Chapter 116 Don'T Move
Everyone held their breath and readied their weapons.
Our gazes were fixed on a corner of the empty garden.
Preparing for any unexpected situation that might arise, we heightened our concentration.
"――Alright, Mr. Io, please go ahead."
"Roger that."
Io nodded at Lady Eva's words and activated his magic.
Wind Magic――[Sound Insulation]
Storm Magic――[Silent Death Area]
A soundproof barrier and a magic that induces unconsciousness overlapped in a 2-meter diameter space in front of us.
Due to the difference in air density, there was no visible variation within that range, but the air seemed to quiver slightly.
"――I'll teleport them now."
After confirming that Io's magic was properly deployed, Lady Eva activated her teleportation magic.
Space Magic――[Short-distance Teleportation]
The next instant, 3 people were forcibly teleported into the quivering air's domain.
Two knights and a female servant appeared.
The servant, who had been sitting in a chair just before, lost her balance and fell to the ground. Her face was shocked by the sudden event, but she quickly lost consciousness and fainted.
On the other hand, the two knights were impressive. They immediately noticed the variation in their field of vision and grasped the hilts of their swords at their waists. Their gazes caught us nearby, and they slightly widened their eyes in surprise.
In an instant, they judged us as enemies. They drew their swords from their scabbards and shouted something, as if demanding to know our true identities. However, fortunately, their voices were blocked by the soundproof barrier and didn't leak out.
Of course, we didn't respond.
But it seemed the knights didn't expect us to answer either. Without hesitation, they attempted to charge towards us――but both of them fell forward, taking only one step. After that, they didn't move at all. Like the servant, they seemed to have fainted instantly.
"...Mr. Io, please dispel the magic."
"Roger that."
"Everyone, please tie up those who have fainted. Here's the rope. Also, please make them wear this gag."
Lady Eva handed us the rope and cloth she had taken out from her storage ring at some point.
"Ah, yes."
We took the rope and did as we were told, tying up the guards and servants, and making them wear the gag before moving them to a place where they wouldn't be noticed.
"Now, we'll finally teleport inside the mansion. Is everyone ready?"
"Yes, no problem."
"I can set up a soundproof barrier anytime."
I and Io nodded. The other members also seemed to be ready, nodding in agreement.
"Then, come closer to me."
We gathered around Lady Eva.
A few seconds later, the teleportation magic was activated, and a floating sensation enveloped our bodies. In an instant, our field of vision changed, and we moved from the chilly night wind to a warm indoor space.
When we looked around, we found ourselves in a small room with only a bed, a desk, and a chair. It was probably a waiting room for the servants. With 6 adults, it was quite cramped.
Lady Eva whispered in a low voice.
"The exit is over there. If there are guards inside, we might be attacked. So, Garon will take the lead and enter first, and please be prepared for a surprise attack. Io will be second, and once Chloe is in sight, please set up a soundproof barrier. Aaron will be third, and if Chloe tries to use magic, please interfere with your sword."
"G-got it."
"Got it."
Garon nodded, his face tense, in response to Lady Eva's clear instructions. Io and I also nodded.
We stood in front of the door in the order Lady Eva had instructed, and Garon grasped the doorknob. Then, he turned around to face us once, and Lady Eva nodded.
"――Let's go."
Garon muttered and opened the door.
He stepped inside quietly but quickly, followed by Io, and then me.
There was no attack. The room was bright. We quickly scanned the area, including the blind spots. There were no guards in sight.
But――
"――Lady Chloe is not here."
Io muttered quietly, without casting a soundproof barrier.
The spacious room, furnished with expensive and elegant furniture, was empty, with no one in sight, including Chloe.
――Could she have sensed our presence and escaped?
No, that's not it.
"It's that room."
I said in a low voice, looking at one of the doors.
Of course, our team would have already noticed. Chloe's magical energy wasn't in this room, but in the next room connected to this one.
There were 4 doors in this room.
One led to the hallway, and another to the waiting room we had just come from.
The other 2 probably led to the bedroom and bathroom.
――This is bad
I realized this instantly and turned to Io.
"Io."
"I know."
It seemed Io had also come to the same conclusion. With a serious face, he quickly cast a spell, creating a soundproof barrier around the entire room, including the next room where Chloe was.
Without even waiting to see if the barrier was in place, I rushed to the door where I sensed Chloe's magical energy.
Chloe isn't like us, making a living by exploring. So, it's unlikely she's always on guard. But she is a magician. If we can sense her magical energy, it's possible she can sense ours too.
That means she might have already noticed us.
That's why Io cast the soundproof barrier before we even confirmed Chloe's presence.
