Volume 3 Chapter 3 Lena’s Collar Soyuz’s Collar
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”We somehow made it this far,” I said, letting out a long breath.
”Yeah… I wonder why it took so long,” Lena replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
We slumped forward, collapsing face-down on the table in our new home. Weak laughter escaped us, a quiet celebration after all the work.
At last, we had finished moving in.
The task that should’ve been done ages ago had only wrapped up when the sky was dyed in shades of deep crimson.
Honestly, it was too much work for a couple of amateurs.
But the result was worth it.
Compared to our old, cramped single room, this new place was a world of difference. It had a real kitchen, a proper bathroom, and even a bed wide enough for two to stretch out without bumping into each other.
No more greasy takeout meals every day.
No more dragging ourselves to public baths while reeking of sweat.
Now, we could cook, clean, and curl up together under warm blankets.
Just having that made life feel a little brighter than yesterday.
That said, the work wasn’t truly over yet.
Boxes were still stacked in corners, and we hadn’t even bought basic kitchenware or ingredients.
But tonight? Just for tonight, we could let all that wait. We had earned the right to relax.
While those thoughts drifted through my mind, I kept unpacking… until I noticed something strange.
Lena had stopped moving. She stood frozen in front of the bathroom mirror.
”What’s wrong?” I asked, peeking in from behind her.
She stood still with her hand on the collar around her neck, eyes locked on her reflection.
Then, without turning around, she murmured softly, “Sir Soyuz… actually, I have a request.”
”Yeah, sure,” I said without hesitation.
”You agreed that fast!? I haven’t even said it yet!” she cried, finally spinning around to face me.
”Because it’s Lena’s request,” I replied with a smile. “Of course I’ll listen. So, what is it?”
She trembled at my words, her face quickly turning bright red. Her hand gripped her skirt, and for a long moment, she didn’t move.
Did it really affect her that much?
”…I’m sorry. It’s nothing. But this collar…” she said, lifting her chin and gently touching the leather strap around her neck.
”If it’s okay… I’d like a new one from you, Sir Soyuz. Not the village chief’s collar. Something to prove that I belong to you.”
Her voice was quiet, but her gaze was burning.
Ah… I see.
A slave’s collar isn’t just a tool for restraint.
It’s a bond. A symbol of who you belong to.
In this country, slaves are required by law to wear a collar.
It contains magical restraints so that only the registered master can remove it. Sometimes, it even enforces orders with binding magic, like a geas.
But more than that, a collar represents the relationship between master and slave.
And that relationship… comes in all kinds.
Among adventurers like us, it’s common to travel with slaves. Some are warriors, mages, or scouts bought for their talents.
After spending time together, the line between companion and servant often fades.
There are merchants who rely on slaves as trusted assistants, or farmers who leave the entire operation in the hands of the most experienced ones.
Some even fall in love with the girls they once bought, eventually freeing them… and marrying them.
And the collars they wear—those vary too.
Some are plain and functional, made from black leather. Others are decorated with jewels, crafted from rare metals, or even designed to look like elegant accessories.
In noble circles, it’s not uncommon to treat them as fashion statements.
So, what about Lena’s?
The one she had now was simple livestock leather. No enchantments. No authority behind it.
It was clearly something the village head forced on her.
Not something worthy of her. Not something from me.
If Lena, who’s always so careful about money, was brave enough to say she had a request…
Then I should answer it seriously.
”Alright,” I said, nodding. “Let’s go pick one out before dinner.”
”Thank you so much,” she whispered, dropping to one knee and bowing deeply. “This Lena will serve you until her last breath.”
I sighed quietly.
To be honest, I didn’t like when she did that.
But habits like that don’t vanish overnight.
Still… maybe one day.
* * *
We were still chatting as we sorted through boxes.
”Sir Soyuz, what’s this?” Lena asked, pulling something from a wrapped package.
It was a collar.
Thin, made from mithril, with runes engraved across its surface. In the center sat a gem the color of blood—dark, beautiful, and dangerous.
”Ah… that,” I said, my voice tight. “I found it in the storage trunk.”
My eyes drifted to it.
The sight stirred memories, both sharp and distant. Like meeting someone from a dream I hadn’t wanted to remember.
”Is this… a slave’s collar?” she asked softly.
”Yeah,” I answered.
