Chapter 7
For the time being, I fed Risian.
The Korean inside me was saying, “He may be suspicious, but I can’t let someone starve.”
For the record, the menu was boiled potatoes.
“Is it okay? We don’t even have salt here. They’re just plain boiled.”
“They’re delicious. Thank you.”
Once he had some food in his stomach, Risian looked much more alive than before.
It was a little unsettling how he kept staring at me with those intense eyes, though…
His eating habits seem normal…
If he wasn’t human, then what exactly was he?
I searched through my memories, trying to recall the original novel’s settings about the different races.
First, spirits…
Pure spiritual beings born from nature, each possessing its own elemental attribute.
It was rare for a spirit to have a completely human appearance.
And then… elves.
Elves looked very similar to humans and usually lived in villages deep within forests or mountain valleys.
Some even lived among humans, and others fell in love with humans and married them.
But Risian probably wasn’t an elf.
His ears weren’t pointed.
He could be a half-elf.
Or maybe a beastman capable of taking a completely human form.
And finally… there were dragons.
There’s no way he’s a dragon.
What kind of dragon would be this frail?
The possibility of Risian being a dragon was practically zero.
In the end, the only way to find out who he really is… is for him to recover his memories.
By then, Risian had already finished every bite on his plate and was quietly watching me again.
…There he goes again.
He’s staring.
It’s making me feel awkward.
As I filled his empty cup with water, I asked,
“Want more food?”
“No, I’m full.”
The smile on his face was breathtakingly beautiful.
Seriously…
That face should be illegal.
I wonder whose child he is…
“Hey, is there anything you remember? Even just bits and pieces?”
“Hmm… I’m not sure.”
Taking small sips of water, Risian lowered his eyes.
“It’s just… whenever I look at you…”
“…”
“I feel like… you’re my master.”
“…I’m not your master.”
“But…”
“You and I only met today. Besides, slavery was abolished thirty years ago!”
“Oh… Then was I a slave?”
“No! I said slavery was abolished thirty years ago!”
Well…
The Kingdom of Roblet technically still had slavery.
But every other nation had outlawed it, so it was practically extinct.
Even Roblet’s nobles had stopped keeping slaves because they cared about how other countries viewed them.
Could it be that he keeps calling me ‘Master’ because of the Taming Skill?
It was a perfectly reasonable theory.
The problem was…
There was no way I could explain the System.
Ugh… This is driving me crazy. What am I supposed to do?
I buried my face in my hands, but no answer came.
Meanwhile, Risian continued looking at me with tearful, pleading eyes.
The moment our eyes met, he asked softly,
“Master… you’re not going to abandon me, are you?”
“…”
Oh, come on…
How was I supposed to answer,
“Actually, yes. I was planning to.”
Letting someone with amnesia wander around alone sounded like a disaster waiting to happen.
Maybe the best option was to keep him temporarily.
At least until he gets his memories back…
Or until I figure out how to cancel the Taming Skill…
After a long sigh, I finally gave in.
“…Fine. I’ll be your master for now. Just temporarily.”
“…Does that mean you’ll abandon me someday?”
“No— D-Don’t cry!”
Tears immediately streamed down Risian’s face.
Looking at him made me feel like I was some criminal who abandoned helpless animals.
Shaking my head, I answered firmly,
“I won’t abandon you. Happy?”
“Really…?”
“Yeah. Really.”
“Then please swear it.”
“…?”
Swear?
Risian held out his little finger.
I thought he wanted to make a pinky promise like children did.
Instead, he made a surprisingly specific request.
“Wrap one strand of your hair around my little finger… and promise that you’ll be my master forever.”
That sounded incredibly ritualistic.
If I actually did that… my entire life would probably be ruined.
Wait…
Something’s strange.
Did this guy really lose his memories?
“KYAAAAAAAH! Y-You insane pervert! How dare you ask Master to make a Mate’s Oath with you!!”
The spirit suddenly screamed at the top of her lungs.
She became so furious that water splashed everywhere.
“A Mate’s Oath?”
“Yessss! It’s an incredibly dangerous oath! It binds two souls together forever! Even long-lived races don’t make that promise lightly! And this random nobody thinks he can—!!”
The little water droplet slammed herself into Risian with a body tackle.
What was she, a Water-type Pokémon?
“Hmm… Miss Water Droplet? That tickles.”
“My name isn’t Water Droplet! It’s Ninabel, you stupid perverted scammer!”
