Nephy then nervously opened her mouth to speak.
“Um, Master...”
“If you continue to wear that collar, then you would forever be Marchosias’ property, right? You do not need it.” Having once more referred to Nephy as an object, Zagan covered his face.
And yet, Nephy’s cheeks blushed slightly as she nodded.
“...Yes.”
“...Good.” He didn’t know what was good about it, but it took all of Zagan’s effort just to utter that reply.
After that, the dwarf blacksmith raised his voice in a troubled manner.
“Remove it, you say? You mean this collar?”
“Yeah.”
“...Please spare me the jokes. Isn’t this a sorcery apparatus? Our hands can’t manage anything like this.” Nephy’s shoulder slumped slightly, but Zagan also already knew that much.
“I want to hear about its structure. Is it something that can be removed by breaking the lock?” After hearing that question, the blacksmith fixedly observed the collar.
Eventually, he pointed out the lock which connected the collar together. The mass of metal connected to the keyhole had six shafts extending out of it, and looked to be tying the collar together.
“Please take a look at this lock. This collar is structured so that it is fixed on this one point. As soon as the lock is removed, it’ll crumble to pieces. Normally, that is.” By adding on normally, it probably meant he didn’t know what kind of mechanism was added on with sorcery.
Zagan then replied with a groan.
“Precisely because sorcery is a power that’s meant to overturn natural notions, it’s made to look like the original. For a collar with such a structure, the lock is likely not just a decoration, right?”
“Also, this is a little difficult to tell you, but...” The blacksmith made a face like he was hesitant to speak.
It seemed he didn’t want Nephy to hear it. And after distancing themselves from her, he whispered into Zagan’s ear quietly.
(It’s likely, that there is a trap setup in this thing.) (A trap?) (Yes. If it isn’t removed with the proper procedures, then a mechanism will activate... In the worst case, there’s a probability that something horrible will happen to that little lady’s neck...) Zagan didn’t even want to think about what that something horrible would entail.
That was likely why the blacksmith was also being somewhat evasive about his answers.
As I thought, it’ll be dangerous to remove it by force...
If it came down to simply destroying the collar, then Zagan’s power was more than enough.
However, he had decided to exercise caution since the collar was left behind by an Archdemon, and it seemed he’d made the correct decision.
“I think the best option would be to use the original key to open it.”
“Well, I bet it is.” Zagan knew that, but even the hosts of the auction didn’t have it.
As for clues, well, it’s not like I don’t have any...
However, it was true that there wasn’t a hand that he could actually play out.
For the time being, Zagan found out all that he wanted to know, then pulled out a few silver coins from his pocket. It was the change from when he bought Nephy’s clothes.
“You have my thanks. Take it.”
“No, I didn’t do anything worth charging you for. Besides, there’s no way I can take any money from you.”
“Huh...? What do you mean?” While flashing a bitter smile, the dwarf blacksmith said the following.
“I was... saved by you before after all.” Zagan didn’t recall such a thing at all, so he tilted his head to the side.
“It’s already been... about one year ago. When our carriage was attacked, you saved me and my daughter. At the time, we freaked out and ran away, but you overlooked us without getting angry. Please, somehow, forgive us for that.”
It seemed that among the riffraff Zagan had kicked about because he found them to be an eyesore, there was a sorcerer or something that attacked. And as a result, this man and his daughter ended up being saved by Zagan.
He didn’t have any particular intention of demanding gratitude from them, but he was grateful that he didn’t want to be paid right now. Zagan then returned the silver coins he took out back to his pocket.
“Well then, I’ll put this away. You should forget that trivial matter too. I also do not recall it.” Saying that, it kind of felt like he was trying to gloss over the fact that he didn’t hand over any coins, but the smith let out a strange laugh.
“I won’t forget it, you know? If you need anything else, please stop by any time.” After that, Zagan and Nephy left the shop behind.
What’s going on today? The people around him were far too friendly to the point where it felt creepy. Did bringing Nephy along really change things that drastically?
Zagan didn’t seem to realize the truth.
He didn’t seem to know that he, who had always made a face like everything in the world deserved his ire, was now making an awfully tender expression.
◇
After that, by the time they finished doing all the shopping they needed, the sun was beginning to set.
It wasn’t all that late, but it was also unreasonable to return to the castle and make Nephy cook a meal. And so, the two of them went to a small restaurant.
Perhaps because of the odd time, there weren’t too many customers present. Including Zagan and Nephy, there were only around ten people. The wooden floorboards creaked as the shop employees walked around, and the beams reached all the way up to the roof. The lamps hanging down from the beams were faintly illuminating the various tables.
Zagan didn’t understand a single thing written on the menu. After all, the very name of any cuisine was foreign to him. Still, for the time being he tried ordering something that was probably meat, something like a salad, and some bread.
He didn’t have much in terms of habit when it came to eating vegetables, but he didn’t need to imagine what would happen to Nephy’s figure if all she ate was meat.
While waiting for the food, Zagan realized that Nephy was looking at him as if she had something she wanted to say.
