The Male S*ave of the Count Sianella Family

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“Yeah, mana. I can let the mana slide… but how is it that a mere human, not even an elf, is exuding the scent of a spirit?”

Tsk… I tried my best to hide it.

Clearly, I underestimated the keen senses of elves.

Siabel sensed it, Ainel sensed it, and even Adelhaite noticed I could handle mana yesterday and reacted the same way.

This situation has become old hat, giving me nothing but annoyance at this point.

I could only stare blankly at this unnamed elf with a distinctly unimpressed expression.

“Could you let go of my hand?”

Not only had I grabbed the collar of someone I’d exchanged glances with just once yesterday, but I’d even let this perverted elf sniff me up close.

She stared at me, as if searching, and gradually loosened her grip.

In the sudden tension, the elf took a step back, creating some distance between us.

“To not deny anything means you know what kind of power you possess, doesn’t it?”

Deny?

If I could, I’d love to try and wriggle out of this uncomfortable situation, but when facing an elf with a nose better than a dog’s who can sniff out the scent of spirits, throwing empty words around wouldn’t erase her suspicion; it would only deepen her curiosity.

Instead of making excuses that’d only hurt my throat, I straightforwardly acknowledged it.

“…I know.”

“Hmmm, you know. Even so, being a human with the power of spirits is a big deal. You’re telling me all this without hiding anything… is it really okay to admit all this to me?”

“Of course.”

“Oh?”

“Because it’s not the type of power that can be hidden in front of an elf who’s been deeply in tune with spirits since birth.”

Her eyes narrowed like crescent moons at my words.

“…To say it’s not the type of power that can be hidden. You know quite a bit, don’t you? About us elves.”

Her gaze drifted from my face down to my attire.

More specifically, to the spelling of Shianella emblazoned on my chest pocket.

“Shianella… Yes, if it’s Shianella…”

She whispered the name of my family and nodded slightly.

“…It was one of the few families with deep connections to our Great Forest’s clan.”

She tucked her long hair behind her ear while flashing a relaxed and radiant smile.

They say a beautiful woman’s smile makes a man grin, but I couldn’t muster even a faint smile at hers. And I probably wouldn’t be able to in the future either.

After all, I had my fair share of troubles caused by those pointy-eared brats.

Sorry, but I’m a serious elf skeptic.

“Hmmm… Then, if someone from Shianella told you about us elves, it stands to reason that someone else already knows about the extraordinary power you possess. So—”

The elf extended her index finger.

“…One of those who casually trusted your power while slaying demons alongside Shianella’s young lady.”

She then extended her middle finger to count another.

“And one house head who was likely lenient enough to overlook your presence as the young lady’s guard…”

A deep smile curled at the corners of the elf’s mouth.

“That means at least two people are aware of your power. How about that? Is my guess spot on?”

She spoke as if she hadn’t expected an answer from me at all.

With her fingers splayed open to cover her mouth, she let out a giggle.

If she was going to play a one-woman band, why was she asking me anything and putting me on edge?

As I observed this elf’s suddenly dull demeanor, she spoke again in a soft voice void of energy.

“Interesting, isn’t it?”

“…What do you mean?”

“I find you as a human interesting.”

Her emerald eyes gleamed with intrigue and amusement.

And—

“In that sense, would you like to be mine?”

It was the greed twisting toward me.

‘Damn this elf… Finally showing her true colors.’

I considered her words with a cool head.

Back when I had just become a hunter, those who fell for an elf’s charms during dungeon raids never ended well.

The elves regarded those lacking in wit who surrendered their bodies and minds to their allure only as obedient, clever pets.

Some ended up branded as slaves while sleeping next to elves.

A few others endured heinous violence for simply expressing their exhaustion and, in some cases, even lost their heads.

Among the many deaths, the most unsettling and yet magnanimous demise was undoubtedly… a noble death.

Both that madman and this elf, what on earth were they thinking?

I still couldn’t understand their reasoning.

But to cut to the chase.

The crux of the matter is that there’s nothing good that comes from being ensnared by an elf.

Thus, I politely refused the elf’s proposal.

“I’m already a servant of Princess Shione Shianella, serving at the Count’s House. I’m sorry, but—”

“Call me Friel Arielte. Just Riel for short.”

“…As such, I cannot belong to you, Friel.”

“Didn’t I tell you to call me Riel? Well, names aside, it’s not that big of a deal.”

Her hollow laughter thickened, as if my response had ruffled her feathers.

She started twirling her finger around her hair again.

“Can’t belong to me, you say? Are you sure about that?”

“Excuse me?”

“What could you possibly mean by that?”

Her rapid succession of words felt like an opportunity for her, and she continued without pause.

“What’s your name?”

“…Ray. Just Ray.”

“Ray…”

Friel mulled over my name for a moment.

“Right, Ray.”

Once she spoke my name, satisfaction radiated from her face.

“What’s important is not status or rank, but your will.”

“…I don’t quite understand what you mean.”

“If you desire it, I can confidently bring you into the Shianella family anytime.”

As her smile widened, the dilemma on my face reflected in her eyes.

“Why on earth do you wish to take me in so desperately?”

Friel licked her lips and savored the thought.

…This crazy brat.

Seeing her lunacy unfold before me nearly broke my composure.

“I feel like I’ve been saying this for ages… but, well, you’re just so fascinating!”

“Fascinating… you say?”

“Of course! You, a human, are exuding not only the scent of wind but also that of fire. How could that not be interesting? I’d do anything to have you for myself.”

In the end, this elf’s fascination bordered on obsession.

“Be mine, Ray. I can take care of you for at least a century… that should be enough time, right?”

As Friel Arielte made that proclamation, I could only exchange glances with her, speechless.

Suddenly, a man strolled up behind her.

That guy… he was the elf who had been beside Friel yesterday.

He stepped into the space between us without hesitation and shot a glance at both me and Friel.

“I apologize for interrupting your conversation, but… Friel, we should move now if we are to be on time for our scheduled meeting.”

“Has it already come to that?”

“It seems you were having an enjoyable conversation.”

“Enjoyable, you say… Right.”

Friel’s gaze shifted back to me subtly.

“It was amusing.”

She took another step closer, looking up at me with that refreshing smile again.

“When we meet next time, you better know how to answer. Got it?”

“…Understood.”

“Excellent. I’m looking forward to what your response will be.”

With that, Friel Arielte and the man turned as they conversed and walked toward a nearby building.

As I began to retrace my steps, I was overwhelmed by the chaotic events of the past moments.

“Sigh…”

No matter how deeply I inhaled, filling my lungs with the crisp autumn wind—

“Crap… seriously…”

It was far from enough to cool my rising temper.

*

I arrived at the lodging.

Ideally, I’d bang on Shione’s door and barge into her room right away. However…

Instead, I found myself knocking vainly at Ainel’s door.

Knock knock.

“Ainel, it’s Ray.”

I felt commotion from beyond the door as my voice echoed.

Creeeak.

Ainel opened the door.

“Yawn… Ray…? What brings you here instead of going to Shione first thing in the morning?”

Wearing a yawn mask on her face, Ainel’s appearance differed greatly from her usually pristine self.

Her long hair appeared hastily arranged, with strands sticking out at odd angles.

And the sky-blue pajamas, which might have been cute, looked disheveled.

Clearly, she had a rough night, considering the dark circles under her eyes.

“I urgently needed to relay something.”

“Something urgent this early?”

I felt bad for piling on her an extra burden, but…

“I’ve been noticed.”

“Noticed? Noticed what—”

“About spirit magic.”

“…What?”