episode_0037

by fnovelpia

Squeak, clank.

“I’ll give you meals regularly, so just be quiet. You won’t be able to do anything in this room anyway.”

The man locked the door and left. Arphia could only watch him leave.

The bow was taken away, and the chains on his ankles were connected to a pillar in the center of the room. He could walk around the room without any problems, but that was about it. It seemed like he couldn’t get out unless he untied it.

“Sigh.”

Arphia, who had given up on escaping early, sat down on the bed.

The place she was locked up in was more like a VIP room than a prison. It was furnished with luxurious furniture such as a bed, dresser, and mirror.

This was a place that Loperman would use as a prison when he captured the elves. It was different from the first story, but Arphia ended up coming here.

“It’s all his fault.”

Arphia chewed on Karami who was smiling slyly. The reason she was taken hostage without permission was because she was also helpless.

I practiced like that, but in the end I couldn’t fire a single arrow. What a ridiculous conclusion.

Next time we practice, we’ll have you put a pea on your head. I don’t know if you can get out of here.

“But where did it go?”

Only Arphia was locked in the room, and Karami didn’t know where he was locked up. Arphia suddenly had an ominous thought.

‘What if I’m in a place like an underground prison? I’m not sure if I’m going to get beaten up because I didn’t understand the situation and was acting up.’

If it’s Karami, then that’s more than enough. Sometimes, I look at myself and say nonsense like, ‘Hmm, after all, it’s a living, breathing air purifier.’

We need to escape quickly and make sure it’s safe.

“Ugh.”

Arphia frowned at the pain that struck her. She must have drunk alcohol before coming here, but the spirits were already starting to come to their senses. Perhaps their resistance had increased, but they were waking up faster recently.

It’s gotten to the point where alcohol can’t stop it anymore. Unless you’re addicted to alcohol or taking strong drugs.

What should I do if that doesn’t work?

Life has become fun for once.

‘no.’

Arphia shook her head quickly to shake off her distracting thoughts. Let’s think about that after we get out of here.

***

How much time has passed?

The closed room without even a window made the passage of time ambiguous. Fortunately, it was possible to vaguely predict the time thanks to the regular meals provided.

The food was completely unpalatable. The spice-laden dish showed no consideration for the elves whatsoever.

You’re an elf.

You said you were precious. Then treat me properly!

The pain grew stronger because she couldn’t even drink alcohol, and Arphia had to swallow her moans.

Iron Man.

A rustling sound is heard from outside. The door that had been tightly shut opens and the one who comes in is the dark elf, Lenard, with his mask pulled up to his eyes.

The dark elves of Taosul were not enemies or a cursed race, but only had different settlements and external characteristics that came from them.

Modern blacks and whites.

That was the exact difference.

Arphia, who was lying on the bed, turned her head with difficulty.

“You… .”

“Hmm, I wasn’t mistaken. Not only is the spirit inside the body, but it’s also mixed in one spot. I’ve never seen anything like this before… How strange.”

How can you be surprised at someone who looks like they’re dying from pain? Anyway, dark elves lack empathy. I wanted to say something sharp, but Arphia didn’t even have the time to do that.

“Why is the dark elf here?”

“I got a request to catch an elf. There’s no one in the organization who can catch elves better than me, and I’m curious to know what kind of guy he is.”

“A proud dark elf going around taking money and doing commissions?”

Leonard laughed at Arphia’s sarcasm.

“I don’t think that’s something you should say, as you hunt slaves under humans.”

“… … .”

“No matter where you go in the world, you won’t find another elf who is as shameful as you are.”

Now even the dark elf I’m seeing for the first time calls me the disgrace of elves. Anyway, what’s with that damn pride, this elf or that elf?

“Are you here to tease me? If you’re not going to save me, get out. I have a headache.”

“That’s right. After telling me about the situation of being abandoned after being a hunting dog.”

“I wasn’t abandoned, was I? I’m pretty trusted by this guy, too?”

“There is no flower garden like this one.”

Leonard sighed and shook his head. Then, his eyes turned cold and he looked down at Arphia.

“You were sold. To that slave-dealing man.”

***

Arphia was lying in bed without any rest.

Perhaps because Renard had warned her that it was a kind of kinship, the cooking smelled less like spices and there was alcohol as well. However, Arphia didn’t even think about touching it.

Because the truth of the incident that Leonard told us took away all of Arphia’s desires.