And within a second of Io's barrier being fully cast, I burst through the door.
"――Don't move!!"
"――――Eh?"
Chloe turned to face me.
For a moment, she looked stunned, but then her eyes widened in shock. And she screamed.
"H-h-h-how, how, how did you get here, Mr. Aaron!? W-why are you here!? W-what's going on!?"
Splash Chloe quickly submerged herself up to her shoulders in the bathtub, trying to hide her naked body.
This was the bathroom.
Chloe was in the middle of taking a bath.
Naturally, she was naked, and for a moment, her bare arms were visible, without even a Storage Ring on them.
――This was extremely convenient.
I ignored Chloe's cries and quickly closed the distance between us.
"Ahhhh! Don't come any closer, pleaseee!!"
"――Don't move."
"Eek!?"
I approached her and pressed the black aura-covered "Black-White" against Chloe's throat.
"Don't try anything funny, Chloe. If I sense even a hint of magical energy, I'll attack you."
"Eh, eh, eh? Wh-what's going on...?!?"
Chloe's eyes welled up with tears, and she curled up in the bathtub, trying to hide her body. I glanced into the transparent bathwater, but it seemed she wasn't hiding any Rings or staffs in there.
"D-don't look, don't peek!!"
"Ms. Chloe, please don't resist!"
"Eh, eh? Lady Eva?! Wh-what are you doing?!"
Lady Eva stepped forward from behind me and quickly put an Anti-Magic Ring on Chloe's neck.
This should prevent her from escaping through teleportation.
I kept my guard up, but lowered "Black-White" and told Chloe,
"Chloe, I'm going to restrain you. Raise your hands and slowly get out of the bathtub"
"Eh, eh?! I-I don't want to!! And, and, please leave me alone!!"
"Hmph...it seems you don't understand the situation. You don't have the right to refuse. Stop pretending and just do as I say."
Just as I finished saying that,
"Aaron!!"
Fiona's urgent voice rang out.
"――!?"
I quickly looked around, wondering what was happening, but there was nothing out of the ordinary.
Chloe wasn't counterattacking, and no guards had arrived.
So, what was it? I turned to face Fiona behind me.
"What's wrong, Fiona? Did something happen――."
ZHOOP!
"――My eyessss!? Aaaaaaaaahhh!!?"
My eyeballs are in intense pain.
I instinctively dropped "Black-White" and covered my eyes with both hands. I fell to the bathroom floor and rolled around.
"Aaaaahhh!! My eyes hurt so much!!"
What's going on?! What happened?!
Wait, I know what happened Fiona poked my eyes out!
Why did she do that?! I mean, how could I not react to that?!
I didn't sense any killing intent, and I didn't expect an attack from an ally in this tense situation.
Damn it, I let my guard down! What is Fiona thinking?!
"Eva, hurry up! Get Chloe dressed quickly!"
"Y-yes... Please, gentlemen, leave the bathroom..."
"Understood, lady."
As I rolled around on the floor, crying, someone grabbed me and dragged me out of the bathroom. Then I heard the door slam shut.
"Are you okay, Aaron?"
"G-garon...? M-my eyes hurt..."
"I saw it happen."
"If you saw it, why didn't you stop her...!"
"Sorry. Her movement was too natural, and I didn't have time to react."
So it was a completely merciless blow... Fiona, what do you have against me...?!
"Aaron, I'll give you a potion. It'll hurt, but open your eyelids."
"O-okay... Please..."
I lay on my back and forced my eyelids open. Garon poured a potion into my eyes like eye drops.
My face was a mess, but the pain subsided as the potion healed my eyes.
After a while, the bathroom door opened, and Fiona, Lady Eva, Chloe, and Glen came out.
"Here, Aaron, I picked it up for you."
Fiona handed me "Black-White" with a completely innocent expression.
"..."
I silently took "Black-White" and stored it in my Storage Ring.
"Hey, why did you blind me?"
Since Fiona was acting like nothing was wrong, I asked her, and she replied with a puzzled expression, as if she was surprised I even asked.
"You were looking at a n*ked girl who didn't want you to, okay?"
"...I don't think that's something to worry about in this situation."
I mean, aren't we here to kidnap Chloe or something?
But Fiona suddenly laughed in a weird way.
"You're an idiot. Of course, I understand the situation. That's why I didn't do anything until we put the Anti-Magic Ring on Chloe, right?"
Even so, didn't she have any other options besides blinding me?
It seems like she didn't have any doubts about destroying my eyes.
"..."
...Sometimes, I get scared of Fiona.
Anyway.
So, we successfully captured Chloe and used Lady Eva's magic to teleport from the scene...
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