Chapter 5: Binding Spell

Translator: J_Squared Editor: J_Squared

"Annie, we cant give up this opportunity."

The sisters continued to argue, although it seemed that Michelle had gained the upper hand in the situation.

"But...we no longer have a choice." Annie said as she shook her head.

After a moment of silence, Michelle suddenly walked closer to Annie and said slowly:

"No, we do have a choice. The only choice is to rely on you."

Hearing this, Kubei began paying more attention.

He also wanted to know what methods are left to escape from the Lithur family troops.

"The Lithur family do not understand what our objectives are, and do not know how many people we have." Michelle said persuasively. "Therefore, it should be easy for you to divert their attention. They will probably think the hostage is in your hands. All you have to do is run south, and they wont be able to catch up."

Annie was hesitant:

"Me...divert their attention?"

Michelle nodded her head, then pointed at Kubei, saying:

"I will make him hide here with me. Once you lead the troops away, Ill bring him to open the treasure chest. Once I get what we want, well meet up at the same old place."

She said this with confidence: "Dont worry, Ill wait there for you!"

"..."

After hearing Michelle, Annie was silent.

Annie and even Kubei, who was beside them, could see that Michelles plan was to sacrifice Annie and protect herself.

It could be said that this strategy is to divert the enemy from the main target. In less optimistic terms, it was asking Annie to sacrifice herself. To grab the attention of the pursuing troops, she will have to get close to them. But once she gains proximity, its hard to say whether or not she can escape them again.

"This plan is cruel," the Systems robotic voice suddenly piped up. "Torturing and escorting all the tedious tasks are given to the younger sister. With this plan, youll exhaust her energy and then send her out to be a bait. Even if Annie can use magic, it would be hard for her to get rid of the troops chasing her again."

Kubei suddenly felt a chill run through his spine:

"Youre saying, she already planned to get rid of Annie all along?"

The System sounded really sure: "Its obvious that she doesnt want to split the treasure with another person. Think about it: When Annie killed Sally, she knew clearly what she was doing. Why else would she pretend to be oblivious if not for this plan?"

Kubei sunk into deep thought.

Before that, he only saw through one of Michelles plot, but he didnt think too much of her then. With the latest insight, it seemed that the victory then may have been motivated by other factors:

He needed to buy time to allow himself to escape. But Michelle, she needed to make a deal. As there were soldiers chasing her, she couldnt sit around questioning him. What seemed to be a victory for Kubei was probably deliberately given to him by Michelle.

After thinking about it, Kubei felt as if he had fallen for her tricks.

He shouldnt have spoken in the first place.

If he kept his mouth shut, he would probably have to endure a lot of physical pain, but Michelle wouldnt kill him because she really wanted the treasure.

To avoid the Lithur family troops, Michelle would keep changing the base of operations, and continue questioning him. During this tug-of-war between her and the troops, he can buy more time, and shell lose her cool even further. In the end, he could probably put her into a state of panic.

The one who should be panicking is Michelle, and not I, Kubei thought.

Regarding the physical torture hed have to go through, Kubei felt that he has already endured quite a lot along the way.

"Im at a total loss here!" He couldnt bear but say that to himself.

"But its not really a total loss. Didnt Annie accidentally killed someone? If you cant put up with her torture, shell probably kill you by accident as well, and that would be a shame." The System spoke in a friendly manner to comfort Kubei. "Whichever the situation, youll experience a little less torture.

Kubei sighed again, but accepted his fate. He has already fallen for someone elses tricks, and thats the past. Rather than regretting it now, he should think of what to do next.

He should know, he doesnt have much time left.

"Annie wouldnt be willing to become cannon fodder. What if I escape when they argue -- what are the chances of that?"

Kubei and the System discussed for a while, but it seemed like he was talking to himself.

"Very low." The Systems reply was harsh as usual. "Even if they started arguing, they wouldnt be totally blind. If a huge living person were to slip away under their eyes, who wouldnt notice?"

Hearing this, Kubei couldnt retort because it was a fact.

He nodded, saying:

"What you say is right, do you have a better idea then?"

"...No."

"Then well do what I say." Kubei said this with absolution.

The System had nothing to say.

After making a plan, Kubeis attention returned to reality. He quietly observed Michelle and Annie, waiting for the right moment.

But his plan is bound for failure.

Annie didnt speak and looked as if she couldnt make up her mind. Michelle, seeing this, knew that they didnt have much time. She walked forward and held Annies hands, launching her "affectionate Sister" mode once more.

"Annie, I have believed in you up till now. Can you believe in me this time?"

Just with this sentence, a few sounds of sobbing came from within Annies hood.

After that, Annie said:

"Yeah, I believe in you!"

Kubei started panicking once more.

They...actually...didnt argue...