-That man agreed to hand you over to Loperman in exchange for receiving the goods. The knife to your neck was also a plan he masterminded.

-Where is he now? He already took what he wanted and left. He left you here.

“… … .”

Is that all just a farce orchestrated by Karami?

You handed yourself over to Loperman and received something in return?

I’m stuck here and you left me alone?

Arphia didn’t take Leonard’s words at face value. As they spent time together with Karami, trust between them grew.

It wasn’t a relationship where you could just say, “I knew it, you punk,” and cut him off like a sword with a single word from a dark elf.

But on the other hand, I was starting to feel a little uneasy. This was all part of Karami’s plan.

It is the final piece that can complete a complex puzzle.

“Ugh… .”

Ah, I can’t do this. I can’t think anymore. I should just drink and sleep.

Arphia picked up the bottle with trembling arms and drank it down. In an instant, she emptied the bottle and threw it away, then buried herself in the bed.

My eyes are slowly closing.

Consciousness sinks deep underground.

I don’t know if I’m feeling sleepy or losing consciousness. Either way, it doesn’t really matter.

Maybe it would be okay if I couldn’t open my eyes like this. Then I wouldn’t have to be in so much pain.

Oh, the pain is already setting in.

That’s okay though.

Because I’m used to being sick.

***

It’s a familiar feeling.

Rough yet smooth.

The feeling of parting between hairs.

It is very careful, like a gentle breeze blowing through the meadow… When your mind is at ease and you surrender your body, the pain subsides.

If I could always do this, I could live like everyone else. Hang out with my fellow countrymen, compete with my archery skills, be recognized, and be praised.

A very ordinary life, nothing special.

Hundreds of years like that.

Until the fragrant tree returns to nature.

Will that day ever come? Probably never. This too is like a midsummer night’s dream, a feeling of being torn apart when you open your eyes.

So don’t open your eyes.

I hope this moment continues.

… .

But no matter what, there is something I cannot tolerate. I was born as an elf, so this is something I cannot tolerate.

“Well, your ears are sensitive, right?”

Arphia jumped up, screaming in frustration. The sensation on her head disappeared like a mirage.

Just as he was about to feel regret about that, Arphia’s eyes widened. As if he had seen something he shouldn’t have.

“… You?”

“Oh, you’re awake? I was relieved because I never woke up during the day, but I guess I was complacent.”

The person in front of you is the owner, Karami.

At the same time, a life partner that was forced upon us.

He was lying next to me on the bed, his face supported by his arm. He was looking me in the eye with a deep smile on his face.

“Yes, why are you here…?”

Karami sat up.

“That’s a nonsensical question. It’s common sense for a master to be next to his slave.”

“Dark Elf sold me? He abandoned me?”

“Miss Arphia, who do you trust more, me or the dark elf you’re seeing for the first time?”

“That, that’s of course… .”

The words, “You…” were rising to the tip of her tongue, but Arphia barely managed to swallow them. She almost got caught up in Karami’s pace again.

Still, I couldn’t stop the smile from forming on my lips.

‘You didn’t leave me behind.’

Well then, that’s right. What kind of person are we?

That dark elf must have been plotting to sow discord between us. Anyway, those dark elves are so shady. Who would dare to betray the pride of an elf?

Just wait.

I’ll laugh at you when I see you.

“But how did you get in here? It’s blocked on all sides, so there’s no place to come in except the door?”

“You came in through the door.”

“But the door is locked?”

“The servant followed me while I was putting food in. There was a tool that could be used for hiding among the master’s belongings.”

Arphia nodded without much doubt. It wasn’t strange, since Victor, an assassin, had magical tools optimized for undercover activities.

“You must have been groaning. What’s wrong with you?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s… … Huh? It doesn’t hurt much now.”

It seems like I was sick just a moment ago. Maybe the alcohol I drank earlier is only starting to take effect now. The spirits are so capricious that it’s impossible to tell.

Anyway, it’s fortunate that you’re not sick. As the pain goes away, your thought process returns to normal.

“What are you going to do? Are you going to escape?”

“That’s right. Before that.”

Karami rummaged through his pockets and took out a scroll.

“What is that?”

“A magic scroll with a specific magic engraved on it. Brought from Loperman’s warehouse. ”

“Aha, you’re trying to escape using that?”

“No, this is a scroll for Arphia-san.”

Arphia tilted her head.

“For me?”

Karami smiled and opened the scroll.

“I will take away all the pain that Miss Arphia has been going through.”

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