Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Sealing Wax Punishment
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Even if it were possible, deciphering it would clearly take a long time. If that were the case, she wouldn't have brought it straight here.
The chance of inferring the letter's contents from the seal stamped on the sealing wax was also low.
This seal, depicting a galleon and a dolphin, didn't indicate the slave trader's status or family. It was definitely a disposable seal used simply to close the letter.
That meant my first hypothesis was spot on. This elf had simply intercepted the letter midway because she wanted me to insult her.
I hoped there were no other motives...
"Was there no mention of who the letter was for?"
Just to confirm, I tossed out the question, and the elf nodded with her innocent doe eyes.
"Yes, Master. There was a letter in the mailbox, so I brought it."
"I see."
I had no way of knowing if that was a lie, but I decided to believe her for now. After all, that letter had been good for my mental health.
Now it was time to check the letter itself. I turned my back to the elf, then broke the seal with trembling hands and pulled out the contents.
『To the great and dignified, esteemed Lord Theerad of the renowned Deharm Viscountcy.
My lord, I read your letter.
I could clearly see what situation you find yourself in.
It's unfortunate, but a familiar at this point? Out of the question.
You called it an unfair contract—what exactly is unfair about it? I answered your questions out of the goodness of my heart. Am I wrong?
If you had even hinted that you were asking, 'Is an elf over 250 years old dangerous?' I wouldn't feel so wronged.
And orphaned, you say? Sorry, but my parents are both alive and kicking. Whereas your parents... my deepest condolences.
Oh, and don't bother trying to catch me. I've paid for my sins, and I'm about to start a new life in the Mahakan Duchy.
Surely you're not thinking of chasing me across the border? If that sparks discord between the Empire and the Duchy, you'll have to answer to His Imperial Majesty.
The days are getting cold. The witch is giving me a sour look, so I'll cut this short.
I wish you a peaceful and enjoyable life with your beautiful elf.
From the utterly lowly slave trader Jobil, who feels pity for you.』
A vein bulged on my forehead.
'This, this bastard...!'
He was ignoring me! This slave trader was definitely mocking me!
What the hell did he take me for? I was the head of the renowned Deharm Viscountcy, a noble among nobles who had earned the count's trust and held the title of vice-count...!
"Master?"
...A pathetic, miserable life, tormented by a deranged elf slave.
"Ahem."
I cleared my throat awkwardly, crumpled the paper, and tucked it into my pocket.
When I turned around, the elf was trembling all over. Her top-tier acting made it seem like she was anxiously wondering if she'd committed some grave sin.
So my first hypothesis was correct after all. Even if not, this elf clearly wanted me to insult her right now.
But punishing her just for intercepting and delivering one letter? It wasn't severe enough. No suitable method for selling her off came to mind.
If another servant had done this, I'd have warned them not to do it again and sent them away. After a moment's hesitation, I grabbed the elf's hair.
"For a slave to rummage through the mailbox on her own—how insolent."
"I, I didn't know it was like that..."
"Don't talk back, you impudent wench!"
I barked and yanked her hair upward.
"Eek!?"
The elf rose onto her tiptoes, squeezing her eyes shut. She gritted her teeth in pain, tears trickling from the corners.
It's working! Good. Let's ramp up the insult a bit more.
"The letter's tainted by your filthy hands—my disgust is beyond words. How exactly do you plan to make up for it?"
"S-Sorry... I'm so s-sorrryyy..."
"Do you think I'm doing this just to hear an apology from a worthless slave like you?"
The elf, pretending to tremble in terror, cracked one eye open and looked up at me. My scowling face reflected in her teary red eyes.
She raised both hands to grip my wrist, then whimpered as she spoke.
"Y-Yes, this filthy sow deserves punishment from Master. I'll gladly take any punishment, so please let go of my hair, Master... It hurts so much..."
...Huh?
This wasn't the development I wanted. I planned to insult her a bit more, then spit something like, "I don't even want to look at you—get lost!" and end it.
'She wants more punishment here?'
For me, who hadn't thought of a proper insult method, it was like a bolt from the blue.
