Chapter 4: Captured

| Ezura Mikazuki |

Running would only get the brat so far. The Head Knight might have gone easy on him if all he did was interrupt him, but he refused to be talked down to by some runt as if he had the moral high ground. He didn't need help from the other knights handling their two out-of-control comrades. From the knees down, he encased them in a layer of crystals to stop them from moving. Disarmed and immobile, he could turn his attention away from them and to their evasive little rebel.

"Keep an eye on those two; they've been hexed by whatever magic that rebel has. And do try to keep these peasants in line. Don't let them become too unmanageable. Use force if necessary," he instructed the few knights that were left in the town's center. Running after the rebel would waste energy, so he retrieved his horse instead. Poor thing had gotten agitated with how unruly the villagers had been. Taking the reins, he followed in the rebel's direction. It wasn't too difficult to tell where he went. The brat left a messy trail of spilled merchant goods and tipped over crates in his wake.

On horseback, it'd only be a matter of time before he caught up, no matter how far the rebel ran. Which… didn't seem very far. Near the town's gates, he arrived in time to see the pursuing knights catch up to the rebel. Was the brat ill or something? Or maybe it was something much more amusing. He couldn't help the smile on his face as he approached the scene. He didn't say anything when the group of knights took out their frustration on him, likely from having to chase the brat while wearing their armor—a shove to the ground, then a kick to the rebel's ribs. He figured he'd need to step in when more of them became too physical.

"Look at that; you almost got away." The Head Knight couldn't be more sarcastic even if he tried. Hopping off his horse, the knights surrounding the rebel backed away to make room for him. He flipped the brat onto his front using the tip of his boot, "Are you so undisciplined that using your magic a few times leaves you in such a sorry state?" He'd laugh at him if he didn't have experience pushing his magic too far. Usually, it left countless bits of crystals painfully embedded in his skin, but the last time that'd happened was years ago. He had enough experience to avoid such mistakes.

"I'm sure you know you've only made things worse for yourself. You'll have plenty of time to think over your mistakes." He placed his knee on the middle of the commoner's back to keep him in place. With magic, he used crystals to restrain his arms behind his back. He wasn't opposed to letting the knights have their fun. It'd be more accessible to transport him if he was out cold.

"Fuck.. you.." the rebel muttered between each breath he let out. He seemed annoyed by the Head Knight's words. Although his breathing began to calm down, he did flinch in pain with every movement forced upon him. His overuse of magic may still be affecting him.

"Such a filthy mouth." After restraining the rebel's wrists in a thick crystal layer behind his back, the Head Knight pressed his knee against his back. Putting his hand on his head, he pushed the brat's face into the dirt. The commoner's black mask would protect him from everything but the impact. "You're a real stubborn one. Don't worry. This defiant attitude of yours will be going away real soon. That, among other things."

Getting off the rebel's back, the Head Knight dusted himself off. "Get him onto my horse so I can get him to the camp. You all help the others appease the locals afterward. The sooner this headache is dealt with, the sooner we can return to the capital. We might be able to leave in the morning if they get over this incident." Once the rebel was heaved onto his horse's back, he mounted again. After the mess the rebel caused, he didn't attempt to hide how amused he was having the brat hauled around like a heavy grain bag. "Try not to squirm. You'll slip off."

He was determined to make the ride very difficult for the rebel. If the speed of his horse's gallop didn't get to him, going over the uneven bumps in the dirt path hopefully would. Sure, it was petty, but someone had to put him in his place after embarrassing him in front of all those peasants. "It's almost as if you never rode a horse before.." the rebel mumbled, "Guess the High Elf's henchmen don't get much education. Understandable as all they do is follow orders like a dog." The Head Knight continued, not paying any mind to the words he was speaking. Yet, his fist clenched tightly on the lead rope.

He hadn't set up camp too far from the town. It didn't take long before they reached a clearing in the woods. The trees had been cut down to make room for the rows of tents they set up. The handful of knights that stayed behind to keep things secured greeted him as he entered the campgrounds.

"Take him to my tent; his magic makes him dangerous for non-magic users to be around." The Head Knight ordered, still unsure of how the rebel's ability worked, erring on the side of caution. He didn't need the entire camp turning on him. He would have plenty of time with the rebel to make him confess everything about himself.

