Dawn awakened Roland.

Rubbing his eyes and yawning, he sat up, feeling somewhat floaty both in mind and body. He had drunk himself into a stupor the night before, and then got married in a dream.

He couldn't remember the bride's face, only that her ears were long and pointed, a sign she was an elf.

Rubbing his somewhat aching head, he reminded himself not to make a habit of it, determined not to become a drunkard.

Opening the window and seeing Granni splitting wood, he confirmed that last night wasn't a dream. Barbarians are straightforward, splitting wood without an axe, just using their hands.

Humming a tune, Granni tore the logs into neat strips, as if tearing through paper.

After splitting the firewood, she turned and saw Roland at the third-floor window sill, then straightened up, her cheerful voice echoing in the courtyard with the sunlight.

"Lord, did you sleep well last night?"

Since most countries had legally abolished slavery, there were no more titles of master and slave. Usually, one would say "sir" or "lord," and only in the bedroom could one be called "master."

Roland smiled and waved at Granni, responding casually.

Each maid"s contract was slightly different. Besides normal services, to protect personal rights, they could set some restrictions.

Julie added "no forced bed service" to her contract.

Roland, ever amenable, agreed.

Lana, shy and hesitant, hoped Roland would grant her basic human rights.

Roland, ever amenable, agreed.

Granni, however, was carefree. She said as long as the lord likes, she could do anything, including serving him on the bed.

Roland, ever amenable, strongly objected.

He didn't disdain Granni. Even as a barbarian, her features were delicate, her smile bright, and her red hair tied in a ponytail made her look like a valiant Valkyrie.

But her muscular long legs could snap a wolf's neck, and Roland chose to decline.

Girls are great, but life is more important. Roland, with a stroke of his pen, made an important addition, "Without consent, Granni is not to initiate bed service."

The three maids worked with enthusiasm, each excelling in their area, pleasing Roland greatly.

If ordinary maids were like this, he had even more expectations for the elf girl he won with one gold coin.

Standing in front of the third-floor window of the castle, Roland stared at the path leading to the outside world, full of anticipation.

After a long three-day wait, the merchant's caravan finally appeared on the horizon.

"Ah, Mr. Granta has finally arrived. Please, come inside!" Roland's smile was radiant, devoid of noble aloofness.

Granta, of course, knew what Roland wanted. He looked around to make sure no one was listening and lowered his voice, "Lord, this time the goods..."

"Didn't bring it?"

Disappointed at not seeing the elf girl, Roland's tone remained even.

"Emm...it"s just that there's a problem with it this time, I must explain to you." Granta said in a low voice, "She's dangerous, and an elf...I am worried you won't be able to handle it. If you're willing to give up, I can exchange it for five hundred gold coins."

Five hundred gold coins, huh? Does he think I cannot count? Or do I look like a pushover, an idiot? Roland silently cursed in his heart.

He slowly shook his head, firmly opposing. "Whether she's dangerous or not is for me to decide, not you. I don"t accept any compensation plan."

"May I take it as 'You ignore the risk warning and insist on taking delivery'?"

The fat merchant asked cautiously.

"Cut the crap."

Roland ignored the risk warning, insisting on taking delivery.

"Alright, please sign a waiver."

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Roland, alert, took the waiver and read it carefully; it was the usual disclaimers, "not responsible for customer death or injury during use" and such.

Ridiculous. Roland signed his name without hesitation, ignoring the risks. Minutes later, a large iron box covered with black cloth was carried into the castle and placed in the hall.

Before Roland could ask, the fat merchant and his men disappeared like lightning. The scene was somewhat eerie, and Roland felt a bit nervous.

He didn't rush to open the box but instead put on his ancestral armor, took up a large tower shield, and called Granni for protection before feeling somewhat relieved.

"Granni, open the box."

Turning the blind box opening into a major operation, Roland found it absurd. But...safety first.

Granni, with the large shield in front of her chest, used a spear to lift the black cloth, and upon seeing the elf girl inside the cage, her tense nerves relaxed instantly.

Tsk, what danger could this slender-armed and slender-legged girl possibly pose?

Her cheerful voice echoed in the castle: "My lord, there’s no danger. Take your time, I'll go chop some wood."

Granni left quickly, leaving only Roland and the elf girl in the hall.

It was just a fleeting glance, but Roland's soul was captivated.

Compared to those artificial beauties from before his reincarnation, she was perfect.

Silver hair somewhat disheveled, resting on her shoulders, with pointed ears peeking out, perfectly curved. Delicate features without a single flaw, trembling eyelashes tugging at his heartstrings. Her red eyes emitted a bewildering charm, one glance and a man would be ensnared. Her figure was not the very standard of an elf: full and round, even comparable to a succubus, and her somewhat awkward kneeling position couldnt hide her curves.

