Master of all masters

The town of Rebeck, lord’s manor.

I laid the unconscious Eternal Slave in a room, then came to the study.

I sat down. Yuria arrived late and gave me her report.

“First, the people who returned from Schreivij.”

“Ah.”

“Mira’s explaining the situation. Number-wise, it’d probably be better to split them up in Beisk.”

“Leave that to you. How are the people of Permi?”

“Men are calm. Right now, Risha’s setting up temporary housing, clothes, and other things on the outskirts of town. The people of Rebeck are helping.”

“Make sure to pay the residents properly for their help. That’s what they deserve.”

Yuria nodded once.

She’s the kind who never slips up on things like this. Still, just to be safe, I gave her a reminder.

“How’s the area around Permi?”

“Maya’s checking it out. I expect a report by nightfall.”

“Ah.”

I nodded.

Once things settled down, I thought, I’ll have to organize the transportation and communication networks somehow.

I mentally sorted through the report Yuria had just given me.

“Tell the people of Permi to stay in Rebeck for now. Promise them we’ll restore Permi once this whole mess with Maximus is settled. You’ve got a bronze card, right? Use it to show them how it’s done.”

“Understood.”

“For now, keep them protected until this business with Maximus is over. Handle it—”

“Just like always.”

Yuria picked up my words mid-sentence.

“Centered on Pusni, guarantee the bare essentials—food, clothes, shelter—and let them do as they please after that.”

“Yeah, that’ll work.”

“Shall I invite them to our side?”

“Under our control? Later. Right now, Maximus comes first.”

“Understood.”

After a few more reports, Yuria left the office.

“…Well then.”

I stood there, dazed for a moment, then got to my feet on impulse.

Left the office, went to the room where the other Eternal Slave was lying down.

The townspeople, Maximus—both on my mind—but something else was weighing heavier.

Carefully, I opened the door and stepped inside.

"Still awake?"

I whispered it, barely more than a breath.

No answer. Still asleep.

I stood beside the bed, looking down at her.

Elven features, just like the others.

Definitely a slave race—the Eternal Slave.

If only she’d just… accept her role without a fight.

Just as I was thinking that, she slowly opened her eyes.

Looked up at the ceiling.

Blinked a few times. Then stared right at me.

Sat up. Fixed me with a steady look.

Now, where to start?

"Are you my master, Rirya?"

“Too fast! I mean, was that recognition just hatched from the egg?!”

I couldn’t help but blurt it out.

I thought, sure, fine, whatever—but not this fast. I just blurted it out.

“Not my master?”

“No, not that. I mean, why on earth did you think I was your master in the first place? Seriously, did you imprint on me like a newborn bird?”

“Because…”

The girl who called herself Rirya leaned forward, nuzzling the side of my neck.

“Big brother, your body smells like slaves.”

“Slave smell?”

I picked up my own sleeve and sniffed. No idea.

“Yeah, slave smell. Really strong. Like… two, maybe three slaves?”

I blinked. Wow. Pretty accurate.

“You must be someone who owns lots of slaves, so I thought you’d be Rirya’s master.”

“So that’s how you see it.”

I pulled a chair over and sat beside Rirya.

I gestured to the Eternal Slave Mod on my waist—three gems set into it.

"Correct. I own three slaves. I’ll explain later. These gems are proof."

"I see, my lady."

"Anyway, circumstances demand I take on more slaves. You’d be perfect—"

"Yes, I will."

"—so you’re rushing ahead! Don’t you want to hear the whole story?"

"But you’re already a master, my lord. A true master, with three slaves. Becoming one of your slaves? That’s slave heaven."

Slave heaven… do people even say that?

Rirya was already fully on board. All it took was my approval, and she’d be a slave right there.

I was stunned by how fast things were moving, but one thing remained unchanged—what I had to do.

"Be my slave—no, you’re my slave now."

"Yes, sir!"

Rirya said it again, beaming with delight.

She was thrilled about becoming a slave, the way a girl of her age might react to falling in love.

"Master, everyone in Permi has settled down."

"Master! The humans who returned from Schreiviju have been sent to Beisk."

"Master. Message from Meya. No issues reported."

The door opened. Three slaves filed in one after another, reporting.

I listened, took it all in.

No immediate problems. Good. Then I could focus on Rirya.

I turned—Rirya was glowing, eyes wide, shining like a lantern.

"Big brother!"

"Uh… yeah? What?"

"Rirya wants a collar too! A real slave’s mark!"

She pressed close. Her eyes darted between me and the three necks already marked.

So it's a collar, then.

"Hey, you—slave, asking your master for favors like that—"

She stops Risha’s reprimand with a hand.

Looking at Rirya, she says.

I'll give you a collar—on one condition. You work for me.

Of course.

Rirya is an Eternal Slave, a slave. For her master, she’d break her bones and crush her body to dust.

Rirya’s attitude was a little off-putting, but I decided to ignore it.

Then, the entire slave workforce set to making a new collar, and forced Rirya to wear it.

Thank you so much!

—Charged five thousand units of magic.

Became my slave, and already got a small charge of magic power—no big deal.

Risha scowled at Rirya’s high energy, while Mira beamed with pure delight.

And Yuria was.

"Junior Slave"

muttered.

— Charged two million units of magic.

She was secretly, thoroughly delighted.