The Possessor Mistook the Genre for 20 Years

36 – Elves Listen Well.

For now, I’ll put off solving the problem and address this first.

“No more elf slaves.”

In Hera’s case, it was really unavoidable, for the peace of the world.

There was no other choice but to accept her as a slave, or she would become a villain.

But there was no reason to accept others as slaves.

No, it would be troublesome if elves came to me wanting to become slaves.

Having elf slaves is a crime.

‘Come to think of it, this is absurd.’

Slaves are usually forcibly captured, sold here and there, and made to do things they don’t want to do.

But why on earth are these guys voluntarily trying to become slaves? It’s really beyond me.

“If, if not a slave, then what should I do….”

Hera’s green eyes shook violently.

It seemed she had misunderstood something.

“You don’t need to do anything. I told you before, didn’t I? If you need help, come to me anytime.”

“But that way, I can’t repay your kindness….”

I knew she would say that.

What should I do about this old-fashioned personality?

‘Huh…?’

At that moment, Franz had an epiphany.

If Hera is fixated on becoming a slave, wouldn’t it be best to use that?

“Are you going to keep bringing up favors and such?”

“Franz, elves give, but….”

“Then just don’t become my slave. Let’s consider the promise void.”

“…Huh?”

Quite flustered, Hera froze with her eyes wide open.

Seeing her like that, Franz awkwardly scratched his head.

It seemed like a good idea at first, but after saying it, it felt like a threat, making him uncomfortable.

But after thinking about it, it felt absurd.

It’s not like he was threatening her to become a slave, but rather threatening her *not* to. Where in the world does that happen?

Haah—.

It was the moment Franz sighed.

The light in Hera’s eyes slowly began to fade.

“I… then what am I for…?”

Hera murmured softly.

What are you living for? You’re living for the other elves and the World Tree.

…Saying that would just complicate things.

“So just accept it. I’m saying I’ll be your sl… Saying it like that sounds weird. Anyway, I’m saying I’ll grant your request. So just let it go.”

“My slave…? Then I, Franz, can be your slave…?”

Life had returned to Hera’s eyes as she spoke.

The disappointment that filled her face was replaced with anticipation.

Why was she reacting only to that part?

He wondered if she actually enjoyed the idea of being a slave.

Regardless, what Hera said was correct.

Between villainess and slave, slave was the obvious choice.

“Yes, the promise remains. Just accept it as a favor.”

“Th, Thank you…!”

Hera, her voice on the verge of tears, bowed her head deeply.

Her obsession with slavery seemed to deepen with each passing day….

‘Well, it’ll be fine.’

Anyway, deciding to become a slave would only come after rescuing all the elf slaves.

It would take at least several decades, so you can rest assured.

Anyway, let’s end the story about elf slaves here and move on to the main topic.

“Let’s go inside and talk first.”

“Yeah, let’s do that.”

Soon, the two stepped inside the tower.

Hera looked around, moving her head this way and that, fascinated by the interior of the tower.

Whenever someone passed by, she pressed down on the hood she was wearing.

She still seemed wary of humans other than the hero party.

Then, suddenly, Hera spoke.

“Franz, if you are the master of the tower, are you the owner of this tall building?”

“Well, for now, yes. Someday I’ll have to retire and pass it on to someone else.”

The problem is, there is no one qualified to inherit it yet.

Well, I guess time will solve that.

“I see. So where do you live now? Do you have a separate house?”

“I do everything here – work, eat, sleep. But why do you ask?”

“I thought it would be good to know where I would live if I became a slave.”

Hera’s voice was very calm.

As if it were a matter of course.

Franz, who would become her master, was stunned.

Seeing her so obsessed made him feel uneasy for some reason.

It seemed like she would come straight to him, asking to be made a slave, without rescuing the elf slaves.

After that, Hera continued to look around, and Franz remained silent.

After a while, they reached the top of the tower.

