Chapter 111: CH 110

Chapter 110 – Master and Subordinate

We had been using the [Teleport Crystal] far too often in succession, so we went straight back to the island on the [Jet Book].

Ior was surprised to see monsters working on the island, but after hearing from Yofel that the monsters weren’t dangerous, he seemed to be relieved.

Just as we were about to enter the house to discuss what Yofel and Ior would be doing from here on, Yofel stopped me, so I asked her what was wrong.

Yofel suddenly knelt down in front of me.

“―Bouchi, I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for us.” (Yofel)

“Don’t worry about that. Please stand back up. I already signed an agreement with you for your labor from now on.” (Bouchi)

“That’s also true, but please hear me out.” (Yofel)

It seemed she had no intention of getting back to her feet.

“….Sigh. Fine. What is it?” (Bouchi)

Under these circumstances, I had no choice but to listen to her. The others also watched the situation in silence.

“We elves are a species that lives for a long, long time.” (Yofel)

I had heard that there were apparently elven elders who were said to have easily lived over a thousand years.

“During their long lives, elves are divided into two ways of life.” (Bouchi)

“….Hoh?” (Bouchi)

“One is to continue living in the forest until the end of their natural lifespans, giving birth to children and raising them.” (Yofel)

There was nothing strange about that. That was the way that humans normally lived, too.

“And the other way is to find a master to whom you can devote yourself wholly. Live by their side and die by their side.” (Yofel)

“…A master?” (Bouchi)

“That’s right. Traveling the world and seeking a master who is worthy. Then, continuing to serve that master for eternity.” (Yofel)

“Bouchi…No, Bouchi Hiro-sama. Will you be my master?” (Yofel)

So that’s really what it was.

“…In other words, you want to serve me?” (Bouchi)

“Yes. I feel that you are someone worthy of being my master. Well?” (Yofel)

“Well, why me? I’m no eminent figure, nor have I accomplished anything. And to you, I’m an otherworlder, aren’t I?” (Bouchi)

“Of course, I’m aware of that fact. It goes without saying that I owe you a debt of gratitude for saving my little brother’s life, but that is not the only reason I came to this decision. I know that you are powerful enough to control monsters and that deep down, you are also a person with a strong heart. I became enamored with that unyielding, king-like temperament of yours.” (Yofel)

“A king, you say… I just don’t want to yield to something I can’t agree with.” (Bouchi)

That was the conviction I inherited from my father, and it had also become my own way of life.

“And there’s one more thing. The elders of my village passed on this prophecy to me when I was a child.” (Yofel)

“Prophecy?” (Bouchi)

When I asked her what it was, she recited it smoothly.

‘In a faraway land, you will encounter the person with whom you will spend the rest of your life. This person will be the strong-hearted king of an island, with many monsters at his employ. You will be saved by him and swear an eternal oath to him.’

The circumstances it was speaking of certainly did apply to me, but didn’t it seem a little too convenient of a development…?

“As a result, when you brought me here, I recalled that prophecy, and as impudent as it may seem, I have been carefully observing you. I have determined beyond doubt that you are the master I will serve for the rest of my life.” (Yofel)

“….It might just be made up, you know?” (Bouchi)

“Then please cut me down and discard me right here and now.” (Yofel)

“C-Cut you down?! Huh? What are you talking about all of a sudden?!” (Bouchi)

“Elves are a species that only serve one person for their entire life. If they cannot serve their master, it is the obligation of the elf to end their lives there and face the afterlife.” (Yofel)

Oi, who made up such a dangerous obligation?!

“H-Hey, it’s not like you set out on a journey or anything to come here, you know? You suddenly happened across a light pocket and had no choice but to be transported here.” (Bouchi)

“That can also be considered a journey, but one across time and space. Originally, you and I should never have been able to meet. But the wheel of fate turned, and we were able to run into each other like this. The prophecy was right. I don’t want to miss this opportunity.” (Yofel)

Honestly, I didn’t have any problems with it as long as she worked loyally for me. Elves were deeply intriguing beings to me, and even though we had only known each other for a short time, I knew that she was someone who upheld her oaths.

It wasn’t much different from my number of Familiars increasing by 1, so to speak. So I didn’t really mind it, but…

…it still felt kind of heavy.

It was true that Sol and the others were under an oath of loyalty to me, but in the end, that was only because of how the system of ‘Familiars’ worked.

But Yofel was different. She could think for herself, and out of all the choices available to her, she chose me.

And her eyes…

She was gazing directly at me, her eyes not wavering even a millimeter. It was good that she was single-minded, but if put in a different way, it felt like being fixated upon by the eyes of a stalker, making me tremble somewhat.

