Chapter 2
Chapter 2
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 2
Chapter Title: Naked Courtyard Stroll
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"Huh...?"
The elf, who had been chewing me out just moments ago, now stared up at me with innocent doe eyes.
"M-Master... Why... are you letting me rest today..."
At first, her trembling had seemed cute, but now it just looked like disgusting playacting.
If I let on that I noticed, though, she'd kill me. So what the hell was I supposed to do now? As I frantically racked my brain, I realized I was clutching a dog collar in my hand. I'd grabbed it from the drawer.
"I've changed my mind."
As calmly as possible. I tossed the collar at the elf in my usual tone.
"You're going on a naked walk today, you filthy bitch."
"A n-naked walk...?"
The elf recoiled in shock. Or pretended to, anyway. The faint smirk tugging at her lips gave her away.
"M-Master, please... anything but that..."
Crazy bitch. I swallowed my rising disgust and forced the words out.
"After the naked walk, we'll have torture time."
To survive, I had to train this psycho elf... No, pretend to train her.
The cool night air. The quiet chirping of crickets filled the serene central courtyard, one of my favorite spots.
Vibrant flower beds stretched out in every direction, my father's statue stood proudly at the center proclaiming its noble status, and the pillars of the surrounding colonnade lent the place a sacred air.
What was I doing in this historic courtyard, tended with ancestral devotion since our forebears built this estate? Something profoundly honorable: walking my elf slave.
"M-Master... please forgive me... please..."
A leather collar encircled the neck of the elf crawling naked on all fours. The leash attached to it was, naturally, in my hand.
'Fuck...'
To be honest, I felt no pleasure whatsoever from this.
Did it give me a thrill of taboo? Sure, if defiling my ancestors' courtyard with an elf slave counted as taboo.
But that taboo didn't bring pleasure. It just made me feel guilty. My father's statue seemed to be glaring at me, and my shoulders slumped.
"My palms and knees hurt so much... please forgive me..."
That said, I'd declared a naked walk, so I had to follow through.
I'd realized this self-proclaimed slave was a monster who could crush hundreds of grown men in the blink of an eye. To stay safe, I had to cater to her tastes.
'Forgive me, Father up in heaven. Looks like I'm the one who's gonna ruin the family...'
I'd always figured some wastrel would tank our house one day, but I never thought it'd be me. Tears welled up.
Wandering into a nearby forest risked running into someone I knew, so I'd chosen the courtyard—and now I regretted it.
"Hic... it hurts so much...!"
Even amid all this, this dog of an elf pretended to be in pain when she clearly wasn't.
I knew she was shielding her body with mana, but her shameless acting rivaled a brothel whore's.
Still, I couldn't keep ignoring the elf. If I didn't play along right, tonight might be my last.
"You trash. Quit your whining."
I yanked the leash hard. Gack! The elf's neck jerked forward, and she planted her knees to steady herself. Her back arched like a bow, her hands instinctively clawing at the collar binding her. All an act, of course.
"K-Khack, gack...! S-Sorry... I'm sorry...!"
"I told you, didn't I? Forget you're a sentient being during the walk. Or what? Has being a noble elf of the Great Forest suddenly come back to you?"
"N-No, it hasn't...!"
"You worm. Think I'd let you off with a denial?"
I yanked the leash tight and shoved her waist forward with my foot. The chain went taut, choking her neck hard.
"Kk... eek...!"
The elf's eyes rolled half-back like she was about to pass out, drool spilling from her mouth. Watching her, I felt no sadism—just cold sweat. How long did I have to keep this up? Was this really what she wanted?
Don't let it show.
"Remember this: You're nothing but a toy for me to play with, you arrogant slut. Break you, and I'll just get a new one. Consumable trash—that's your fate. For the record, I've driven enough slaves to death to fill this courtyard. Got it?"
Lies. The estate had a few slaves besides the elf, but they mostly worked the workshops. She was the only one I'd bought for real use.
