Make Dark Fantasy Great Again

Chapter 69 "Don't do this. If we pretend not to see them, what will happen to them?" "..." "Everyone. Do you perhaps need help?" Cartria extended a helping hand to them without hesitation. The humans gladly accepted that help. "Like this, one of my prejudices is being shattered. Dark Elves are evil beings? What bastards spread such false rumors—" Cartria had the same thought. The races of the outside world blindly hate Dark Elves, they say— Her newly made human friends showed her that this was false. Cartria felt a special connection with them. The first friends from the outside world she had ever made. Friends who had broadened her world even further. She thought. Humans really are— "Friend? What the fuck. This Dark Elf bitch— we humor her for a moment and there's nothing she won't say." "Kekeke, hey Wilhelm. Did you already become friends with a Dark Elf?" "Shut your mouth before I rip your tongue out. Hey, Dark Elf. Still don't get it? You've been kidnapped by us. Hand over everything you have." Humans really are— "Wait. This Dark Elf wench. Looking at her like this, she's quite pretty, isn't she?" Humans really are— "...Should we have some fun before selling her as a slave?" "You're not seriously thinking of doing it with a Dark Elf, are you? What if you catch some disease or curse—" A hideous and abominable race. ────────── ▶Fate 17: Abominable Race ────────── *** "You want to purchase slaves?" Ugh— Reisha unconsciously looked at the Honorary Mage before her with contemptuous eyes. In such situations, it was more common to think 'He must be interested in having fun by bleaching Dark Elf skin!' rather than 'Ah! He must have had a special experience with Dark Elves and can't stand by!' Reisha drastically changed her evaluation of him. She had felt affinity due to his appearance that gave the impression of being 'cute?' and his gentle atmosphere, but there was indeed a reason he was a Mage of the Magic Tower. Surely he too was an eccentric no less than the Magic Tower Mages she had seen so far. While putting on such a good-natured face in public, he probably engaged in all sorts of perverse acts when he returned to his Research Laboratory. Perhaps his Mansion or Research Laboratory was filled with the products of all kinds of perverse desires? For instance, mutants created by combining two different races, or demons and magical beasts that had their teeth pulled and were obediently trained, or monsters that were beautiful in appearance but hid terrible identities. "Is there a problem?" However he interpreted Reisha's expression, Risir became even more proactive. 'How much fun does he want to have with a Dark Elf slave?' Reisha tried hard to hide her disgust and produced a merchant's smile. "Well. The thing is—" And she glanced at the Dark Elf, Cartria. Reisha was merely a slave and the actual decision-making power lay with her. Soon, the master's voice was transmitted through the Slave Marking. -What!? An unexpected command was given to the slave. *** The first emotion Cartria felt was extreme displeasure and disgust. Imagining humans treating her like an object and pouring out all sorts of twisted desires made her feel murderous intent boiling up. And the emotion she felt next was humiliation. No matter how much she was acting the part of a slave, to become a 'subject of purchase' by a male. It was something she couldn't have imagined even in dreams. When you reach the top of endlessly spread sand hills, the city of red cliffs unfolds along with the sea. Cartria, the Young Lady of the great Noble House of Sahila that ruled Kehlin, was the Flower on the Cliff there. From commoner to nobles. They willingly risked everything to catch the eye of the Sahila Young Lady, and furthermore to see her bare face hidden behind a veil. There were several Nobles who had their power decline after launching gift offensives and holding parties one after another just to win her favor once. To say they would purchase such a Young Lady Cartria. If such words had been spoken in Kehlin, they would have learned firsthand how many stones rolled around those streets. Along with how sharp Kehlin's Swords were. Cartria too would not have listened if she had heard such nonsense in Kehlin. Who dared to put a price on her worth? The Dark Elf Young Lady's pride was not soft enough to be scratched by mere words. 'Purchase me? A disgusting human like that?' ...Cartria was thoroughly scratched. The Dark Elf Young Lady was currently in a state of mental and physical weakness. The countless contempt and discrimination she had experienced since coming to human lands. Cartria tried to dismiss all those incidents as 'humans being humans,' but it didn't work out as intended. Without Cartria knowing, a subtle inferiority complex had settled deep in her heart. This was why Cartria couldn't lightly dismiss Risir's words. She couldn't just take this lying down. It seemed like her anger would only be satisfied if she returned this humiliation to him. -Say you'll sell me. Cartria commanded Reisha. -At an enormous price, so that human can't purchase me. If the Dark Elves of Kehlin found out, it would be a situation to wail over. -The Sahila Young Lady is putting a price on herself to recover her pride!!! Cartria herself knew