Chapter 10 : Have I become the master?
“Come to think of it, I still don’t know what to call you.”
Thanks to this mysterious girl of unknown origin,
with enigmatic background and apparent magic expertise,
the character puzzle that should’ve taken days of effort
was solved from dawn bath to dusk—in less than a day.
(Hm… never expected the culprit to be myself.)
Truly unexpected.
For a moment after learning, she wondered why she hadn’t realized sooner.
Though mysteries only multiplied afterward.
Like: what message was she trying to convey, and why no memory of writing.
Regardless, the girl helped immensely—
Qianyu chose to trust and accept her as a team member.
Others’ opinions—uncertain.
—
Name?
The girl used magic to imprint words on her thigh, as before.
Unlike Qianyu’s pure black Chinese,
hers shimmered deep like starry sky, countless tiny particles twinkling.
Like fluorescent pen—gorgeous.
“Your name. Mine’s Qianyu—you can call me however you like.”
—
Then, Master.
“M-Master? I’ve never been called that.”
What a weird name in this world.
(No no, if parents agonized over it, mocking would be rude.)
Guh, let me try—Qianyu steeled herself.
Cheeks flushed, mouth slowly opened:
“M-Master.”
Shy voice weak and trembling.
—
Huh?
Her kindness misunderstood,
the girl expressed confusion with a single word.
“But you told me to call you that…”
Now Qianyu pouted slightly.
Felt like effort unrecognized—frustrating.
—
I mean.
Girl imprinted while gesturing:
—
Master
She tapped the word, then pointed at Qianyu.
—
Slave
The less-kind word pointed at herself.
So obvious,
even slow, leaping-thought Qianyu understood.
“…I get it, but when did I become your master?
Did someone sell you while I slept?”
Girl shook head.
—
You took me from previous master—so you’re my new one.
Previous master—the fat man.
Logically sound, yet somehow off.
No desire for freedom?
Strange girl.
“Even so—let’s be friends. Master-servant feels weird.”
—
…
No further action or words.
Long, messy bangs hid her face.
No eyes or expression visible—let alone thoughts.
But anyone could see the mood froze,
awkwardness spreading.
“Y-You rest here, treat it like home. I’ll—get food.”
Qianyu stood hurriedly,
rubbing numb, blood-starved legs from sitting, fleeing the tent.
Suddenly having a girl as servant—maid?
Too much to process. Shocking.
Still, they’d built friendly ties… right?
Master-servant counted as friendly?
*
“Ah, Del.”
Stepping out,
sun already set; Qianyu bumped into Del approaching:
Smooth azure hair, cool frivolous brows, beauty with cute features. In forest elf emerald nightrobe—semi-sheer silk, cool design faintly showing skin and southern hemispheres. Crystal gem pendant on fair slender neck.
Feast for eyes.
Being a girl—staring long wasn’t rude.
We’re talking—eye contact polite.
“Hm? Qianyu, I was about to fetch you.”
“Emergency?”
“No. Captain worried—you should’ve woken ten minutes ago.”
“I see. Let’s report I’m fine. Sorry for worrying them.”
“Besides Captain, who’d worry?”
“Haha, true…”
Qianyu followed Del to distant flickering campfire.
Lilix and others likely night-talking there.
“I healed you—so nosy question. Body okay? Discomfort?”
“Mm, much better. Thanks to you, Del—truly grateful.”
“Verbal thanks again? Ears calloused.”
“Even so, you’d scoff at what I can give.”
Adventurer like Del—what gift fit?
Money? Status? Rare items, forbidden tomes—only if she had them.
“Reminder: over empty thanks, I prefer sincere action.”
“Meaning—you need something. No problem, Qianyu offers humble strength.”
Qianyu patted chest coolly.
“Heh, since you’re fine… rest more tonight. Tomorrow night, then.”
“Haah. Tomorrow night?”
No clue.
But Del requesting—rare. Sign of better relations?
“Ah no, f-forget I said. Got overexcited…”
“Hm?”
“Nothing nothing!”
Dropping it, Del sped ahead like a kid after slip-up.
Left Qianyu baffled.
“Hey—Qianyu, Del. So slow.”
Noticing, Lilix stood, greeting warmly.
Hands held oily, sizzling meat skewers and her favorite wheat juice.
Beer, really.
“We’re celebrating the mission—come join.”
Looks like no sleep till drunk tonight.