Different from humans
After the rain stopped, I brought Sveta back to Rebeck.
It was already deep into night. Rebeck, visible from afar, had an odd charm to it.
Towering buildings. Lights flickering here and there.
Not that I’m a night-viewing enthusiast, but I like this sight.
Well, it is my own town, after all.
“Rebeck stays bright even at night, huh?”
“Bright? This is bright?”
“Absolutely.”
Sveta answered without hesitation.
“Bright and lively. I wasn’t born before the heretic gods rose, so I’ve never known the old days—when Rebeck was truly prosperous. But from what I’ve heard, it feels similar.”
“I see.”
So the world’s revival is going smoothly.
I pulled out DORECA and checked the menu. Number of people: 9,904. Nearly ten thousand.
Smooth sailing.
“This is all thanks to your power, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
With Sveta by my side, we headed further into Rebeck.
“Who’s there!”
We were stopped at the town’s entrance by sentries.
Two of them. Spears made by DORECA pointed right at us.
In the dark, they couldn’t tell who I was.
“It’s me.”
“It’s… you?”
“…Your Majesty! S-sorry, I didn’t know it was the King—”
They hastily pulled back their spears and dropped to their knees.
“Don’t worry about it. Let me through.”
“Yes!”
“Please!”
They cleared a path and let me pass.
I walked through beside Sveta, the two of them stepping aside.
Nighttime town. Few people around.
Something felt off about Sveta’s presence behind me.
I glanced back—she was glancing around like a child in a shop.
“What’s wrong?”
“S-sorry. I was just… staring.”
“Staring?”
“At night, it’s even clearer. So much life here. Is this the power of my lord…?”
Sveta was lost in awe.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Huh?”
“Technically speaking—it’s the result of me commanding my slaves to do it. This town, this country. I’ll make it bigger still. The more slaves I have, the more power I’ll have.”
“So that’s why… I’m—”
“Exactly. Will you be my strength?”
“Of course!”
Again, an instant reply.
“This body, every drop of blood, every fragment of soul—entirely yours. Use me until I’m worn down to nothing.”
“Until worn down, huh.”
Now that’s what I call an eternal slave.
“That’s right. I was born to be your slave. I’ll do anything for you—just let me do it.”
“Anything, huh? Then aim to be sturdy. Long-lasting. I don’t enjoy wearing people out.”
I said it lightly.
I figured there was no point in saying more—she wouldn’t listen anyway.
She sees obedience, even collapse from overwork, as honor. That’s the eternal slave for you.
Even if you command someone to be sturdy and long-lasting, they’ll just push themselves too hard somewhere, no matter what.
I’ve given up. It’s sweet, it’s admirable, but I’ve given up.
“Keep it up.”
“Going to!”
——Mana charged: 10,000.
I returned to the palace with Sveta.
No lights on. No sign of life inside.
“Everyone’s gone?”
“Probably wandered off somewhere.”
“Menu open.”
Checked with DORECA. Mana’s drifting down, little by little.
Someone’s doing something out there.
“Well, today—”
“Ah! Brother’s here!”
Rirya burst through the door from outside.
Her face was pale. She was frantic.
“What’s wrong? Why so flustered?”
“Birthing!”
“Birthing? What?”
“Exactly birthing! Come on, hurry!”
Rirya tugged on my hand.
What the hell is this supposed to be born, anyway?
I was flabbergasted, but Svetastra stiffened beside me.
"Could it be... one of the slaves?"
"Yes, indeed!"
Rirya looked at me.
"Risha-sama and Onii-chan’s baby is about to be born!"
"Wait— isn’t that a bit too soon? She’s only been with you for a few days!"
I thought it was too early.
"But Rirya and the others are Eternal Slaves! They’re different from regular humans!"
...Oh.
Right. Elves grow differently than humans, too.
So Eternal Slaves are like that, huh?
Then... really?!"
"A child... the master’s child..."
——Magic power charged: 100,000.
"I’ll have one someday, too..."
Svetastra’s face, glowing with joy, insisted on that truth like it was already written in stone.