Chapter 5 - Captive
―Where should I go?
Morning glow dyed the eastern sea a light purple.
Shall Fen Shall was at the base of the cape where Philax Castle stood.
In order to prevent the ocean winds from plowing the road, the evergreen
forest along the coastline had been preserved. He rested in that forest till
dawn, and rose with the morning sun.
He began walking along the road, but with no purpose; his gait was slow. The
night before, falling snow had mixed with the strong ocean winds, covering the
narrow road in a thin layer of ice.
He walked idly while listening to the regularly resounding sound of the waves.
The irritation that felt like swallowing a foreign object persisted still, annoying
him.
Suddenly, he sensed a thirst for blood coming from behind. Standing his guard,
he turned around.
There stood three men, carrying long swords at their hips. They slowly walked
his way, as though evaluating him. Behind them, standing a head taller, were
two fairies with rough red-black skin. They both had a single poorly crumpled
wing fluttering on their backs. They were warrior fairies owned by the three
men.
The men were fairy hunters, likely in the middle of their hunt. Many fairies
were born in the morning, so fairy hunters rose with the sun and started
hunting. The three men walked up to a point where they could clearly discern
Shall's face, then halted.
"Well, if it ain't a beauty walking all alone. Must be our lucky day."
One of the men smirked. The other two rounded Shall from behind and to his
left.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
One of the warrior fairies went right, while the other stood in waiting behind
the man who spoke.
"What do you want?"
"Looks like a high class pet fairy you don't normally see in this area. Who's your
owner?"
"I asked you a question first. Answer. What do you want?"
"What a spirited fellow."
The fairy hunters laughed in amusement.
Even without them saying it, Shall knew what their aim was. They were
planning on hunting him.
Or, perhaps it was more accurate to say that they were planning on stealing
him.
Fairy hunters hunt fairies and sell them. But some nasty fairy hunters stole
fairies that others own and sold them arbitrarily.
Of course, one of the fairy's wings would remain in the hands of the original
owner. But another would still be on the fairy's back. A stolen fairy was
enslaved by having a sturdy string tied to the base of the wing on their back,
like a rein.
If the fairy acted up, the string was pulled, and the wing came off. If a fairy lost
both their wings, even if the wings were unharmed, they became weakened,
and shortly thereafter, they disappeared. It was an absurdly savage
enslavement method.
However, from the start, a stolen fairy couldn't be owned for long, because
the original owner still had the fairy's wing in their possession. If that owner
thought the fairy had run away and disposed of their wing, the fairy would die
at that moment. It wasn't strange for a stolen fairy to suddenly die.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Yet many were satisfied with buying a fairy cheaply and owning it for a short
time—especially pet fairies, as one wouldn't be too troubled with or without
them. They were easy to sell, saying it was enough to just temporarily enjoy
them.
Shall had a single wing on his back. Normally, he would indeed be owned. No
doubt the fairy hunters thought he was as well.
But with Shall's appearance, even stolen, he'd sell for a high price.
"Fairy, won't you come with us for a bit?"
Shall showed a wisp of a smile at those words. He gently opened the palm of
his right hand, where he began amassing energy. Particles of light gathered by
his palm.
"What would you do if I don't?"
The pesky irritation made Shall belligerent. He smiled fleetingly, feeling he was
about to enjoy this.
One of the warrior fairies spoke with a nervous voice, "Boss, please be careful.
That guy isn't a pet fairy."
"What's it look like to you other than a pet fairy?"
"The same as us. A warrior fairy."
"What?"
By the time the man looked at Shall with a face saying, ‘It can't be,' Shall was
already gripping his sword in his hand.
He kicked against the ground and charged straight at the man before him.
The warrior fairy jumped in front of the stunned man, and whipping out the
hatchet-like sword he carried on his back, he repelled Shall's thrust.
"You bastard!!"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Aiming for Shall's back as he dodged, the other two fairy hunters came at him
with their swords.
He lowered his body to avoid the attack just in time, and pushing his bare left
hand against the ground, he used his arm's recoil to jump aside. Leaving a few
paces' worth of distance, he stood facing the fairy hunters.
One of the warrior fairies spoke in a groan-like manner.
"Boss, this guy's impossible. Let's withdraw."
Shall grinned. The wing on his back tensed, making a buzzing sound and taking
on a glossy bluish tint.
"You were the ones who invited me. I'll have you entertain me."
"...Of course. It's not like we could let such an expensive-looking fairy get away,
after all. And you, don't go saying stupid things! We're going to hunt him!"
