—That was not my original intention.
However, on the night I defeated Lars, when I had Luna Maria in front of me, whom I put a slave collar on after returning to the inn, it was a fact that a desire apart from devouring souls was very intense. After all, she was someone I once had feelings for. I couldn’t even put it into words, but I can’t stay calm in front of her.
Naturally, Luna Maria has given me all her rights, so she can’t deny my requests. This is a slave contract that was officially exchanged in the presence of slave trader Fiodor.
Of course, I don’t need to restrain myself. I would like to do many things at this moment, but there was something I had to verify before that.
“So, what are you planning?”
I asked Luna Maria, who had her gaze lowered while blushing. By the way, she has a red face because she’s embarrassed.
Now, Luna Maria was wearing a silk outfit that perfectly fit her body. There was no fabric on her limbs, and the back and chest were quite daringly exposed. It was more like lingerie than a outfit, and it seemed like she could swim with it.
If I have to say it directly, it’s very erotic. And she’s wearing it, an elf who is said to be very beautiful and elegant.
Most men would be salivating. Just like I am right now.
However, I didn’t put that outfit on Luna Maria solely for lascivious intentions. With that made clear, it made it impossible to hide weapons.
“…..I don’t have any plans, Sora-san.”
“Don’t play dumb. Even if it was because of the bet… well, that was because Lars lost, but still, you’re too calm. You didn’t even resist when the slave contract was established. By establishing that contract, it’s clear how you would be treated. If you accepted it so easily, it just makes me think that you’re planning something by being close to me.”
Of course, it was me who pushed Luna Maria into such a situation. Even if she had resisted, the outcome wouldn’t have changed.
But that doesn’t mean people who give up easily can continue being adventurers for many years. I could only think that Luna Maria was plotting something.
However, the problem is that I can’t predict what she might be plotting. If you think about it, it’s possible for her to attack me while I sleep—as long as the slave contract has been established through the slave trading association, Luna Maria’s actions of if she kill her master won’t be overlooked.
Retaliation measures by a large continental organization. Surely those who do that will be tortured until the day they die.
Additionally, there are three types of magic in the slave collar Luna Maria has around her neck: “Detector,” “Paralysis,” and “Asphyxiation.”
It would be difficult for Luna Maria to kill me while I have all of that, and even if she succeeds, escaping would be complicated. It’s impossible for her not to know that.
While thinking about that, Luna Maria spoke up calmly.
“I don’t have anything planned. But there’s something I want to ask.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“Who are you?”
“…..What? Is it that I’m some heartless monster or something?”
“No, it’s not that! It’s something else!”
Luna Maria shook her head hastily and looked around as if she was unsure about something. But then, she looked directly at me with a determined gleam in her eyes.
“…..I can see a dragon.”
“…………………..What?”
“I can see a dragon in you. A dragon covered in scales darker than the night. The first time I saw it was when you returned alive from the Lord of Flies’s nest.”
“…………………..Hoo”
“I don’t know if you have a dragon inside your body or if a dragon took the form of a person. But I can certainly see a dragon. That’s why I asked, ‘Who are you?'”
“I wasn’t born to be a different person or anything like that. That’s the answer, but…”
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
I paused to think. She’s probably referring to the Soul Eater dragon. Ever since my soul equipment awakened, I can tell she’s not talking nonsense.
“Did you tell anyone about this?”
“No… it’s just something I sense as a spiritual vessel. I can’t prove it to others…”
“Does that mean other spiritual vessels can see it too?”
“I don’t know. I can’t confirm it because the way spirits are captured varies from person to person.”
“I see. I’ll remember that there’s a possibility of being seen in that way. Oh, now that you mention it…”
Suddenly, I remembered when I saw Luna Maria again in the Tittis Forest. Also, when I exposed the sins of the ‘Falcon Sword’ at the guild. Every time, Luna Maria trembled in a terrible state…
“Maybe it was because you noticed that dragon or whatever it is?”
“…Yes. It’s as if the dragon is staring at me. I couldn’t even breathe.”