“What is it?”
“No, um...” She hesitated to speak, but even so, Nephy touched her collar.
“Master, do you... intend to remove this collar?”
“Hm? Oh, now that you mention it, I’ve never really talked about it, huh? Well yeah, I do.” Because he said it in such a roundabout manner before, it seemed that she wasn’t confident of the fact.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed from having her ask him that face to face, Zagan replied while acting curt. ‘Of course I do!’ or some other words that would bring her peace of mind just wouldn’t come out.
Nephy opened her mouth many times over as if she was somewhat conflicted, but she couldn’t really find the words she wanted to say.
However, as if resolving herself, the girl with the look of a maid opened her mouth to speak.
“Do you not worry... that if the collar’s removed, I’ll run away?”
Nephy was an elf. Not only that, she was an individual with snow-white hair said to possess tremendous amounts of mana. If the collar was removed, she would likely be able to use sorcery.
That collar itself was also proof that she was bound to Zagan’s side. However, Zagan tried to have that collar removed.
Well, there’s no way I wouldn’t be worried about that, huh?
Of course, even Zagan had thought of that danger. He’d spent an outrageous amount of money, one million gold coins, to purchase her. There was no way he could afford to simply lose her after all that. As a man, and as a sorcerer, it would be an enormous loss of face.
He also thought that in reality, it would end up like that. After all, unlike Zagan, Nephy held no affection for him.
It was just, even if that were the case, if for example she did escape—
Even so, I want to remove it.
Zagan had no thoug
hts of putting those feelings into words.
That was why, in the end, all that came out of his mouth were the following words.
“Hmph... In any case, it is not something that can be immediately removed. Don’t hold onto any futile hopes.” He was completely at his wits’ end.
Really, was saying ‘Even so, I want to remove the collar,’ really not possible for him?
It’s probably because I want to stay by her side. That was likely why he told her not to expect anything.
That aside, using the word ‘futile’ was really going too far. Was there not a grimoire along the lines of ‘How to Hold a Conversation with a Girl’ laying around somewhere? On this occasion, Zagan wished in his heart that somebody would tell him of such a thing, even if it was fake.
And yet, Nephy nodded in a somehow satisfied manner.
“Yes.” Zagan felt like he said something cruel to his girl, and he was once more left perplexed.
Still, the time he spent writhing in anguish this time around ended quickly.
Their meal was quickly brought over to them.
It was a menu he had never seen before, but it was something he dreamed of quite a long time ago. He couldn’t even remember when the last time he used a knife and fork was, but he at least remembered how to use them.
Even as Zagan began cutting his meat, Nephy remained still while absentmindedly gazing at the food.
“What is it? Do you not know how to use a spoon and fork?” If he remembered correctly, he once heard that in the northern countries, they used sticks of wood called ‘chopsticks’ to eat their meals.
It may have been that elves who lived in the remote north also didn’t use knives and forks.
That was what Zagan was thinking as he asked her, but Nephy shook her head to the sides energetically.
“No, that’s not the...”
“Then eat. There’s no way you’re not hungry, right?” He once more put it in a way where it felt like he was pushing her aside, but it seemed that Nephy had also gotten used to his words. She only made a curious expression and was not frightened of him this time around. Rather, it was likely something that he should have realized earlier.
As a sorcerer, Zagan was able to use sorcery to dull his sense of hunger, but Nephy had her mana sealed by the collar. It also didn’t look like she had much physical strength. In the first place, she hadn’t had anything to eat since morning other than the dried meat and milk, which couldn’t even be called a meal.
As if affirming what Zagan had to say, Nephy’s stomach let out an adorable grumbling noise.
Here pointy ears lightly dyed red at that.
“Um, would it be alright for even me to eat as well?”
“What...? Is there a reason not to?”
Actually, could it be that this is too frugal as a menu choice? However, her reaction this time around looked to be different from the one she had in the morning.
And then, Zagan suddenly remembered her circumstances.
“...Could it be that this is the first time you’ve had a meal like this?” Nephy returned a single deep nod.
Ah, I see... Nephy was... also like that...
Zagan felt like he finally understood why it was that he fell in love with Nephy at first sight.
She was the same as him.
She was the same as Zagan back when he had no power, no place he belonged, and despaired at the harshness of the world.
That was why Zagan was able to give her the following reply as if it were nothing.
“Then don’t worry about it. I’m also similar in that sense. It’s fine if you just eat whatever looks good. Here in this place, there’s nobody you need show restraint for.”
“Still, I...”
“Enough, just eat. It’s a small shop, but it’s much better compared to the dried meat from this morning.” Saying that, Zagan brought a single slice of meat to his mouth, but in truth he couldn’t really grasp its taste.
She’s not feeling down from the talks of the collar, is she? Also, man, how do I invite her to a meal normally? While those questions and anxieties swirled around in his mind, Zagan couldn’t even taste anything.
Nephy put her small clasped hand up against her mouth. The corners of her eyes were also somehow hanging down, and it may have been Zagan’s imagination, but those actions seemed to indicate that she was laughing.