But my bluff seemed to work on her. The elf nodded frantically between ragged breaths.
"Hmph. Watch your behavior next time."
I loosened the leash, and she flopped face-first into the grass.
"Hueh, hek......"
Watching her pant with her cheek pressed to the grass stirred guilt in me. Did she really like this? Why the hell did she enjoy the violence?
I couldn't understand it, but I had to. She was the lunatic who'd fled the Great Forest to become a slave. Reasoning normally would just screw me over.
Surely this psycho was satisfied now...
"Hueh, hek......"
What? Why was she glaring at me? What more did she want? I'd done plenty!
"Hic, hng......"
She panted roughly while shooting me sharp glances.
Normal slaves feared their masters so much they wouldn't dare meet their eyes. This elf, though, stared right back defiantly. Like she needed more.
'Had I forgotten something?'
I'd done the naked walk, insulted her along the way, even choked her with the leash. I'd pulled out all the stops, but she didn't look satisfied at all.
Thinking back, during the ten days since she became a slave, she'd sometimes worn this bored expression.
I'd chalked it up to immature anger at her situation, but maybe my insults just hadn't hit the mark?
"......"
The elf steadied her breathing. My own breath caught.
It was clear I was screwing up somehow, but I couldn't pinpoint how. If I did nothing...
—Can't even play your role right, you cocky bastard. Should I just kill you?
I'd die! She'd definitely kill me!
Even the servants rushing to stop her would end up as bloody pulp. The pure mana I'd seen via Surveillance Object proved she had that power.
The fate of my house and the servants' lives hung on me now. Stay calm. Calm.
"You... bitch dog......"
Don't let your voice shake. Steadying my inner tremor, I loosened my brooch and said,
"Turn over."
"Y-Yes...?"
"On your back like a dog."
"N-No, don't make me... "
"I hate repeating myself."
The elf turned her head, clenching her fists. Her shoulders trembled faintly.
'Holding back laughter?'
Before, I'd have thought tears, but now it just looked like joy. I'd live.
'Good.'
As I sighed in relief, the elf stifled her hidden smirk, rolled over, and raised her hands like paws.
Her face flushed, eyes avoiding mine. Her feigned shame was ridiculous, but I'd play along.
'No one's watching, right?'
If a servant peeked from behind a colonnade pillar, disaster. Not just my image tanking—the rumors could tarnish the family.
'Seems clear for now......'
The servants must be asleep; it was dead quiet. Time to immerse in my role as the wicked noble tormenting his elf slave.
"Not bad for a bitch in heat."
I faked a sleazy grin as I eyed her body. I desperately wanted to kick this lunatic out, but damn if her body wasn't perfect.
Breasts just the right size to fill a hand, alluring hip curves, thighs smooth enough to bury my face in, pale pink nipples, and a tight slit that set my heart racing.
Her silver hair flowed translucent in the moonlight, her red eyes scattering faint glows in the dark—seductive beyond this world.
Just like in the slave market cage. I'd been mesmerized, handed over a fortune...
Now it felt like demonic possession.
"You dog bastard."
My rage slipped out—what I'd wanted to say to the slaver. I panicked briefly but regained composure.
"Looking at you, you weren't meant to be an elf. Should've been born a lowly mutt. Am I wrong?"
"Y-Yes, you're right......"
"Cheeky. A mutt talking like a person?"
"Huh? Th-That..."
"Tch. Still don't get your place, huh? Punishment."
I placed my foot on her breast. Gently—no pressure. It might hurt...
"Lick it."
The elf looked up in genuine confusion. No acting this time; she seemed truly thrown.
'Fuck. Crossed the line?'
Even a masochist elf had limits. Had I gone too far? A chill ran down my spine.
"I-I was just kidding—"
Click. She grabbed my foot.
"N-No, I hate it......"
Then, sniffling, she stuck out her tongue.
Crazy bitch...