The fairy hunters' leader pulled out his sword, raising his guard while slowly
closing in.
The remaining two fairy hunters and warrior fairies, reading the leader's
intention, slowly surrounded Shall.
The two fairy hunters returned their swords to their hips and grabbed a chain
that had a weight at its end. They split into rear and front, and while spinning
the chain, aimed for Shall's arms and legs.
As expected, they didn't group together to hunt fairies for nothing. They had
no openings. These five didn't seem to be opponents that could be defeated
easily. Shall felt a thrill of enjoyment.
With a strong air-piercing sound, the weighted chain flew from front and back
simultaneously. Where he tried to dodge to, the warrior fairy swung down his
sword. Breaking his posture, Shall jumped to the side, but the chain wound
around his ankle. Having his ankle forcefully pulled, his right hand hit the
ground. Using that recoil, he aimed for the man holding the chain that caught
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
his ankle, and came at him while remaining in a low posture.
Swinging the sword from the area of his knee, he aimed for the wrist of the
fairy hunter that was holding the chain.
The fairy hunter let go of the chain at once and jumped out of the way.
Heading towards the fairy hunter whose posture had collapsed, Shall lunged
an attack with his ankle still tangled in the chain.
"That's enough, Shall Fen Shall!!"
Shall started upon hearing his name being called.
The fairy hunter that escaped Shall's blade by a hair's breadth retreated
backwards in a crawling fashion.
"As you might expect, a fairy that kills a human, no matter the reason, will be
disposed of."
The fairy hunters that had stopped moving looked puzzled at the sight of the
young nobleman that came calmly riding his horse from the direction of the
road. Behind him, on horseback as well, was a young man with brown skin that
looked like a guard. Following them were several cavalry soldiers.
The fairy hunters didn't know the young nobleman's status, but it seemed they
determined it was safest to act obedient. They each returned their weapon to
their hip.
Shall undid his posture and went to meet the young nobleman with a cold
expression.
"You sure do have a lot of free time, Silver Sugar Viscount."
"Haven't I been saying how incredibly busy I am? You're as uncute as ever.
Aren't you at all happy at our chance reunion?"
Hugh advanced up to Shall on his horse, where he climbed off. Salim climbed
off his horse as well and slowly walked behind Shall. With the faithfulness of
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
protecting his master, he placed his hand on the handle of his sword and stood
on the lookout for Shall.
Hugh declared to the fairy hunters, "I am Hugh Mercury, the Silver Sugar
Viscount. Were you trying to steal this fairy?"
"That's absurd. None of us were thinking such a thing."
The leader of the fairy hunters pliantly lowered his head. Hugh waved his hand
in displeasure.
"I'll pretend I didn't see anything, so hurry up and leave."
After warding off the fairy hunters, Hugh looked around. "You're alone? What
about Ann and Mythrill?"
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
The question made Shall feel incredibly unpleasant. He looked away from
Hugh.
"What happened to them, Shall? They're not with you? Did something
happen?"
Answering was also irritating.
He suddenly felt like he did the other night when he faced Ann.
"What about you? Why are you in a place like this?"
"I have some business in Philax Castle. So, weren't you there with Ann? I heard
this rumor in Lewiston that you guys headed to Alban's castle."
With his face still turned away, Shall remained quiet. Hugh shrugged.
"Don't feel like answering, huh. Well, that's fine, though. By the way, Shall—"
With a casual gesture, Hugh suddenly reached for Shall's chest. It was a quick
move with the characteristic smoothness of a sugar craftsman. As his face was
turned, Shall's reaction was late.
He was startled by that hand's movement. While simultaneously pulling
himself back, Hugh took out a leather bag the size of a palm from the breast
pocket of Shall's coat.
"You bastard!"
Hugh sprung back from Shall, who was about to create his sword.
"Woops, what's wrong? That's unlike you, Shall. You're full of openings."
Hugh held the leather bag up high while laughing. Shall grinded his back teeth
with a grunt.
"The Silver Sugar Viscount, acting like a mere pickpocket?"
"I've been told that if I didn't become a sugar craftsman, I could become a
pickpocket. It's my special skill. Even so, I didn't think I'd be able to steal from
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
you. But you've been strangely full of openings just now. Could it be that you
trust me? I'm so happy, Shall."
There was something wrong with him. What was he distracted by, and how
could he be so careless? Or was it rather, he just then realized, that he
unconsciously let his guard down around Hugh?
