Volume 3 Chapter 21 A New Slave And A New Shadow
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Now I’m Soyuu’s slave for life,” Vera said, her voice soft but sure.
I frowned. “If you say it like that, it makes me sound like a bad guy,” I replied quietly.
Around Vera’s neck, a fine silver chain glowed in the sunlight like jewelry. At its center, a magic stone flickered with a strange light, alive somehow. It was a Geas stone—used to bind a slave’s will.
I had just bought it at the collar shop next to the slave registration office.
I never planned to actually put a Geas on her. But in front of the slave officer, I had no choice but to do it, just as a formality. Being a half-elf means dealing with all these weird rules.
Vera smiled brightly and said, “I’m so happy. I’ll do my best for Soyuu, so please take good care of me.”
Lena nodded happily beside her, looking like her guardian.
Between those two, I felt a mix of feelings I couldn’t name.
Walking with Lena holding my right arm and Vera on the left, we looked like siblings at first glance.
But both were my slaves.
I felt the government official looked at me like I was trash, but I stayed calm inside.
Yes, Lena may look young, but early-mature girls like her could already be married or even have kids at this age. Vera, though small, was actually 97 years old — much older than me. I told myself it was okay. It had to be okay.
The official’s eyes lingered on me.
”Is something wrong, Sir Soyuz? You look far away,”s he asked.
”No… nothing. I just want to go to the guild now. Vera probably has a lot to say there,” I answered.
”Understood. I will follow Soyuu’s orders,” she said.
With heavy but mixed feelings, I left the government office, holding hands with my two obedient, lovely slaves.
* * *
”I see… so even the half-elf lady doesn’t know the details,” the branch chief said with a tired sigh, leaning back in his chair.
The guild still hadn’t found the sorcerer behind the ‘experiment.’
Honestly, that’s not something a low-ranking adventurer like me needs to worry about.
”I’m sorry I couldn’t help,” Vera said, her long ears still weak after healing, drooping sadly.
”No, it’s not your fault. It’s the bad people who kidnapped you and used you. They are to blame,” I said, gently stroking her head.
She did nothing wrong. The real criminals are the ones who hunted her, cut her ears, and used her for evil.
”Soyuu, you’re kind. I love you,” Vera hugged me tightly, overwhelmed with feeling.
Lena clasped her hands like praying and watched us with moist eyes.
The branch chief gave us a tired smile. “Didn’t know you had the talent to be a ladies’ man.”
He clearly understood what was going on between us. I braced myself and kept a strong heart.
”Does the guild think some group is behind that sorcerer?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
”Yeah. That cave you went to — no one person could handle it alone. Making monsters stronger isn’t easy. There’s probably a mastermind behind it,” the chief said with a snort.
He meant, If you hadn’t killed that sorcerer, we might know more.
But I held steady.
”Honestly, we’re stuck. I hoped for any clue, so I called the little lady here.”
The branch chief shrugged, his big frame making the chair creak.
Then, Vera whispered quietly:
”That man said he wanted ‘more elves.’ He said he would go back where he bought me to get more.”
The chief’s eyes sharpened.
”Little lady, do you remember where you were sold?”
”Not a store. There are people who catch us and sell us.”
”Hunting half-elves, huh? That’s trouble either way,” the chief said bitterly.
I agreed. Half-elves are rare and valuable underground because they can use spirit magic like Vera. The hunters must be skilled and cunning.
Then Vera said something shocking:
”Not just half-elves. They hunt elves too.”
”What!?” Both the chief and I said at the same time.
I couldn’t believe people still did such foolish things.
This could start a war with the elves.
”Hey, chief. This isn’t just about making monsters stronger, right?”
The chief nodded silently at my words.
”Kid, you’re going to help with this. It’s elf-related. Of course, you won’t say no?”
I met his gaze firmly.
”Sure. Even if you told me not to, I’d do it.”
A strange chill mixed with heat spread in my chest.
My expression must have changed suddenly. Lena and Vera looked worried and moved closer to me.
”…Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I have a deep connection with elves. I’ll explain later,” I said, calming them down.
I must look really complicated. Lena pressed close, and Vera hugged my arm tighter.
”Then, chief. Call me if you need anything,” I said, putting my arms around them and turning to leave.
”Wait a moment,” the chief called.
”What?” I asked.
He looked between me and Lena.
”Kid, that southern girl with you — she’s registered as an adventurer, right?”
”Yeah, she is.”
”How skilled is she?”
”Not bad. She’s still new at exploring but strong in a fight. If we fought barehanded, she might beat me.”
The chief raised his eyebrows in surprise.
Then he said:
”Well, that’s impressive. I want to give her a job. It’s not hard. Just a simple errand.”
Both Lena and I widened our eyes.
”Me? You want me?” Lena asked, pointing at herself in disbelief.
”Yeah. I was going to make you pay back what you owe me, but maybe you’re better at this,” he said with a sly grin.
Honestly, his smile was worse than a goblin’s.
”As for the job —”
As the chief explained, Lena’s face showed shock mixed with a little excitement.
”Are you serious? Lena, you don’t have to take it if you don’t want. Sounds like anyone could do it,” I said, tired but honest.
But then Lena said clearly:
”Sir Soyuz… if possible, I want to accept this job. Is that okay?”
She rarely spoke so firmly. How could I refuse her?
”…Alright. If you want to do it, I won’t stop you. But be careful not to kill anyone uselessly,” I warned the suddenly eager Lena.
Notes:
• Lena – Female. A young slave girl in her early teens. Her appearance is emaciated with brown skin, long black hair, and grotesque scars across her face, including one that blinds her left eye. She wears a black collar and tattered clothing. Her relationship to the protagonist is that of a rescued victim. She is silent and appears to have endured severe physical and emotional abuse.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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