But sending her away like this would put my life and my household's in danger. I had to come up with some creative way to insult her.
As my mind raced like an abacus, a sudden idea made my eyes widen.
'Sealing wax!'
And the letter. If I used the connection between them cleverly, I could deliver an insult that would satisfy the elf.
"Very well."
I feigned a wicked grin and released her hair.
"If that's what you want, so be it. Follow me."
*
For generations, the study had been a sacred space. Only the family head could use it, and without the head's permission, no one else could enter—which naturally inspired awe.
Moreover, portraits of the ancestors who had led the Deharm Viscountcy hung on one wall, making the family's traditions all the more evident.
"Come in."
"Y-Yes..."
There, I became the first family head in history to bring a slave into the study. A naked slave, no less.
"It's embarrassing..."
The elf shuffled in, covering her breasts with both hands. She didn't even think to cover her privates, so my eyes naturally drifted there.
To avoid misunderstanding: I didn't tell her to strip. When I said punishment, she did it herself. What a lunatic.
I stared at the ridiculous elf for a while, then walked toward the desk.
On the desk sat neat beads of sealing wax and a melting spoon. The quill was ready too. Good. With this, I might get through the day peacefully.
'Even so...'
I had the materials here in the study, but was it really okay to do something so filthy in this sacred space?
Guilt gnawed at me; I couldn't bring myself to start. Cold sweat trickled down, my hands shook. I couldn't even glance at the portraits.
But I had no choice. Telling the elf to leave now would be like booking a one-way ticket to the afterlife right here.
'I'm sorry, Father. I'm sorry, ancestors.'
Biting back tears inwardly, I turned to face the elf.
Her red eyes gleamed clear under the moonlight, her face a mask of fear. Yet a faint smile played on her lips, laced with anticipation.
No helping it, then.
"Let's begin today's sexual torment."
To survive, I had to insult this elf.
"S-Sexual torment...?"
Seeing her pretend ignorance despite knowing full well stirred my annoyance, but I couldn't let it pull me in.
I lowered my gaze with a dignified air.
"Yes. Just as you wished—a punishment. Having second thoughts now?"
"N-No..."
"Hmph. Then shut up and listen to my words."
I flashed a contemptuous smile, then turned my back to her and walked to the window behind the desk.
No particular reason—just needed a break from the facial acting; my muscles ached.
"Even after last night's lecture, you still haven't come to your senses."
But my voice stayed stern, faithfully playing the cold-blooded psychopath she craved.
"So I thought of the letter. Realizing words alone won't work, I wanted to have you write one."
All this rambling was to get the elf's tacit approval. Starting sexual torment without warning—if she reacted with 'Eh, not this,' it'd be a disaster.
By previewing the 'product' for the customer—the elf—I enabled her to choose. If she looked displeased after hearing me out, I could pivot the torment immediately.
Pretty clever, if I do say so myself.
"But I figured a worm like you couldn't grasp my intent from a letter on paper. So I decided to take measures to ensure you'd never forget."
"M-Measures...?"
"By carving letters into your body. Engraving my handwriting into your worthless flesh—what a grace for you. Don't you think?"
Product description complete. Time to check the customer's reaction.
I took a deep breath to steady myself, then turned to face the elf.
The result...
"That's too much, Masterrr...!"
A resounding success!
I inwardly cheered and pulled out the chair in front of the desk to sit.
"Whether it's too much is for me to decide, not you. Enough whining—bring the items on the desk down."
"Master, forgive me just this once..."
"Now!"
I snapped irritably, and the elf flinched, shoulders jerking as she approached the desk.
"S-Sorry for talking back..."
Mumbling dejectedly, she began removing the books and ornaments from the desk one by one to the floor.
Meanwhile, I lit the candle on the desk, set the melting spoon atop it, and placed a few beads of sealing wax on the spoon. I trimmed the quill's tip too.
Ink was plentiful. With preparations done, I cleared my throat and tapped the desk's flat surface.
"That's enough. Now get on the desk and lie down."
"M-Master?"
"Sigh. How many times do I have to say it? I command, you obey. Don't question or hesitate."
"Y-Yes..."