I see. So, it wasn’t hypocritical when she apologized to me after chasing me down that time?
I was angry, but if it was a hasty decision on my part, I suppose I can’t blame her, I think.
No, wait. More importantly…
“If you could see the dragon, didn’t you think I might win today’s duel? Why did you accept the bet? It was something Lars and I arranged during our conversation. You could have simply refused.”
“That… is true. With all that said, I suppose there’s no need to cover things up anymore.”
“Hm? What do you mean?”
“It’s about Miro… Aren’t you two connected?”
As soon as I heard that, I chuckled.
“Connected? Me with that despicable woman? That’s a tasteless joke. Is that also a sensation as a spiritual vessel?”
“I felt something was wrong after Miro came back when she disappeared. Occasionally, there were strange movements of the spirits. However, it was just a vague feeling, no solid evidence. I convinced myself on the day when Lars and you decided to have the duel.”
“What happened?”
“Miro said it. Although she bet all her personal belongings, as a result, she apologized to me when I assumed that role. It looked like she apologized sincerely… but there was a mischievous imp dancing on her shoulder. That’s when I realized. Miro was enjoying that situation. Clearly, she was guiding Lars. Even if Iria and I expressed concern, Miro laughed it off and tried to lead Lars into the duel.”
Saying that, Luna Maria weakly shook her head.
“First of all, it was Miro who mentioned that beast girl named Seal. Everything that happened today was in the palm of your hand, right?”
“Who knows. But if you suspected to that extent, it should raises further doubts. Why did you follow through with the bet? If you believed Miroslav was connected to me, you may not have trusted Lars, but you could have talked to Iria. You could have even consulted with the guild master.”
“Of course, I thought about it. But if that led to Miro being kicked out of the group, I thought you would use another type of strategy. I decided it was better to keep things as they were rather than anger a dragon.”
“Keep things as they were, huh? Is it a case of, if the dragon’s target was you, then you had to surrender to calm things down? Well, it certainly is a classic tale of delivering a damsel in distress to an evil dragon as a sacrifice.”
“I apologize if I’m thinking too much. But…”
“Hmph. Well, it’s true. Don’t dwell on it too much.”
There’s the fear of saying something more, but so far there are no presences touching my senses. No one is listening or lurking in secret. I suppose there won’t be any problems later with what was discussed here. Even if it becomes a problem, I’ll manage somehow.
“But why would you go to such lengths? The hero rescuing the damsel in distress is just a fairy tale.”
“You’re just apologizing for your own satisfaction. If you want to do that, do it in front of a mirror, hypocrite.”
“Hm?”
“That day, I abandoned you when you were being chased by the Lord of Flies. Even knowing what would happen if it caught you. I could see Miro’s actions, but still, I wanted to prioritize saving my life and my comrades’. So, there’s nothing I can do or say to persuade you. Like you said, I’m a ‘hypocrite’.”
Then, Luna Maria slowly walked in front of me and knelt down. She lowered her head deeply. That figure was practically that of a slave and master.
“This time, I want to prove it through actions, not words. Allow me to be by your side and serve you, please.”
“Is it a form of atonement for using me as bait?”
When I asked, Luna Maria shook her head. Eyes like two jewels looked at me directly.
“No, it’s up to Sora-san to decided if this is a form of atonement, not me. Even if I decide on the details of the atonement and act accordingly, it won’t absolve my sin, right? I just want to serve you with everything I can do now.”
“…I see.”
If the word “atonement” came out of Luna Maria’s mouth, I would accuse her of being a hypocrite after all. However, it seems this elf in front of me genuinely wants to redeem herself. It was very gratifying to me in many ways.
Of course, I didn’t show it on my face. I stared at Luna Maria intently.
“You’ve been talking about serving me for a while now, but remember that you’re already my slave. Even if you dislike it, I will compel you. Don’t forget that.”
Luna Maria, who accurately understood my true intentions, placed her hands on her chest as if relieved. Then, she lowered her head deeply once again and spoke with a serious voice.
“As you wish, my master.”
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