episode_0034

Butterfly effect.

​

It is a social phenomenon so famous that there is no one who doesn’t know about it, but if I had to explain it, it would be the small flapping of a butterfly’s wings that causes a storm.

​

In short, butterflies are so strong that they can cause a storm.

​

The storm blew upon me.

​

“Why are you asking such a question?”

​

“ I don’t know if you heard this story, but I captured an elf a few days ago.”

​

“Oh, it’s not easy to catch an elf, but you’re amazing.”

​

“Yes, that’s right. See, it’s not normal. Sang Sang Joo’s greatest achievement in life.”

​

When I gave it a little lift, Loperman spread his shoulders as if he was very proud. But soon it shrunk like a deflated balloon.

​

“But a problem has occurred. Someone attacked and not only killed the mercenaries, but also kidnapped the elves!”

​

Loperman, who was quite angry and excited, spoke clearly and without stuttering.

​

I did it, but I have to be honest. You were the one who did the kidnapping. You can’t get angry about that.

​

“Then, you are wondering if the Lord of the Merchant’s elf is this elf. I am the instigator of the incident.”

​

“Keu, keuhm. Well, it’s not really like that, but since I heard there are elf slaves, just in case… .”

​

No, it’s not like that. The phrase ‘You stole my elf’ is written on its broad face.

​

‘I don’t think this is a doubt, but almost a level of certainty… .’

​

However, there is no need to act like a fool and move within the framework he created. I, who had a serious expression on my face, smiled brightly.

​

“There was such a story. But I think you are misunderstanding something. This friend is not a slave.”

​

“No, you’re not a slave? These kids definitely said they were slaves!”

​

“Hmm, I don’t want to go into detail… .”

​

Then I saw the secretary lifting his finger. The rugged men put their hands on their weapons. He glares, ready to pull out his sword at any moment.

​

“It would be better to speak the truth. Because of this, there is a lot of damage, so I am sensitive.”

​

“Hmm… .”

​

I sigh and ponder for a long time. After taking a while, he reluctantly pretends to open his mouth when it looks like a real stab is about to fly.

​

“Ha, since you ask that, I can’t help it. That friend is not a slave. To be exact, a slave hunter.”

​

“Slave hunter?”

​

“The role is to catch slaves when they run away. Elves’ tracking skills are excellent.”

​

Alfia gives you a look that asks what you mean. It’s all for you, so please match the rhythm.

​

“Ha, but these kids are elf slaves… .”

​

“If you tell the slaves the truth, they won’t run away. Would you run away when there is a slave hunter?”

​

“, wouldn’t it be a good thing if he didn’t run away?”

​

“Then it’s no fun. It can’t be that much fun capturing slaves who believe they have successfully escaped.”

​

“Huh… .”

​

Loferman sighs. The way he looked at me was a mixture of admiration and something absurd.

​

Meanwhile, the children who found out about the fake truth were in great shock.

​

“W-was it something like that? Is that why you let them roam freely?”

​

“The reason for raising chickens is to eat chickens, and the reason for raising pigs is to eat pigs. Well, then we… Hehe.”

​

No, damn my likeability!

​

I’ve been so good to you, but you doubt me with just one word. No, should I interpret this as believing me too much?

​

Anyway, I hope you don’t doubt me now. How much trouble do you have to go through to get your feelings back once you’ve lost them.

​

This is all because of you.

​

“Ha, how did I hide it? You can’t have fun like this, right? The top lord must take responsibility for this.”

​

“Chae, responsibility?”

​

“Isn’t that so? I definitely didn’t want to say anything, but the pressure was on, so I forced myself to say it. Now that these slaves won’t run away, I’ll have to get new ones. You will have to pay for the cost of rescuing and raising slaves.”

​

Give me the money you bastard.

We need to restore the kids’ goodwill.

​

“What kind of robbery is this… .”

​

“Lord above. For a moment.”

​

The secretary whispers in Loferman’s ear. They’re probably planning something strange. It wasn’t just them.

​

Tick ​​tick.

​

The sound of hitting something. The grandfather clinks the glass and gives a signal. The low-key atmosphere seemed like a hunting dog that would bite them at the command.

​

But I carefully moved the tip of my chin to signal denial. I also want to get rid of Loferman and take care of Alfia, but I can’t do that.

​

Loferman is the organizer of the upcoming ‘Slave Festival’. Only by obtaining the products from there can you solve Arpia’s spirit.

​

“Hmm… .”

​

The grandfather crosses his arms and leans back against the barrier as if he is disapproving. I understand how you feel, but please be patient.

​

At that moment, the secret meeting over there seemed to have ended, and the secretary left Loferman.

​

“The Lord of the Sangdan will reward you for today’s work.”

​

oh?

​

I thought it would be a thank you just to go quietly, but they really rewarded me? As expected, he is the owner of a single merchant, so he is very big.

​

“I will welcome you as a guest at the Desert Rose. I’m also sorry for misunderstanding the elf next to you. I would like you to come with us.”

​

​

***

​

​

The place where Loferman and his men left.

​

After sending off the kids who looked at me like puppies, Alfia, me, and my grandfather stayed behind in the bar.

​

“If it were my personality, I would have cut them all into pieces and fed them to the pigsty. If you just cut up one of those sangangju people, you could easily feed a few pigs.”