"Careful, don't damage the cargo," he scolded his men as they almost dropped the rebel while trying to lift him off the horse. One of the men grabbed him under the arms while a woman took his legs. His tent was a fair bit larger than the others. Two guards stood outside the entrance to dissuade anyone from snooping inside. They'd also be there to ensure their guests didn't go anywhere. The two knights dumped the rebel onto the grassy ground before he dismissed them. He crouched down in front of the other and looked him over. "Such a headache. Most rebels don't attempt stunts like that. You should've hidden. You would've bought yourself a day or so."

"Unlike you, I'm not as selfish," the rebel argued. The Head Knight clicked his tongue at his words, unamused.

Almost carefully, he reached for the rebel's mask. He wanted to take it off to rub things into the rebel's face even more. He could already imagine the sour look that awaited him behind it. "I deserve a trophy for putting up with your nonsense." The rebel's eyes returned to their icey blue state, "Don't touch me," he demanded with a sharp tongue before his eyes returned to their golden yellow. Huh, so his magic must have something to do with his eyes. Eyes usually don't switch colors like that unless it was a birth defect, but he doubted it. Yet, he didn't feel any different when the rebel's eyes turned blue. How did his magic work?

"So feisty," the Head Knight replied. Instead of prying the rebel's mask off, he poked him on the mask instead. With a sigh, he stood back up and looked down at the rebel. His most minor favorite parts about this job were always the moments after the successful capture of a rogue Caster. As amusing as it was to taunt or belittle his targets, he couldn't shake the occasional pity he felt for them. If he were to look at things objectively, none of it was fair. One of the reasons he was allowed the position he was in and to keep his magic was because of his noble parents. Without their positions, he'd be just like the man before him. That was the most annoying part.

"You're not better than me or anyone else for pretending to be a hero. Look where it got you." Even if he was selfish, who cared? The most important thing was to look out for yourself. Because of that, he couldn't stop doing his job no matter what. He'd be Her Majesty's loyal dog for the rest of his life to keep his freedom and magic.

"Hope you won't mind waiting here for a while. I have to finish cleaning up your mess." It wasn't like the rebel had much of a choice. Still, he preferred not to take too long. He couldn't be apart from the man for too long; his crystals degraded over time after creating them, usually over a few hours.

After leaving the rebel in his dimly lit tent, he headed back to check on the situation in the town. Unsurprisingly, a decent portion of the villagers were less cooperative than before. It made it challenging to finish the investigation. After checking enough people for signs of mana, he called it quits and left the town with his knights.

By the time the Head Knight returned to his tent, the sun had dipped low, casting shadows across the camp. He couldn't shake the feeling of annoyance at the situation. He pondered whether he should have provided bedding for the captive or fed him before leaving. It was a troublesome situation, especially considering the risks posed by the rebel's magic.

Entering his tent, he was met with the sounds of his men's boisterous laughter and drunken banter. He made a mental note to reprimand them for their lax behavior later. Pushing through the fabric that served as his tent's door, he entered, carrying a bowl of warm stew and a chunk of bread.

"I'd ask if you're hungry, but I don't think you deserve food," he taunted, sitting before the rebel and teasingly taking a spoonful of stew. "I'd be willing to change my mind if you're open to answering a few questions I have for you. It'll make things much easier before you're stripped of your magic. If you don't work with me, my colleagues will be the ones to interrogate you once we reach the capital. They're much less… restrained than I am."

The man's hunger was evident as he stared directly at the bowl, meeting the Head Knight's gaze. Despite his glare, it didn't intimidate the knight as much as he probably hoped. Finally, the rebel muttered, "Questions?"

"I'll answer your questions for food, but in exchange for my priceless responses, I want you to answer my questions as well."

"What? How absurd. You're in no position to make demands." The Head Knight's tone was dismissive, his skepticism evident. What could the rebel possibly want to know about him? Perhaps he was going to inquire about matters such as taking bribes, but the notion seemed ludicrous. Regardless, the fact that the rebel was willing to cooperate was enough for the knight to brush it off. "I'll play along as long as you don't expect me to share sensitive information."

As the rebel sat up on his knees and inched closer, the Head Knight couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The rebel's eyes relaxed as he leaned in closer than the knight would have liked. "Go ahead and take it off," he spoke, prompting a look of confusion from the knight. What exactly was the rebel asking? To remove his mask?

