The women I set free are obsessed with me

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Before leaving the shop, I had Alfia put on Victor's recognition-obstructing robe, which he had used during his time as an assassin.

Elves as a race stood out too much, both in their aura and appearance. Of course, elves weren't exactly rare, just hard to come by. Some elves had ventured beyond the forest, while others had assimilated into human cities.

Just take a look at Inaxia, the previous wielder of the Heavenly Covenant, or his high elf father.

But the timing was critical. It wouldn't be good to reveal Alfia's existence right now.

I had also made the children promise not to say anything.

If they kept quiet, I'd buy them whatever they wanted.

"What brings you here?"

"We're here to look at weapons."

The place I had brought Alfia to was a weapon shop.

Elf.

Weapon.

There was only one thing that came to mind.

As everyone knows, elves and bows go hand in hand.

As far as unwritten rules went, this was the trope.

Alfia's progression route could be divided into two paths.

One was Spirit Master.

The other was Archer.

These didn't stray far from the commonly known characteristics of elves.

The spirit master path held far greater potential. With proper training, she could command a symphony of elements, adapting to any combat situation.

But when it came to sheer fantasy appeal, wasn't an archer the way to go? An elf climbing trees, traversing the forest like her own backyard while shooting arrows.

So fucking cool.

More importantly though, was the act of shooting the bow itself.

When shooting a bow, you needed to calm your mind and body, so there was nothing better for settling a troubled heart. It was perfect for Alfia.

Admittedly, exceptions did exist. There was a story about someone who took up archery to find inner peace, only to become a skilled but noisy archer.

I just hoped Alfia wouldn't end up like that.

"Have you ever shot a bow before?"

"That's racial discrimination. Thinking all elves must naturally be good with the bow…"

"So you can't use one. But don't worry, I'll make sure you can."

The current Alfia was my slave, bound by soul shackles. Mirabelle picked up magic in no time, so Alfia should have some kind of boost too.

Plus, with the soul shackles being strengthened, the effect should be even better.

"Take a look around. It's a gift to commemorate becoming a slave."

Alfia glared at me sharply. Her eyes were practically screaming, 'What kind of commemoration is that?!'

However, she quickly realized it was pointless and sighed. She started looking at the bows, her face remaining unimpressed.

"They're all mediocre."

"Well, I suppose they would be."

How good could a weapon shop's bows be to an elf's eyes? But there was no other choice. There was no route to obtain a bow through some miraculous encounter like the Heavenly Covenant right now.

"You're just starting to practice, so please make do with something adequate. I will get you something better if your skills improve."

"Hmm…"

Alfia looked around at the bows with a displeased expression before reaching out her hand.

"Then, an easy-to-use crossbow…"

"GAAAH─!!"

"Oh my gosh! Why are you yelling?!!"

Alfia jumped in surprise.

She must have been quite startled, as she clasped her hands tightly to her chest.

But this time, Alfia had crossed a line.

This was worse than the time with Mirabelle's maid outfit.

"Elves do not use crossbows!"

"There are elves who use crossbows, you know?"

"There are not!"

"I'm an elf, so how can you say there aren't? Do you know more about elves than I do?"

"W-Well, that's not it, but… Regardless, there aren't any!"

An elf that uses a crossbow isn't an elf!

Don't ruin my fantasy!

***

They bought a shortbow.

With 30 arrows as a bonus.

Given that elves needed to run through dense forests, they mainly used shortbows for their portability. It could be considered the standard.

Alfia held the bow in her hand, with the quiver slung diagonally at her waist. Just that alone transformed her entire presence.

Karami clapped frivolously beside her, saying she looked like a veteran elven archer.

"I really can't shoot a bow though…"

Meanwhile, Alfia pouted her lips and plucked the bowstring with a twang. Her face showed clear reluctance at the idea of using a bow.

Karami poked his face under the robe-covered Alfia's hood.

"Why are you pouting so much? Do you want a kiss? Shall I give you one?"

"You seriously… Ugh, never mind. What's the point in saying anything to you?"

Being an elf, Alfia had naturally tried using a bow when she was very young, around 8 years old in human terms.

The result, well, you could probably guess from her current state.

It was a spectacular failure.

All because of those damn spirits.

Archery requires a great deal of concentration, but Alfia's spirits were the worst of troublemakers. How could she properly shoot an arrow when they wouldn't stay still for even a moment?

Of course, her arrows flew in random directions, and she achieved the feat of creating a new hole in an elven elder's backside.

After that, she wasn't allowed to even touch a bow.

Karami would probably be disappointed if he saw her archery skills.

And then he would mock her.

Just like they did.

The two left Noctar and settled in a nearby forest opposite to the Great Forest.