her actions were wrong. However, what was moving her now was not reason but emotion. Negative emotion toward humans. "Ahem, if we're selling, it's not impossible to sell." Reisha immediately put on a merchant's face and carried out Cartria's command. There was no need for the merchant's bargaining skills to be put to the test to carry out the master's unreasonable command. "Do you see here? Smooth skin without a single scratch. Like black pearls. Moreover, the lustrous hair with a light pink tinge is rare silk, and the eyes are like pink diamonds— I guarantee that we will never encounter a more beautiful slave in our lifetime." Pricing Cartria much higher than market value? A calm recitation of facts was sufficient. In reality, a slave of Cartria's caliber could name her own price. Reisha often thought while looking at Cartria acting the part of a slave. If 'that one' weren't a Dark Elf, her value would have been equivalent to a castle. "So, if you were to purchase her, the price would be—" The price set accordingly. "..." Risir's expression contorted. That sight reminded Cartria of a series of memories she held. The appearance of humans who had hidden their ugly true nature beneath thin masks. 'Know your place, you abominable human.' 'So disappointed? Did you want to covet my body that much?' 'Disgusting creatures. Usually treating us like cursed abominations, yet becoming pure before lust—no different from beasts, are they?' The Dark Elf who had shown pure curiosity toward humans was no more. She actively utilized the hatred she had learned from humans. Furthermore, she intended to actively utilize the deception she had learned from humans. 'Such a bastard is the clue to finding my younger brother... Drian.' Cartria recalled the appearance of the merchant leaders who had met with Risir faster than they had. Requests from other humans. The matter of finding one Dark Elf. Which of those two would humans prioritize? There was no need to think about it. 'They'll probably postpone Drian's matter until the very last moment. To them, a cursed Dark Elf doesn't matter.' Therefore, Cartria decided to use the man before her eyes. The lust he harbored for her. The Dark Elf master gave another command to her human slave. "What? You'll lend me the Dark Elves?" "She's a woman of many talents. She'll be of great help to Lord Risir, who will be busy with this matter." "..." Risir's expression contorted. Was it alright to borrow them as if they were objects? He examined Cartria's appearance. She obediently bowed toward Risir. Risir was newly concerned about her attire. Smelly rags that didn't even look like clothes. What kind of treatment was she usually receiving? In the first place, through what route had she become a slave? Most slaves in this world were those who had been chained to pay for their crimes. But that Young Lady called Cartria seemed far from being a criminal no matter how you looked at her. If you had to classify her, a Noble? Was it more likely that she had become a slave after committing a crime... ...or that she had become entangled with slave traders who moved through the underworld like it was their home and ended up in an unjust situation? 'Ugh, this is really driving me crazy.' Risir kept thinking of Pamon's lively smile. Surely, that Dark Elf whose emotions and Ego had been castrated like a doll could smile just like Master, couldn't she? "Then I shall accept your kindness." Risir decided. He had to somehow make those Dark Elves free. *** "..." Cartria inwardly sneered. The human bastard's reaction didn't deviate from her expectations in the slightest. The stuffy Magic Tower Mage receiving help from a Dark Elf. Just imagining it is unpleasant? Oh? But when he sees my body, he accepts it gladly again? Could he be this simple? Could he be this ugly? "I will serve with all my heart and soul." Having reached this point, Cartria even felt a certain gratitude. It felt like the last traces of hesitation and guilt remaining inside were disappearing. *** The paper crackled as it burned. Cartria burned the paper she held in her hand. Write down in detail how you treated Dark Elf slaves. It was a command she had given to Reisha using the Slave Marking. On the paper Cartria had just burned, what her younger brother had suffered while under humans was written in detail. "Kyaak!" Recalling the contents of the paper, Cartria first tore Reisha's clothes to shreds. After making her roll naked in the filth of city alleys, she dressed her in rags reeking with a nose-stinging stench. According to the slave trader, that was the universal treatment of Dark Elf slaves. *** "..." Thus Cartria temporarily became Risir's possession. When the meeting between the Magic Tower Mage and the merchant leaders ended, sunset was settling over the streets. Cartria followed Risir out into the sunset-lit streets. "I have some business to attend to, so would you go ahead first?" Having sent his companions ahead first, Risir led Cartria somewhere. "Here, is there perhaps any clothing you'd like?" It was a clothing store. One that handled quite high-end merchandise at that. "...No." "Ah, is that so? Then, um... I'll choose something at my discretion." Cartria came to understand Risir's intention after arriving at the Magic Tower Lodging where he was staying. House-style accommodations. Having brought a Dark Elf slave there without a care, the first thing he did was subtly point to the bathroom and recommend a bath. While recommending the clothes he had just chosen. Cartria laughed silently with explosive force. Could actions be more transparent than this? As soon as he gets a slave, what he does is wash her and dress her in expensive clothes. What action would follow next? It was as clear as fire. Meanwhile, Risir was staring intently at Cartria's body (rags). 