Dark Elves.
A race that everyone knew existed, but not everyone dared to say it out loud.
It's enough to walk the Continent at least a little to learn about them.
***
In a remote village on the border of the Empire.
"Father, why did you kill them?"
The boy watched the dying flock of sheep while fresh blood still dripped from his old father's blade.
"The Dark Elf stole this herd. Now their blood is cursed. It would be better for them to go to a better world soon."
The boy looked at the dying sheep again, unable to find the words to refute his old father.
***
In a small, thriving town.
"...What? My last lodger was involved with the Dark Elves?"
The tavern owner froze in place, staring unblinkingly at his longtime friend who had brought him the news, before snatching the till with all the money from the table and dashing out of the tavern.
Only after drowning all the cursed money in the nearest river did his hands stop shaking.
"O Great Sun, purify my soul..."
Folding his hands in a prayerful gesture, he began his silent prayer.
"O Lord, protect me from evil. Don't let my tavern burn to the ground in the bloody flames."
***
And all over the Empire, on just about any Guild message board:
[Dark Elf, male, wanted for...]
[Dark Elf, male, runaway slave...]
[Dark Elf, female, bounty on head 19,999 silver...]
***
In a room filled with sunlight, their eyes met.
A maid's outfit with black stockings, a respectful pose...
Her looks alone were enough to seduce any man into lewd thoughts, but right now Finlay's thoughts were on something else entirely.
'Am I still dreaming?'
He couldn't explain it any other way.
Bastard gets a personal maid?
It was more like the fairy tales mothers told their children than the reality Finlay lived in.
'No, more importantly, is she a Dark Elf?'
No matter how many times he looked at her, it was undeniable.
Finlay discreetly pinched himself, but the pain proved it was real.
'I had vaguely heard of the Dark Elves.'
This world was not so favorable to them.
They were considered a cursed race, bringing misfortune wherever they set foot, and were despised by even the kindest of people.
Normally when you saw a Dark Elf, you could call they an runaway slave, criminal, or cultist and 98% of the time you'd hit it right on the mark.
Persecution and hunting them down was commonplace.
And yet, she stood quietly in one of the Noble Houses of this world?
Though thanks to his modern mind, he had nothing against them, he frowned slightly.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't find her face in his memories. That meant only one thing: Finlay had never met her.
"Who are you?"
At his direct question, she tilted her head to the side incomprehensibly.
"I am your cutest, most loyal, and best personal maid, Lauren."
"..."
"Hehehe, judging from your reaction, Young Lord, have you forgotten me~?"
'No, I didn't know you in the first place.'
"How cute~"
"..."
Her sweet words only made the dryness in his throat worse.
"Get me some water."
'Since she was pretending to be my maid, she had to do at least that, right?'
"Water? Sure!"
She quickly disappeared into the next room and the next moment was standing in front of me with a tray and a glass of water.
"Here you go, Young Lord!"
Finlay didn't know what game she was playing, but he took it and drank it all in a volley.
He let the cool water run down his throat, bringing his thoughts to order.
It was the right thing to do. Finally, he remembered something he hadn't used yet, Veil.
I immediately activated it on her.
— — —「Status」 — — —
❖ Name: Felix ❖
❖ Race: Dark Elf ❖
➤ Propensity: Acting(current role: Lauren, Finlay Esterra's personal maid), Bad habits, Delicious food.
❖ Rank: ???? ❖
➤ Awakened Mana: Yes.
➤ Awakened Aura: Yes.
❖ Destiny Holder: ???? ❖
❖ Number of Essences: (7) ❖
➤ {Shining like You}, {Canvas of Reality}, {Being Immortal}, {Source of Youth}, {???}....
[Note: To even compare you to a pathetic earthworm on the verge of death and a Mighty Dragon at the peak of her powers would be an insult to her.]
— — — — — —
Veil's words were rather harsh....
But given all the things Finlay saw in her status, and more importantly what he couldn't see, he couldn't deny their veracity.
'Was I now in the same room as the Elder Dragon?'
Goosebumps ran down his skin.
At the same time, he found the reason for her confidence.
— — —「Essence」 — — —
「Inherited from Dream Demon」
❖ Name: Shining like You ❖
❖ Rarity: Highest ❖
["A luminous presence that bends perception—those who gaze upon you see not who you are, but the perfection their hearts have always longed for."]
— — — — — —
'But I see her like she is...?'
Not that Dark Elves were his secret dream or anything.
When Finlay tried to take another look at her status and find some hope there, it gave off a buzzing pain in his head.
[Your relationship is insufficient to view further information.]
'I guess that was my limit.'
"Humm~ Humm~"
As he checked her status, she hummed happily to herself as she waited patiently for him.
Finlay was almost ready to believe that the status he had just watched had nothing to do with her.
He got out of bed, ignoring the uncomfortable sensations throughout his body.
"Get ready, we're leaving soon."
He still had some things to check out.
"Whatever you say, Young Lord~"
After a quick bath and freshening up, Finlay got dressed again and left his room.
He wasn't alone this time – his most loyal personal maid Lauren, who was Felix – was also walking beside him, humming some light-hearted tune.
Honestly, Finlay was worried about her.
'Her ability didn't work on me, what if it doesn't work on others?'
...Then she would have to face all the hatred that humans have for Dark Elves.
No matter how strong she really is, that hatred isn't going anywhere.
He just hoped it wouldn't go any further than scornful glances and quiet curses.
The treatment of bastards wasn't much better, so Finlay had long since gotten used to such treatment and it no longer swayed him.
Although he said that, it wasn't really something you could get used to. Each time it hurt you in a different way.
'Yeah, better prepare for the worst…'
As soon as they passed through the hallway, a multitude of eyes fell upon them.
Lauren drew stares from everyone in the guest house. Soon they began whispering among themselves.
"Wow, look at that… she has such fair skin! How does she take care of it?"
"She looks like a celebrity! I've always dreamed of being like that!"
"A celebrity? She looks like the epitome of the sweet submissive maid from my dreams..."
'...I guess I was worried for nothing.'
Forget hatred and contempt, their reaction was pure adoration, on the verge of gutless worship.
It was pretty funny to watch how everyone was easily swayed by her appearance.
Likely, in their eyes, she was their ideal, the one they aspired to, the one they wanted, the one they dreamed of...
Taking all these looks for granted, Lauren walked confidently beside him.
If even one of them knew she was a Dark Elf, how would their faces change?
'Let's not think about it.'
Being loved was more pleasant than being hated, wasn't it? I think it was applicable to all living beings.
To a fanfare of delighted exclamations and excited whispers, they continued on their way.