Chapter 1
Chapter 1
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 1
Chapter Title: The Elf Who Wants to Be Sold Off
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"You bought an elf as a sex slave? Are you out of your mind!?"
Was that really such a shocking thing? Talk about overreacting. I ignored him and reached for the teapot to pour some black tea, but the merchant's expression was deathly serious.
Wasn't he just messing with me? By now, even I was starting to feel uneasy. What was the big deal? What was so wrong with elves?
"Hey... just to be sure, she's definitely young, right?"
"Uh? Oh, yeah. Young, if you can call her that."
"How old?"
"Just over 250. Elves live about a thousand years on average, so in human terms, that's like twenty-five..."
"You mad bastard!"
The joke wasn't that funny, but did he have to curse like that? Way to make a guy feel awkward.
"A 250-year-old elf?"
But the merchant didn't seem to be reacting to my quip.
"Listen to me. Get a grip. If you haven't brought her home yet, cancel the purchase right now."
"Cancel? She's already been living at my place for ten days."
"You idiot! You really know nothing about elves!"
What did I not know? Tall, beautiful, long-lived... Come to think of it, maybe I didn't know much after all.
"Quit the hysterics and just tell me what's wrong. Seriously, why?"
"Sigh. Fine. Let me explain it simply. Elves are born with spirit affinity and magical insight."
"Yeah, I know that much."
"Okay. Then think about this. An elf whose mana capacity grows to over twice that of a human just by living—what happens after they pass a hundred years old? They reach a level where even renowned mages have to bow down."
"Wait... really?"
"Why would I lie? And if the elf you bought is 250... it's no exaggeration to say she's already at archmage level."
Cold sweat started trickling down my back as I listened.
"Then why'd she get caught as a slave? If she's archmage level, no elf from the Great Forest would fall to slave hunters."
"She didn't get caught—she let herself get caught. How can you be so oblivious?"
"She let herself? Why?"
"Bored with daily life. Needed some new stimulation."
"And she chose to be a slave for that?"
"Could be an elf with some perverted tendencies."
So, according to the merchant, some deviant elf had volunteered as a slave out of boredom, as a hobby.
Did that even make sense? It was so absurd it didn't feel real. I stared at the cooling black tea in my cup, then suddenly looked up as a thought struck me.
"But it doesn't matter, right? She's branded with the slave seal, so she can't rebel no matter what."
"You're lucky you're not a merchant. With that brain, you'd be bankrupt in a year."
"What the hell does that mean? Explain it properly."
"Sigh. Fine. Who do you think engraved that slave seal?"
"The dark mages of the Magic Realm...?"
Wait a second. Even the mana-crazed dark mages of the Magic Realm only live a hundred years at best—could they really seal an elf who's been wielding magic for 250?
"You think a seal from those short-lived dark mages can't be broken by an elf with 250 years of magic experience?"
"Then why the slave seal...?"
"I told you. She's just playing with you."
A chill ran down my spine. That elf slave who trembled at my approach—was she actually toying with me?
No way.
That couldn't be right.
This merchant was definitely spouting nonsense to mess with me.
I finished the rest of my tea with that thought.
*
As I entered the mansion, the elf—dressed in little more than a burlap sack—knelt there waiting for me.
"W-Welcome home, M-Master..."
Same as always. Her halting speech still grated on my nerves.
But I didn't scold her. Maybe because of the merchant's fuss, something about today made me feel like I should be cautious.
"Eat first."
"Y-Yes..."
The elf bowed politely and rose to prepare the meal.
I went to my room, did a quick wash-up, and headed to the dining hall. The table was laden with a feast of dishes she'd made.
Her food, on the other hand, was set up under the table. Leftover scraps from yesterday, mashed together—worse than dog chow.
I shot the elf a glance and sat down, picking up my utensils.
"Eat."
As if she'd been waiting for my word, she flattened herself on the floor and started devouring the slop like a dog.
Same routine as always, but today it felt off. I raised a hand to stop her, grabbed her, and pulled her up.
"Sit at the table and eat today."
"Y-Yes...? N-No, I can't... A worthless trash like me doesn't deserve to eat with Master... Please, let me clean up yesterday's scraps at your feet..."
"It's fine. I won't punish you."
"B-But..."
The elf let out a strange groan and sat at the table. She began picking at her food.
Not happy about it? I watched her for a moment, then finished my meal nonchalantly.
"Wine."
I called for wine for afters, and she stopped eating, got up, and brought it over.
But midway, her feet tangled, and she tripped.
"Ah...!"
With a short cry, crash! My favorite wine bottle shattered, staining the floor red.
"M-Master, I've done something unforgivable...!"
The elf's face drained of color as she prostrated herself. Her familiar ponytail trembled violently.
"I'll gladly accept any punishment...! S-Sorry...!"
Rage boiled up, but I decided to let it slide this once. I sighed heavily and waved her off.
"Forget it. I'll clean it up. Go to your room."
"Y-Yes...? Master...?"
"I said it's fine."
"But, but I need to be punished...!"
"Enough."
I cut her off, and her expression turned icy in an instant.
Not just pale—cold. Subtle difference, but I could tell.
"You're strangely... kind today, Master..."
She spat the words bitterly and headed up to her room.
I waited for the moment and activated the Surveillance Object I'd installed in her room, just in case.
Time to test it out.
Creak—.
The door opened. The elf entered and perched on the bed.
She stared blankly ahead with hollow eyes, then curled her lips in a contemptuous sneer.
"Can't even play his role right. Cocky bastard. Should I just kill him?"
Her voice dripped with icy sarcasm, sending shivers down my spine. No way. Was the merchant telling the pure truth?
This elf came to me to be abused because she enjoys it? The reality I witnessed was too ridiculous. I clamped my mouth shut and let out a low groan.
"Guess I need to find a new master..."
Mana flared in her hand, sharp and menacing.
Fuck! Panicking, I bolted up, rummaged through a nearby drawer, grabbed the first thing I found, raced up the stairs, and flung open the door to her room.