PAGE 1

The sister held the others back with her spread wings as the brother moved to the balcony. Wait, wait! Are we really going to jump from the balcony?

 

“We will now take you to the beast territories. You will be returned once things have settled there. Until then, we promise to treat you well.”

 

This is a very bad start! I am not something that can be rented out! And what about the sea? Chiharu thought morosely. Maki’s voice shouted at her.

 

“Chiharu, relax!”

 

Just as Chiharu allowed herself to relax and droop inside of his arm, something came. It was the same moment that the brother looked at Chiharu quizzically.

 

It was a roundhouse kick from Maki that came flying. Maki knew karate. A drunken Maki had once boasted that she could perform such a kick on anyone who was at least 170 cm tall. However, this guy was 2 meters. Chiharu ducked as low as she could to stay out of the way.

 

Bam! Maki’s foot landed on his shoulder, and for a moment he was stunned, as the strength left his body. Now! However, Chiharu was not quite as fast. Before she could start struggling again, he quickly tightened his hold on her. If this was how it was going to be!

 

Chiharu allowed herself to go even limper inside the birdman’s grip. And just as he tried to adjust his hold on her, she bent backward as fast as she could. Boom!

 

“Gyaa!”

 

She heard a voice that sounded like nothing she had ever heard before, and then her head began to hurt. She had gone wild when his grip had loosened and slipped out of his hold. Good! Aeris was quick to sweep her off the floor.

 

“Brother!”

 

The birdwoman quickly went to her brother who held his face and stumbled. Zynis and the prince stood in front of Maki and Chiharu, who was supported by Aeris.

 

“Calm down!”

 

The king’s voice shouted. His office was a wreck. Documents were scattered, the bird people moaned, the Saintesses were frozen near the wall, the guards were about to attack.

 

Thinking about it now, he really should have left it to the guards from the beginning. Or so Maki and Chiharu thought, as one rubbed at her sore foot and the other her head.

 

“Do you intend to start a war?”

“Of course not. This is all the fault of the humans.”

 

The sister accused. The kings replied in a quiet voice.

 

“It is true that Saintesses have not been sent to the lands of the beastfolk. But that was something that the Saintesses of old had decided by themselves. Taking them by force may have resulted in faster purification, but what of the strain on them? How could we treat them like that, when they came all the way here after being separated from their families? Saintesses are not objects. We cannot lend them out against their will.”

“We must give them to time to get settled. They have only just arrived the day before yesterday.”

 

Zynis adds.

 

“But that does not match the speed of purification.”

“It is likely because there are two of them.”

“Two…”

 

Come to think of it, Maki remembered. They knew that both of them had the mark, but then why had they only gone for Chiharu? She didn’t want to be abducted, but it was a little damaging to her confidence to not have been chosen. However, they later asked about this and were told that they chose the one who looked easier to carry. Chiharu was not happy about this, which Maki found amusing.

 

“We were just in the middle of discussing the possibility of them visiting the beast territories, but now they are likely to never come. All because of you.”

 

Zynis grumbled. The two bird people looked at Maki and Chiharu with surprise.

 

“They would come this time?”

“That is what I said.”

 

Maki then realized something.

 

“Is this the reason that the basket is shaped like a box?”

“Yes. Because this tribe of curious and quick-tempered people would try to take you away.”

 

Maki and Chiharu had now learned this first-hand. They would definitely be riding in the cages without complaint now.

Next Chapter