Confronting the Devastated Slaves
Kneeling with her head bowed deeply. It was the ultimate expression of complete surrender and submission to me.
The status window also confirmed that Kate had fully submitted. I had finally tamed her.
Successfully breaking this arrogant woman sent a refreshing rush through me, as though a heavy weight had been lifted from my chest.
But accepting her so easily? She might find another chance to betray me before the ten-year period was even up.
This wasn’t enough. I needed to tame her to the level of brainwashing. I acted as if the idea didn’t particularly appeal to me.
“Why should I? After you betrayed me and left, I struggled just to survive. Even though I’m a non-combatant, I possessed the ability to accelerate your growth even further. You took every advantage my skill gave you, and the moment a better man appeared, you abandoned me without hesitation. Isn’t that right?”
“Th-that’s…”
“And because of that, you were punished. You betrayed me, so the effect of my skill gradually weakened. Eventually your growth halted and you lost your abilities. All without realizing who helped you manifest such powerful strength in the first place. Right?”
Of course it was a lie. The real reason Kate had lost her abilities was the effect of my Slave Domination and Slave Ability Modification skills.
If I wanted, I could restore her powers immediately, but I wasn’t stupid enough to tell her that.
“This time I’m going to abandon you. Ten years as a slave? No. If I accept you as my slave here, you’ll just betray me again and do anything to avoid it. You can go to the front lines and risk your life doing hard labor. If you’re lucky, you might earn some merit and open a path to becoming a knight. How does that sound?”
I deliberately let out a low, menacing chuckle to build fear.
Though I spoke those words, the actual front lines were far more horrific—a brutal wilderness where the law of the jungle reigned.
Becoming a knight after doing hard labor on the front lines? Even if she regained her abilities, her past would make it highly unlikely any knight order would accept her.
Front-line labor was seen as something only the worst criminals were forced to do in place of imperial duty. That perception was widespread.
Kate clearly understood this. Her body began to shake violently and she pressed her head even lower.
“Honestly, wouldn’t Arona or even Becky make more useful slaves than you? That’s what I’m thinking.”
“N-no. Absolutely not. I’m the most useful one. Look at me. How important is it to stand at the front and block monster attacks? A swordsman who stops enemies with her blade. Unlike archers or mages who become useless without a bow or staff, I can wield a shield too. I can serve as a tank that holds the battle line!”
Believing this was her last chance to avoid front-line labor, Kate cast aside every last shred of pride and desperately sold herself.
“But here’s the thing. You claim you want to be my slave, yet your tone is still arrogant?”
Of course everything she said was true. Kate possessed far greater talent and ability than the average woman her age.
Especially her mindset that could transform fear into fighting spirit. In a world as dangerous as this one, that was an essential quality.
Still, I needed to teach her exactly who stood above whom before anything else.
Even Kate feared the empire’s front-line labor. Five years of it. There was no telling when her arrogant side would resurface if she escaped that fate.
People were creatures like that. They would sell anything to survive an immediate crisis.
I expected her true rebellious nature to flare up here. But instead—
“I-I’m sorry, Master.”
Kate has fallen into extreme fear.
The terror of losing her abilities and dreams. The terror that her powers might never return. The terror of dying in the empire’s most brutal hellhole. A cocktail of fears now makes Kate perceive you as a terrifying existence.
Kate’s rationality is slowly being devoured by fear.
“Please… recognize me… and accept me as your slave. I beg you.”
She started to say more, then shut her mouth and remained prostrate, trembling.
This was enough for Kate. I asked the female knight to take her away and bring Arona.
I sat down and watched as the knight led Arona in. Arona was the type who got swept up in the mood easily.
The moment she sensed the heavy atmosphere, she dropped to her knees.
“Oppa… please. I really, really don’t want to do hard labor. I’ll do everything you tell me to. So please make me your slave. Okay?”
“Why should I? I could just take Kate or Becky as my slave. What makes you better than them?”
When I spoke, Arona lifted her head and darted her eyes around.
She wanted to avoid the labor at any cost. Her desperate desire to escape this situation—truth or lies didn’t matter—was painfully obvious.