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Well, that went to show how strong her loyalty was, but it was my first time receiving this kind of treatment from a human… no, a humanoid being.

But… if it was her, I felt like perhaps she wouldn’t betray me.

“…Fine.” (Bouchi)

“Really, Master?! Will you really be my master from now on? Masteeer!” (Yofel)

“No, I mean, you’re already calling me Master, aren’t you…?” (Bouchi)

Isn’t she a bit too excited about this?

“Of course I’m excited! For an elf seeking out a master, this is the most important crossroads! And just because an elf sets out on a journey to find a master doesn’t mean they’ll necessarily find one! There are many elves who die in the midst of their quest. And among all this, I was brought here through a dramatic turn of fate! How can I not be delighted?!” (Yofel)

“Okay, okay, I get it! No need to go that far, alright?” (Bouchi)

Still, for her to believe in something as unreliable as a prophecy… Come to think of it, when Yofel first came to the island, she did say something about that.

Maybe she knew that our encounter was connected to that prophecy, and she had always been observing me to get conclusive evidence that that was the case.

“Then, allow me to introduce myself once more.” (Yofel)

Yofel knelt down, holding her bow in both hands and offering it up to me. I gingerly picked up her bow, and she instructed me to hold out her palm, to which I complied.

Then, Yofel bit her thumb, causing it to bleed. She rubbed her finger against my palm.

I almost withdrew my hand in surprise, but I stopped myself when I realized that it was a ritual of sorts.

“My name is Yofel Sanbraun. I will become my master’s bow. I hereby vow that I will stand by my master’s side until the end of my life.”

Immediately after she said that, the blood smeared on my palm glowed, then vanished as if it sunk in.

“The blood pact is now complete. My little brother and I will be in your care from here on, Master.” (Yofel)

“…You can take it a bit more easily. Acting all formal like this is a bit too stiff for me.” (Bouchi)

“Is that an order?” (Yofel)

“…That’s an order.” (Bouchi)

With the way the conversation was flowing, I foresaw things going more smoothly if I simply worded that way.

“As you command. But would it perhaps be better for me to change my speech too, not just my behavior?” (Yofel)

“You can do as you please on that end as well. The other Familiars have also been free to treat me how they choose.” (Bouchi)

“Oh, that’s right. I must first greet my many other seniors. Sol-dono, Shiki-dono, Izu-dono, I am Yofel, Master’s new servant. I look forward to working with you all in the future.”

“Oohh~! A new friend!” (Sol)

“Yes, let us devote ourselves to protecting our lord.” (Shiki)

“Fufu. Even though she isn’t a Familiar, I am sure that this elf servant will prove useful to Master. I extend my warm welcome to you.” (Izu)

It seemed that none of the three seemed unwilling to accept Yofel into the group.

“Ah, but what about Ior-kun? Will Ior-kun take Master as his master, too?” (Sol)

“No, it’s still too early for him. He’s still only 7 years old. It’s not until age 10 that elves are allowed to depart on a journey in search of a master. So it wouldn’t be possible for him… Would it be okay for him to stay here?” (Yofel)

“I don’t mind.” (Bouchi)

“Ooh! As expected of Master’s generosity!” (Yofel)

No, it’s just that innocent children are welcome here. Besides, he was Yofel’s younger brother, so I surely couldn’t refuse.

But this was a welcome miscalculation on my part. I had only requested Yofel’s labor, but I was glad that I was unexpectedly able to earn her loyalty.

After this incident, I was also able to get an understanding of Yofel’s ability to fight monsters. Although she wasn’t as strong as Shiki, she probably had the ability to handle B-Rank monsters on her own.

No, if she used her <Illusion> skill, she should be able to fight against even higher-ranked opponents.

With that, it would be easier for her to clear dungeons.

“Izu, show Yofel and Ior around the island.” (Bouchi)

“Certainly. Then you two, please allow me to show you around.” (Izu)

The two elves then left with Izu.

“Master, what now? Are you going to go back to doing business now?” (Sol)

“No, we have new friends on our island today. Let’s have a welcoming party.” (Bouchi)

“Wow! Then Master is going to make a lot of food today, right?!” (Sol)

“Hahah, right. That’s the plan.” (Bouchi)

“Yay! Master, Master! Sol wants to eat mashed potatoes!” (Sol)

Man, she’s crazy about that, huh…?

Well, I didn’t mind if that was what made her happy. It was cheap to make after all.

I went into the house to cook a celebratory meal to welcome Yofel and Ior.

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