Chapter 34

**The Streets of Noctar.**

Ropermong’s secretary, Neil, wandered through the city. It was because of Ropermong’s orders to find an elf.

So, Neil stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild and spoke with the underground organizations, but it was completely fruitless. As expected, there were no elves in Noctar.

Even if an elf were to be found, that would be another problem.

It’s not like catching a mosquito that flew into a room; could it be that easy to catch one just because you found it? Unless it’s an utterly useless elf, it wouldn’t be easy at all.

‘I’ll just kill some time and return.’

Neil was quite clever.

Wandering aimlessly, Neil’s gaze fell upon a group.

They were children. Ragged kids and neat ones were engaged in conversation.

What could it be?

Were the commoners teasing the slum kids?

Anyway, the saying that human malice peaks when they are the youngest certainly holds true. But there’s always fun in watching such things.

Neil pretended to be a passerby and casually walked toward them. The children’s voices gradually became clearer.

“So, if you become Carami’s slave, you can sleep in a warm place, you know?”

“Really?”

“Sure, see? We’ve gotten clean too.”

Neil couldn’t help but be impressed by the sight of them trying to persuade others to become slaves. To raise children as slaves and then release those slaves to create new slaves—that was quite the innovative idea.

That human named Carami was no ordinary person.

However, while the master was one thing, trying to sell out friends was something else. It seems that both the master and the slaves were not ordinary.

“Hey, don’t be misled. Who doesn’t know that if you become a slave, you’ll work your entire life until you die?”

At that moment, a large boy came forward, arguing against them.

“You can’t even become a slave if you wanted to. Carami only accepts girls.”

Matthew, pretending not to be interested, ignored the boy and turned his attention to the girls next to him.

“Think about it, kids. You won’t have to pay money to scary brothers and sisters, and you can dress up nicely! Look here.”

What Matthew pointed at was Hani. Startled, Hani hurriedly posed. V.

The girls were captivated.

Judging that they might lose the children if things continued this way, the boy pushed Matthew with his arm.

“Cut it out. Slaves are only picked from broken idiots. You’re all idiots.”

With the blatant criticism, Lara stepped forward confidently, placing her hands on her hips.

“No way! Only amazing people can become Carami oppa’s slaves! Even the pretty elf sister is oppa’s slave!”

“Hey! Carami-hyung told you not to speak of that!”

“Oops!”

Although Lara hurriedly covered her mouth, it was already too late. A tall shadow loomed over the girl.

“Oh, an elf slave, huh? Interesting. Could you tell me more about that story you just mentioned?”

***

Nothing special had happened.

After having breakfast, Arfia went to the forest. And they shot arrows until sunset.

Of course, it didn’t go as well as expected. Occasionally complaining about pain, Arfia would consume the alcohol she had brought from the tavern, needing to stop training due to the tipsiness.

With the detoxification abilities of an elf, she could expel the effects of alcohol, but training could only continue during the gaps when the spirits were still hazy.

A bothersome and annoying process.

Given the state of her mind, feeling fatigued was understandable. However, Arfia didn’t complain and diligently engaged in training.

Arfia shooting arrows.

The arrows passed far by the trees she aimed at.

She missed, but didn’t care much about it. As long as they weren’t buried in the ground or soaring into the sky. Just a few days’ practice had resulted in arrows flying steadily and true. Just adjusting the direction slightly would make hitting the target quick.

‘I’m glad Arfia has taken an interest.’

At first, she had shown an aversion to it, but maybe her mindset had changed as her expression had completely transformed.

When she narrowly missed, she sighed with disappointment, and when the arrow flew to an odd place, her lips would pout in dissatisfaction. Then with a serious expression, she adjusted her stance.

Given the situation, they couldn’t afford to hire a teacher, but even without someone to guide her, Arfia realized what her mistakes were.

Her skill was something to be called remarkable. To self-study to that extent was more fitting to say that a reincarnated archer had taken hold of a bow.

“Whew….”

As Arfia nocked another arrow on the bowstring.

She pulled the fletching to her face.

Feeling the flow of the wind.

She exhaled a small breath and briefly held her breath.

When she had completely entered a motionless stance.

Snap.

Arfia gently released the bowstring.

Swoosh!

The arrow shot forth with a fierce whooshing sound.

Its speed defied even gravity.

Instead of a parabolic arc, the arrow created a linear trajectory and flew straight toward the target in an instant.

Thud!

It lodged itself in the wood.

“Wow!”

Arfia couldn’t help but exclaim in awe.

It wasn’t in the center.

Just barely off on the outer edge.

But it had struck the wood. That was what mattered.

Quickly spinning around to look at me, Arfia’s eyes widened in surprise, as if even she was taken aback by her own achievement.

“I hit it!”

