Chapter 20

Half-elves, even when they reach adulthood, maintain an appearance similar to that of a human child. They have short limbs and stand about a meter tall. Their ears are pointed, and their mouths are large.

They are generally a gentle race, living in cute villages in the forest. However, those living in human cities must be watched out for. They are oddballs even among half-elves, with temperaments that seem to have flipped from the typical gentle nature of their race, often being bad-tempered and nasty.

“Even though I told you to wait quietly, you were waving that stick around! What will you do if you catch the attention of the military police? Ah!?”

The half-elf man is making a fuss in a high-pitched voice. His mustache and wrinkles indicate he is middle-aged, but his angry demeanor is entirely that of a child. The doublet with a pleated collar he wears looks more like it's wearing him rather than the other way around.

However, the East Asian man called Kōga visibly shrunk in fear of this ridiculous old man, as if he were a dwarf about to be eaten by a giant.

“Miguel... this... it’s...”

“Enough excuses! You must have been prepared to break my orders!”

“That’s the only thing! Please, I beg you, endure it!”

“No way! — Ring, restrain!”

The half-elf man points his right fist at Kōga. The moment the silver ring on his middle finger glows eerily, Kōga's body is enveloped in black lightning.

“Gyaahhhhhh!!!”

A scream that seems to tear his throat. Kōga, burned by the powerful electric shock, writhed in agony. However, the lightning did not subside easily, constricting Kōga like a snake strangling its prey, relentlessly tormenting him. When it finally stopped, Kōga was barely breathing, lying on the ground.

Seeing this gruesome scene, I understood that a certain sadistic item was the cause.

“A Bond of Subjugation...”

Most items made from demonic materials are wonderful, contributing to the advancement of civilization and enriching people's lives. However, just as good and evil coexist in the human heart, there are also dark items invented for cruel purposes.

A prime example is the Bond of Subjugation.

The Bond of Subjugation is an item that works when a special piece of leather paper and a ring are used together. The person who writes their name in blood on the leather paper cannot disobey the owner of the ring.

To be precise, when the ring's owner chants "restrain," the signer's magic goes berserk, and a force that generates electricity from within their body is activated.

Of course, using such a dangerous and sadistic item on others is strictly prohibited by law. However, there are exceptions.

That is—

“Slave scum! You defied me, so you will suffer!”

The half-elf man spat at Kōga, who could not get up.

The only exception where the Bond of Subjugation is allowed is when the relationship between the two is that of a slave and master. In other words, Kōga is a slave, and the half-elf man is his master.

“Pant, pant... By the way, who are you?”

The half-elf man, still excited, turned to me.

“You looked like you were having a fight with Kōga, but what is a pretty lady like you doing here?”

This guy too...

Indeed, I am sometimes mistaken for a woman. However, I am not used to it, and it makes me angry.

“I want to hear more about this. I won’t do anything bad to you. I’m a gentleman, you know. I just want you to pour me a drink. Hehehe.”

The half-elf man, not noticing the knife in my hand, approached me with an unpleasant smile. I kicked him in the face as hard as I could.

“Bwahh!?”

The half-elf man, splattering blood from his nose, was slammed against the wall. He writhed in pain from the impact on his face and back, but when the pain subsided, he glared at me with hatred.

“Y-You, you damn amateur! What are you doing!? I’ll burn your crotch and make it impossible for you to urinate again!”

I laughed through my nose at his gentlemanly outburst.

Good to see you’re still lively. I could have crushed his head like a pomegranate with that kick, but I have questions for this lowlife.

“Watch your words. Or else—”

I drew my silver gun and pointed it at the half-elf man.

“You’ll be obliterated into dust.”

“Magic gun!?”

The half-elf man’s face turned pale when the silver gun was pointed at him.

“W-Why does a woman like you have a magic gun...”

“Shut up. I don’t allow freedom of speech. You just need to answer my questions like a fool. If you don’t want to die, understand?”

“Y-Yes, I understand!”

To the half-elf man, who nodded frantically, I continued.

“You have an unfamiliar accent. Where are you from?”

“F-from the far south, from a town called Soldeiran!”

It’s a town on the southern border of the empire. The strong accent is probably due to that.

“You don’t look like a trader. Why did you come to the capital?”

“That, that...”

“Answer me.”

I pressed the gun to his forehead, and the half-elf man screamed, his body stiffening like a stone.

Using Truth Extraction would be quicker, but I deliberately don’t. This lowlife needs to taste fear thoroughly for my satisfaction.

“I, I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you! Actually, I lost my position in the city!”

“Why?”

“I was in charge of the underground arena for the Darambel group, but I was caught embezzling the tribute to my parents, so...”

The Darambel group is a different series of organized crime from the Luciano group. Their influence is not weak, but the Luciano group is overwhelmingly larger and more prestigious as an organization.

“You got what you deserved. You came to the capital because it’s the Luciano group’s territory, and the Darambel group can’t enter here, right?”

“Y-Yes, that’s right...”

“You said you were in charge of the underground arena. So, the East Asian man is a sword slave?”

“Yes... Most recent fighters are professional fighters, but this one is a slave I bought from elsewhere, so I brought him when I fled...”

“I see. You plan to make him fight in the capital’s underground arena and exploit the fight money. It’s your last lifeline, isn’t it?”

I’ve seen the capital’s underground arena once. With Kōga’s level, he could become a top fighter soon, and the fight money would be substantial.

“And, if possible, you plan to become involved with the underground arena again, right?”

“Y-Yes, well... A-Actually, if you’re related to the underground arena, maybe we could become friends?”

The half-elf man, trembling with fear, smiled and rubbed his hands together. Despite the gun pointed at his forehead, he’s a tough one.

“Too bad. I’m not related to the underground arena. I’m just an explorer. And, to correct this late, I’m a man.”

“W-What, an explorer!? And... a man!?”

The half-elf man’s eyes widened in surprise. He reacted more strongly to the fact that I’m a man than to being an explorer, which is concerning, but whatever.

Now, what to do.

Killing this half-elf man wouldn’t be punished by anyone. He’s a member of the Darambel group, but he’s on the run. If I kill him, I might be thanked, but I won’t be seen as an enemy.

If this half-elf man disappears, no one will try to reclaim Kōga’s ownership if I get it.

Not a bad plan. It’s all good for me.

But—

“Get lost in ten seconds or I’ll kill you. One, two, three—”

“H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H-H