The Will to Protect Someone Dear to You

[Rudeus POV]

--one hour ago--

I woke up from my long slumber and saw the moonlight pouring from the iron bars at the window,

Looking at the surrounding, it looks like I am inside a warehouse of some sort.

"Ouch!"

I then felt a terrible pain on the back of my neck when I tried to get up.

'What the hell. Why do they have to be so rough?'

I tried to soothe the pain by applying healing magic, but something was weird. As if my mana reservoir is not flowing.

Looking at my hands, I saw that it was tied by a pair of weird cuffs with magic stones embedded on it.

'What is this? This is quite high-tech for a medieval cuff.'

From what I can tell, these cuffs are preventing me from using my magic.

*groan*

I then noticed a groan behind me and I turn around to see where it is coming from.

"Oh, my freaking lord. What is that?" I shocked on what am I seeing when I looked behind me.

It was Eris and she was tied up on the wall with some sort of contraption that you would see in a Frankenstein movie.

Her arms and legs were restrained by the same cuffs as I am, but her magic stones were red while mine were blue.

If I follow the analogy of the colors and my inability to use magic. I assume that Eris's cuffs have something to do with negating physical strength, bloodlust or battle aura.

So, my theory is that my cuff unable me to use magic but can use battle aura, while Eris's cuffs unable her to use battle aura but can use magic.

However, I can't use battle aura and Eris has no interest in learning magic.

Either it's a coincidence or the inventor knew our situation beforehand and invented these cuffs as countermeasure for me and Eris.

I wonder if Rebecca is in this kind of situation as well. I hope she was okay.

Eris then opened her eyes and looks around the place.

"Ojou-sama, are you okay over there?" I asked her and she looks at me quite annoyed.

"What the heck are saying, brat? I am fi..." Eris then realized that she can't move and looks at her cuffs.

She then looks back at me with a baffled expression.

"What's the meaning of this?! Let me down this instance!!" Eris demands angrily as she tries to struggles. From my analogy earlier, I guess I was right. She can't use her strength or battle aura to break out.

It's that or Eris wasn't that strong after all. Wait, no, scratch that. I just remembered the time when she punched Rebecca few days ago. Even though Rebecca didn't flinch from the punch that time, I can estimate that the force Eris used was quite strong.

"Why can't I break these things on my hands and feet?! What even are these?! Hey! Explain this, brat!" While I was pondering, Eris questions me about the cuffs that were restraining her. I snap out of my thinking and confront her.

"Ojou-sama, can you calm down before I explain the situation." I tried to calm down Eris first before explaining. She might not understand everything if she's still panicking.

However, when I said that, it got worse. Veins pop out of her head and her face was red in anger.

"NO! I will not calm down until you explain this to me!" she refused to listen and protest for me to explain.

'Oh my god, this might take a while to calm this restrained lion down'

"Ghislaine! Ghislaine! Where are you?! Come here at once!" Eris then calls out for Ghislaine, which I remember that she's not coming with the kidnapping was stayed behind back in Roa.

"Eris, calm down. even I don't even know what are these either. If we calm down and think of someth-"

*SLAM*

"Shut the hell up!" Then a voice yells behind me, cutting the conversation I had with Eris. I turned around and we both look at the person yelling at us.

It's a man with scruffy beard and bald head. He wears worn out thug outfit and a sword strapped on his back.

He glared at the both of us and walks towards my direction. Wait, no, he walked pass me and was heading towards Eris.

"Eww! You stink! Get away from me! Do you have any idea who I am? Any minute now, Ghislaine will co- Guh!" while Eris is shouting at the man, she was cut mid-sentence by a punch in the stomach.

"I know who you are, brat! You are that lord's granddaughter!"

*pow* *pow* *pow*

"So, shut up and know your place!"

The man then beats up Eris as if she was some sort of punching bag strapped to the wall.

"Ow! ow! stop! that hurts! Stop!" The man kept on punching Eris who was begging him to stop.

