Chapter 211: Alfia, Who Wants to Suffer Eternally (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 211: Alfia, Who Wants to Suffer Eternally (3)
Morning dawned in the forest.
Unlike a certain princess from a winter kingdom, elves don't need much sleep.
They rise before dawn, as if to prove the claims of inventors and emperors that four hours of sleep is plenty.
Alfia was much the same. She loved waking early to breathe in the crisp, fresh air of the dawn.
But for some reason, Alfia didn't wake today until Karami roused her. This was strange even to Karami, who had lived with her before.
“This is the first time I've seen you sleep in, Miss Alfia. Is this another side effect of the drug?”
“No. It's just for today. I went to bed a little late yesterday…”
“Didn't we go to sleep together? What did you do after I fell asleep?”
“…”
Alfia pressed her lips shut.
A blush crept onto her cheeks as she recalled the previous night.
“Don't tell me you hid more of the drug from me?”
“N-no! I gave you every last bit of it. I just… felt restless… That's why I stayed up late!”
“If that's the case, I suppose it's possible. But why are you shouting? Anyone would think you'd done something you shouldn't have.”
“It's because you're suspecting me. Whatever. I'm going to go wash up.”
Alfia headed toward the sound of running water as if fleeing.
Then she glanced back.
“Aren't you coming?”
“The world may call me the Slave Reaper, but I pride myself on being a gentleman. I know how to observe at least that much courtesy.”
If this were a fanservice illustration of a female character bathing, I'd be shouting 'Hell yeah!' and taking it all in, but I guess things are different when it's real life and not a game.
As her master, a desire to be considerate of my pretty slave welled up in me.
But Karami's consideration was completely useless to the Alfia of this moment.
Alfia pulled on Karami's arm, not even trying to hide her mischievous smile.
“Let's go. I'll show you just how blessed you are to be my master. I'll make it so the thought of leaving me never even crosses your mind.”
*
The mystical forest elf, bathing.
A bathing scene of a rare elf, no less. An unknown phenomenon you'd only see in novels. Truly, a fantasy within a fantasy.
And that fantasy was unfolding right before my eyes.
“Master~ The water here is so refreshing.”
Alfia swam through the lake.
Completely naked, without so much as a leaf to cover her.
The only obstacle was the veil of the water's surface, but the crystal-clear lake hid nothing. Her pale skin shimmered through the currents.
I didn't stare openly, but I didn't try to look away either. She was my slave, this was a world where you could do anything to a slave, and besides, she herself was offering the view.
Surprisingly, I was unusually calm. It was definitely the first time I'd seen such a sight, yet it felt familiar.
It wasn't because I was gay, or had some strange fetish, or because I was impotent.
‘It must be because of the soul synchronization.’
I feel nothing even when I see people die.
An elf's naked body was no different.
It meant that while I might be aroused, it wasn't to the point of pouncing on her.
“Aren't you coming in?”
“No, thank you. I prefer warm water.”
“Oh? That's a shame.”
Alfia turned with a twirl and swam leisurely away. As she did, the brand engraved on her smooth, canvas-like back came into view.
It looked more like a pretty tattoo than a hideous brand, but even so, tattoos don't exactly have the best image.
It was visible every time she bathed. Even if it wasn't a slave's brand but something necessary to control spirits.
“Miss Alfia. Should we look for a way to cover the brand on your back?”
“Absolutely not.”
An immediate reply.
So firm I didn't dare try to persuade her.
“Understood. If you're fine with it, then I suppose it's fine.”
“And… I don't like that title.”
“Which one do you mean?”
“‘Miss Alfia.’ It feels too distant. Just call me by my name.”
That wasn't difficult.
“Alfia. Will this do?”
“Much better.”
I was relieved she seemed satisfied.
Her expression just before had been terrifying.
“Then I should change what I call you, too. I thought it was too stiff anyway. Hmm, 'Master' isn't my style, calling you by your name is also not great, and a pet name… I hate that even more, it feels like I'm copying someone.”
A serious expression.
Alfia mumbled to herself, lost in thought.
After a while, she grinned like a rascal, as if she'd thought of something good.
“Darling?”