"Michelle, under the third tree at the old place, Ive kept all my treasured belongings under there, remember to go dig them up." Annie said as she sobbed, as if she was giving her testament and will. "You have to continue living on, and accomplish our dreams, Ill be there by your side..."

Saying this, the two hugged, and started crying.

Kubei was speechless.

"Shes not dumb, after all, she knew that Michelle was sending her to be cannon fodder. She knows that shell die for sure. Why doesnt she fight back?

Kubei couldnt believe what he was seeing.

The System behaved as it usually does, and in a tone similar to an old lady watching a Qiung Yao drama while wiping her tears, it said:

Due to the lack of time, this display of "Sisterly Affection" was cut short. Annie only cried for a few seconds, and they parted. After the few seconds of gazing deeply into each others eyes and holding hands, Annie nodded, and turned her back.

The vision of her robes blurred as she ran towards the road where they came from.

She was ready to divert the troops away.

Seeing Annies disappearing figure, Kubei still couldnt react.

His plan was to run away when they argued, but his plans couldnt keep up with change. What he never expected was that they wouldnt even argue, and Annie would be so subservient to go to her death.

How is her brain even wired?

Looks like he has a lot more to learn about this new world that he has been teleported into.

Right as Kubei was trying to figure out the next step, Michelle moved. She reached out her hand, and pointed it at Kubei, the night breeze blowing her long robes.

A complicated and obscure incantation suddenly passed into Kubeis ears.

Before Kubei could react, he felt a strong force surrounding him. This force bounded him in a flash, and he was unable to move a muscle.

Michelle walked over, dragged him by his collar, and pulled him up the nearest tree.

Kubei was stunned. What did she plan to do?

Because of the magical bind, Kubei couldnt retaliate, and could only watch as he was dragged up the tree. Then, he was tied to the highest branch on the tree.

After making sure Kubei was secure, Michelle sat beside him and used the tree leaves to create a perfect camouflage.

She hid on top of the tree and waited for the Lithur troops to be diverted away.

Kubei was bounded tightly in place and closely watched by Michelle. He was not even able to make any small movements.

"This woman has extraordinary strength!"

In the midst of the silence, the System suddenly exclaimed, startling Kubei: "Shes probably not male right? I was wrong, I shouldnt have asked you to seduce her."

...

The System wasnt at fault, Michelle did just display tremendous strength.

Kubeis body was frail, but he was still a human, and should weigh at least forty-five kilograms. But Michelle just dragged him like she was holding a bag, and singlehandedly climbed up the tree. Such agility was spectacular to watch.

Kubei could only continue to be in shock.

"In this new world, there are a lot of things I have to learn!" he thought.

"Dont panic, the magic should go away on its own. " Michelle looked at Kubei, then said: "Sir Lithur, Im only hoping that we can cooperate better, please dont bring me anymore trouble.

"..."

Kubei wanted to speak up, but found that the magic bound every part of him, even his mouth.

He could only stare at her angrily.

"Youre done for."

The System voiced out again, taunting in its cold, robotic voice: "Being bounded so tightly to this tree, theres no chance to escape at all. The troops would probably be diverted by Annie, and the hope that they will come to the rescue is no longer possible. Youre absolutely done for this time."

It was the truth.

Kubei sighed. What Michelle did was cruel. Not only did she send Annie to become cannon fodder, but she managed to seal off all of his escape routes. Whether it was to escape or be rescued, both outcomes were out of Kubeis reach.

"Pity that I, such a magnificent piece of artificial intelligence who has so much potential, has to die here with you in this god forsaken place."

The System started to ramble on how unlucky it was, giving Kubei goosebumps.

"Thats enough, theres no point in saying all these. "Kubei interrupted it, "Who says that you and I are about to die here?"

The System stopped its rambling. Even though Kubei couldnt see it, he could feel it looking down on him: "Poor child, youre about to die, having some hope is probably for the better."

Kubei didnt take what it said to heart.

"Even a saint would make a mistake eventually. Michelle sealed off all of my escape routes, but, unknowingly, she may have opened a window for me."

The System was the same as usual: "Really? Wheres the window, why cant I see it?

Kubei didnt explain, but laughed in his heart. His attention came back to reality, and he looked at Michelle who was unaware of what was going on. He said in his mind to the System:

"Her incantation just now, youve recorded it, right?"

"..."

The System was left speechless.

"The Waterball spell is probably useless, but a binding spell? She probably doesnt know that we still have a trump card. "Saying this, Kubei looked at the sky with satisfaction. The night had descended, and the clouds covered the sky. It was a good time to hunt.

Who would be the prey, and who would be the hunter?

It is probably time got the roles to be swapped.

Together with the night breeze, the sentence that broke the Systems heart was uttered:

"Binding spell incantation, leave it on loop."