The Freed Slaves Are Obsessed-Chapter 211: Arpia, Who Wants to Suffer Forever (3)

The morning broke in the forest.

Unlike a certain princess of a winter kingdom, elves generally don’t sleep much.

They rise before dawn, agreeing with the claims of inventors and emperors who say that just four hours of sleep is enough.

Arpia was no different. She liked waking up early to enjoy the fresh air unique to the dawn.

But for some reason, today, Arpia couldn’t get up until Karami woke her. Karami, who had spent time with her before, also found this odd.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen Arpia sleep in. Is this the aftereffect of the medicine?”

“No. It’s just today. I stayed up a bit late last night...”

“Didn’t you sleep with me? What else did you do while I was sleeping?”

“......”

Arpia clamped her mouth shut. Her cheeks flushed as she recalled the previous night.

“Did you hide some more medicine from me again?”

“No, no! I gave you everything, not missing a single dose. I was just feeling a bit off... So I stayed up late!”

“If that’s the case, I understand. But why are you shouting so loudly? Someone might think you did something wrong.”

“You’re making me sound like I did something bad. I don’t know. I’m going to wash up.”

Arpia, almost running away, headed toward where the water was flowing.

She then turned around and spoke.

“Not coming?”

“Although people call me a slave trader, I pride myself on being a gentleman. I know how to maintain that level of manners.”

If this were an illustration of a female character’s bath service, I’d happily receive it while shouting “Yikuikodon~”, but when it comes to reality, it’s a whole different concept than in the game.

As a master, I feel the urge to be considerate of my beautiful slave.

However, Karami’s consideration was of no use to Arpia in her current state.

Arpia pulled on Karami’s arm.

Without even attempting to hide the playful smile.

“Let’s go. I’ll make sure you realize how blessed it is to be my master. I’ll make sure you never feel like leaving.”

****

The mysterious forest and the elf’s seaweed hair.

An elf’s bath scene is already rare enough. It’s something you can only see in novels—an unknown phenomenon. Truly, a fantasy within a fantasy.

And that fantasy is happening right before my eyes.

“Master~ the water is so refreshing.”

Arpia swims through the lake, completely nude without a single leaf on her.

There’s nothing blocking the view except for the surface of the water, but the clear lake doesn’t conceal her at all. Her white skin glows in the water’s current.

I didn’t look directly, but I didn’t make any effort to avoid my gaze either. She’s my slave, and in this world, anything goes with slaves. Plus, she’s showing it herself, so what else can I do?

Surprisingly, I felt oddly calm. Even though it was the first time seeing such a sight, it felt strangely familiar.

It wasn’t because I was gay, a furry, or impotent.

‘It must be the synchronization of our souls.’

I feel indifferent to seeing someone die. The elf’s nakedness wasn’t much different from that.

It means that while I felt some excitement, it wasn’t to the point where I’d pounce on her.

“Aren’t you coming in?”

“I’m good. I prefer warm water.”

“Really? What a shame.”

Arpia turned her body with a smile and swam leisurely. As she did, I noticed a brand on her smooth back, etched like a tattoo.

It wasn’t an ugly brand but more like a pretty tattoo, although even if it was a tattoo, it wasn’t something that gave off a great vibe. freēwēbηovel.c૦m

She shows it every time she bathes. Even though it’s not a slave brand, but something necessary to control spirits.

“Arpia, should we find a way to cover that brand on your back?”

“I’d never want that.”

A firm answer.

She was so decisive that I didn’t even try to persuade her.

“Alright. If Arpia is fine with it, then it’s fine.”

“And I hate that title.”

“What do you mean?”

“‘Arpia-ya.’ It feels so distant. Just call me by my name.”

It wasn’t hard.

“Arpia. Is this good enough?”

“Much better.”

I was relieved that Arpia seemed satisfied. Her previous expression had been too unsettling.

“Then I guess I should change how I address you. I’ve been thinking it was too stiff. Hmm, ‘Master’ isn’t my type, calling you by your name is also a bit off, and pet names... I don’t like those either, it feels like I’m copying someone else.”

She looked serious.

Arpia murmured to herself while thinking.

After a while, she smiled like a mischievous child, as if she had thought of something good.