”Why would something like this be here?”
She tilted her head, clearly puzzled.
Right… I hadn’t told her.
”That collar… used to be mine,” I said.
”…Excuse me?”
”I was a slave once.”
”Huh? Huh?! Huh—?!”
She stared at me, then back at the collar, mouth hanging open in disbelief.
”I was born as one. When I was young, a magic user bought me. They gave me this collar… and the power to share life.”
”But, Sir Soyuz… you’re an adventurer now. I heard it’s nearly impossible for slaves to be freed…”
You’re the one saying that?
”Yeah, well… a lot happened,” I said with a shrug. “I thought I understood your situation, but maybe not completely.”
I leaned in, looking at her face.
But instead of confusion or worry, she met my gaze with eyes filled with heat.
”I wasn’t sold or taken,” she said. “I became your slave because I wanted to. I chose to give myself to you.”
Her voice was low and full of something deep. Something that reached down into my chest and tugged.
”Sir Soyuz… if you don’t mind…” she said, holding the mithril collar in her hands, “may I wear this?”
”That one?”
”Yes. The one you once wore. I think… it would suit me well. Don’t you?”
Her cheeks were already flushed, her eyes shining with emotion. She looked up at me, waiting, hoping.
Just asking… already left her breathless.
”O-oh…”
My eyes blinked slowly.
Lena, usually so quiet and careful, was now looking up at me with eyes full of longing.
…If she wanted something this badly, how could I say no?
Still, I hesitated as I looked at the collar in her hands.
”But Lena, this thing’s dangerous,” I said. “It’s got some heavy curses on it. It was made by a real twisted magic user.”
”That’s why I want it,” she said softly, her cheeks tinged with red.
”You want it?” I asked, caught off guard.
She gently brushed her fingers across the mithril collar, the engraved runes catching the light. “It’s beautiful… I couldn’t take my eyes off it. And… I want something from you. Something that proves I belong to you.”
Her voice trembled just slightly. Her face was warm and glowing.
It wasn’t just loyalty I saw there. It was something deeper.
And honestly, I understood it.
Because I’d felt the same once—for the person who freed me.
”Alright. I’ll give it to you,” I said. “Come here.”
”Sir Soyuz…!”
Her voice quivered as she kneeled in front of me and bowed deeply.
”Hey, hey. You don’t have to kneel like that,” I said, crouching down in front of her. “I told you, I don’t want to treat you like some tool.”
She only smiled up at me, softly replying, “Understood… Master.”
That word hit different coming from her now.
I pulled out the small obsidian key to her old collar and whispered, “Unlock.”
The leather collar loosened with a click and slipped off her neck.
I picked up the mithril one she held and gently fastened it around her. It shimmered faintly, smooth and cold to the touch.
”Lock,” I said.
A pulse of mana, and the collar adjusted to her neck, sealing itself.
Now only I could remove it. It was official.
There was just one thing left—a Geas.
But nothing came to mind. I still didn’t want to bind her like that. We were supposed to be equals.
But… I knew Lena would want something.
Before I could decide, she placed her hand on mine and spoke softly.
”‘Geas’—Lena will never remove this collar by herself. ‘Geas’—if her master’s feelings change, she will know. ‘Geas’—Lena will never betray her master. ‘Geas’—Lena’s fate will follow his.”
The gem at the center of the collar pulsed softly.
It was done.
”Wait—what?” I blinked. “Why are you placing those on yourself? That’s over the top.”
But Lena only smiled—calm, bright, full of peace.
”This is my vow, Sir Soyuz. I’m yours now, and I always will be.”
Her voice was steady, her eyes full of conviction.
The light from the gem calmed to a gentle glow.
”You really are something else,” I muttered.
Then, after a short pause, I touched the collar again and whispered:
”‘Geas’—if I ever stop loving you, Lena, you’re allowed to leave me.”
Her eyes widened.
The gem shone again, and the bond was sealed.
We stayed like that for a while, just looking at each other.
”…Sir Soyuz…” Lena said quietly. “I think… this is the happiest I’ve ever been.”
She leaned lightly against my shoulder.
I didn’t say anything, just gently rested a hand on her back.
We stayed like that for a long while—no magic, no contracts.
Just two people finally finding a place they belonged.
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.
Thanks for reading.
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