"Hm?"
The figure wearing a transparent helmet, his topknot pointing skyward, turned his head.
A muffled voice, as though coming through a layer of water, rang out. "The blond one in the cage. Bring her out."
The kneeling young man felt a chill shoot up his spine.
"Get lost!"
An iron boot struck his ribs, sending him sprawling onto the stone pavement.
He curled up, coughing. Through his shaking vision, he saw the owner bend down and drag a figure out of the cage.
The chain rattled as it was handed to the hand wearing a jeweled ring.
"Wait-"
The young man pushed himself up, forgetting that he was supposed to kneel, and lunged forward on all fours.
"The owner said she was mine-"
A dark blur flashed past.
Pain like an iron hammer smashing through his abdomen made him double over, sour liquid surging into his throat.
Through his blurred vision, all he could see was that pair of exquisite leather shoes turning away, leading the chain.
"No... you can't..."
He forced the words out, his nails scraping the paving stones.
"Animals... you animals!"
The entire street suddenly fell deathly silent.
"Insulting the descendants of the creators,"
the man in black who had struck him said without turning around, "means being reduced to property under the law.
Take him away. He now belongs to Saint Fluctuoso."
An iron gauntlet clamped around his arm and pressed him facedown into the dust.
The last thing he saw was that wisp of golden hair swaying at the end of the chain.
With the last of his strength, the young man raised his face, his gaze passing through the swirling dust to the figure about to be dragged away.
"That's enough."
Tears streaked the woman's face, yet the corners of her mouth lifted.