After that, Nephy put her two hands together and picked up the fork.
“Thank you for the meal.” The first thing she stretched her hand out to was a small tomato. She tried to stab it with the fork, but it didn’t go very well and the tomato slipped away.
Nephy’s expression didn’t appear to change at all, but the tips of her pointy ears were lightly dyed red. It seemed that she was embarrassed in her own way.
“...” Perhaps having noticed Zagan’s gaze, Nephy’s body twitched as she trembled, and this time she took a spoon in hand. After cleanly scooping up the tomato, she finally carried it over to her pink lips.
“Huh...?” Rolling it over on top of her tongue, Nephy made a curious face. It was surely because she didn’t taste anything.
It doesn’t have any taste if you just lick it... Bite down! Zagan wasn’t confident enough to provide her gentle advice like he wished. And, above all else, Nephy herself would likely have been embarrassed if he tried.
While he watched her attentively and cheered her on within his heart, Nephy finally sunk her teeth into the tomato.
With the sound of something juicy being crushed, Nephy’s eyes shot wide open.
“H-How is it...?” Unable to answer, after silently moving her mouth for a while, Nephy returned a single deep nod. From that movement, her snow-white hair trailed along her chest.
“I think... it’s delicious.” Having said that, perhaps finding her words insufficient, she shook her head.
“It’s the first time... I’ve eaten... this.” Now that he thought of it, back when she said that she would cook for him, she said that she ‘learned by watching,’ too. It may have been that she wasn’t in an environment where she could eat anything proper.
Such an environment was something to lament over, but to the contrary, Zagan’s face seemed to loosen up due to the affinity he felt toward her.
“Do you like it?”
“I don’t... really know.” Saying that, she scooped up another tomato into her spoon.
“I thought... it would be some sort of sweet. But...eating something so juicy like this... is a first for me.”
Well, I guess the small tomato does look like a candy ball.
Zagan had also experienced stealing a tomato from a store thinking it was candy, and being disappointed at the sour taste after trying it. Right after that, he got caught and beaten to boot.
I see. She’s a girl after all. She likes sweets, I guess.
Zagan felt like this was the first he learned of what could be called Nephy’s tastes. He thought of ordering some sort of sweet dessert later on.
While thinking of such things, Zagan also stretched his fork out to a tomato.
“Urgh...” However, just like with Nephy, it slipped away.
He tried challenging it two, three times, but as expected he couldn’t stab it well. Zagan also didn’t usually use a fork, so his struggle made sense.
Just as he resigned himself and thought of using the spoon instead... Nephy scooped up that tomato with her spoon. Then, she presented that spoon to Zagan.
“...By all means.”
“What’s... that...?” Zagan’s eyes shot wide open.
—Is she... feeding me...? He tried to think back to why the scene seemed so familiar. He was sure he’d seen this before.
A man and woman who looked like they were close were using a spoon to feed each other a confectionery — though it was a tomato in this case.
At that time, a sense of hatred swelled up inside him that he couldn’t even properly explain himself, but he knew he didn’t hold any sort of particular feelings toward the a
ction itself. Still, to think that the day would come where he himself would be confronted with it.
She was making a calm face, but the tips of Nephy’s ears were bright red. After gazing at her for a while longer, he noticed her cheeks had also started to slightly flush.
Wait, isn’t this the spoon that Nephy put in her mouth? Was she saying it was okay for him to put it in his own mouth?
Zagan drew his mouth closer to the spoon, the tension almost overwhelming him. Eventually, the tomato tumbled onto his tongue.
Biting his teeth into it, droplets filled with an acidic taste flooded out.
“...Tastes good, huh?”
“...Yes.” After that, Nephy then appealed to him in a low voice as if she was whispering.
“Master, are you not going to give me any orders?”
“Th-That’s right.” Before that, he didn’t even know what to talk about. Even if he thought of wanting to give her some sort of role, he had no idea what to make her do.
While keeping the same expression, Nephy nodded as if she was verifying something.
“Master, could you forgive me... for thinking that I want to be of use to you?” That was the very first moment Nephy put her desire into words of her own will.
However, having that expressly put into words mysteriously didn’t give off the impression that she was trying to flatter him.
Surely, she was in a position where she hesitated to even hold onto any sort of aspiration.
And yet, it isn’t about herself... She’s asking about me, really? For once, Zagan was able to reply honestly.
“I’ll allow it. Nephy, you may do as you desire.”
...In the end, he was only able to speak in an arrogant tone, though.
Even so, Nephy nodded with a serious expression.
“Yes. I will put my utmost effort into it.” It was an awfully formal reply, but Zagan was happy that she was demonstrating her own will.
“V-Very good. I’ll leave it to you, then.” As he stuck his fork out at another tomato in an attempt to hide his embarrassment, he managed to stab into it.
Zagan was about to carry it over to his mouth, but stopped his thoughts and put it out before Nephy.
“Huh...?” As if she couldn’t understand the meaning of his actions, Nephy tilted her head to the side.
An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride - Volume 01 Page 7