The High Elf's Slave (2)
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Valencia Forest was a port city sprawling like a vast blue sea. Home to a total population of thirty thousand, it teemed with elves, humans, and the half-elf offspring of mixed unions.
Having embraced human architectural techniques, Valencia boasted numerous high-rise buildings. Yet greenery flourished amid them, dense clusters of trees punctuating the urban landscape. Even as they adopted human culture, the elves—known as the forest folk—clung to their roots, birthing a verdant city where elven and human ways coexisted in harmony.
"Get those goods unloaded already!"
"Today's haul is packed full again—damn it all!"
At the docks, laborers were hauling cargo off the berthed ships. Elves and half-elves were among them, but humans made up the vast majority. Sold off by slave traders, or captured as prisoners of war like Yushin—each bore their own tales of woe, visible everywhere you looked.
"What do you think of the proposal?" Ardena asked.
Yushin replied, "I'm turning it down. Sure, I'm a slave now, but I'm still a knight of the Valua Kingdom. I can't teach swordsmanship or mana breathing techniques to a high elf from an enemy nation like the Elf Kingdom."
"But please consider my position. I've invested five billion Aiter in you. Even if Alonne follows in my footsteps to become an elf warrior, that's a century away at least. She's still young. It won't tarnish your honor."
"That's a tough ask. Let me think it over."
Yushin and Ardena strolled along, gazing at Valencia's docks. After the carriage had arrived in Valencia Forest, Ardena had taken it upon herself to show her new acquisition around the Valencia clan's territory. Regardless of the circumstances, Yushin was now part of the Valencia family—slave or not, that fact remained unchanged. Thus, the elf warrior captain was reminding her property of his new status by parading him through the domain.
"Slaves everywhere you look. How do they keep the supply flowing? Prisoners from wars and raids can't be that plentiful."
"There are merchant guilds that specialize in the slave trade. Most slave traders across the continent have dealings with our Elf Kingdom. We need vast numbers of slaves, after all."
Ardena spoke without a trace of shame or embarrassment. To her, it was simply a matter of course—buying slaves, employing them. Essential for securing labor. No doubt every elf thought the same. That was why the Elf Kingdom operated on a pyramid class structure: a tiny elite of high elves at the top, masses of humans at the bottom.
"The slave guilds supplying your Elf Kingdom must be run by humans, right?"
"Correct."
"And the main sources are those impoverished nations famous for their slums."
Ardena cautiously gauged Yushin's reaction. But he remained unflappable—no contempt for elves, no loathing for humans. Having endured so much already, he merely offered a wry smile and brushed it off.
"Lady Ardena!"
An elf who appeared to be the owner of one of the docked trade ships approached. Brown hair cascaded to her waist, tied with a red ribbon; a red velvet coat draped over her top. But the coat was her only modest layer—the rest was scandalously revealing, drawing the eye inexorably. Her unbuttoned shirt exposed the white bra cupping her ample breasts, and her pants were slit high on the sides, revealing red thong panties beneath.
"And who's this human?"
"A slave I bought at the Pamplona auction."
"A slave! So Lady Ardena has finally awakened to their charms! Slaves are the best—obedient, compliant. And that occasional spark of rebellion? Delicious!"
The elf, dressed like a ship captain, gushed with gleaming eyes. Yushin pulled a face at her predatory gaze—she treated people like ripe fruit begging to be plucked. A stark reminder of how elves viewed slaves. Though humans were no different, he decided not to dwell on it.
"Blocked from marriage by that Invincible Vow of yours, now you're turning to slaves for release? Smart choice. A forest slave won't stir up much gossip."
"Scarlet! It's not like that!"
Ardena shouted, flustered. For a 320-year-old virgin elf, the words hit too close; the golden-haired beauty flailed in embarrassment.
"Slave. Your name?"
"Yushin Gilliard."
"Oh ho. So you're the one from the rumors..."
At Yushin's introduction, the elf named Scarlet perked up with interest. Not a bad thing at all—especially from a busty elf in such perverse attire. A fox of an elf, no less.
"Enough."
Ardena stepped in front, blocking the way. Scarlet raised her hands and backed off at the displeased glare.
"Word's already spreading through Valencia Forest that Lady Ardena lost a duel. With all the merchant guilds passing through, news travels fast."
"True. I lost to this human."