“…?”
“How about 'Darling'? I think it sounds great.”
“Well, it sounds affectionate, so I'm fine with it.”
Darling or honey.
Do whatever you want.
“Right? We're going to make the thousand-year vow anyway, so it's probably best to get used to it in advance.”
Huh, hold on a minute.
What's this about a thousand-year vow?
Elves look upon only one person for their entire lives, which span nearly a thousand years. It's a traditional ritual performed on the soul when elven lovers become a pair.
If one betrays the other, a terrible curse placed upon their souls is said to activate.
I never imagined Alfia would ask this of me.
Do people normally do that with their masters?
“Isn't this a bit premature?”
“Not at all. You know it too, don't you? We live on different timelines. You'll grow old and die before I do. Of course, I have no intention of avoiding that reality.”
“Hmm…”
“That's why every single minute, every single second with you is precious to me. I can't waste a single moment. But what's with that look on your face? You weren't planning on doing it?”
“Haha, of course not. Making a vow with Alfia. It's an honor.”
Honestly, I didn't want to do it.
Binding our souls might be romantic. I'd normally go along with it, but something about it bothered me.
The curse could activate even if I return to Earth, right?
I have to avoid this vow at all costs.
*
Daily life with Karami.
Washing, eating, and sleeping together.
Sometimes, they'd stroll through the forest or explore the city.
It was a perfectly ordinary, unremarkable daily life, but to Alfia, it was precious. She had no doubt that her long endurance had been for the sake of this reward.
‘So it's possible to feel this good even without the drug.’
A novel thought, indeed.
Karami would have found it absurd if he'd heard, but it was the best conclusion Alfia could come to.
Inhaling Lachnia pollen made her flounder in indescribable pleasure, but when the effects wore off, a crushing sense of powerlessness and depression would wash over her.
That backlash wasn't something one could simply shake off. Alfia could endure it only because she was Alfia; an ordinary person would have been unable to bear it and often made an extreme choice.
But being with Karami allowed her to constantly feel a happiness that was similar, or even greater. She didn't have to self-harm or take the drug.
This was why the smile never faded from Alfia's lips.
I want to live like this forever.
It was Alfia's desperate wish.
But wishes, like the wind, eventually die down.
Alfia vaguely sensed it.
That this was a selfish desire that would only harm him.
It was a night when the round moon hung over the forest.
Moonlight settled on the water's surface, creating silvery ripples. The gentle current shattered the moon's reflection, and soft waves spread across the lake.
Alfia and Karami sat with their feet in the water, chatting quietly. Alfia initiated most of the topics.
After all, most of what Karami talked about was related to slaves. Alfia didn't want to hear about him dallying with other slaves.
They were certainly happy times, but something was missing. Even while with Alfia, Karami would seize any chance to glance at the sky, a look of impatience on his face.
Up there, red clouds were taking over the sky.
“You want to go?”
“Where?”
“To the place you're looking at right now.”
“It's not so much that I want to go, but that I have to.”
“…”
Alfia felt resentful that Karami was distracted by other things during their time together, but there was nothing she could do. She was the one who had put him in this difficult position.
He was the benefactor who had lifted her up to this point, yet she had threatened him with the very power he had bestowed upon her. A mere slave had dared to threaten her master.
The master was indulging the slave's absurd tantrum.
“Why do you have to go?”
“There is a slave floundering in a world stained with blood. She is so covered in it that no one's voice can reach her. I must liberate her from that hellish place.”
She had no intention of considering the circumstances of other slaves. Whether they were saved or liberated, Alfia couldn't care less.
But it was a different story if her stubbornness caused Karami to feel guilt. Harming her master was grounds for being disqualified as a slave.
“Fine. Since you want to go, I'll let you. Of course, I'm coming with you.”
“Really?”
“On one condition. Just one.”
Just as he was about to ask what the condition was, Alfia suddenly pulled Karami.
Splash!
Karami fell into the lake.
“Gack!”
There was no way a man who couldn't even run properly would know how to swim. He flailed his arms and legs, struggling not to sink.
“It's not that deep, you know.”
