Published: September 10, 2025
※From the perspective of Tifaliza, a slave belonging to the Echigoya Trading Company.
※Typo corrections made on 2015/9/25.
“Tifaliza, have you received any contact from Sir Kuro yet?”
“Not yet.”
Elterina’s behavior today is strange.
Usually calm, composed, and dignified as the female manager of the Echigoya Trading Company, today she seems almost as if she’s about to break into a dance while humming a tune.
For her to be this elated, something really good must have happened.
If only I had interpersonal skills good enough to ask, “Did something good happen?” maybe I wouldn’t have ended up a slave. But even if I try to be conscious of it, it’s hard to change one’s nature.
A figure appeared in the center of the office—the owner of the Echigoya Trading Company and my master, Sir Kuro.
“Sir Kuro! Welcome back!”
Elterina quickly rushed to the white-haired master.
The other executives and I all have a favorable impression of Sir Kuro, but probably not as much as she does.
However, grabbing Sir Kuro’s hand so suddenly seems a bit lacking in employee decorum.
Even if Sir Kuro doesn’t mind—that’s too much, especially entwining fingers!
Elterina intertwined her fingers and brought his hand close to her chest—quick, I have to stop her!
“Sir Kuro, here is a high-priority report. Please review it.”
“Understood.”
Sir Kuro pulled Elterina’s hand away and accepted the documents I handed over.
Elterina gave me a resentful look, but that’s inevitable—she overdid it.
â—‡
“Sir Kuro, may I have a moment?”
Once the reports settled, Elterina blushed and asked Sir Kuro for permission to speak.
“What is it?”
“I apologize for bringing up a personal matter, but I have a report regarding my marriage proposal.”
Elterina’s “marriage proposal” must be about the neighboring Viscount Satou Pendragon.
He’s a Mithril explorer, the Vice Minister of Tourism established under the Prime Minister’s endorsement, and the promising young noble betrothed to Sixth Princess Sistina, who is the Crown Prince Soltric’s full sister.
“You mean Viscount Pendragon?”
“Yes, it has been successfully called off!”
She always looked gloomy about this arranged marriage brought by her powerful noble guardians.
Now that it’s broken off, she seems so uplifted.
“I’m glad you’re happy.”
At Sir Kuro’s words, I furrowed my brow slightly.
That sounds like—
“Did Sir Kuro go to great lengths to make it happen?”
“Yes.”
Though it’s a joyful thing, something unsettled my heart.
—Is this jealousy, perhaps?
I recalled the first day of labyrinth training.
At that time, watching Elterina and the other executives being carried by Sir Kuro, and the embarrassment and joy I felt when he carried me—it’s the same feeling.
—It seems I, like Elterina, have feelings of love for Sir Kuro.
“Tifaliza!”
Elterina spread her arms wide to embrace Sir Kuro, but I grabbed her waistband to stop her.
“—Tifa?”
“Elterina, Sir Kuro’s story isn’t finished yet.”
I said to her with a look as if that was the reason from the start.
“Are you aware that this form of mine is not my true one?”
Sir Kuro asked, and Elterina and I both nodded our assent.
Normally perfect, but around year-end when he looked sleepy, the position of his cheek scar was slightly off, the number of stitches differed, and his choice of words was just a little different.
Probably only Elterina and I have noticed this.
“This form was created so I can act without constraints.”
“So, Sir Kuro is the same person as the hero Nameless!”
“That’s right.”
Elterina trembled with joy at Sir Kuro’s confirmation.
It’s understandable, hearing that the person she admires is the hero who saved the nation.
But I also consider the hero Nameless persona to be temporary, much like Sir Kuro’s usual form.
“And this form is my original true form.”
“What! No way!”
Elterina’s eyes widened in shock and she took a step back.
Of course, it’s not ugly.
His face is a bit flat, but a face is just a thin layer of skin—only one factor among many that attract the opposite sex.