“You did hit it.”

“I hit it!”

“Arfia hit it.”

“What should I do? Could it be that I’m truly a legendary archer?”

Arfia excitedly fluttered about. It seemed that her serious demeanor had been blown away alongside the arrow.

“How unfortunate. To think I’ll no longer see Arfia, who used to be so downcast about not being able to shoot well.”

However, the lively Arfia suddenly grew quiet. Her cheeks flushed, and she tilted her head. Glancing at me discreetly.

“…It doesn’t matter since it’s in your memory.”

Oh….

That was quite a romantic thing to say.

I didn’t expect Arfia to say something like that. She must have been reflecting on something I had said the other day.

It seems the invisible barrier between us had crumbled a bit. Spending a lot of money on drinks had been worth it. It sounded a bit odd, but still.

“Cough! I’m going to shoot again, so don’t interrupt me!”

Arfia picked up her bow again.

As if trying to cling to the sensation from just now.

She certainly smiled as she did so.

***

“Do you ever get that feeling? You know, ‘Ah, I think the arrow will hit if I shoot now.’ So I let go of the bowstring, and just as expected…!”

On the way back to the city.

Perhaps still caught up in the excitement, Arfia even mimicked shooting arrows into the air.

Was hitting a target that great?

I didn’t understand why she was so thrilled when she had just missed earlier. Well, I suppose she didn’t expect to achieve that.

“Still, it’s just one step. We’ll move on to the next level once it becomes completely yours.”

“I know, right? Does enjoying it lead to trouble?”

Arfia grumbled sulkily, kicking at the stones on the ground as she walked.

There was a brief pause in the conversation. I felt Arfia’s sidelong glance.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Hmm? Ah, well, um, there is….”

Arfia fidgeted with her lips, contemplating whether to speak or not. Eventually, as if she had made up her mind, she cautiously asked.

“Did you do anything while I was sleeping yesterday?”

…What is this?

Did she notice me touching her ears yesterday?

Elves are known for their sensitivity in their ears. Some elves can even find pleasure there. She was groaning, and I couldn’t resist the curiosity and touched them, but surely she didn’t wake up.

No. If she was awake, she would have yelled at me for touching. Given how she was acting, it was clear she was unsure if it was a dream.

“No, I didn’t do anything.”

“Really? Hmm, then what on earth was it…?”

Arfia tilted her head in thought. Fortunately, it seemed she was deceived well.

Without solving Arfia’s curiosity, we returned to the meeting of the Dark Guild. As usual, we attempted to sneak down to the underground… but something felt off.

There were supposed to be guests.

Instead, there were children as if they had committed a crime.

An old man standing by, guarding over them.

There was a heavily built man seated at a table, along with another man who looked like his attendant.

I recognized him.

To be precise, I could only say that I knew his face.

‘Ropermong, the head of the Desert Rose Guild.’

The one responsible for kidnapping Arfia and turning her into a wreck according to the original story. Ropermong had come to the meeting of the Dark Guild. Along with some intimidating-looking men.

What could have brought him here?

Something must have gone wrong.

“Why is everyone standing around so awkwardly? Isn’t it tiring?”

“C-Carami oppa, it’s….”

Lara fidgeted, her fingers twitching nervously. She resembled a child who broke a plate and was waiting to report it to her mother.

From that, I could roughly guess what had happened.

‘They must have mentioned that there’s an elf.’

It made sense that the children would find it hard to keep a secret. I had assumed it would be Matthew causing trouble, but I didn’t think it would be Lara.

Sorry, Matthew.

“Ah, nice to meet you. I’m Ropermong, the head of the Desert Rose Guild. So you’re the infamous Death God of slaves. I’ve heard a lot about you. Who would have thought you would be in Noctar?”

I knew he stuttered in text, but he also stuttered when speaking. It was amusing to listen to.

“Haha, I’m flattered that such a great person recognizes me. But may I ask what brings you here, Guild Master?”

“It’s nothing much. I heard that among your slaves, you have an elf. Is it possible that the one next to you is…?”

Ropermong glanced at Arfia, who was wrapped in a robe.

It was impossible to dodge that gaze now that we had come this far. I nodded subtly to Arfia, and as she slowly removed her robe, her hidden blonde hair flowed down, and her pointed ears popped out.

“Oooh…! T-This is definitely an elf!”

Ropermong’s eyes lit up as they fixated on Arfia. Feeling uncomfortable under that gaze, Arfia squinted one eye.

“Lord Ropermong.”

“Aah, right. Let me gather my thoughts.”

Following the butler’s words, Ropermong finally shifted his attention to me, trying to create an atmosphere that didn’t suit him.

“Let me be direct. Where did you obtain this slave?”

The first wind created by a butterfly had arrived.

---