"Your first duel was at age ten, the Invincible Vow sworn at fifteen. And now you're three hundred twenty."
An ancient ancestor? Yushin thought, glancing at her. She probably outlived her forebears. He shot Ardena a sidelong look, reconfirming her age from Scarlet. Judging elves by human lifespans was absurd—they were the long-lived race, closest to true immortality among all peoples.
"Yushin Gilliard. Mind if I call you Yushin? Doesn't matter if you do—I outrank you. You're a slave; I'm a vassal of the Valencia clan."
Yushin scowled at her rudeness. Then why ask? But those breasts... he'd let it slide.
"I was shocked to hear your tale. Ardena, who swore the Invincible Vow, defeated? First I'd heard of it. I figured the legend might break someday, but to a human..."
Scarlet's brown eyes flashed as she stared Yushin down. Strong, no doubt. Ardena's loss made sense. An aura of intimidation, honed by vast experience—Scarlet instinctively knew never to challenge this human.
"Let's head to the castle. Alonne should be back from the academy soon."
Ardena said, calling Yushin away from Scarlet's grasp—her sister was due any minute.
Yushin turned to go. Scarlet looked positively bereft. He carried superior genes. Bearing his child to inherit them was an elf woman's instinct, her duty. Elves propagated by incorporating the finest genes into their bloodlines. Scarlet burned with the urge to harbor such excellence in her womb. This man outshone every stud she'd eyed.
"Lady Ardena, could you lend me this human for just one night?"
"Refused."
Scarlet grew more desperate at Ardena's curt denial.
* * *
Ardena had come to Pamplona with the Helenwood Knights to transport the prisoner convoy for one reason: verification. She wanted to see with her own eyes if this human suited the role of tutor for her sister Alonne.
Fifty billion Aiter was an astronomical sum, but Ardena didn't care. Money could be earned again. Far more precious things were at stake.
"You said you'd teach me? Hmph, feel honored to instruct a high elf like me."
What a pain-in-the-ass brat. Yushin rubbed his temples at Alonne's prickly attitude. He'd never agreed to teach. Just come to assess the potential pupil. Fortunately, she was a mess—zero motivation sparked.
"Unlike other elves, Alonne can't attune to mana through her skin. That's why I want you to teach her the human knights' mana breathing method."
Human mana breathing, not elven. Entirely feasible—their physiologies were near-identical. Accumulating mana as embers in the heart posed no issue.
"But it'll take ages."
"N-No way! Graduation exam's in two months!"
"Just repeat a year. Embarrassed to flunk?"
"Obviously! Imagine the scandal if word got out that Valencia Forest's high elf lady failed her academy exam!"
"With skills like yours? Deserved!"
"S-Sis! This slave's a total jerk! Return him now!"
No human slave had ever been so insolent to a high elf. In Liberia Elf Kingdom's hierarchy, high elves ranked first. Humans—mostly slaves—were fourth. Elves second, half-elves third. Stung by the fact-bomb from a fourth-tier, Alonne pouted in protest.
"Alonne."
Ardena fixed her with a stern gaze. Alonne deflated with a pathetic wheeze.
"To pass the academy graduation exam, you desperately need Yushin's help. You're in no position to be proud—beg if you must."
Yushin blinked in surprise. Ardena calling him by name for the first time.
"Learning human techniques isn't taboo. We elves built our kingdom by embracing human tech and civilization. Absorbing the strengths of other races is our destiny."
"Fine, sis. Whatever."
Alonne shuffled over to Yushin, lips pursed in a sulk.
"Sorry. I was harsh."
"Good you know. Was gonna ask to see your parents for that sorry excuse of home training, but I'll pass."
"Sis! This slave's personality is the worst!"
Back to square one. Ardena sighed deeply, realizing Yushin and Alonne were peas in a pod.
"Fine, I'll teach you. Just enough to pass that graduation exam—no more. But I want something in return."
Yushin grew serious, addressing the Valencia representative directly.
"Set me up with decent living quarters. Food, clothes, shelter prioritized. Even as a slave, tutoring a kid warrants that much."
Yushin was a shrewd opportunist. No fool to kick away a golden chance. Slave life was misery: stale hardtack bread, rough bedding, backbreaking labor, blind obedience to every whim. In exchange for teaching Alonne, he'd carve out a sly slave's paradise.