Dark Fantasy Normalized-Chapter 69

She thought to herself.

Humans truly were—

"Friends? You bitch. A Dark Elf like you? You think we’re friends just because we humored you for a bit?"

"Hahaha, Wilhelm! Did you really become friends with a Dark Elf in such a short time?"

"Shut your mouth before I rip your tongue out. Hey, Dark Elf, don’t you get it yet? You’ve been kidnapped. Hand over everything you’ve got."

Humans truly were—

"Wait. This Dark Elf chick. Now that I take a closer look, she’s actually pretty good-looking, isn’t she?"

Humans truly were—

"...Should we have a little fun with her before selling her off as a slave?"

"Are you serious? You’d mess with a Dark Elf? What if you catch a disease or a curse—"

A vile and despicable race.

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▶ Fate 17: A Despicable Race

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Fwoosh.

The paper in Katria's hand went up in flames.

"Document every detail of how Dark Elf slaves were treated."

That was the command Katria had given to Resha, using the slave’s imprinting mark.

The paper Katria had just burned contained an explicit account of what her sibling had endured while in human hands.

"Aaaah!"

As the contents of the paper replayed in her mind, Katria tore Resha’s clothes to shreds.

She forced the naked woman to roll in the filth of the city’s back alleys, then dressed her in rags soaked in the stench of decay.

According to the slave trader, that was how Dark Elf slaves were commonly treated.

***

"You want to buy slaves?"

Ugh—

Resha involuntarily shot a look of contempt at the Honorary Mage standing before her.

In situations like this, people usually thought, "Ah! He must have a special connection to Dark Elves and couldn't stand by idly!"

But more often than not, the prevailing thought was, "Ah, so he's interested in bleaching a Dark Elf's skin and indulging in some twisted fun!"

Resha's assessment of him took a sharp turn.

His appearance, which evoked an impression of "kind of cute?" and his relaxed demeanor that made him seem approachable, no longer fooled her. It was clear that there was a reason this man was a mage of the Tower.

Surely, he was as much of an eccentric as any of the other mages she'd encountered.

He probably wore that friendly face in public, but once he returned to his laboratory, he would surely engage in every manner of depravity.

His mansion or laboratory must be filled with the fruits of his perverse desires.

For example, hybrids born from combining two completely different species, demons or magical beasts with their teeth removed and trained to be obedient, or monstrous beings who hid terrifying natures beneath beautiful exteriors.

"Is there a problem?"

Whatever he thought of her expression, Lisir stepped forward even more assertively.

"How much fun does he want to have with a Dark Elf slave?"

Resha suppressed her disgust and forced a merchant's smile onto her face.

"Well, that depends—"

She glanced at the Dark Elf, Katria.

Resha was just a slave. The real decision-making authority lay with her.

Finally, the command came through the slave imprint, carrying her master's voice.

—What!?

An unexpected order had been issued to the slave.

***

The first emotion Katria felt was extreme disgust and revulsion.

Imagining humans treating her like an object while projecting all their twisted desires onto her filled her with a simmering rage.

The next emotion she felt was humiliation.

Even if she was only pretending to be a slave, the mere thought of being considered a "purchasable commodity" by a man was unthinkable.

It was something she had never even dreamed of.

The city of red cliffs, unfolding alongside the sea as one reached the peak of endless sandy dunes.

Katria, the noble daughter of the Sahila family, who ruled Kehlin, had been the flower atop the cliff in that place.

From common women to noblemen,

Countless people vied for Lady Sahila’s attention, willing to sacrifice anything for even a glimpse of her veiled face.

Many nobles had ruined themselves financially, showering her with lavish gifts and hosting party after party to gain her favor.

And now, someone dared to say they wanted to purchase Lady Katria.

Had such words been uttered in Kehlin, the speaker would quickly learn the number of stones scattered across its streets firsthand.

And just how sharp Kehlin’s swords were.

Even Katria herself wouldn’t have entertained such audacity back in Kehlin.

Who dared to assign a price to her worth?

The pride of a Dark Elf noble wasn’t so fragile as to be scratched by mere words.

"You want to buy me? Some disgusting human trash?"

…But Katria was deeply scratched.

The noble Dark Elf was in a fragile state of mind.

She had endured countless acts of disdain and discrimination since arriving in human lands.

Though Katria tried to dismiss it all as "just humans being humans," her attempts were not entirely successful.

Unbeknownst to her, a subtle inferiority complex had taken root deep within her heart.

That was why she couldn’t let Lisir’s words slide.

She couldn’t simply stand by and take it.

She felt she wouldn’t be satisfied until she returned the humiliation tenfold.

Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freewebnσvel.cøm.

—Sell me.