“Sweetheart?”

“...?”

“How about ‘Sweetheart’? I think it’s really nice, don’t you?”

“Well, it does feel more familiar, so I like it too.”

Whether it’s ‘Sweetheart’ or ‘Honey’, whatever you want to call me, go ahead.

“Right? Since we’ll make a thousand-year vow anyway, it’s better to get used to it now.”

Oh, that was a bit much.

What’s this about a thousand-year vow?

Elves only look at one person throughout their life. It’s a traditional ceremony where elven lovers tie their souls together.

If they betray that bond, a terrible curse afflicts their soul.

I never imagined that Arpia would ask me for such a thing.

Do masters usually do that?

“Isn’t that a bit hasty?”

“Not at all. You know, right? We live on different timelines. You’ll grow old, and you’ll die before me. Of course, I’m not trying to avoid reality.”

“Hmm...”

“So for me, every second with you is precious. I can’t afford to waste any time. But why the strange look? You weren’t planning on doing it?”

“Haha, of course not. It would be an honor to make a vow with you, Arpia.”

Honestly, I didn’t want to do it.

Tying souls might be romantic, but it’s something I’d rather avoid. Even if I’d do it if I had to, it felt off.

What if I go back to Earth and the curse activates?

The vow is something I should avoid.

****

Everyday Life with Karami

They bathe, eat, sleep together. Sometimes they take walks in the forest or explore the city.

An ordinary routine, nothing special, but to Arpia, it was precious. She had no doubt that enduring all the hardship was for this moment, this reward.

‘I didn’t know it could feel this good without the medicine.’

A rather novel thought.

If Karami heard this, he would likely find it absurd, but it was the best way Arpia could describe her feelings.

When she inhaled Larknia pollen, she would be overwhelmed with an indescribable pleasure, but once the effect wore off, immense powerlessness and depression would follow.

That kind of backlash isn’t something one can just shake off. If it weren’t for Arpia, a normal person would probably have taken extreme measures to escape it.

But when she was with Karami, she could feel a similar or even greater happiness constantly. She didn’t have to harm herself, nor did she need any medicine.

That was why a smile never faded from Arpia’s lips.

She wanted this life forever.

Arpia’s earnest wish.

But wishes eventually come to an end.

Arpia sensed that this was a personal desire, a selfish wish that would cause harm to him.

It was a night with a round moon hanging in the forest.

Moonlight settled on the water’s surface, creating silver waves. The current gently flowed, splitting the moonlight, and soft ripples spread across the lake.

Arpia and Karami were dipping their feet into the water, quietly talking. Most of the conversation was initiated by Arpia.

Karami’s words mostly involved things related to slaves, though. Arpia didn’t want to hear about him chatting with other slaves.

While there were certainly happy moments, something was missing. Even during their time together, Karami would occasionally glance nervously at the sky.

Above, red clouds were dominating the heavens.

“Do you want to go?”

“Where to?”

“To where you’re looking right now.”

“It’s not that I want to go, it’s that I have to go.”

......

Arpia felt a pang of bitterness seeing Karami distracted during their date, but there was nothing she could do. She was the one who had caused this dilemma.

He had been the one to bring her this far, yet she had threatened him with the very power he gave her. A slave daring to threaten their master.

It was a slave’s unreasonable childishness that her master, Karami, indulged.

“Why do you have to go?”

“There’s a slave struggling in a world soaked in blood. Covered in blood, unable to hear anyone’s voice. I need to liberate her from that hellish place.”

Arpia wasn’t concerned with the plight of other slaves. Whether they received salvation or not, whether they were freed or not, it wasn’t her concern.

But if Karami felt guilty because of her stubbornness, that was a different matter. Bringing harm to her master was grounds for losing her status as a slave.

“Alright. If you want to go, I’ll let you. But of course, I’ll go with you.”

“Really?”

“One condition. Just one.”

Before Arpia could ask what the condition was, she suddenly pulled Karami into the water.

Splash!

Karami fell into the lake.

“Cough!”

He, who couldn’t even run properly, was certainly incapable of swimming. He struggled to keep himself from sinking, flailing his arms and legs.

“It’s not that deep, you know?”

