《22 Date with Eleanor?》
As I walked out of the Adventurer’s Guild, I looked at Eleanor next to me and thought more deeply about the feelings I had just become aware of.
Do I love ……? Looking back, I …… spent my days training single-mindedly after I left Airi and Lisa.
Wielding swords, casting spells, and using a variety of skills.
I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Did I do something wrong in my head that time?”
Nevertheless, I still managed to make it through, and I think it was all down to sheer willpower.
To never let it break, to never let it bend.
It is the power of the will to establish the absolute self.
With a vow to never give in to unreasonable violence and to never give in to unreasonable power.
Hmmm, I’m a little off in my thinking. Anyway, I guess it’s because I’ve been living such a life for so long that seeing Eleanor so attached to me like this makes my heart grow fonder.
After all, I haven’t smiled in a long time. It was definitely Eleanor who reminded me to smile for the first time in a long time, and it’s one of her charms.
She probably doesn’t realize it herself, but her demeanor is tender and soft. here’s something reassuring about that――.
「Master? Do I have something on my face?」
I think I’ve been staring at Eleanor too long, and she’s tilting her head in puzzlement.
「No, it’s nothing. I was just thinking about how fortunate I am to have met Eleanor.」
When she heard my comment, her face gradually turned red. Yeah, it’s just plain cute.
Earlier, at the adventurer’s guild, she got jealous of the receptionist. Even though we have just met, has she fallen for me?
To be honest, I don’t really understand the subtleties of men and women. Even for Eleanor, who seemed so straightforward, I was lost. If she’d told me straight, I’d understand as expected.
「Master, do you really think so?」
「Ah, it’s true. Let’s go get some groceries and sundries.」
「We have to go!」
After walking around the city for a while, Eleanor, who was moving her eyes impatiently, tugged on my arm.
「That meat and fruit looks delicious!」
As she said this, drool was dripping from her mouth.
I bought both of the things Eleanor pointed at and tried the fruit and the grilled kushiyaki skewers.
Just because I felt like it looked good too. I know I’ve just eaten at the inn a while ago, but I can’t help but think that it looks delicious in the food stalls.
And I don’t know why, but I think she’s good at finding good food. I she just good as a glutton? I walked around eating, thinking silly things like this.
「Hmm, this tastes better than I expected.」
「It’s delicious! I’m happy to be with my master, and to eat good food!」
Eleanor mouthed the words and showed a charmed expression.
And then I saw it, and my heart surged. Huh, why does she look so happy?
Are you really that happy? Do you really believe in me?
I still don’t fully trust Eleanor, though.
The proof of this is the collar of slavery around her neck. The fact that I still haven’t removed that thing – that’s shows how I feel.
Still, Eleanor gives me that look.
Up until now, she had lived through a painful past. As far as I’ve heard, she was not loved by her parents and was used by them from a young age, becoming a slave. …… Still, she has never shown any sign that her past was painful or anything like that since she came to be with me.
When I see Eleanor like that, I feel ridiculous that I’m the only one who doesn’t trust her. I can tell from the way she behaves that she is exposing all of herself to me. …… Well, there is also the power of 〈Intuition〉.
I hate being betrayed, but I am convinced right now that she will never betray me.
「Master? The sauce is spilling out of the meat and onto your hands!」
Eleanor tells me, and I notice. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s a shame…….
What I was just thinking about is embarrassing and I need to make sure she don’t find out.
「I guess I was just a little spaced out ―― hey!」
Suddenly, I felt something soft on my hand……
「This sauce ―― it’s delicious! It’s a waste!」
This girl was forcibly saying the words, while licking my hand …… no, licking the sauce from my hand.
「Fuuー It was delicious! 」
「Ahaahaa」
I unconsciously erupt into a fit of laughter.
What? That’s too funny! How much of a glutton are you! Huh, she really is so innocent, isn’t she?
Eleanor tilted her head when I suddenly started laughing. I said to her.
「If you want to eat that much, I’ll buy you more.」
「Is it true? I’m so happy!」
Eleanor said, hugging me.
I’m tempted to take off the collar of her slavery, but there’s no way I’m going to do it in the middle of all this traffic.
「【Clean】」
After using magic to clean up my hands, which were covered in Eleanor’s saliva, we headed towards the stall we had just left.
After that, I bought some small sundries and some groceries, especially vegetables and fruits.
No matter how much money I have, it’s never enough, so I’ll have to fulfill requests as soon as possible. As it is, I can’t buy anything that looks delicious and expensive.
With these thoughts in mind, I returned to the inn with Eleanor.
◆ ◆ ◆
「Eleanor, you ate a lot earlier. Would you like to skip dinner?」
「It’s all right!」
「So, yeah, ……, don’t push yourself too hard, okay?」
Master is very kind after all. He worries about my stomach.
「I can still eat!」
「O, oh. I’m going to lie down for now, so if you need anything, just let me know. My stomach is full……」
「I understand!」
Then the master lay down in bed. I think about it as I watch him.
The day I met this person…… For me, it was a fateful encounter ―― that day.
It all began that day. My world has changed since then. I used to live a life without dreams and hopes, but since I met Master, every day has been radiant.
Master――
He killed the bandits in no time at all, he is so strong and awesome!
He has all sorts of seasonings and delicious meats, awesome!
He can make baths, set up wards, and he’s good at camping!
He even transferred his new skills to me!
When it comes to seasonings, 『Yakiniku no Tare』 is one of the best! Waa, be careful, be careful. I was drooling a little.
I can’t stop drooling just thinking about it, that thing is dangerous! But I can’t stop ……!