Katria commanded Resha through the slave imprint.

—Make it impossible for him to buy me by setting an exorbitant price.

If the Dark Elves of Kehlin were to learn of this, they would have wept in despair.

—Lady Sahila herself is assigning a price to her pride in an effort to recover it!!!

Katria knew her actions were not righteous.

But at this moment, it wasn’t reason driving her—it was emotion.

A storm of negative feelings toward humans.

"Ahem, well, I suppose there’s no harm in selling her."

Resha immediately put on her merchant’s facade and carried out Katria’s command.

She didn’t hesitate, knowing that executing her master’s unreasonable orders was a test of her skills as a merchant.

"Look here. Do you see this flawless, unblemished skin? It’s as smooth as black pearl. And her glossy hair, with its soft pink undertone, is as rare as the finest silk. Her eyes, resembling pink diamonds, are truly unique—"

"I guarantee you, you’ll never encounter a slave more beautiful than this in your lifetime."

There was no need to exaggerate to assign an astronomical price to Katria.

The simple truth was more than enough.

In fact, a slave of Katria’s caliber was worth a fortune.

Resha often thought while watching Katria, who pretended to be a slave:

"If she weren’t a Dark Elf, her value would rival that of an entire castle."

"So, if you wish to purchase her, the price will be—"

And thus, the price was set.

"..."

Lisir’s expression twisted into a grimace.

That expression brought to Katria’s mind a flood of memories.

The sight of humans hiding their true, hideous selves behind thin masks of civility.

"Know your place, despicable humans."

"You’re that desperate? Do you want my body that badly?"

"Disgusting creatures. You curse and despise us as hideous monsters, but when overcome by lust, you’re no different from animals."

The Dark Elf who had once looked at humans with pure curiosity was no more.

Katria now fully embraced the hatred she had learned from them.

And she was also ready to employ the deceit she had learned from humans.

"This man... is my only lead to finding my brother, Drian."

Katria recalled the guild leaders who had met Lisir before her.

Other humans’ requests.

The search for a Dark Elf.

Which of the two would humans prioritize?

There was no need to think too hard about it.

"They’ll likely postpone anything involving Drian until the very last moment. After all, they don’t care about a cursed Dark Elf."

Thus, Katria decided to use the man before her.

To exploit the desire he harbored for her.

The Dark Elf mistress gave her human slave another command.

"What? You’re offering to lend me your Dark Elves?"

"They’re resourceful women. I’m sure they’ll be a great help to you, Sir Lisir, given your busy schedule."

"..."

Lisir’s expression twisted further.

Was it really acceptable to treat them as if they were objects to be borrowed?

His gaze turned to Katria.

She bowed her head obediently toward him.

Lisir found her attire increasingly unsettling.

Those reeking rags that could barely be called clothes.

What kind of treatment did she usually endure?

How had she ended up as a slave in the first place?

Most of the slaves in this world wore chains as punishment for crimes they had committed.

But this woman, Katria, didn’t seem like a criminal in any sense.

If anything, she seemed... like a noble?

Was it more likely she had committed a crime and been enslaved,

or that she had been caught up in an unjust situation while dealing with slave traders who frequented the underworld?

"Ah, damn it, this is driving me crazy."

Lisir couldn’t stop thinking of his mentor, Famon, and her radiant, lively smile.

Surely, even a Dark Elf like this, stripped of emotion and identity, could smile just as brightly?

"Then, I will accept your kind offer."

Lisir made up his mind.

He would find a way to set these Dark Elves free.

***

“...”

Katria sneered inwardly.

The human's reaction had been exactly as she expected, not straying even a little.

An upright Tower Mage accepting help from a Dark Elf?

Does the mere thought disgust you?

Oh? But when you look at my body, you’re suddenly eager to go along with it?

How could someone be so simple?

How could someone be so vile?

"I will serve you with utmost devotion."

At this point, Katria even felt a strange sense of gratitude.

It was as if the lingering traces of hesitation and guilt within her had vanished entirely.

“...”

And so, Katria became temporarily "owned" by Lisir.

By the time the meeting between the Tower Mage and the guild leaders ended, the streets were bathed in the hues of sunset.

Katria followed Lisir into the reddening streets.

"I have some errands to run. Could you go on ahead and wait for me?"

After dismissing the others, Lisir led Katria to a certain location.

"Do you see anything you like here?"

It was a clothing store—

And not just any clothing store, but one that specialized in high-end items.

"...No."

"Oh, is that so? Then, um... I’ll choose something myself."

Katria realized Lisir’s intentions only after they arrived at the lodging provided by the Tower.

A house-style lodging.

The first thing Lisir did, upon casually bringing a Dark Elf slave into this space, was subtly gesture toward the bathroom and suggest she bathe.

