TN: Please read my translations only on my website nyx-translation.com since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi, and join our Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!
Sponsored chapter by Patreon. Enjoy~
TL: ALT
Chapter 31 – Stella’s Feelings Part 1
Stella’s POV
Wataru-sama leaves Alchemist’s Street and heads toward Mage Alley.
Aire-san stands in front, acting as a guard, while Cloche-san stands behind, keeping watch.
Mariel-san stands on the left, and I, Stella, stand on the right as we move.
Though this has been the usual sight since I became Wataru-sama’s slave, it is an impressive security formation.
With these two guards, even skilled assassins or mercenaries would have little chance in a small-scale skirmish.
Long-range magic is practically useless against the keen intuition of the Golden Tiger Clan and the sharp sense of smell of the Black Wolf Clan.
So, even though I’m currently a magician without a staff, I walked with peace of mind.
Wataru-sama is a mysterious person.
Despite my extremely ugly elf physique and my heterochromia, he shows me not the slightest hint of disgust.
On the contrary, he is always kind to me.
I had wondered if his kindness might stem from pity, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I saw no trace of pity in his gaze.
Instead, he spends vast sums of money trying desperately to equip the place.
This strikes me as strange somehow, and I can’t quite wrap my head around it.
“Here it is. You can definitely tell at a glance. The frontage is about three times wider than the other shops.”
“Alfheim…”
While Wataru-sama marveled at the size, I stood beside him, disappointed that I hadn’t misheard the shop’s name.
Inside, the shop lived up to its reputation with rare materials piled high:
There were claw and eye components from rare dragons used in staffs, as well as wyvern spines and unicorn horns.
The clientele also seemed to include many prominent figures, as numerous visitors appeared to be skilled mages at first glance.
There were materials like bicorn hair, alraune roots, and World Tree wood for staff cores—things that magicians everywhere would desperately covet, even if it meant bankruptcy—which were meticulously crafted and stacked shelf upon shelf.
Seeing that advanced craftsmanship, I immediately understood the type of being the shopkeeper was.
“Well, Stella? Did you find anything you want?”
“Yes, Master. If it would be acceptable, I would like to consider this staff.”
Although it was intended for Wataru-sama, asking for something for myself felt deeply uncomfortable.
A slave may receive items as gifts or loans from their master, but fundamentally, they cannot desire things for themselves.
Especially in my life thus far, anything I ever wished for was almost always denied, so I didn’t expect this request to be granted so readily.
Seeing the item I chose, Wataru-sama tilted his head.
“Are you sure this is fine? There seem to be plenty of more expensive, better-looking ones.”
“Your words alone make me happy. Thank you.”
I was reluctant to impose further expense.
I had sought a reasonably priced item while skillfully hiding my true feelings, but surprisingly, Wataru-sama did not intend to purchase it.
Instead, he scolded me sternly.
“Don’t worry about the money right now. This isn’t about splurging on everyday items. It’s a necessary expense. You need to buy something that will allow you to perform at your full potential in case we ever get into a fight or need powerful, precise magic.”
“Yes, my apologies. You’re so kind. Thank you.”
“It’s not kindness. I’m just doing what I can because I have the money. If I were poorer, I’d have made you buy the cheapest one.”
Wataru-sama said this with a wry smile, but I still think he’s kind.
Up until now, whether I was living among the elven clan or working as a slave under the general, I was never given high-grade equipment.
Yet, in both environments, the frequency of use was probably far higher than it is now.
“Then, if I buy this… Is that okay?”
“Of course.”
“Ehehehe… Thank you, Master.”
“Oh, well, I didn’t know you could make that kind of face. It’s cute.”
“E-enough already! You’re always teasing me like that!”
“No, no, I really mean it.”
Knowing I was making a bold request, I pointed to the short staff I truly desired.
It was a magnificent masterpiece, crafted from the core wood of the World Tree’s thick branch.
Unlike the scraps, it was clear that this one was made from the finest section and was meticulously crafted with magic manipulation in mind.
This would allow magic to flow smoothly through it. The tip featured a gem made from concentrated, solidified World Tree nectar. This would enable the caster to release their magic reliably and precisely.
Knowing that I would get exactly what I wanted made my heart flutter with excitement.
My steps felt light as I headed toward the counter.
But how could this shop, Alfheim, carry such an exceptional and difficult-to-handle item?
I already knew it was an elf shop—ancient elves, at that.
As we picked up the staff and headed to pay, an ancient elf woman greeted us.
She was enveloped in dense, refined magic and had pale, long, braided golden hair and a refined, dignified face.
Her entire body was slender with a physique like a wire, completely devoid of excess flesh.
She was utterly unlike me—one might call her the quintessential elf.
“Well…you’ve brought a rare thing here, haven’t you?”
Although I suspected this elf was the shopkeeper, I couldn’t bring myself to tell you until the old elf woman with a wrinkled voice actually appeared before us.
I was afraid to voice that possibility.
Then, the ancient elf shopkeeper grimaced as if I were repulsive. She quickly averted her gaze as if turning away from something filthy.
“Don’t bring such a disgusting, flawed creature into my shop. What’s with that bloated body and mismatched eyes? How can you even go out together? Now, now. Would you kindly leave? You’re polluting the air in my shop. I’ll have to clean it up later.”
My heart ached as if it were being ripped apart.
Those eyes.
They seeped disgust at the sight of something utterly ugly.
They had been staring at me since I was a child—for so long.
Pity and disgust. And a completely worthless, inorganic gaze.
There were days when my parents were disappointed in me, when relatives gossiped about me behind my back, and when I couldn’t make a single decent friend.
There were days when I worked as a warrior, dispatched by my superiors to the most dangerous places. No matter how desperately I fought, I couldn’t expect my comrades to come to my rescue.
Facing those eyes, the joy I felt while shopping instantly withered. Sadness overflowed in my chest, and tears threatened to spill.
I thought I’d been captured in battle and wouldn’t have to return to my homeland.
Am I doomed to never escape the curse of being an elf?
“Hah, haah, ah, ah… ahhh…”
“Can’t you even speak properly? You’re truly disgusting. We have nothing to sell to you. Now get out.”
“That’s rude to say to a customer.”
“We decide who’s a customer. We have nothing to sell to this worthless elf.”
I lowered my gaze to avoid theirs, struggling to keep my legs from buckling as I crouched down.
It hurts. It hurts so much. I can’t bear it.
My legs and my whole body were shaking. My head was spinning. Breathing was difficult.
I was overcome with the urge to run away.
Someone, anyone, please help me!
I laughed at the cry inside my heart.
I had never once asked for help and actually had that wish granted.
No one would help me.
—And then, Wataru-sama stood before me.
He stood as if shielding me from their gaze.
If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read up to 12 chapters ahead for this novel!
Wataru should get Stella a pair of colored contact lens to cover her heterochromia eyes.
Thanks.
LikeLike