Rolands gaze and soul plunged into the deep sea of her red eyes, unable to extricate himself.

Silver hair, red eyes, a stunning figure - the elf girl was exactly his type.

His gaze shifted to her shoulder, and his breath stopped. The pristine skin marred by hideous whip marks was particularly striking.

Who could be so cruel! Roland's blood boiled, immediately wanted to bring the perpetrator to justice.

He suddenly stood up, frozen in place. The perpetrator... could it be himself?

Without trade, there would be no killing. If it wasn't for the lottery, would she have been captured? Terrifying thoughts swirled in his mind.

Was the damn merchant catching people on the spot for delivery after receiving the order?

Looking at the elf girl's dimmed eyes, Roland sighed softly and crouched in front of her.

"When were you captured?"

The elf girl's vacant gaze stirred slightly, she had considered numerous possibilities, but never expected Roland to ask this question.

Initially reluctant to speak, she couldn't resist Roland's clear gaze. After hesitating for a long time, a weak and hoarse voice slowly rose.

"Half a month ago."

Half a month ago? Roland breathed a sigh of relief, feeling slightly better.

Captured before the order was placed, it had nothing to do with him.

He wouldn't mistreat the elf girl; he would treat her well. He was a kind guy!

Easing his conscience, his smile widened.

"Let me introduce myself, I am Baron Minhausen, Roland Gracia. You can call me Roland. Consider this your home from now on, I will treat you well."

The elf girl's gaze remained empty, but Roland keenly observed a flicker of emotion.

Her heart seemed to be struggling.

After a long while, just when Roland thought she would remain silent, she opened her mouth and said softly, "If you are a good person, please grant me a painless death."

"In return, I will fulfill all your desires, you should know what I am refering to."

"......"

Roland couldn't imagine what she felt when she spoke. What kind of despair made her long for death?

Looking at the shackles on the girl's slender wrists, he was secretly shocked. Despite appearing frail, the girl was very dangerous.

The sturdy Legnasium steel could lock up high-level magical beasts, yet it was used to bind this poor girl.

Sensing Roland's gaze, the elf girl remained calm and said, "If you unlock these shackles, you're dead."

"As long as you kill me, I'll do anything."

Her voice was weak, her eyes determined, but Roland saw the moisture at the corners of her eyes. After all she was just a girl, with her own soft side.

Roland asked in a deep voice, "If you continue to starve yourself, how long will you last before you die? Don't lie to me, I know the elves' vitality is very strong."

"A month."

After a long silence, the elf girl slowly spoke. The elves' strong vitality was now the source of her pain.

Roland raised his hand to stop her, saying with a half-smile, "According to you, your most miserable fate would be to suffer humiliation and torture for a month before dying unwillingly, right?"

The girl didn't speak, her little finger trembling slightly.

Roland continued, "Sorry, you might have underestimated the cruelty of this world. I am a noble, I have money, I can hire the best priests, and your life can be sustained for half a year or even longer."

The elf girl's body trembled slightly, her complexion changed.

If he were determined to torture her, she would suffer much more.

"You devil, I will curse you with my soul shards after I die!" the girl"s voice trembled.

Roland's mouth curved slightly upwards.

He wasn"t afraid of her cursing him; he was afraid of her becoming numb.

Roland spread his hands, smiling, "I'm just describing the possibilities, I didn't say it has to be this way."

But you didn't deny it! The elf girl's face turned ashen, her fingertips trembling even more.

A good start is half the battle, the elf girl's willingness to curse him was like a dream start.

"I have an idea. You accept my arrangement for six months, and if you still wish to die after that, I guarantee you a painless departure."

"To suffer and die painfully after half a year of torment, or to accept my arrangement and live another half a year, choose."

The girl's gaze was somewhat dazed.

Roland wanted her to willingly be a servant for half a year.

Becoming a canary kept by a lecherous noble, satisfying all sorts of bizarre desires.

Terribly bad, but she had no choice.

The elf girl closed her eyes, and tears rolled down her cheeks.

"I agree."

She waited for Roland to pounce on her eagerly, she could feel his burning gaze.

The beauty of an elf was too deadly for humans, she was well aware.

A lecherous human noble, as long as you keep his promise, you can do whatever you want for those six months.

Watching the elf girl close her eyes, Roland knew what she was thinking.

He snapped his fingers, the sound echoing in the hall, "Julie, take this lady to have a thorough bath and then change into clean clothes."

"By the way, what's your name?"

This question was directed at the elf girl.

The girl slowly opened her eyes, feeling somewhat relieved.

This noble didn't seem so brutal, it seemed her last journey in life wouldn't be too uncomfortable.

"Melannis. Melannis Daphne Windtalker."