Alfia, who had followed him right in, helped Karami to his feet. He was already soaked from head to toe, looking for all the world like a drowned rat.
Karami slicked back his wet hair.
He wore a displeased expression.
“What do you think you're doing?”
“Super refreshing, isn't it?”
Alfia paid him no mind, smiling brightly. Faced with such an innocent smile, he didn't have the heart to argue. Karami answered reluctantly.
“It's refreshing.”
“Right?”
Only then did Alfia's smile fade, replaced by a look of satisfaction. Her expression turned quite serious, so Karami waited in silence.
Alfia caught her breath and slowly began to speak.
“It might sound sudden, but being with you has made one thing clear. I can't live without you.”
The flower that had withered bloomed once more, nourished by his affection.
It became a beautiful flower capable of enchanting any butterfly.
But.
“I'm sorry to say this to you… but me? I think I'm already broken beyond saving.”
Alfia took both of Karami's hands.
She had touched what should not be touched.
She had fallen for what she should not have cared for.
The reason she was saved was because of pain. Thanks to pain, she was able to be with him.
Alfia believed this without a doubt.
Only pain made her feel her bond with him.
Only through pain did she feel alive.
Alfia took Karami's hands and wrapped them around her own neck.
“These hands. With these hands that saved me that day, won't you break me?”
If so.
If he himself carved the pain into her.
She could be with him forever.
She could be saved forever.
Alfia, who had suffered eternally.
Wished to suffer eternally.
“Are you serious?”
A cold voice.
A look of displeasure.
Alfia quietly closed her eyes.
“I'm sorry for asking this. I'm sorry for showing you this side of me. You must despise me now.”
She knew.
That she had lost her mind.
Perhaps her mind had been broken from touching the drug.
No, it definitely was.
“But what can I do? I'm already like this. If you don't want to, you don't have to. But in exchange, you will never leave this forest. I'm serious about that, too.”
A vile threat.
The kind him would never do it.
Even if it was a slave's request.
But he doesn't leave a pitiful slave to suffer.
This one act could save two slaves.
Alfia knew he wouldn't be able to refuse.
“You don't have to feel guilty. Before I am a person, I am your slave. I'm no different from an object. It's common sense for a master to handle his slave as he pleases, right?”
With these hands, he must have liberated countless slaves.
She would be the first to dirty them.
A terrifying silence descended.
Karami's cold, low voice echoed.
“I am greatly disappointed, Alfia. Of all the slaves I have seen, you are the most hopeless.”
“I'm sorry.”
Alfia waited, her eyes closed, a soft smile on her lips. She felt the warmth encircling her neck.
Her heart pounded as if it would burst.
A chilling sense of euphoria coursed over her skin.
But the pressure she expected never came.
Instead, the hands moved up and cupped her cheeks.
Puzzled, Alfia opened her eyes.
Karami's face was drawing near.
“H-huh?”
Isn't this... that kind of development?
So suddenly?
I mean, not that I mind?
Alfia squeezed her eyes shut.
Her heart pounded, not with vile desire, but with the feelings of a young girl.
The moment she was waiting for the sensation on her lips…
“Kyahng?!”
Alfia let out a shrill scream.
What she felt wasn't the sweet touch of a first kiss, but a sharp pain that assaulted her ear, followed by a jolt of pleasure.
Karami had bitten her ear.
“W-wait! Where are you biting?”
“How dare you threaten your master. This is punishment for an impudent slave. Hold still.”
An elf's ears are incredibly sensitive.
Karami tugged on both of Alfia's ears, sometimes poking his fingers into her ear canals.
“Ah, no! It's too sensitive there, if you just touch it like that…! Hnghk?!”
Letting out an unrefined moan one could never imagine a forest elf making, Alfia writhed in a sensation that was neither pain nor pleasure.
Her pupils rolled back as her face twitched uncontrollably. She was making an expression that should never be seen by others.
Forget grabbing wrists… for an elf, you grab their ears and they can't move a muscle.
Elves are helpless when you grab their ears.
Alfia could offer no resistance and had to endure the teasing.
And yet.
‘M-maybe… this feels good in its own way?’
Alfia had awakened to a new fetish.