​

The old man, who had been doing business all day, swore harshly as he cleaned up the messy store. It was frustrating. With his skills, most people would die on the spot.

​

Nevertheless, I am thankful that he did not move hastily and followed my instructions.

​

“Why on earth did you block it? If you remove hangnails that bother you early, you will feel better.”

​

“But thanks to you, didn’t you receive compensation? If the owner of the merchant invites you, he may be trying to give you a huge gift. Haha.”

​

“Do you really believe that? Just look at that.”

​

“It’s a trap.”

​

It’s so transparent that you can clearly see what’s inside. You can tell just by looking at the fact that he comes with Alfia.

​

Since I’m here now to check, I don’t have the power to kidnap the elf, so I’m asking you to come into the trap after being fully prepared.

​

It’s ridiculous to say something like that out loud.

​

“You’re not going, right?”

​

“Are you going?”

​

“What? It’s not like a moth, so why go there when you know it’s a trap?”

​

“It’s a place where you can steal one piece of food, so of course you should go. And when we say no, they say, ‘That’s too bad.’ Do you want to finish it? Now that you have exposed your teeth, they will come to bite you.”

​

Rather than fighting while protecting the kids at the bar, it’s better to attack them yourself.

​

‘I went there because I was invited, so how dare you attack the guests? You could argue, ‘Give me everything you have!’ On top of that, I also gave Alfia the things she needed.

​

‘There are risks, though.’

​

They don’t know the power over there.

Is it complete liberation even if you obtain a product by force rather than a festival?

​

But there is no point in worrying about this part. Since the accident has already occurred, you should not try to force yourself to follow the twisted path of the original.

​

Grandpa also nodded, as if he agreed with what I meant.

​

“Good. Then let’s go in. When should I go? Shall we go right now?”

​

“No. Just me and Ms. Alfia are going.”

​

“What? Why?”

​

“Because they invited us two.”

​

No matter how the story changes, the fact that the core is ultimately Arpia does not change. The main character of this story is Alpia. You cannot hand over your performance to someone else.

​

“But Miss Arpia… .”

​

“There is still time, so we should grow as much as possible. You can do it, right?”

​

“… … .”

​

There is no answer. Alfia was bruised.

​

“Miss Arpia?”

​

“Uh, huh?”

​

“What are you thinking like that? What do you think?”

​

“Yes… .”

​

As I said before, why is he acting like this? I’m a soft guy, so I’m weak to sudden dashes.

​

Well, it’s not a bad thing, and if you like it, you’re welcome anytime. If likability increases, it’s good for me.

​

At that moment, Alfia’s eyes met mine. Her eyes widened as she blinked a few times. He realized what he had said.

​

“Well, you didn’t mean it that way, right? It’s just that there’s something that bothered me about what the person who said I thought was the owner of the merchant… .”

​

“What is that?”

​

“Capturing an elf. Are you talking about me?”

​

“That’s right.”

​

“Didn’t you do it?”

​

That’s what I thought until now. Well, since no explanation was ever given, it is quite a misunderstanding.

​

“Why do I do such a heinous thing? I am a slave trader, not a kidnapper.”

​

“Then the attack is… .”

​

“Me and Karami did it. Karami asked me to go save you.”

​

Alfia’s eyes, having learned something she had not known before, looked like those of a person who was surprised. My eyes grew surprisingly large, but quickly became smaller.

​

“I see… .”

​

A very faint smile.

Then, I blinked a few times as I wondered about it.

​

“But why did I become a slave?”

​

“Why? That’s because I made him a slave.”

​

“You said you came to save me?”

​

“Because our interests are aligned. To save it. To make you a slave.”

​

“I collapsed? You were completely defenseless? She’s a weak girl, right?”

​

“Haha, thanks to you, I was able to put on the shackles easily. It’s not easy to resist this. But honestly, what about girls?”

​

“… … .”

​

“Anyway, that’s not important now. Just practice, practice, practice until you get to the top of the Desert Rose. You know, right?”

​

Alfia looked at me with sullen eyes and said “Really? I understand. I nodded, muttering ”.

​

“Master, do you have any apples?”

​

Alpia calls out to Victor.

​

It is said that Alfia lived longer than Victor, but since her appearance is just that, ‘hey.’ Calling it that causes cognitive dissonance.

​

I didn’t think it was a good idea, so I decided to fix the title as Master and speak informally to each other.

​

“There are apples, but what are you going to use them for?”

​

“To use it when training tomorrow.”

​

I just came from archery shooting and I’m already thinking about tomorrow’s training. Is this really Alfia, who was whining about not liking bows? The master’s heart becomes majestic.

​

“Good attitude, Miss Arpia. Let’s work hard tomorrow too. I will be there to support you.”

​

“There is a role you must play, other than cheering.”

​

“I don’t like it.”

​

… Huh?What just happened?

I didn’t even think about it, but the answer came.

Is my crisis sensor sounding a siren?

​

“Isn’t there something you don’t like? Isn’t it the duty of a master to completely trust his slave?”

​

​

***

​

​

And the next day.

​

An apple placed on my head.

Alfia is aiming her bow in front.

​

“Ah, Ms. Alfia? Isn’t it too early for this?”

​

“Ugh, don’t move. If you move, you’ll get hurt.”

​

“The bow, the bow is shaking?”

​

“Seu-eup, are you still drunk? don’t worry. Because this is okay. I only trust my sister.”

​

​