it makes me happy to know that more people are coming to appreciate the wonderful person she is."
In order to build the guild into what it was today, Katarina had probably been forced to take harsh measures at times.
There had likely been occasions when she had overpowered others through sheer strength so they would not look down on her simply because she was a woman.
Perhaps that was what had caused people to fear her.
But Qiong Xing felt that it was time to move beyond that.
The guild she and Sarin had built together was something truly admirable.
"I love Grandma and Grandpa very much."
That was why he smiled, hoping that his feelings would somehow reach them through his words.
...
That smile was unbearable to look at.
Others might have found it beautiful, but to Qiong Xing who had been brought here against his will it inspired nothing but disgust.
He could not imagine touching the man.
Instead, he glared at him with open irritation.
"You’re probably the only one who looks at me like that. It’s very... entertaining."
"I’m not here for your amusement. Please send me home immediately."
His family was surely searching for him even now.
However, the magic tool he had been carrying to contact them had already been confiscated.
Where was this place?
Why had he been brought here?
He knew who the man standing before him was, but he did not understand why he had been kidnapped.
What did this man want from him?
What was he supposed to do?
The uncertainty only made his anxiety grow.
"When I’ve had my fill. Do your best to entertain me..."
Even the way he spoke was infuriating.
Qiong Xing immediately tried to cast a spell to bind him, but a violent wave of nausea suddenly struck him.
He clutched his mouth and chest and doubled over.
"What a toolish. This is the Demon Region and my domain. Without my permission, you cannot use magic here."
It made no sense.
Still, the unrelenting nausea and the man’s words made him realize that it had been triggered by his attempt to use magic.
When he suppressed his mana, the sickness gradually began to subside.
He could not understand what the man was thinking.
He did not know what he was planning or what he wanted Qiong Xing to do.
Even so, one thing was clear.
The man before him was an enemy.
Tears gathered in Qiong Xing’s eyes, but he refused to look away.
He continued glaring at him without yielding.
"...Interesting. With that appearance and a level of magic power no human should possess, it’s almost strange that you’re not a demon."
The man muttered something to himself, but Qiong Xing could not have cared less.
If magic truly could not be used here, then he would have to escape this building by his own means.
As he holding his chest, he searched for a way out.
"If you value your life, do not even think of escaping. If you attempt to leave without using magic, you will suffer far more than a few injuries."
"Then send me home already. I have no business with you."
"I told you. Once I am satisfied."
"There is neither reason nor obligation for me to obey you. I am not a toy meant to satisfy your whims. I am a human being with my own will. No matter how much you threaten me, do not think I will do as you say."
Whether the man’s desires were fulfilled or not meant nothing to him.
Qiong Xing demanded to be released, but the man merely laughed.
It was obvious he had no intention of letting him go.
"Very well. I am tired today, so I shall let it pass. But do not delude yourself into thinking you can escape."
As the man spoke and lightly moved his hand, something like a chain suddenly wrapped itself around Qiong Xing’s ankle.
Startled, he immediately tried to remove it, but all he got was the rattling sound of metal.
The chain, which was connected to the leg of the bed, showed no sign of coming loose.
"It cannot be removed by human hands. You would do well to give up."