Ah, Master’s hands were delicious just now, too. The sauce and the master’s taste combined to create an unknown flavour.
That being said, I’ve never heard of transferring skills, and it’s too awesome.
I’ll use the skills Master gave me to get stronger and stronger, and strive to be with him forever and ever!
It hasn’t been long since I met my master, but my heart has been captured by him.
Anyway, he’s so kind, so gentle that I’m in a mess.
He bought me a lot of clothes, bought a scarf to wrap around me to casually hide my slave collar, and even made weapons and armour for me.
We are allowed to eat at the same table, and every day is fun.
And the best part of all was that he protected me from being passed on to other adventurers at the adventurer’s guild.
I have been a slave since I was born, not knowing my mother and not being loved by my father.
As such, it was my first experience of being protected by someone, and it was the first time I learned that being protected was so heartwarming and reassuring.
It was then that I became aware. I was sure I was starving for affection…….
I’ve only known Master for about a week, but I don’t think I can resist anymore.
I’m afraid to think about what will happen if he rejects me.
But I don’t want to put a lid on this feeling. I’m sorry I’m such a cheeky slave.
Yet …… Yet I am ……
He has given me the radiant colours of my world…….
◆ ◆ ◆
「Master, may I have a moment? I have something to tell you.」
「Hmm?」
As I was resting, Eleanor spoke to me.
「I’m sorry interrupting your rest.」
She bows her head and apologizes to me. Hmmm… I was just lying down because my stomach was so full, so I didn’t mind.
What’s does she want to tell me that’s so important? Is it that she don’t want to travel with me because it’s hard? In spite of my doubts, Eleanor began to speak.
「I am very, very grateful to you, Master. It’s hard to put into words. I’ve never been able to feel love in my life.」
I know because I’ve heard that part before. More importantly, her shoulders were shaking.
Is it cold? That thought crossed my mind for a moment, but I quickly reminded myself that it was not.
I don’t feel cold because I’m with her. Could it be that she’ s nervous? But …… why?
「I didn’t get any love from anyone ……, not even my parents, and I didn’t have anyone to give it to or room for it. But when I met Master, I felt a love growing in my heart. I am grateful to Master for so many things.」
Is love growing inside Eleanor?
「I love …… master. I love you! I know I’m a slave and I’m not supposed to tell you this, but I want you to let me love my master. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. So is it …… please ……let me …….」
Was I the one to whom this girl’s affection was directed? …… She began to cry at the end of her confession. If I refuse, there is no place for her feelings to go, and more importantly, considering her position as a slave, I can’t just say『goodbye』because it didn’t work out.
Still – she confessed to me even though she knew it was such a risk.
I remembered what had happened earlier when we were shopping. A year and a half of seeking only strength, and during that time, my mind was exhausted …… and it was Eleanor who healed me.
I can be sure that she and I can …… live together. There’s also the matter of Airi and Lisa…….
First and foremost, I want to respond to her sincere feelings. As soon as I made that decision, I hugged her as she sobbed.
Eleanor looked me in the eye, and I met her gaze in response. Then she shut her eyes.
I didn’t have any experience with this in my previous life either. …… And yet, this is what she’s doing to me. With that in mind, I silently pressed our lips together.
How long had I been doing that? I was so nervous about my first kiss that I wasn’t sure how it would feel, but I slowly, slowly moved my own lips away from Eleanor’s lush lips.
I looked at her face and saw that the tears had subsided, but they were still running down her cheeks a little
「Eleanor. Are you going to follow me for the rest of your life?」
「I’ll follow you all the way to …… all the way! I’ll follow you everywhere!」
After she said that, she hugged me.
What I was thinking about when I was shopping, is now the best time to do it? I thought about that and went straight to whispering in her ear.
「Thank you for loving me. Not as much as Eleanor, not yet. …… Still, I think I love you. I will take this opportunity to free you from slavery. From now on, I want you to stay by my side, not as a slave, but as a person, a girl named Eleanor. Always …… right?」
When I finished, the force of her hug became very strong.
This, I can endure because I’m me, okay? No matter how weak Eleanor still is, any man around here would be screaming, you know? While thinking about this, I remove her scarf.
The collar of slavery can be released by the person who is the master, simply by channeling magic with the intention of releasing it.
I channeled my magic and released Eleanor. I place the collar in the【Item Box】.
◇ ◇ ◇
I notice that something soft is on my chest.
When I looked down to find the cause of the weight, I found Eleanor lying there, looking exactly as she had when she was born.
This girl is soft, smells good, and is comforting. However, I have to do my best to get up because I’m going to take a request today.
With this little bit of determination, I managed to wake up and cast my life magic【Clean】. Then I changed my clothes and went to the inn’s garden first to do a little training.
On the way to training, I was greeted by the innkeeper’s lady and by other guests of the inn, and I felt that the customers here seemed to be good people.
When I returned to my room after finishing my workout, Eleanor seemed to be awake as well.
And as soon as she noticed me, she hugged me.
She seemed to have a little trouble walking on her way to hug me. Seeing this, I felt bad about myself, thinking that I had worked her too hard yesterday.
「Eleanor, are you all right?」
「It’s okay! I was so happy!」
She replied with a fawning smile, and I patted her head as she did so.
I’ve freed her from slavery, but she still prefers to call me Master. Also, the slave collar is no longer there, but she liked the scarf and it looks like she’ll keep it around her neck.
We’ll have breakfast together and then head to the adventurer’s guild.
The innkeeper didn’t say,「Did you have a good time last night? 」 If she had said that, I would have been too embarrassed and would have destroyed this inn.