Toya Catreia appeared atop the gate.
He was the third son of House Catreia and Yuri’s older brother. Much like his crag-faced father, he possessed a massive, brawny physique. A master of the spear, he was already a company commander in the Knight Order despite his youth.
"You haven't been given permission to go for a walk without a leash," Toya barked. "Get back to your room! What if some commoner laid eyes on your adorable, puppy-like face or that skin as soft and beautiful as an angel’s wings?!"
Though Toya’s tone was rough, his words were thick with a deep, albeit warped, affection for his sister. However, calling his own sister "overly-pretty" lent his speech a distinctly unsettling quality.
"Toya, I have to go back to the Academy," Yuri said firmly. "Let me through."
"I can’t do that... No, there’s no way in hell I’m letting you through!" Toya leveled the tip of his spear at her from his perch on the gate. "I won’t have a girl as cute and beautiful as you wandering around in public! Suitors would swarm over you like maggots on a corpse!"
"...Master Toya, that isn't exactly the point," the House Steward interjected, shaking his head with a pained expression as he stood nearby. "It is true that Lady Yuri’s loveliness can only be compared to a goddess of beauty, but this is hardly the time for such talk. The Master gave strict orders that the Lady is not to leave the mansion."
"Ah... right. Yuri, Father hasn't given you permission to go out. Go back inside at once!"
"I went through the proper channels to attend the Academy! You have no right to lock me up here without a valid reason!" Yuri’s face flushed with anger as she brandished her fists. "If you try to stop me... I don't care if you are my brother, I won't go easy on you! I’m going back to the capital even if I have to knock you out!"
"My little sister... is this your rebellious phase? It feels like being nipped by a puppy." Toya shrugged and leaped down from the gate. "Fine. I suppose I’ll have to give you a little discipline—to make sure you never try to leave on your own again, and to ensure you never mistakenly set foot in a place as dangerous as a battlefield!"
"Don't...!"
"HRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!"
As Toya roared, thick slabs of stone began to encrust his entire body. It was his signature spell: Stone Wear. By cladding himself in stone and layering the Hardening spell on top of it, Toya achieved a near-impenetrable defense. In this state of total armament, he could likely withstand a direct hit from a high-tier spell without even flinching.
"It's my win, Yuri."
"...Toya, do you really think you’ve already won?"
"Obviously." His voice came out muffled from within the heavy stone suit. "Our Yuri—My Puppy. I’m your big brother. There’s no such thing as an older brother who’s weaker than his little sister. Besides, you’re already exhausted from fighting the other soldiers. In your current state, you haven't got a chance."
In his mind, it was a foregone conclusion. Toya was undeniably the elite of the elite within the Knight Order, a warrior so skilled that the number of people who could match him could be counted on two hands.
In contrast, Yuri was a mere student. Due to the effects of the Ogrekin Sickness, her physical capabilities were simply... higher than those of a normal person.
To emphasize: her physical strength was simply on a different scale.
"Sometimes physical punishment is necessary for discipline, but I really don't want to hurt you," Toya said. "Please, just go back to your room quietly."
"............No."
"What?"
"I said no, Toya. I’m done being a bird in a cage!"
Yuri had already tasted freedom. She had seen the vast world beyond the mansion walls. How could a bird that had known the joy of soaring through the open sky ever return to a life of withering away in a cage?
"I don't care if you try to stop me! I'm going back to the capital where my friends are!"
"...Then I have no choice. I'll have to restrain you by force!"
Spear in hand, Toya lunged at Yuri. Despite the weight of the stone armor, he moved with startling speed. He was likely using magic to lighten the load in addition to his natural athleticism. Toya was a seasoned combatant who had mastered both martial arts and high-level magic.
"You're right about one thing... I am tired, Toya," Yuri whispered as her brother closed the distance. "I'm tired from fighting all those soldiers who tried to stop me... I'm really, really tired."
She spoke with a melancholy sigh, then kicked off the ground.
"I'm tired of holding back so I don't accidentally kill anyone."
"GHO-HAA!?"
Yuri’s bare foot slammed into Toya’s abdomen. A sound like a thunderclap—a heavy, resonant boom—shattered the air. The stone armor disintegrated into dust. Even though it had been magically hardened to the density of steel, Yuri’s kick obliterated it in a single strike.
"Yu... ri..."
"Ah, as expected of my big brother. You’re still alive even after a serious kick." Yuri sounded genuinely relieved. She seemed truly happy to have avoided committing fratricide.
As the remnants of the stone armor crumbled and fell away, Toya collapsed onto the heap of rubble. A massive bruise was spreading across his stomach, but his life wasn't in danger.
"I'm free now. I’m declaring my independence from Father and my brothers, so I hope you'll all be happy for me."
"Wa-wait... Yuri..."
"Oh, and one more thing." Yuri looked down at her fallen brother and beamed. "The next time I come back of my own accord, I’ll bring a wonderful boyfriend with me. I already have someone in mind, so look forward to it!"
"............!"
Toya’s mouth worked wordlessly, snapping open and shut like a landed fish. Her piece said, Yuri turned her back on her brother.
"Well then, take care!"
Yuri vaulted over the gate and vanished into the distance, having finally escaped the Marquis Catreia mansion. The House Steward and the soldiers stood frozen, unable to even attempt a pursuit as they watched her retreating figure in stunned silence.