It might be that in the few months he’d spent with Ann, her trustfulness had
rubbed off on him. For the first time, he became conscious of Ann's influence
over him.
"This is your wing, right?"
Folded inside that bag was indeed his wing that Ann returned to him.
"In Highland, when you find a fairy that isn't owned by anyone, the first one to
get his hands on that fairy's wing has the right to own them. Well, those are
rules that humans thought up. So, for a fairy, I guess it means whatever but…"
Hugh grinned.
"It looks like I'm your owner now, Shall Fen Shall."
*
When morning came, Jonas came over to Ann's room.
"I asked Dale for a meeting with Duke Philax. We'll be able to see him later. I'm
having you come as well, Ann." Jonas looked horribly nervous.
The other night, with Shall's leaving, Ann had somehow lost her strength.
She was anxious, but she didn't think there could be anything worse than Shall
leaving after rejecting him herself. That was why, no matter what Jonas was
scheming, she didn't care. She had such a ‘so-what’ feeling.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
"Your face is pale, Jonas," Ann said coldly, and Jonas sternly glared at her in
return.
"You, stay quiet. Okay? Just stay quiet!"
His reaction lacked composure. Looking worried, Kathy got on Jonas's shoulder
and patted his cheek. "Don't worry, Jonas-sama. It will go well, I'm sure."
Contrary to their behavior, Ann herself was surprised. That wasn't the behavior
of someone with the upper hand.
Dale came to pick Jonas and Ann up and led them not to the usual hall, but to
what looked like Alban's private chamber.
It was a suit of rooms, with the bedroom in the back of the living room. Ann
and Jonas were led into the living room.
With a fire burning in the fireplace, the room was warm.
It was a simple room, with only a single couch in front of the fireplace and a
large office desk by the window. A long-haired carpet was placed in the middle
of the room, but as it was made of wool, it wasn't particularly luxurious.
From a noble family with Grand King Cedric as their ancestor, the simple room
told of how the Alban house had their corresponding authority taken away.
The King who lived in the towering castle in Lewiston and Alban—they were
so different; one wouldn't think they shared the same blood.
―I wonder what it feels like, having to go to Lewiston every month for a
courtesy visit, she suddenly thought. If Alban were a genuine fool, he might
feel no pain whatsoever. However, if he had some degree of pride, no doubt
it was an awful humiliation.
Alban was lying on the couch, wistfully gazing at the flames.
Prompted by Dale, Jonas and Ann kneeled on the spot.
Once Dale announced their visit, Alban glanced their way and said, "Craftsmen.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
I don't believe you're here because the sugar sculpture is already complete.
What did you come for?" He said to Jonas and Ann in an emotionless voice.
Jonas licked his dry lips many times, but—looking like he’d made up his mind—
he opened his mouth.
"Ah, I. I mean, I1
, want you to allow me to quit this job."
Alban slowly got up and turned his body in their direction.
"Quit? Six days ago, you said the same thing, didn't you?"
"Ye... Yes."
"Back then, what did I say?"
"That you won't allow it."
―The Duke said that?
Ann looked at Jonas's face in surprise. Jonas couldn't afford to look her way.
"That's right. Have you forgotten? If you've forgotten, I'll remind you of the
pain from six days ago. You two are being monitored. If you try to escape, you'll
be caught and chained up. I believe I said that as well."
Ann was shocked by the words Alban further added.
―Monitored!? Chained!? What is he saying!?
Alban stood straight up and grabbed the slim sword that was propped against
the couch.
Without placing his hand on the handle, he simply gripped part of the sheath
and walking their way in a brandishing posture.
Startled by that behavior, Ann pulled back.
Then, she finally realized the cause of the bruise on Jonas's cheek.
―The Duke hit him.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Six days ago, Jonas had completed his work and called Alban. However,
without being acknowledged by him, as Ann was, Jonas had been undoubtedly
baffled. That was when Jonas must have said it. That he wanted to quit. And,
having angered Alban by saying that, he was hit.
―He said he even had us monitored. Meaning, after finally getting his hands
on craftsmen he likes, the Duke won't allow us to quit.
For the first time, Ann felt the strength of that obsession firsthand.
Alban, approaching with a sword in hand, radiated killing intent. While in the
warm room, that entirely hardened cold figure felt clad in a bluish atmosphere.
Would blue be the color of madness? A chill ran down her spine.
―This man is serious.
Jonas further prostrated himself.
