Before I regained my memories, when I participated in the first auction, Vermont trained me to be prepared for any real-life situation.
Among them were those that countered simple mental magic.
At that time, Vermont said this:
"Is it because my head is empty? I can't find any resistance.
"Hey, that's too harsh!"
I distinctly remembered Vermont's pitiful voice.
So what the warlock just said about me having a strong resistance was nonsense.
Then why didn't his brainwashing work on me?
It wasn't hard to figure it out because when I met the warlock's gaze, I felt a tickling sensation in my chest.
And in that location is the magic stone necklace that Vermont gave me as a gift.
Because the necklace chain was long, I hid it inside my clothes, so it seemed like no one noticed.
"You must always keep it on, absolutely."
It was as if the necklace was saying that it would protect me.
If it's something like this, it would have been better if you had explained it in advance.
It wasn't the magic stone that protected me from the psychic magic. The magic stone itself doesn't have that kind of power in the first place. It was an artifact that was attached to the side like a small decoration.
It was only after the artifact had unleashed its power that I realized it.
Every time a mental spell was cast, it felt like the artifact was heating up and then cooling down, as if it was taking it on my behalf and defending against it.
They said they would go to hell to get it done, and it seemed like it was worth it.
I don't know where I got this, but it was an artifact that seemed to symbolize Vermont, which always watches over me from an inconspicuous place.
With a faint smile on my lips, I sat on the chair and waited for night to come.
***
It was dawn when the surveillance on me began to loosen, and I could no longer hear the sound of footsteps passing through the hallway.
First, I kicked wildly on the chair I was tied to.
"Ugh, ugh!"
A sharp pain rose from my ankle where the warlock had just trampled me.
As I continued to struggle, holding back my screams, the chair soon lost its balance and fell over to the side with a thud.
As the bound body fell diagonally, the necklace that had been buried deep inside the clothes came out.
I groaned and lowered my face as much as I could. I managed to pull on the necklace string while licking my lips.
That's how I dragged the artifact. It was an ugly and long process.
'It's a good thing there's no mirror in the room.'
After thinking about useless things, I bit the artifact with all my might.
I hope my guess is correct.
I closed my eyes tightly and thought as if I was making a wish. When I opened my eyes again, before my eyes was...
The world's most beloved silver cat appeared.
"Vermont!"
I lowered my voice and called him cheerfully. If Vermont hadn't shown up even after the artifact was broken, I would have been helplessly hit by mental magic the next day, so it was actually a close guess to gambling.
But I didn't feel in danger. I had a strange sense of confidence.
I thought that if he was worried about my safety day and night, he would have prepared a plan in case something happened to me and the necklace was damaged.
As expected, as soon as the artifact was broken, a movement spell to summon Vermont was activated.
"Oh, really. Why didn't you explain it properly when you gave me this as a gift?"
I was still lying on the floor, grumbling and blaming Vermont for nothing.
"..."
But the surroundings were as quiet as a mouse. I blinked several times while looking at the silent Vermont.
Surely, it's not the magic that's wrong. What I'm seeing in front of me isn't the real Vermont... but it looks too elaborate for that to be the case.
I waited patiently, and then the cat's tail slowly rose straight up.
It meant it was nice to meet you.
"You are you hurt..."
"None. Everything is fine for now."
Finally, Vermont opened his mouth. As expected, he had been looking for me ever since I was kidnapped.
In fact, my ankle hurt, but I lied and smiled to reassure Vermont first.
"I was wrong."
Vermont muttered, looking at my seemingly innocent face.
"If I had explained in more detail when handing you the necklace, as you said, you would have called me sooner. I was being stupid."
"That was a joke! After all, it's thanks to that that you came to my rescue."
But Vermont did not stop blaming himself and spoke bitterly.
"I did it because I wanted the artifact to protect you, but at the same time, I didn't want it to have to protect you."
After hearing this, I understood Vermont's feelings. I guess he had been putting off explaining it for no reason because he didn't want me to have to write about it, and then it suddenly came up.
I felt bad for him, thinking about how he must have been blaming himself like this during the two days or so that I was gone.
"You were looking for me the whole time? Did you sleep? Your face doesn't look so good."
I could see at a glance that his fur had become fluffy as he transformed into a cat.
If he were to transform into a human, he would look even more emaciated and tired.
"Then, did you think we would lose you and go on with our daily lives as usual? The Grand Duke's palace is turned upside down."
Vermont then seemed to remember something and began to draw a magic circle on the floor with his claws. It was impossible to communicate with each other, but it was magic that could send simple signals or locations to each other.
"I contacted Sarah. There was already a fuss about it being her fault after you disappeared."
"Hmm, you must have had a hard time. By the way, what about Raphael?"
"That is ridiculous."
Vermont didn't answer my question, looking slightly embarrassed.
I wondered what on earth had happened, but it didn't seem like something I should be concerned about right now, so I focused on Vermont's explanation for now.
"I've sent the signal... Wherever this place is, the knights of the Grand Duke's family will arrive within an hour. I made that promise with Sarah in advance."
After finishing speaking, Vermont let out a heavy sigh and locked eyes with me.
"Because of you. I can't die in exile."
"You've already lived for over 400 years, Vermont. You must have more than enough to fill your name."
My heart, which had been tense inside, also relaxed. Vermont muttered, laughing in disbelief.
"I'm so glad. I'm not late like last time. I'm glad you're okay."
Feeling a little awkward, I changed the subject.
"Then, would you please release me from my restraints right now? I want to regain my magic power quickly."
"Oh, okay."
Vermont transformed into human form and began to untie the ropes and restraints on his wrists one by one.
In the meantime, I explained to him what had happened so far.
Hayden was brainwashed into joining in on my kidnapping. He even stayed in the same room with the kids for a little while..
The Duke wants to steal my magic powers and become a wizard. And the warlock is trying to trick the Duke and take my body.
"Anyway, so..."
"Then whose ankle is this?"
"Oh, that's right."
Vermont, who had all the restraints on my arms removed, had already gone down.
I forgot that there was a wound there. I freed myself from the chair, leaned over, looked down, and saw that my ankle was swollen and blue.
"The wound is pretty bad."
"Don't talk like it's someone else's business, Enrica. You're the one who's hurt!"
He spoke with a raised voice and flinched at himself. Sighing. Vermont immediately cast a pain-relieving spell.
The atmosphere became cold. I reached out and stroked Vermont's head, saying:
"Don't say things like that..."
"I'm not blaming you. I'm angry at myself."
Vermont, who was holding back his emotions, spoke in a heavy voice. I observed his expression and asked.
"Is it broken?"
"It looks like it has a slight crack."
Vermont's jaw was clenched as if he was holding back his anger, and the veins in his neck were red and swollen.
"I was thinking of leaving it up to the Grand Duke, but I changed my mind."
"What?"
"I must join in this revenge. Enrica, bring him. And do as I say."
Vermont's eyes darkened. He knelt down on one knee and began to loosely fasten the restraints on my hands and feet.
I was looking at that behavior with puzzlement, but then I was shocked by the explanation that followed.
"Is something like that... really possible?"
"Do you think I've seen one or two people who covet eternal life? Warlocks have endless greed."
"..."
"I think I'll bring Sarah a gift on the way."
I was hesitant, but I gained confidence from Vermont's last words.
I met his eyes with determined eyes. I had to finish the work within an hour.
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