The Night Walk of Madness
A cool night. The serene courtyard, alive with the chirping of crickets, was one of my favorite places. The vibrant flower beds were a sight to behold, and my father's statue stood proudly at the center, proclaiming the space's noble heritage. The colonnades encircling it lent an air of sanctity.
What was I doing in this ancient courtyard, meticulously maintained by generations of my ancestors since our forebear built this mansion? Most honorably, I was walking my elf slave.
"M-Masterrr... p-please forgive meee..."
The elf crawled across the ground, utterly naked, a leather collar around her neck. The leash attached to it was, naturally, in my hand.
Fuck...
To be honest, I felt no pleasure whatsoever in this act. Did it give me a thrill of taboo? Sure, if defiling the courtyard tended by my ancestors with an elf slave counted as that. But that taboo didn't bring ecstasy—it just filled me with guilt. My father's statue seemed to glare at me, making my shoulders slump.
"My palms and knees hurt so much... please, have mercy..."
That said, once I'd uttered the words "naked walk," I had no choice but to follow through. Having realized this self-proclaimed slave was a monster who could crush hundreds of grown men in the blink of an eye, catering to her tastes was the only way to stay safe.
Sorry, Father up in heaven. Looks like I'm the one who's going to ruin the family...
I'd always figured some wastrel would eventually bring down our house someday. I just never thought it'd be me. Tears welled up in my eyes.
Choosing the courtyard had been a late regret—if I ran into anyone I knew while strolling the nearby woods, my reputation would be in the gutter.
"Hic... it hurts so much...!"
And yet this dog of an elf pretended to be in pain when she wasn't, even though we all knew she shielded her body with mana. Her shameless acting rivaled a courtesan's.
Still, I couldn't keep ignoring her forever. If I didn't play along properly, tonight might be my last.
"You trash. Stop whining."
I yanked the leash hard.
Kek! The elf's neck jerked forward, forcing her to plant her knees on the ground. Her back arched like a bow, her hands instinctively clawing at the collar binding her. All an act, of course.
"Kek, keh...! S-sorry... I'm sorryyy...!"
"I told you, didn't I? Forget you're a sentient being during this walk. Or what? Has it suddenly dawned on you that you're a noble elf of the Great Forest?"
"N-no, not at allll...!"
"You worm. Think I'd let you off just because you say no?"
I gripped the leash tight and shoved her waist forward with my foot. The line went taut, choking her neck hard.
"Kii... eek...!"
The elf's eyes half-rolled back as if she might faint, drool spilling from her mouth. Watching her, I felt no sadistic urge—only cold sweat. How long did I have to keep this up? Was this really what she wanted? Best not show it.
"Remember this: a arrogant bitch like you is nothing more than a toy for me to play with. You're disposable—if you break, I'll just get a new one. I've driven so many slaves to death, this courtyard couldn't hold them all. Got it?"
Lies, all of it. The mansion had a few slaves besides the elf, but they worked in the workshops. She was the only one I'd bought for actual use. But my bluff seemed to work; the elf nodded frantically between ragged breaths.
"Hmph. Watch your behavior next time."
I loosened the leash, and she collapsed into the grass with a thud.
"Hwe, hek......"
Her cheek pressed to the lawn, gasping roughly—it stirred guilt in me. Did she really enjoy this? Why revel in such violence? I couldn't comprehend it, but I had to. She was a lunatic who'd fled the Great Forest to beg for enslavement. Judging her by normal standards would only hurt me.
Still, this should satisfy even her twisted tastes...
"Heh, hek......"
What? Why was she glaring at me? What more did she want? I'd done plenty!
"Hic, hng......"
Even as she panted, her sharp gaze pierced up at me. Normal slaves feared eye contact with their masters. Not her—she met mine boldly, as if demanding more.
Did I miss something?
Naked walk, verbal abuse mid-stride, choking with the leash. I'd done my worst, yet she looked unsatisfied. Thinking back, over the ten days since she arrived, she'd worn this "bored" expression occasionally. I'd chalked it up to childish anger at her situation, but maybe my abuse just wasn't to her liking?
"......"
She steadied her breathing. Mine caught in my throat. I was clearly messing up, but what exactly?
If I did nothing now...
—Can't even play his role right. Cocky bastard. Should I kill him? Yeah, kill him!
No doubt I'd die by her hand! The servants rushing to stop her would end up as bloody lumps on the ground. The pure mana I'd glimpsed through the Surveillance Object proved her power.
The fate of my house and my retainers hung on me now. Stay calm. Calm.
"You... dog bitch......"
Don't let your voice shake. Steadying my inner tremor, I loosened the brooch at my throat and said,
"Turn over."
"Y-yes...?"
"On your back like a dog."
"N-no, don't make meee..."
"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. Now, it looked like joy. I'd bought myself some life.
Good.
As I sighed in relief, she stifled her hidden laugh, rolled over, and raised her hands like paws. Her face flushed, eyes avoiding mine—feigned shame, absurd but I'd play along.
No one's watching, right?
If a servant lurked behind a pillar, disaster. Not just my image tanking—the rumors could tarnish the family name.
Seems clear...
The servants must be asleep; silence reigned. Time to immerse in my role as the wicked noble tormenting his elf slave.
"For a bitch in heat, you've got quite the body."
Faking a lecherous grin, I eyed her. I desperately wanted to kick this mad elf out, but the compliment was sincere. Breasts perfectly cupped in one hand, alluring hip curves, smooth thighs begging to be buried in, pale pink nipples, and a neat slit—all stirring male desire. Moonlit silver hair cascading transparently, red eyes glowing faintly in the dark—seductive beyond this world. Just as I'd seen in the slave market cage. I'd been entranced, handing over a fortune to the trader... now it felt like demonic possession.
"You dog bastard."
Anger surged—words meant for the trader slipped out. I panicked briefly but regained composure.
"Looking at you, it's clear you weren't born an elf—you should've been a lowly mutt. Am I wrong?"
"Y-yes, you're righttt......"
"Insolent. A mutt talking like a person?"
"Eh? Th-that's..."
"Tch. Still don't grasp your place, huh? Punishment."
I placed my foot on her breast. No pressure. It might hurt...
"Lick it."
The elf looked up, genuinely flustered. No acting this time.
Fuck. Crossed the line?
Even a masochist elf had limits. Had I overstepped? A chill ran down my spine.
"J-just kidding—"
Snap. She grabbed my foot.
"N-nooo......"
Then, sniffling, she stuck out her tongue. Madwoman...
*
Lick it.
In a shadowy corner of the colonnade, the mansion servant Rebera swallowed hard in stunned confusion. The master of the house, head of the esteemed viscount family, Theorad, was treating his elf slave like a dog in the courtyard.
Why...?
As far as Rebera recalled, Theorad was kind. Always gentle with the servants, never violent even to slaves denied basic dignity. That elf had broken a priceless vase—valuable enough for a house—on her first day, yet her punishment was mild: maintaining a submissive posture and eating scraps. Likely just for show to save face. Other families would've hacked off limbs or whipped her to death in broad daylight; starving her was mercy.
But...
She hadn't known the elf endured such humiliation nightly. Forced service, degradation, licking shoes? Even treating slaves like objects had limits—this wasn't the Theorad she knew.
...The master has changed.
She'd heard tales: polite heirs turn tyrannical upon becoming head. Maybe Theorad was one.
Did his father's sudden death have something to do with it...?
The thought chilled her to the bone. Backing away, Rebera hurried to her room via the colonnade. Could she keep this horrific sight secret forever? She doubted it.