While offering her the clothes he had just picked out.

Katria silently burst into laughter.

Could his actions be any more transparent?

The first thing he does upon obtaining a slave is to bathe her and dress her in expensive clothes.

What would his next move be?

It was as clear as day.

Even as this played out, Lisir’s gaze lingered uncomfortably on Katria’s body—or more precisely, the rags she wore.

"What kind of clothing is that? When was the last time she even bathed? Tsk."

Suppressing her nausea, Katria spoke.

"Please withdraw your orders. If Miss Resha finds out I used Sir Lisir’s facilities, she will surely punish me severely."

"Oh... I see."

So, even the Honorary Mage of the Tower cares about appearances?

His indecisiveness, torn between actions and preserving his dignity, was almost laughable.

How could he come this far and still feel shame?

If he abandoned his useless pride, he could have what he wanted.

Katria mocked the pathetic pride of humans while feeling grateful for it at the same time.

Because of that pride, she was spared an experience she considered worse than death—for now.

“...”

After gauging her mood, Lisir cautiously broke the silence.

"Ah, now that I think about it, we haven’t properly introduced ourselves yet. My name is Lisir."

"Tia."

It was a fake name she had made up on the spot, no longer willing to share her true name with humans.

"Very well, Miss Tia. If I may ask, is there anything you need?"

“...”

"Ah, and please, don’t hesitate to ask. I intend to collect a proper payment for my generosity, so that Resha person won’t have any reason to scold you."

"Payment? What do you mean?"

Lisir smiled awkwardly.

"I’d like to get to know you better, Miss Tia."

The humans she had met so far.

The performances they had put on for her.

From that experience, Katria recognized Lisir’s words as a euphemism for physical indulgence.

It seemed he was determined to pursue her body by any means necessary.

Katria bowed her head, tightly sealing her lips.

She had to endure this moment, no matter what. Even if it meant suffering physical abuse at his hands.

Unexpectedly, Lisir turned away from her without much hesitation.

"...Well, it’s not like this is my only chance."

He left behind a chillingly repulsive remark.

***

Katria sat on the edge of the bed in her assigned room, deep in thought.

A moment later, she opened her eyes and pulled out a small vial, about the length of her index finger, from her robes.

Inside the vial was a semi-transparent, pale purple liquid.

It was Clouded Truth, a potent poison used by Dark Elves during interrogations of criminals.

The poison stripped its drinker of their will, turning them into a puppet who only responded to specific commands.

Katria considered her options.

How could she ensure that a human would prioritize rescuing a Dark Elf slave above all else, even the most critical matters?

The solution that came to mind was simple: make Lisir drink the Clouded Truth.

If he consumed it, Lisir would use every resource at his disposal to find Katria’s missing brother.

And when it was all over, he would become an empty shell of a man.

There was no antidote for Clouded Truth.

It would mark the end of Lisir's life as he knew it.

Throb.

Katria felt a strange discomfort as she questioned herself.

Was this truly the right thing to do?

"Wilhelm! Snap out of it! We need to run while we still can!"

"You idiots! Who knows what kind of curse that Dark Elf witch has put on us! We need to kill her!"

“...”

Katria’s resolve hardened as she gripped the vial tightly.

Unexpectedly, the opportunity presented itself quickly.

Katria quietly handled various chores around the lodging, and Lisir accepted her assistance as though it were the most natural thing in the world.

The night after Katria became Lisir's "property," she waited for him to return from his errands and offered him a cup of tea.

"Ah, thank you."

He drank it without hesitation.

The tea laced with Clouded Truth.

“...”

─────

[He resisted.]

─────

Katria clenched and unclenched her sweaty palms.

It was done.

Now, all that was left was to wait for the poison to take effect.

But how Lisir interpreted Katria’s tense demeanor was anyone’s guess—

He lifted the teacup toward her and smiled.

He thought to himself:

It seemed the Dark Elf was finally beginning to open her heart to him.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

There was something he wanted to discuss with her, related to the progress he had made that day.

The first task Lisir had undertaken after yesterday’s meeting was to search for the Dark Elf slave Resha had mentioned.

As a result, Lisir had uncovered a name.

"Miss Tia, do you happen to know someone named Drian?"

"What?"

Katria, who had been carefully suppressing all emotions and keeping her true self hidden since joining Lisir, finally displayed a genuine reaction: confusion.

The name of her missing brother had suddenly fallen from his lips.

And then, he said something even more unbelievable.

"Miss Tia, if—just hypothetically—you were given the chance to escape with your kin, what would you do?"

“...”

Katria’s mouth opened and closed wordlessly.

Her gaze was now fixed on the teacup in Lisir’s hand.