'What do I do? Should I intervene? But how? My magic is sealed by these cuffs and I can't use battle aura. Dammit, Rudeus! Think! What would Rebecca do in this situation'

[Flashback]

"Huh? How to protect people, you say?" I asked Rebecca an important question while we were sword training.

We are currently at the top the hill with the single tree and we are waiting for Sylphy to come.

"Yes. I'm just wondering how should I protect a person from an adversary stronger than me" I clarify my question to Rebecca, which made her puzzled.

"Was there someone bothering you and Sylphy, onii-chan? Was it Somar again? I'm going to beat him up if it's him" she said while flexing her arm and clenching her fist.

"Wait no! It's not like that! *sigh* I was just thinking if there will be a time that I have to protect you and Sylphy from harm. I can't just stay on the sideline and let you do all of the protecting. It's kind of embarrassing that my own little sister is protecting her older brother, while I am just sitting here, watching you getting hurt for me. I want to be the one who is protecting here, not just you." I explained to Rebecca. She then giggles happily and nodded in understanding.

She then grabs me my shoulder and looks at me in the eye.

"Rudeus Greyrat, my dear brother. If you want to protect someone, you to take the risk and sacrifice yourself. Not by getting yourself killed or something like that, but rather, you have to be their shield."

"What do you mean by that?" I questioned Rebecca to explain her statement.

"What I mean is that you should stand in between your enemy and the person you are protecting, and take all of the pain that the enemy made for yourself."

"Ehh, wouldn't that just hurt yourself then?"

"If the pain hurts, endure it, onii-chan. In this way, the person you are protecting would not experience the pain and they will feel grateful for that."

"I see, now I get it"

"So, onii-chan, don't be afraid to take a step forward and bravely stand against the enemies. With that, you can protect someone dear to you."

I nodded and she then hugs me suddenly.

"If that time comes, make sure you will make me proud, okay?"

"Okay"

[End Flashback]

"!!" Once I remembered Rebecca's words, I instinctively rush towards the man and Eris.

I then insert myself in between them and made a stand against the man.

"Ho? What do you think you're doing, brat?!" the man questioned my sudden action and Eris looks at me confusedly.

"I-I won't let you hurt her any further, baldy!" I shouted and firmly planted my feet on place I am standing.

"You have some nerves to say that! Take this!" the man then winds up a punch and throws it at me.

I then raised my cuffed hands towards the fist and it collided with each other.

"Tch, you dare block my punch with those cuffs, that hurts" the man shakes his hands due to the pain he felt from punching a metal cuff.

"What's wrong? Is that the best you got, baldy! Bleh!" I mocked the man while making weird faces to provoke him.

"WHY YOU!!"

He then throws more punches at me.

*pow* *pow* *pow*

the punches he throws at me hurts like hell.

{If the pain hurts, endure it, onii-chan.}

'Endure it'

*pow* *pow* *pow*

{In this way, the person you are protecting would not experience the pain and they will feel grateful for that}

'Eris will be grateful for this'

*pow* *pow* *pow*

{With that, you can protect someone dear to you.}

'I must protect Eris'

Looking back, I saw Eris looks at me with awe because of my sudden action, winning her heart a little bit.

While I am tanking the damage, I still raise my cuffed hands and use the cuffs to block the punches, at the same time trying to break it in the process. I didn't choose to get hit for no reason. I am using the man's punches to break the magic stones on the cuffs.

*crack*

'Come on, break'

*crack*

'Just a little more, break'

*crack*

'Break!'

"I have enough of this, TAKE THIS!" the man then performs a roundhouse kick towards me. I tried to block it, but I was blown away from the kick.

*shatter* the magic stone finally broke upon colliding with the man's leg.

'Jackpot'

*THUD*

I then hit the wall of the room, making me crash to the ground after the impact.

"Rudeus!" Eris calls out to me when she saw me hit the wall. "Why you! How dare you hit my servant like that! I'll make sure, you will pa- Guh!" the man punched Eris at the stomach again, making her throw up blood.