Passing through a long corridor, they opened the door to the master’s room, and inside was Arian.

She was organizing the documents scattered on the floor.

Feeling puzzled, Franz spoke.

“Arian, what are you doing?”

“Oh, Master of the Tower. You came early….”

Arian trailed off without finishing her sentence.

Her gaze was directed not at Franz, but at Hera beside him.

Franz felt that her gaze was strangely sharp, but dismissed it as his imagination and spoke.

“I was on my way to Justia, but I met a guest on the way.”

“Ah, I see… But I’m sorry. I spilled the documents on the floor, and it might take some time to organize them. If you don’t mind, could you please continue your conversation without me?”

Arian smiled brightly.

Her gaze was still directed at Hera.

But Franz couldn’t comply with her request.

Being with Arian would surely make Hera uncomfortable.

Snap.

When Franz snapped his fingers, the documents scattered on the floor floated into the air and were neatly arranged on the desk.

At the same time, a dumbfounded sound escaped Arian’s lips.

“Ah…?”

“Is it done now? Don’t worry about it and go.”

“But…”

Arian looked back and forth between Hera and Franz.

Then she sighed and slumped her shoulders.

“Alright…”

With those words, Arian trudged out of the tower master’s room.

Franz felt a sense of wonder at her forlorn figure.

Is something wrong with her?

But now was not the time to worry about such things.

He felt sorry for Arian, but he would have to ask her later.

“Hera, would you like some tea?”

“Isn’t that something a slave should do…?”

“You’re not a slave yet. So, do you want it or not?”

“Then I’ll have some.”

“Alright, sit there and wait.”

At Franz’s words, Hera immediately sat on the sofa.

Like a dog obedient to its master.

What is this?

There shouldn’t be any problem, right?

Franz felt a strange sense of discomfort at her actions and moved his steps.

Then he carefully brewed the tea and brought it to the table.

“Here, drink.”

“I will.”

Hera carefully sipped the steaming cup of tea.

Seeing the smile spreading on her lips, it seemed to suit her taste.

Franz, who also sipped his tea, put down the cup and spoke.

“Explain in detail what’s going on.”

“Actually, Franz, shortly after you left, something strange started happening to the World Tree.”

“Something strange?”

“Yes, the leaves began to wither, and the branches became so weak that they were breaking off. I sought advice from the Spirit King, but he only said it was due to an evil force and didn’t explain anything else. I tried to solve it within the tribe if possible, but it didn’t work out…”

Hera’s voice was quite gloomy.

It was certainly a situation that warranted it.

The World Tree was something the elves cherished more than their lives.

Not only had they failed to protect it with their own strength, but they were also asking for help from someone who had already once done them a favor, so it was natural to feel gloomy.

But the problem is…

“Evil force…?”

I would have to see it to know for sure, but I somehow feel like it might be related to the cultists.

The ‘magic’ they use fits perfectly with the term ‘evil force.’

Of course, demons also use magic, but it’s hard to think they would have hidden in the Great Forest after the end of the Demon War.

“As the power of the World Tree weakens, the trees of the Great Forest are also withering. The animals and plants that lived in the Great Forest are also experiencing confusion. I’m really sorry, but it’s a very urgent situation.”

“I understand what the problem is. It’s hard to give a definite answer, but I’ll do what I can.”

“Thank you, thank you so much…!”

Hera jumped up from her seat and repeatedly bowed her head in gratitude.

She even tried to kneel on the floor, which I barely managed to stop.

Something really feels off.

There doesn’t seem to be a problem, but I feel a strange sense of alienation.

Anyway, if we know what the problem is, we should move immediately.

As Hera said, the situation is urgent.

“Hera, let’s go to Justia.”

“The saintess…?”

“Yes.”

She’s the best at purifying demonic energy.

Soon, Franz headed to the Saint Serpia Cathedral with Hera.

And there, they met Justia.

“The, the Great Forest?!”

Justia’s eyes widened.