Chapter 38 – The Strange Artist
A group of men surged forward.
One held a large burlap sack, another had a rope.
Before Erika could react, they quickly looped the rope around her body.
Strangely, the rope was magical—once it touched her arms, it automatically tightened.
“You ba—!”
She didn’t even get a word out before one man slapped tape over her mouth.
Their moves were swift, clean, and practiced—clearly, this wasn’t their first time doing something like this.
In the chaos, Erika’s precious meat buns scattered all over the ground.
Realizing she was under attack, Erika instinctively tried to unleash her magic power.
But they had prepared in advance.
The rope had a special enchantment—it absorbed any magic that touched it.
In no time, Erika was tightly bound in the middle of the street by Isana’s men. There weren’t any patrolling guards nearby, nor were there bystanders.
It was obvious—Isana had lured her here on purpose.
“Heh.”
With a wicked grin, Isana slowly crouched down and picked up the paper bag filled with meat buns.
“Erika Blaniel… using my money to buy so many buns. You really are a greedy little glutton.”
“Mmph! Mmm!”
Erika began struggling with all her might—but the more she thrashed, the tighter the rope squeezed.
“It’s useless. I know you have strong magic, so I came prepared. Don’t waste your strength. The more you fight it, the worse it gets. Ow…”
With a smirk, Isana took a bite of one of Erika’s buns right in front of her.
“Ugh… too greasy. Not tasty.”
Noticing the patrol guards approaching, Isana glanced around and waved her hand.
“Bag her. Take her away.”
“Yes, Lady Isana.”
The burly men obeyed. The one holding the sack came forward and covered Erika.
“Mmm!”
Everything went dark. Erika kept struggling, but it was no use.
She felt herself being carried away—who knew where.
She had been kidnapped.
Inside the sack, Erika panicked.
What is going on...?
Why would Isana order her kidnapped?
She couldn't figure it out. She was sure this was her first time meeting the girl.
During the exam, her gaze had already been weird.
Was she Gladys’s enemy?
No… that didn’t make sense.
Wasn’t she the daughter of some noble family in this country?
Still… no answers came to mind.
...
...
“Hello there, Erika~”
When the sack was finally removed, Erika found herself in a dimly lit room.
Isana was standing before her with the same wicked smile. This time, they were alone—just the two of them.
Erika’s brow furrowed. She quickly looked around.
The room had no lights on—only a faint sliver of sunlight peeked through the curtains. A lavish bed stood in the center, surrounded by intricately carved rosewood cabinets.
It looked exactly like a noble lady’s bedroom.
Erika was tied to a wooden post using the enchanted rope. Her arms and legs were bound tight, with tape still over her mouth.
She tried to channel her magic again—hoping to break free.
But as before, no matter how she struggled or how much magic she released, the rope remained unresponsive. Instead, it just tightened further, almost like it was made to counter brute force.
“Mmm! Mmph… mm!”
Feeling herself constricted tighter, Erika let out muffled cries.
Seeing this, Isana only laughed harder. She reached out her slender fingers and gently lifted Erika’s chin.
“Don’t move, okay~ Miss Erika. This rope is specially made from the Aarlan Empire’s prison materials. Magic won’t break it—it’ll only make it worse.”
With her chin pinched, Erika glared daggers at the girl before her. She tried to curse, but the tape silenced her.
“Mmm!”
“Want to say something?”
Isana smirked. “I can let you talk, but you have to promise not to struggle.”
“Mmm-mm!”
Erika nodded obediently.
Satisfied, Isana gently peeled the tape from Erika’s cheek.
“Phaa~”
Erika sighed in relief. But then her eyes sharpened. Her little mouth opened, fangs bared—and without hesitation, she lunged to bite Isana’s hand.
Dare to tie me up? I’ll bite you to death!
Caught off guard, Isana flinched.
“Ah!”
But her reflexes were sharp—just before Erika could sink her teeth in, she pulled her hand back.
Rubbing her wrist, Isana frowned slightly.
“You really don’t behave.”
“You #$&@#$!!!”
“Cursing? Want me to tape your mouth again?”
“Why did you tie me up?!”
Erika snapped, her voice furious. “I don’t even know you! Did I offend you somehow? Are you enemies with Gladys?”
“Who’s that?”
At the name, Isana tilted her head. “Our Elfreid family has many enemies, but I’ve never heard that name.”
She doesn’t know Gladys?
Erika blinked, confused.
Then why?
Was it something from the exam earlier?
“Then why did you kidnap me?” she asked again.
“Because you’re the perfect subject.”
Isana gave a wicked smile, then turned on the room’s lights.
The dim bedroom was instantly bathed in warm light, revealing everything.
On a cabinet sat the leftover paper bag filled with meat buns.
But that wasn’t the part that made Erika’s face turn bright red.
On the walls hung countless oil paintings.
At a glance, Erika’s face flushed crimson.
Because these weren’t just paintings—they were nudes. Artistic ones, yes… but nude nonetheless.
All of them featured young girls, none older than their teens. Some even looked to be ten years old.
Even with her thick skin, Erika couldn’t help but feel embarrassed.
Wait a minute…
She said “subject”...
Don’t tell me—!
Her suspicions were spot on. Isana walked over to the cabinet and pulled out an easel and a paintbrush.
“What do you think, Erika? I painted all of these.”
Isana’s face showed no shame—only excitement.
She pointed proudly at the paintings.
“That one I painted last month—the maid’s daughter from House Nodi. Pretty, huh?
And this one, ten days ago—a waitress from a snack shop in the south. Her name’s Betsy. Good figure, right? For such a young girl.
That one’s from two days ago—the youngest daughter of the Laister family. She was just like you—very disobedient. So I tied her up…”
With each painting she explained, Isana grew more excited.
“Today was my first day at Wode Academy. The moment I saw you during the exam, I knew—you were perfect. More beautiful than any subject I’ve ever had. My dream model.”
“What… what are you trying to do?!”
Erika stared at her in horror, swallowing nervously, cheeks still flushed.
She had never expected such a beautiful girl to have… this kind of hobby.
Painting was one thing—but tying people up to do it?
This was the obsession of a body-art maniac!
“Wah! Erika! That blushing face of yours is adorable. I’m so lucky to have met you at Wode Academy!”
With that, Isana began painting—her slender hand deftly sketching, eyes burning with inspiration.
She stared at Erika’s face constantly, making the latter even more flustered. Erika turned her head in discomfort.
“Don’t move~ Unless you want to be punished?”
“...”
Erika bit her lip. She’d become someone’s art tool.
She couldn’t take it anymore. She turned and snapped.
“You crazy perverted brat! Untie me right now! I don’t care if you’re a duke’s daughter—you tie me up, I’ll make you pay!”
“Yes, yes—turn your head this way first.”
Isana paid her no mind. She was completely immersed in her creation.
No matter how much Erika cursed, she didn’t react—just continued painting.
After a while, Erika got tired of shouting. Seeing the pervert girl ignoring her, she grew even more frustrated.
Damn brat!
Grinding her teeth, Erika glared fiercely.
At that moment, Isana put down her brush and walked over.
“What are you doing now?”
“I finished painting your beautiful face. Now I need to paint your body.”
Isana licked her lips and slowly reached out her slender hands toward Erika.
Suddenly, an ominous feeling surged in Erika’s heart.