"You'll feed me if I answer you, right? Or will you undo my hands so I can eat properly? Either way, you can hear me clearly if you remove my mask. I don't want to have to repeat myself." The rebel's gaze remained fixed on the knight's, his tone unyielding. The knight narrowed his glare, growing increasingly irritated. "Your little taunts aren't doing you any favors. I could put the bowl on the ground and let you eat out of it like a mutt. Would you prefer that?" It was clear that the rebel's audacity knew no bounds.

Despite the tension, the rebel's chuckle rang out, somehow light on the ears. "You'll still need to take my mask off for me to eat. Why are you so against it all of a sudden? Are you scared?" His laughter continued, accompanied by a playful tone. "I won't bite, I promise. Unless you want me to~" The knight couldn't help but feel a surge of frustration. Did this rebel truly wish to provoke him further?

Why would removing a simple mask inspire fear in the knight? The notion was absurd. He had been through similar situations countless times before. Regardless of the rebel's intentions, they were unlikely to succeed. With a sigh, the knight placed the bowl down and reached behind the rebel's head to remove the mask, his eyes scrutinizing it before turning their attention to the rebel's face.

"...Oh." The sound escaped the Head Knight's lips involuntarily, surprising even himself. Every moment spent in the rebel's presence seemed to amplify his frustration. Shamefully, he tried to push aside the fleeting thought of how his gaze lingered on the other's features. Annoyingly pretty. It was nothing worth dwelling on.

"What?" the man smirked, his tone teasing. "Fell in love at first sight~?"

Suppressing the urge to retort, the knight focused on the task at hand. Moving closer, he lifted the rebel's chin with his finger, ensuring their eyes met. "Listen closely. Behave and answer everything honestly. Deception will do nothing for you, understand? I'll repay your obedience by answering whatever trivial questions you have for me."

"First, I want your name and family name, too, if you have one. I also need to know if you know any other rogue magic users. Rats tend to group. Or have you been on your own this entire time?" The knight's inquiries were direct, aimed at gathering essential information. A proper name would facilitate further investigation into any potential associates of the rebel. As for the latter question, it was a precautionary measure to ensure no other rebels had evaded capture.

In exchange for his cooperation, the knight offered a spoonful of stew for each answer provided by the rebel. Though he doubted the rebel would relish being fed, caution dictated his approach. If the rebel proved cooperative enough, the knight considered loosening his restraints to allow for a more comfortable conversation.

"Shishido is my name. My family name is Noboru, but there is no point in searching for my bloodline. They're dead," the rebel's words lacked emotion, delivered in a monotone that belied the weight of his revelation. How could he share such a tragedy so casually? Offering condolences felt futile, considering the rebel's apparent detachment.

Mr. Noboru sighed softly, "I have met a few magic users myself. It's easy to sense them with a touch, as you know. However, that's about it. Staying too close to other magic users is too dangerous as it will make it easier to be caught." His admission hinted at a cautious approach to survival. If he spoke truthfully about encountering other rebels, then it seemed he had indeed operated alone. How many others in similar circumstances had the knight pursued? The thought lingered briefly before he dismissed it.

"What about you? What is your name and family name?" Noboru inquired, and the knight responded curtly, "Ezura Mikazuki. You will refer to me as Captain Ezura." It was an expected question.

"Captain Ezura Mikazuki. I'd rather call you Mika. Too many words are too much of a waste of breath. Especially for someone who isn't going to live long." The rebel's retort carried a weight of resignation, prompting a flicker of annoyance in the knight. Such defeatist sentiments were unwelcome.

"What made you want to work with the High Elf? Even though she is going against your kind. Like myself, many people fled when the High Elf started taking in Casters. Why did you stay when you knew she could stab you in the back at any moment?" The rebel's inquiry cut through the tension, demanding a response from the knight.

"This again? I was training to be a knight before she ever became High Elf. I'll serve the kingdom regardless. I cannot question her judgment if she decides I don't need my magic. That's it." The knight's words were matter-of-fact as he adjusted Mr. Noboru's restraints. The crystals binding the rebel eroded into dust upon his touch, a sign that Mr. Noboru's magic didn't seem to affect him directly. Their earlier encounter suggested the rebel posed little physical threat, given his lack of resistance.