'What kind of thing is that supposed to be called clothing... When was the last time she bathed? Tsk.' Cartria barely swallowed her nausea and spoke. "Please withdraw your command. If Lady Reisha finds out that I used Lord Risir's space, she will severely scold me." "Uh... is that how it works?" Was he still supposedly an Honorary Mage of the Magic Tower? His appearance of being unable to do this or that while caring about appearances was truly ridiculous. Having come this far, what was there to be ashamed of? If he had put down his last worthless pride, he could have had what he wanted. Cartria mocked the human's petty pride while also feeling grateful for it. Thanks to it, the terrible experience that would make her feel death was preferable had been postponed. "..." Risir watched Cartria's expression and carefully opened his mouth. "Ah. Come to think of it, we haven't even introduced ourselves yet. I'm called Risir." "I'm Tia." It was a fake name she had created because she was now disgusted even at revealing her real name to humans. "Good. Miss Tia. I'm just asking, but is there anything else you need?" "..." "Ah. For reference, you don't need to decline. I'll definitely receive compensation. This way, that person called Reisha won't be able to scold you, right?" "What do you mean by compensation?" Risir smiled awkwardly and said. "I'd like to know a bit about Miss Tia." The humans she had met so far. The acting they had shown her. Based on that, Cartria realized that Risir's current words were a metaphorical expression of physical indulgence. Apparently, he seemed to want to covet her body by any means necessary. Cartria kept her mouth firmly shut with her head bowed. She had to overcome this crisis somehow. Even if it meant suffering abuse including physical violence from him. Surprisingly, he turned away from Cartria without lingering attachment. "...Well, the opportunity isn't just now." Leaving behind a chilling, terrible line. *** Cartria sat perched on the bed in the assigned room, lost in thought. After a moment. Opening her eyes, she took out a bottle about the size of an index finger from her bosom. Inside the bottle was a light purple, semi-transparent liquid. That poison called 'Turbid Truth' that Dark Elves use when interrogating criminals strips the user's Ego and turns them into a doll that only responds to specific commands. Cartria pondered. How could she make a human prioritize a Dark Elf slave over all other important matters? The solution that came to mind was to feed him the flowing Turbid Truth. If Risir took the Turbid Truth, he would use every means at his disposal to retrieve Cartria's younger brother. And he would become an empty shell. There was no such thing as an antidote for Turbid Truth. With that, the life of one human named Risir would come to an end. A throb. Cartria felt a strange displeasure and questioned herself. Was this really right? -Wilhelm! Get a grip! We need to run even now! -Hey you idiots! Do you know what kind of Curse that Dark Elf bitch might have cast on us! We need to kill those things! "..." Cartria gripped the bottle with a face full of determination. *** Surprisingly, the opportunity came quickly. When Cartria silently handled the miscellaneous tasks at the Lodging, Risir naturally accepted it. The night after Cartria became Risir's possession. She handed him a cup of tea when he returned after finishing business outside. "Ah, thank you." He immediately drank the tea gladly. Tea mixed with Turbid Truth, that is. "..." ───── [You have resisted] ───── Cartria clenched and unclenched her sweat-soaked palms. It was done. Now all that remained was waiting for the drug to take effect. However he interpreted Cartria's appearance as she watched for signs— Risir raised his teacup toward her and smiled. He thought. Finally, this Dark Elf seemed to have opened her heart to him. It was perfectly timed. There was something related to what he had gained during the day that he wanted to discuss with her. The first thing Risir had undertaken after yesterday's meeting ended. It was none other than finding the Dark Elf slave that Reisha had mentioned. Risir spoke the name of the Dark Elf slave he had learned about in that process. "Miss Tia, do you happen to know someone named Drian?" "What?" Cartria had consistently not shown emotions or ego since following Risir. She showed the emotion of bewilderment for the first time. Because her lost younger brother's name had suddenly been mentioned from his mouth. Following that, unbelievable words came from his mouth. "Miss Tia. If, just if, you had a chance to escape with your kinfolk, what would you do?" "..." Cartria's mouth opened and closed. Before she knew it, her gaze was directed toward the teacup Risir held.