"Tch, shitty brats" the man then walks away and exit the room.

Little did he knows that he made a blunder that he didn't notice.

'Hehe, that idiot didn't know that he broke the magic stones for me. Suck on that, mister inventor. I guess your invention is a bit flawed.'

Because the cuffs were broken, my magic returns to me and I was able to chant [Stone Armor] right before I hit the wall, cushioning the impact of the collision.

After thinking back what I did, I chant advance healing magic to heal the injuries that the man gave me and I get up from the floor.

Though the magic stones of the cuffs are broken, the cuffs itself are still intact.

So, I carefully used fire magic to cut through the cuffs, breaking free my hands from my restraints.

I then went to the door of the room and put my ears to listen to whoever were on the other side.

"Did they finally shut up?"

"Yeah, I beat them up so that they can stop making noises"

"You, didn't kill them, did you. We still have to deliver them to the nobleman after he is done with the brown-haired girl."

'Rebecca?! What did they do to her? Dammit! I have to hurry up and save her'

I then rush towards Eris and healed her injuries.

"Hey, Eris. Wake up. Are you okay?" I tried waking up Eris by shaking her shoulders.

*groan*

"Rudeus?" she groggily looks up and call out to me.

"Don't worry, I'm breaking you out of your restraints." I reassured her, making her sighed in relief.

"But first, I want to ask you a favor." however, I took this opportunity to make her listen to me.

"Huh, what is it?" she asked in confusion and anxiousness.

"You have to listen to what I have to say from now on and you have to keep quiet while you're at it. Do you understand?" I negotiate with Eris and she nodded obediently, which is surprising.

"Okay, I get it. Now do your thing, quickly" Eris panickily said and I nodded in compliance.

I carefully used fire magic to cut through the iron cuffs while avoiding Eris's skin from being scorched. I did the same to the rest of the cuffs and freed her from her restraints.

"Finally! I am free from my restraints!" she said loudly while striking her usual pose.

"Shh, did I said you will keep quiet if I freed you" I quietly told Eris, which she snorts at me when she heard it.

"Hmph, why should I listen to a favor from someone younger than me!" she haughtily denies my favor immediately.

'This woman is a nightmare!'

"I told you brats to shut..."

'[Earth Lance!]'

*THUD*

"Hey! The door won't open!"

I then heard the thugs coming towards the door, so I used earth lance to block the door.

"See, Eris. This is why I told you to shut up!" I scolded Eris and meekly panicked.

"Urm... sorry" she quietly apologies to me and I sighed heavily.

I then quickly went to the window and quickly softens the stone that holds the iron bars.

"Quickly, Rudeus. They are breaking the door." Eris anxiously says to me.

"I know, just hold on a second." I hastily pulled the iron bars of the window and climb at the edge of it.

"There! Now give me your hand" I told her while stretching my hand towards her.

She blushes when she saw me acting bravely.

"What are you waiting for, Eris. Give me your hand!"

"Y-yes!" she grabs my hand and I hoist her up to the window area.

*BOOM*

As we were exiting the window, I heard a loud boom, which I assume that they finally broke the door and entered the empty room.

"Let's go, Eris. We need to get away from here before they find us." I ordered Eris and she obediently nodded.

-------------------------------------------------------

While we are walking away from the building we were captured in, I can hear the swears and yells of the thugs. So, we quicken our pace to get away from them.

When we got far away from them, I sighed in relief as we continued walking.

"Rudeus..." Eris then quietly calls out to me.

I look back and saw her meek appearance, which is quite unusual for her.

"Yes, ojou-sama, what is it?" I replied to know why is she being docile.

"Um... Thanks for... um... trying to save me from that man... a while ago" she nervously thanked me for stepping forward and taking the blows for her.

"It's fine, ojou-sama. It's our job to protect our client at all cause, after all" when she heard that, she blushes a bit and looks away from me.