Leaving the bowl next to him, the knight shot Mr. Noboru a warning glare, cautioning him not to take the offered food for granted. He planned to restrain the rebel again for the night after giving him a brief respite. Mr. Noboru seized the opportunity, grabbing the bowl with both hands and swiftly consuming its contents as if he hadn't eaten in days. The knight sighed and retrieved his bound journal from his sleeping mat, intending to occupy himself with writing.

As he sat down and began to write by the tent's candlelight, Mr. Noboru's last question lingered, souring the knight's mood slightly. He resolved to maintain his composure, aware that the rebel might not understand or accept his answer. Instead, he pondered a rephrased response.

"I'm sure you've been running and hiding for a while to keep your magic and freedom. I've been working for Her Majesty for the same reason. Without my position, I'd be in the same place you are. Maybe she will take away my magic in the future, but until then, I'll keep buying myself time. That way, I won't end up like you."

Mr. Noboru placed the bowl down, humming in relief as if his hunger had been quenched. "I don't know what kind of training they have at the palace, but they must be brainwashing you there, too," he remarked, his tone laced with a mixture of frustration and skepticism. Sitting up, he adjusted his posture, straightening his back as if to assert his authority, though the knight remained indifferent to his efforts.

"You don't understand, do you? Why do you think the High Elf hired you to work under her? Because you're smart? Because you're skillful? She doesn't give a damn about those qualities," Mr. Noboru continued, his voice tinged with bitterness and a hint of resignation.

"She needs you because of your abilities. Everyone knows that magic users can sense other magic users. Norms can't use magic like us. How will they be able to find us if they can't detect us? Let's say they do find us somehow. What will they do? Use their swords and arrows against magic? They can't do a damn thing, which is where you come in. The High Elf doesn't care about you in any other way. If she truly cared, you wouldn't be here on this tiresome mission trying to control dozens of men simultaneously. When was the last time you had a break? Time for yourself? A rest? A good night's sleep? When? Your needs are not important to her, and you know that. You must know that."

Mr. Noboru sighed softly, his weariness evident in his voice as if tired of hearing himself speak. Yet, he pressed on, his words carrying a sense of urgency and conviction.

"I'm trying to say that people like you are giving the High Elf the advantage. You are the reason we are getting caught in the first place. If we worked together, we could overtake the kingdom and bring it back to how it's supposed to be. Even the old High Elf knew that discriminating against any race could lead to the downfall of his kingdom. This is why he made peace with all regions. I bet he also gained some enemies for his beliefs in equality. That's why I believe he was poisoned or cursed, but that doesn't matter now."

He ran his hands through his hair, his frustration evident in his gestures. "All I ask is for you to think this over again. Just think about your position and your people. You have the upper hand here. You are the bridge that connects our kind to the norms," he implored, his voice lowering to a hushed tone, indicating his desire for privacy.

The knight couldn't help but admire the other man's unwavering commitment to his cause, even if it seemed idealistic. It was almost endearing. However, as Mr. Noboru finished his appeal, the knight couldn't suppress a smirk. "You know, maybe you're on to something," he mused, tapping his pen against the journal's page as if contemplating Noboru's words. "I can't even remember the last time my salary was raised or the last time I was authorized to take time off. Those are good enough reasons to revolt. Why should I work for people that see me as replaceable?"

"I get it now," he continued, slapping a hand against his head in a mock realization. "Working with a peasant who nearly passed out from overusing magic sounds like a great idea. We'll take on Her Majesty's entire army together and change this kingdom for the better. What could go wrong?"

Suppressing a laugh behind his hand, the knight shook his head, his amusement evident. Rising to his feet, journal in hand, he stood over Noboru, a playful glint in his eyes. "Do you think I haven't thought over my position thousands of times? You're more hopelessly naive than I imagined. It's adorable." Opening the journal, he displayed its contents to Noboru. "This is where I keep track of every rogue magic user my men and I capture. I record their ability, a rough description of them, and anything they confess to me. I've already filled over twenty pages and will fill twenty more. You overestimate how much I care about our kind."

"Give up on convincing me to go against her Majesty. You're not the first to try," he declared, closing the journal and gesturing for Noboru's arms. His time unbound was being cut short, partly out of spite for the other's attempt to sway his loyalty, and partly due to the commotion he heard outside the tent, indicating something was amiss.