Alfia took a deep breath. The fresh, clean forest air filled her lungs. The familiar scent eased her anxiety, and her trembling subsided.

"Let's just practice shooting the body simply for today. Don't worry about hitting the target, just focus on releasing the arrow. Hmm, what will be the target. Let's use this tree."

As if that's as easy as you make it sound.

Even something that looks trivial requires so much effort.

Though she had complaints, she couldn't resist. She was already caught as a slave. Swallowing her unspoken complaints, Alfia took out an arrow.

She gripped the arrow and nocked it on the bowstring. Her movements were a bit awkward, but the instinct ingrained in her race gave her at least a basic form.

Slowly, she drew the bow. Was it because she lacked strength, or was it the hesitation from her past seeping through? The arm drawing the bowstring trembled.

Before she could fully settle into her stance, Alfia hastily released the bowstring as if she were being pressed by something.

Thwip.

The arrow didn't fly at all, dropping right in front of her.

Alfia's cheeks flushed bright red. She quickly crouched down, head bowed, and fumbled to pick up the fallen arrow. In a tiny voice, as if making excuses, she muttered.

"S-See, I told you I can't use a bow. Why do you keep making me do this…"

If it doesn't work, it doesn't work.

Are you some kind of demon who feeds on others' shame?

There's no worse of a twisted kink than that.

…

There was no response.

Alfia's muttered words were sucked into the void, and an uncomfortable silence lingered.

Say something already.

It's fine even if you mock me, just say anything.

Go ahead and tease me in that playful voice of yours.

Why… aren't you speaking?

Alfia rolled her eyes slightly, trying to gauge Karami's reaction.

Sure enough, he was smiling.

But something was different. It wasn't the sneering look her kin had given her. It was more like the wistful smile of someone looking at a portrait of their lover.

And then he said.

"It suits you well."

"…What?"

"You truly are an elf, no doubt about it. When I see you holding a bow, the whole scenery comes to life."

It was an unexpected response.

Alfia was stunned, eyes wide open like a fish, but only for a moment before she frowned.

"You, that's a bad habit. Always saying nonsense. What do you mean the whole scenery comes to life? The arrow barely made it past your nose. I could throw farther than that."

Prickly words slipped out without her meaning to. Like a hedgehog curling up and extending its quills for self-protection.

But Karami didn't mind. He skillfully avoided the quills and burrowed even deeper.

"Well, isn't that because you're still inexperienced? I'd be the same if I tried to shoot, wouldn't I?"

"That's different. You're human, and I'm an elf."

"So?"

"For elves, the bow is something we learn before even learning to walk. It's fundamentally different from humans."

The bow must have been everything to them, for her to be cruelly mocked just for being bad with a bow. She had never felt so worthless in her life.

"That's racial discrimination. Thinking all elves must naturally be good with the bow…"

Karami repeated the words Alfia had said earlier.

His persuading words continued flowing.

"This is the first great step towards a brilliant future. Isn't it moving and beautiful to see? I'm quite pleased to be the only one who knows the clumsy beginnings of someone who will become a Master Archer."

"…"

How does he always have the last word?

He was exceptionally skilled at layering his words in a way that sounded pleasing to the ears. Even gift-wrapping a ring for a lover wouldn't be this intricate.

Just what in the world was the beautiful scene he was seeing in his head to say such things? Alfia couldn't resist asking.

"What of mine gives you the confidence to say such things?"

"It's as natural as the laws of nature for a master to believe in their slave. Is there any other reason needed?"

The words came out without a moment's hesitation.

Even her own kin said she couldn't do it.

That she was a half-wit elf who couldn't do anything.

Surrounded by people who had always treated her that way, to the point where even she unconsciously accepted it, this man—whom she had known for mere days—was showing his complete faith in her.

Because his eyes shone with a truthful light.

Because his smile was pure, without a hint of ill intent.

Alfia, who had been staring at him in surprise, unconsciously averted her gaze.

"You… That's a bad habit…"

Unable to retort, Alfia muttered words too quiet for Karami to hear.

She remained seated, fingers fidgeting with the grass. Her eyes looked distant, as if lost in thought.

"Whew."

After letting out a sigh, she stood up. She glanced briefly at the target before slowly nocking an arrow.

Drawing the bowstring and aiming at the target, her eyes fixed straight ahead.

"Inhale… exhale…"

She slowly breathed in and out.

Her arms no longer trembled like before, and her breath flowed as smoothly as a gentle breeze through leaves.

Twang!

Alfia released the bowstring once more.

Thud.

She missed.

The arrow didn't fly far before falling.

The Path of the Bow wasn't so easy that a change in mindset would bring dramatic improvement.

However.

Unlike before, Alfia didn't blush or rush to pick up the fallen arrow.

Again.

She silently nocked another arrow.