"I2
can't do it. It's true. Please forgive me!! But she can do it. She is many times
better than me. Even the Silver Sugar Viscount acknowledged that. If you have
her, you don't need me! She doesn't mind staying in the castle until she makes
the sugar sculpture you want. I got rid of her escort yesterday, so even if she
wanted to quit, she has no way of leaving. I'm begging you, please let me go!"
Hearing the words Jonas rattled in one breath, Ann couldn't believe her ears.
In order for him to escape, Jonas had presented Ann to Alban.
That was why he distanced Shall from her.
"Jonas, you!"
She tried to shout, but as though he'd forgotten about her existence, Jonas
remained flat on the ground, shivering. She was so frightened; she hesitated
to yell at him.
With his apathetic eyes turned lurid and a sword in hand, Alban didn't look
sane. It wouldn't be odd if he pulled out his sword and came slashing at them
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
at any moment.
"Please let me go. I'm begging you. Please let me go. Please let me go..." Jonas
repeated in a trembling voice. Seeing his strenuous figure, Ann withdrew her
complaints.
She even felt pity for the completely frightened boy.
―But... What Jonas is saying might be true. If he's this scared, it's impossible
for him to make a sugar sculpture.
Jonas had a place to go back to. If he returned to Lewiston, as one of the
craftsmen of the Radcliff guild, he would probably get jobs. Furthermore, if he
wanted to be even more spoiled, he could return to his birthplace of Knoxberry
Village, where there was a sugar sculpture store he was meant to succeed, and
where his parents were.
There was probably no need for someone like him to obstinately make a sugar
sculpture for such a dreadful client whose request wasn't clear.
On the other hand, Ann had no place to return to. No money. And now, no
Shall.
In that situation, she felt she had no choice but to stay and make the sugar
sculpture.
Furthermore, Ann had already accepted the job. No matter the reason, she
couldn't abandon it. She didn't want to throw away her only weapon.
Alban was approaching slowly.
With a sword in hand, the man in front of her whose next action was
unpredictable made her well up with terror.
But her only path was here. She instinctively knew that.
She gulped, and kneeled between Alban and Jonas to interrupt them.
"It's as this man says. I will make the sugar sculpture. So please let him go. I
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
will make it."
Alban halted, and Jonas raised his head in surprise. Alban knit his eyebrows.
"You're saying you'll make it?"
"Yes."
"Do you have confidence?"
"Yes."
"I won't let you leave the castle until you make a sugar sculpture that satisfies
me. If you can't do it, you'll never be able to leave."
"I don't mind."
Having said that much, Ann raised her head.
"I promised from the beginning. That I can do it. So I'll make it. If I can't ever
make it, that is my responsibility. I'll keep working forever."
For a while, Ann and Alban stared at each other. Ann endured, trying to
absolutely not divert her line of sight.
Then, Alban slowly removed his gaze. He lowered the poised sheath of his
sword, and his eyes returned to their usual apathetic calmness.
"Very well. I'll allow it. The craftsman there, leave the castle."
"Thank you very much."
Ann lowered her head once again.
As though with that he'd lost his interest, Alban turned his back to them and
returned to the couch. Placing the sword beside him, he once again directed
his eyes towards the flames. Silence fell upon the chamber. The sound of the
popping wood in the fireplace resounded loudly.
Jonas was in a daze, looking like he'd lost all his strength.
Sugar Apple Fairy Tale Vol. 2 - Ginzatoushi to Ao no Koushaku.
Prompted by Dale, Ann and Jonas took their leave.
Dale brought the two of them back to the tower's staircase, and told Jonas to
quickly gather his luggage and leave the castle on his own. However, towards
Ann, he directed a severe glare.
"You won't be allowed to leave the castle. As you've heard, you're also being
monitored. It's pointless to try running away."
"I know. But Dale, are you alright with just faithfully carrying out your master's
orders like this? Is that really what a loyal serving retainer is?"
She couldn't go on without saying it. Alban's way of doing things was too
despotic.
As a retainer, it was natural to admonish an erratic and obsessive master—
even more so if you took pride in serving the Alban house.
She looked up at Dale, prepared to at the very least be beaten. As she did, Dale
suppressed a laugh.
"Well, aren't you being cocky. But, what you're saying is correct. We also
advised him a little. But, that man... He probably can't withstand it anymore.
Because we know that, we make it our number one priority to grant the Duke's
wishes."
"Withstand?"
"That has nothing to do with you. Understand? The Duke desires a sugar
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