'Heh, I scored on the tsundere. Thanks for the advice long time ago, Rebecca. I will repay you someday!'

{Ah, I almost forgot to say something, onii-chan.}

{What is it, Rebecca?}

{This doesn't include cheating, okay. I won't forgive you if cheat on Sylphy.}

{O-okay}

{What was that? I can't hear you~}

{Understood!!}

'Urgh, God dammit. Why did I remember that part of the flashback? Just remembering it gave me the chills. Urgh'

Eventually, we reached the entrance of the town and saw a guard standing by the gates. I then realized what to do and search for the money in my person. I grabbed the money from my pockets and pulled out 10 large copper coins.

From what I remember, a single large copper coin is worth 1/10 silver coin. I calculate the number of copper coins I have and it was enough to be a silver coin worth of money.

I used to have only five copper coins with me, but Rebecca gave me her five copper coins, saying that it was more important to me than her. I am grateful for her generosity and I will remember it as long as I live.

I then approached the guard and instruct him to tell the two thugs that we went outside of the town if they asked him whereabouts. I then gave him a copper coin as compensation for my instruction and he complied after receiving it.

"Okay, that should be all set. I need to stay here for a bit, Eris" I instruct her to stay put.

"Huh? Why should I stay here?" Eris was confused by my instruction.

"I heard from the thugs that Rebecca is here somewhere in this town and was held captive by a noble. So, you have to hide here and I will go find her" I explained to Eris about Rebecca's situation and was reluctant to comply.

"Why not I come with you search for her." she tries to reason with me, but I shook my head.

"No, Eris. It's dangerous out there. The thugs might catch you... Ah, I can hear them" while I was arguing with Eris, I heard the voice of the thugs.

"Where are you, brats?!"

"Come out or we'll kill you!"

The threatening yells of the two thugs echoes through the town.

"Over here, Eris" I grabbed Eris hand and we went to the toilet to hide.

I peeked to the gap of the door and saw the two thugs riding on their horse, argueing with the guard. The guard then points at the gate, signifying that he told them that we went outside the town.

The two thugs then rode outside the gate of the town and the guard signaled us that they were gone.

"Phew~ I think they are gone, ojou-sam... oh..." I then realized that the toilet area is quite small and we are very close to each other right now, like our bodies touching each other.

I look at Eris in the eye and her face is blushing red while glaring at me.

"Then what are you waiting for. Get out" she said quite embarrassed.

"R-right..." I then opened the door of the toilet and we stumble forward as we get out.

""oof!"" We fall on each other and Eris was on top of me as a result.

"Ara~ What do we have here? Why is Eris on top of onii-chan~?" I then heard a familiar yandere tone on our sides.

I shakily turned my head to the direction of the voice and I saw the happy face of Rebecca. However, she is oozing a lot of bloodlusts right now. Also, she has a cat girl with her as well.

"R-Rebecca?! W-when did you get here?!" I panickily get Eris off me and quickly sits on seiza.

"I was hoping for a happy reunion after being separated for a while, but no, I was greeted by two lovey dovey couple coming out of the toilet." she said with a restrained anger in her tone.

"Wait! I can explain, Rebecca!" I said as I am backing away from her. However, she walks towards me and grabbed my shoulders firmly.

*inhale*

"WHAT IS THERE TO EXPLAIN?! You two are clear on top of each other, you bastard!" she shakes me wildly while crying at me. Eris and the cat girl were deadpan on what we are doing.

----------------------------------------------------------

[Rebecca's POV]

How dare he cheat on my best friend. He has the audacity to add another girl, like it some sort of harem. HAREM MY ASS! That is bullshit and I am not approve of it. Fight me, you bunch of degenerates!

'(Hey, Rebecca. I think he had enough of your whining. I guess he gets what you mean)'

'Shut it, Kiana! You don't understand how much Sylphy will suffer if she found out that onii-chan is dating another girl!'

'(I don't think that's the case in this situation)'

'BUT I DO, KIANA! I can't think of another reason for them to be in that position!'