Arpia, who had jumped in right after, pulled Karami back up. He was thoroughly drenched, looking like a drowned rat.

Karami brushed his wet hair back.

He looked dissatisfied.

“What are you doing?”

“Isn’t it refreshing?”

Arpia smiled brightly, not caring at all. Her innocent smile left no room for objections. Karami reluctantly answered.

“It’s refreshing.”

“Right?”

Only then did Arpia’s expression soften as she smiled, her amusement fading as her expression turned serious. Karami fell silent and waited.

Arpia took a deep breath, then slowly began to speak.

“Surprisingly, it’s become clear while being with you. I realized that I can’t live without you.”

The flower that had withered began to bloom again, nourished by love.

It had become a beautiful flower that could enchant any butterfly.

But...

“I’m sorry to say this to someone like you, but... I think I’m already too broken to be saved.”

Arpia took Karami’s hands into her own.

She had touched what should never have been touched.

She had fallen into what should never have been her concern.

She believed that the reason she had been saved was because of her pain. It was thanks to her suffering that she could be with him.

She had no doubt about that.

Only pain made her ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ feel the bond with him.

Only through pain did she feel alive.

Arpia wrapped Karami’s hands around her neck.

“Those hands, the hands that saved me that day, won’t you break me with them?”

Then...

If he carved the pain himself...

She could stay with him forever.

She could be saved forever.

Arpia, who had suffered eternally, wanted to suffer forever.

“Are you serious?”

A cold voice.

A look full of displeasure.

Arpia quietly closed her eyes.

“I’m sorry for asking you for this. I’m sorry for showing you this side of me. You must despise me.”

She knew it.

She knew her mind was breaking.

She may have ruined her mind by turning to the medicine.

No, for sure.

“But what else can I do? I’ve already become like this. If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. But then, you’ll never leave this forest. That, too, is sincere.”

A vile threat.

The kind and gentle Karami would never do that.

Even if it was a slave’s request.

But he wouldn’t leave the poor slave alone.

This action could save two slaves.

Arpia knew he wouldn’t refuse because of that.

“You don’t have to feel guilty. Before I was human, I was your slave. I’m like an object. It’s common sense for a master to do whatever they want with their slave, right?”

With his hands, he had freed countless slaves.

And now, she was the first to soil those hands.

An eerie silence lingered.

Karami’s cold voice rang out.

“I’m deeply disappointed, Arpia. You are the most irredeemable slave I’ve ever met.”

“I’m sorry.”

Arpia closed her eyes, smiling gently, waiting. She felt the warmth around her neck.

Her heart pounded as if it would burst.

A chilling sensation flowed through her skin.

But the pressure she had been expecting didn’t come.

His hands climbed higher, cupping her face.

Arpia opened her eyes in confusion.

Karami’s face was drawing closer.

“Ugh, huh?”

Wasn’t this supposed to be the moment?

Suddenly?

No, it wasn’t that she minded.

Arpia squeezed her eyes shut.

Her heart pounded not with lewd desire, but with the emotions of a girl.

Just as she was about to feel the sensation on her lips...

“Eeeek?!”

Arpia let out a sharp scream.

What Arpia felt wasn’t the sweet sensation of a first kiss, but the sharp pain that hit her ear, followed by a tingling pleasure.

Karami had bitten her ear.

“W-Wait! Where are you biting?!”

“How dare you threaten your master? This is the punishment for a disrespectful slave. Take it as it comes.”

The sensitive ears of the forest fairy.

Karami pulled on Arpia’s ears, sometimes even sticking his fingers into her earholes.

“No, don’t! It’s too sensitive, don’t touch me there like that...! H-hah?!”

Arpia, the forest fairy, let out a crude moan she never imagined she’d make, struggling in what could only be described as a mix of pain and pleasure.

Her pupils rolled up as her face twitched in convulsions. She was making an expression she shouldn’t let anyone see.

It wasn’t ‘nose-scratching’... it was ‘ear-scratching’.

When elves’ ears are grabbed, they can’t move.

Arpia couldn’t resist, she was being tormented.

But...

‘Is this, perhaps, feeling good in some way?’

Arpia had opened her eyes to a new boundary.