145 - The Freed S*aves Became Obsessed

### Chapter 145: The Obsession of Freed Slaves **Which city is the best to live in within the Traul Kingdom?** The capital, Kalia, and a handful of other major cities typically dominated opinions. However, a new city has recently become a hot topic. The city of Noctar, once riddled with vagabonds. The rumors were true—it was a city that seemed like a dump filled with vagrants. It might sound like nonsensical chatter, but the world has changed. Noctar has experienced unprecedented prosperity. The vagrants, who once roamed the back alleys, traded their rusty daggers for pickaxes. They no longer sought refuge from the rain in alleys, but lived in small, tidy homes. The streets were bustling with people day and night, and the city began to breathe with vibrant life. This change was initiated by the founding of the Grim Reaper's trading company. Under the general management of Narsha, the company's deputy owner, numerous trade networks were established to import goods. By using spirits with connections to elves, they made the land fertile and created jobs for the people. To outsiders, it might appear as though the city and its people were being saved by a benevolent ruler, but the reality was subtly different. *"I can't show such a wretched city to him."* Noctar is the city where the Grim Reaper's trading company set its roots. It's deeply unsatisfactory to have to host him in a mere barony, but there's little choice for now. Whether replacing the lord, establishing a new city, or founding a kingdom, those are matters to be dealt with after Karami returns. At the very least, she wanted to present a clean city when Karami eventually comes back. This effort was both to grow the company and to prepare for Karami's return. At this rate, becoming the continent's leading trading company was only a matter of time. Thanks to the significant contributions of the elves and spirits. *"That's all well and good, but…"* Narsha sipped her coffee and reviewed the transaction records. Everything from one to ten was within Narsha's memory, but there were two items—eleven and twelve—that weren't remembered. One was Aether Resin. The other was pollen from Racknia. Aether Resin is a catalyst that maximizes magical effects and is often used as a component in magic herbs smoked by wizards. It's expensive but not extraordinary. The problem was the next item. Racknia pollen. Racknia, also known as the flower of the dead, is a poisonous plant. Its thorns secrete toxins that can cause paralysis or unconsciousness. Racknia pollen can be used as a paralytic, but drugs and poisons are a hair's breadth apart. It's primarily used as an ingredient in making narcotics. Racknia pollen undergoes a special process and is smoked to create a hallucinogenic effect similar to typical drugs. Highly addictive, once smoked, quitting is virtually impossible. Repeated use weakens the mind and intensifies hallucinations. Users lose the ability to distinguish reality from illusion, and once the effects wear off, they suffer severe anxiety and emptiness. On a scale of 1 to 10, it ranks as an 8 in terms of danger. If someone brought such goods without Narsha's permission, it could only be... Narsha glanced over at Arpia, lounging on the sofa. "Miss Arpia, have you been buying goods behind my back again?" "Hmm? What goods?" "Aether Resin and Racknia pollen." "Hmm~ I'm not sure." "Really? Then there wouldn't be any problem if I were to dispose of them." As Narsha reached to ring a bell to summon someone, Arpia sighed and looked at Narsha with a narrowed, irritated gaze. "I bought them. Why?" "Why did you buy them? Do you not know what they are?" "I know exactly what they are, so there's no need to worry." "What do you mean by that? How can you say not to worry, when you know how dangerous Racknia is…?" "Even if it's dangerous, it's none of your concern, is it? You're not my master, after all." Arpia interrupted Narsha abruptly, and the two women locked eyes in a tense standoff. In the dead silence, the atmosphere grew cold. Breaking the silence, Arpia grinned widely. "You don't have to look so severe, do you remember I'm an elf? My body can detoxify poisons instantly, so Racknia is like a child's toy to me. There's no need to worry; I bought it out of curiosity." "..." "Speaking of which, have you heard the rumors? About the emerging Grim Head Cult in the Beast Kingdom?" Arpia attempted to change the subject. Narsha pondered. Whether to let this slide or not. Narsha knew the secrets wrapped inside the bandages on Arpia's arms. But Narsha had no duty nor qualification to interfere. As Arpia said, her master was Karami, and Narsha had no grounds to reprimand her for secret purchases. Arpia owns half of the Grim Reaper's trading company. The elves' cooperation was all thanks to Arpia. The company's flourishing wasn't just due to Narsha's business acumen but also Arpia's contributions. Therefore, Narsha decided to accommodate Arpia. She was merely curious about Karami's potential reaction upon seeing Arpia's state when he returns. "I've heard. It must be his doing without a doubt." The Grim Head Cult emerging in Bastia of the Beast Kingdom. A few elves had been sent to Bastia to fulfill a trade agreement with the Heavenly Pavilion. According to those who returned, a new cult following the Grim Reaper had emerged. Bastia was the destination Karami intended to visit. It undoubtedly must be his dedicated group honoring him. Certainly, it seems he's succeeded in offering the joy of liberation to those destitute. "What should we do? Should we join them?" "No interest for now. Even if he returns, it won't be too late. Until then, I will just continue with my tasks." "Really? Then I'll wait to join later." Arpia playfully swung her legs. "Once the work is done, he'll be back soon, right?" And when he returns, the thousand-year pledge will finally be made. A fresh smile appeared on