'(*sigh*)'

"Hey! Hold on a second! Putting this matter aside. Who is she, Rebecca?" onii-chan said as he points at Felis-chan besides Eris.

"Hmph, if you put it that way, I want to put this matter as well" I stopped shaking onii-chan and stand up.

"As for your question, her name is Pardofelis. I found her in a prison cell when I broke out of my captivity. She decided to come with me, so I complied to bring her to my party." I introduced Felis to Eris and onii-chan.

"C-can I pet her head?" Eris meekly asked me if she can pet Felis.

"Sure, only if Felis complies." Eris eagerly nodded and looks at Felis. "Hey, Felis-chan, do you allow Eris to pet you?" I then asked Felis if she allows Eris to pet her.

"S-sure, nya" Felis complies and Eris pounces at her.

She then strongly holds Felis as she pets her to her hearts content.

"Unya~ Not so fast, nya~" Felis was having a good time as she was getting pet by Eris. I laughed wryly at the two having fun together.

"But wait, Rebecca. Did you have the same weird cuffs restraining you when you woke up?" onii-chan then suddenly questions me about the cuffs.

"Yeah, do have those when I woke up. It's quite annoying to break out those cuffs though"

"Then how did break out from those cuffs? It's quite impossible to break those on your own" onii-chan further questions how I broke out from those cuffs.

"Ah..."

'Kiana, how should I explain this to onii-chan? Also, how did I break out exactly?'

'(Well, I'm the one who broke those cuffs. But just tell them that you used your own magic to break free)'

'Eh, that would be lying to onii-chan'

'(It's fine. Besides, I don't want my cover to be discovered)'

'Okay, if you say so'

"Well, you see onii-chan. I used my own magic to break those cuffs and um..."

'(You sneakily escaped from captivity while freeing Felis on the process)'

"I sneakily escaped from captivity while freeing Felis-chan on the process. That's it." I repeated what Kiana had said and tried to act natural while saying it. However, onii-chan gave me a quizzical look.

"Why do you sound like you're narrating someone's line" onii-chan suspiciously observed my speech pattern.

'Crap! Kiana, onii-chan is on to us. What should I do?!'

'(How should I know! I'm not the little sister in this situation)'

'At least tell me what should I say to him, God dammit!'

'(Think on your own, kiddo. I'm not your personal question and answer servant.)'

'....You're very mean to me'

'(I don't care)'

*sob*

"Eh, Rebecca. Why are you crying all a sudden" onii-chan saw me suddenly tearing up.

I grabbed onii-chan's shoulder once again and starts shaking him wildly.

"Give me a break, will you!! I have a rough time at my captivity, God dammit!" I yelled as I cried loudly.

"Hey, stop shaking me!" onii-chan tried to stop me from shaking him, but I couldn't stop it.

"I lied about the part about me sneaking out of my captivity, okay! That's not what happened in there! It's much worse than that!" I yelled at onii-chan as I admitted to him that I lied.

'(Oi, Rebecca! Don't you dare tell them about my existence)'

'Shut up!'

'(.....)'

Kiana panickily tried to silent me about her existence, but I shut her up because I am not having her bullshit.

"Just calm down, Rebecca. Explain us everything from the beginning" onii-chan tried to calm me down as he hugs me. I hugged him back and we stayed like that for a while.

It took me few minutes to come to my senses and slowly calms down.

"Hey, you two. Do you think you should do the interview somewhere else?" Eris however, intervene while still holding Felis and told onii-chan that we need move on. Onii-chan nodded at Eris and looks back to me.

"Rebecca, listen to me. You need to tell us what happened after we come back to Roa, okay?" I nodded in compliance and we get up on our feet.

"Rebecca, you okay, nya?" Felis then asked me if I am okay since she saw me yelling at onii-chan.

"I'm fine, Felis-chan" I reassured Felis and she smiled at me.

With that, I reunited with onii-chan and we are together again.