“I’m still young, and I’ll do anything Oppa says. My archery is outstanding too! No matter where the target is, I can hit it instantly. I can rapid-fire arrows to pin enemies down. I can set traps. No one can match me at tracking and pursuit. And if you want… I can serve you at night better than anyone!”
She was so desperate she even brought up night service while begging to become my slave. She subtly rose from her position and gazed at me with seductive eyes.
Honestly, if I had to pick only one, I would have chosen Kate or Becky over Arona. It seemed she knew that too.
Acknowledging she fell short of the other two, she crawled forward desperately and clung to my leg with her entire body.
“Oppa. I can really do anything you desire. Should I… take my clothes off right here? Should I dance a sexy dance to satisfy your lust? Ah! Besides that, I can cook a little too. I’m really good at grilling meat! If I wear nothing but an apron, I’d look like a super… sexy little sister… What do you think?”
Arona had moved past archery and was now throwing out every possible reason to convince me to take her as a slave.
In terms of ability and appearance, all three women were above average no matter where they went.
Arona feels a strong desire to submit to you.
She wants to act cute for you, to be held by you, and to deepen your relationship.
She feels the primal female urge to monopolize you completely.
As expected, Arona had been swept up in the atmosphere. The moment crisis struck, she threw away every ounce of pride.
She had even begun to see me as a man, just like Liris did.
Normally she used her looks to act adorably and playfully, but now she had become a seductive female, subtly tempting me.
At this point threats were unnecessary. Arona had already surrendered.
I decided to meet Becky last. Once again the female knight obediently took Arona away and brought Becky in.
“So. You’re completely set on sending me to the empire’s front lines, aren’t you?”
On the surface Becky acts proud, but inside she desperately hopes you will choose her.
She is terrified.
She believes her frail mage body cannot endure hard labor.
She plans to appeal to you by deliberately acting confident.
‘Oh? Look at her. Instead of groveling, she’s putting on a bold front?’
There were times when acting proud like Becky could be an effective way to appeal. But the situation was completely different now. I was about to become their master. And yet she dared to be this arrogant?
“But I am a mage. A mage specialized in lightning magic. I excel at both long-range and close-range combat. Wouldn’t I be the most competent and helpful woman?”
“You lost your abilities and you’re still acting this arrogant?”
I changed my expression as I watched Becky’s bold attitude. Though it was an act, I wore the most serious and cold face I had shown so far.
“Hey, Becky. You’re misunderstanding something. You’re a criminal who currently has no power. We don’t know when—if ever—you’ll regain your abilities. In that situation, Kate and Arona, who can be put to use in combat right away, are clearly better choices than you.”
My words finally cracked her confident mask with visible panic.
This wasn’t what she had planned. Her expression revealed her inner thoughts even without the status window telling me.
“Yeah. If you’re going to act that arrogant, go to the front lines and do your hard labor properly. Keep shouting that you’re innocent for the rest of your life.”
The moment I said that, Becky hurriedly slid off her chair and knelt before me.
“No… that’s not what I meant. I just thought that once I regain my abilities, I would be the most useful one. That’s why—”
“Maybe. But isn’t it arrogant for a mere slave to act like that? Kate and Arona dropped to their knees and begged immediately. Yet you’re putting on this proud act? Relying on the fact that you’re a mage? If I don’t choose you, that’s the end of it. Do you still not understand your position?”
At my words, Becky frantically pressed her forehead to the floor in a deep bow of apology.
“I’m sorry. But I really am that confident. Once I regain my abilities, I’ll obey every command. I thought acting confident would earn me points, so I behaved that way.”
Becky is panicking.
She is consumed by the terror of being dragged to the front lines.
“Please choose me. I’ll do anything. I’ll be as loyal to you… no, to Master as Liris is.”
Having shouted those words, Becky suddenly began to sob. It was the first time I had ever seen tears from the haughty mage.
It showed just how terrifying the current situation was to her.
I watched the once-proud mage cry bitterly before me and considered how to tame her even further as I called for the female knight.
“Knight. I’ve made my decision.”