Arpia's lips for the first time in a while. *** The day of Karami's return was drawing near. Arpia entered the grand forest with a lighter step than usual. The ever-peaceful forest. A sanctuary for elves. Yet today, the sanctuary was bustling. You might even say it was in turmoil. Something wasn’t right. As Arpia gazed around the forest, she spotted Leon. The head of the guardians. The elite of elites. Leon, who held the title of champion at the Fairy Dance Festival until Arpia awakened. There he was, moving about with urgency. His usually cool demeanor now appeared quite grave. "Leon?" "...What is it? Arpia?" "Is something going on? The forest is really noisy. And your expression is quite something too." "..." Leon looked at Ashies with a slightly annoyed gaze. "What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?" "It’s all because of your master." "Why? What did he do now?" "What did he do? Oh, he set something grand in motion. Something that could turn the world upside down." Leon thrust a piece of paper toward Arpia's face. Arpia, taken aback as if caught in an ambush, cautiously accepted the paper. She watched Leon's expression as she slowly read its contents. A human with black hair and black eyes. The Elf Queen of the great forest has made a thousand-year pledge with him. An affair with the Snow Princess in Aisengar. Three short lines. But each one was shocking. "...What nonsense is this?" A human with black hair and black eyes. As far as Arpia knew, only Karami had such rare traits. But Karami making a thousand-year pledge with the Elf Queen? And on top of that, having an affair with the Snow Princess of the north? It was absurd. Feeling a wave of irritation, Arpia crumpled the letter. "Who spread this ridiculous conspiracy?" "It was an urgent message sent by the snow elves. Not just to the great forest, but to all elf elders across the continent." "What…?" "I was just on my way to visit the Queen to verify the truth—" With a burst of speed, Arpia summoned a Wind Servant and leapt into the sky. She swiftly reached the queen's chambers, which were nestled in the highest branches touching the clouds. She opened the window with ease and entered. "Your Majesty!" "Eek?! Ah, Arpia? Through the window again...! You startled me! Next time, follow proper protocol if you wish to meet me..." "This isn't the time for that." "It's about queenly dignity..." Ignoring protocol, Arpia shoved the letter into Ivrelia’s face, interrupting the queen mid-sentence. Ivrelia cautiously examined the letter. "What… What is this?" "I'm the one asking that. Is what’s written here true?" "I can't just say..." Even if she was historically the greatest elf warrior, you can't behave like this to a queen, can you? Queenly dignity must be upheld. Ivrelia accepted the letter with such dissatisfaction. And read it. As she read through the letter, her eyes widened and her mouth gaped. "No, it isn't true! It’s a lie!" She hurriedly protested, her face flushed with embarrassment. Her earlier concerns for propriety vanished in an instant. "Really? It's really not true?" "It isn’t true! Absolutely not! A thousand-year pledge? And the human described as black hair and black-eyed... That’s your master, isn’t it? Why on earth would I make a pledge with such a person..." "Such a person?" "No, I mean, why would I make a pledge with such a person... Moreover, I’ve never even had a conversation with him? Watching from afar was all I've done!" A sound that spells serious trouble indeed. Who would conspire to block someone’s way to marriage? "Who on earth sent this? I need to have a word!" "The snow elves." "The snow elves! Even if the branches have spread, the trunk remains one, how dare they slander the Elf Queen!" "To the elders of elves across the continent." "...What?" Ivrelia blinked dumbly in disbelief. This... to all the elder elves across the continent...? "All of them...?" "Probably?" "Ah..." Ivrelia let out a sigh and staggered before collapsing onto a bed. It wasn’t from anemia from painting, but from the shocking blow to her psyche. She could already envision the barrage of old elders approaching with vehement arguments. Just the thought made her dizzy. Arpia looked down at Ivrelia silently. On a whim, she asked once more. "It's really not, right?" "It’s really not... I’m the queen here. Why are the elves more worried about the master than the queen..." Ivrelia felt the urge to cry. ### Upgraded Rankings and Comments **Weekly Best Rankings** - +3041 "Working Despite Being Caught in a Nightmare" - +992 "Mistaken for a Legendary General" - +363 "Declarer of Breakup to the Heroine Who Detests Me" - +2884 "Surviving as a Wizard at a Magic School" - +1245 "The Obsession of Freed Slaves" - +316 "Mad Priest of the Slums" - +937 "Normalization of Dark Fantasy" - +408 "Mistaken for a Disaster-Level Legend" - +809 "I Want to Be a Former Virtual YouTuber" - +1910 "Stolen Regression by the Heroine" - +4011 "Surviving in a Damned Fantasy World" - +16812 "Genius Wizard on Medication" - +17313 "Childhood Friend of the World's Best" - +1514 "The Crown Prince Grooming His Alternate Identity" - +7515 "Martial Arts Aren't a Big Deal" - +5616 "30 Years of Reincarnation, Turns Out It Was a Rom-Com Genre?" - +9117 "Life is Easy for the Handsome" - +5418 "Isn't This an Adult Game?" - +5119 "I'm Not the Boss Mob!" - +2020 "Mistaken for a Genius Wizard in a Game" **Comments** - **관장초6학년해달** 2025.01.14 02:34 음해해해해해... 0 Logged-in members only can register comments. --- **New Releases and Updates** - **Title Needed but Already Spurred by Fast Start** "A pre-seminary student with a fast-paced life... takes good guys with him... zombies falling from the sky like rain..." **신작묵히는게취미** +1 - **Finished Requests** - "Breaking Through Synchronization Rate with Avatar's Talent" - "Request for the Share of 'Irregularity Among 7 Billion'" --- **Chapter Preview** **The Obsession of Freed Slaves - Chapter 145** (146/218)