No matter how many times Ninabel rammed into him, she dealt absolutely zero damage.
Naturally.
She was basically just a squishy little water mochi that could manipulate a bit of water.
I grabbed Ninabel and hugged her tightly.
Whenever she went berserk like this, this method worked instantly.
“Waaahhh! Master! Throw him out! Right now!”
“O-Okay… Calm down first.”
Patting the little water mochi absentmindedly, I turned back to Risian.
“I thought you said you lost your memory. Then how do you know about something like a Mate’s Oath?”
Smiling sweetly, he answered without hesitation.
“It just suddenly came back to me.”
“Maybe it was something important.”
“…You’re suspicious.”
“Why were you trying to make me swear something like that?”
“I just… like you very much, Master.”
“No, stop calling me ‘Master!’ Just call me by my name!”
“How could I possibly address my master so casually?”
T-This guy…
Talking to him was impossible.
He lived completely in his own world.
In situations like this…
I had no choice.
I’d have to assert authority.
Throwing the water mochi aside, I crossed my arms and straightened my posture.
Then I looked down at him sternly.
“Stop lying.”
“I’m not an idiot.”
At my words, the golden light in Risian’s eyes sharpened for just an instant.
My instincts screamed danger.
Without realizing it, I took a cautious step backward.
“Haha…”
A quiet laugh escaped him.
His lips curved into a gentle smile.
With crescent-shaped eyes and the warmest expression imaginable, he said,
“Let me correct myself.”
“It’s not that I remember nothing.”
“Then—”
“I don’t remember who I am.”
“Where I came from.”
“Or what kind of person I used to be.”
“…”
“It’s as though my mind has become a blank sheet.”
“…”
Sounds fake.
I narrowed my eyes suspiciously.
Something about him just didn’t add up.
The problem was…
I had no justification to throw him out.
After all…
I was the one who had accidentally tamed him with the skill.
But it wasn’t my choice! Ugh, this stupid system!
Ding!
The target’s affection toward you has increased!
???? 🖤
“…”
Could you at least tell me whether that’s positive or negative?
“Anyway…”
“You saved my life.”
Before I knew it, Risian had gotten out of bed and slowly walked toward me.
Instinctively, I kept backing away.
“W-Wait…”
Looking up at him, my eyes widened.
Wow…
Now that he’s standing…
He’s really tall.
Around 190 centimeters?
Maybe even taller?
I think he’s even taller than Raul.
With that height…
That build…
And such a ridiculously beautiful face…
This guy was completely overpowered.
Eventually, my back hit the wall.
Risian gently reached for my hand.
I flinched.
Then he lowered his head…
…and softly kissed the back of my hand.
The gesture was so solemn and reverent that, for a brief moment, this shabby little cabin felt like a grand cathedral filled with stained-glass windows.
Pulling away, he smiled.
His face is unreal…
I was momentarily captivated.
Then his next words snapped me back to reality.
“I’m offering my body to repay the person who saved my life.”
“Is there a problem with that?”
“W-What are you talking about, you crazy idiot?!”
I hurriedly tried to clarify.
“When you say you’ll repay me with your body… you mean labor, right?”
“If you’d prefer something other than labor, that’s fine too.”
“N-No thanks! Labor is enough!”
“If that’s what you wish…”
Smiling gently, Risian slowly released my hand.
As he did, he lightly dragged one fingernail across my palm.
“…!”
A strange sensation shot through me, making me flinch.
Right then, the water mochi flew in and slapped him across the face.
Smack!
“You pervert! How dare you try something like that!”
Smack! Smack!
Ninabel continued launching chaotic attacks.
Risian casually caught her with one hand.
“Come to think of it…”
“Is this little creature pretending to be cute… a spirit?”
“W-Who’s pretending to be cute?! Nini is naturally adorable, idiot!”
“Really?”
“I honestly don’t see anything cute about you.”
“At least I’m cuter than you! You oversized male!”
Watching those two childish idiots bicker made my head throb.
I pressed a hand against my forehead.
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore.
“Both of you, stop it!”
“Stand at attention!”
“…!”
Both of them froze instantly.
The noisy argument ended in complete silence.
The one who reacted the fastest…
Was Risian.
His eyes widened in surprise.
It almost looked as if his body had moved on its own, against his own will.
Seeing that, a possibility suddenly flashed through my mind.
…Wait.
Could it be…?
