Chapter 215

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on April 8, 2025

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp Pinterest Telegram

Here’s the English translation of the provided novel text, adhering strictly to the given glossary terms:

—

Episode 215

The Silver Rose

214? The Silver Rose #3

Elpride.

Elpride Desmund.

A seasoned Silver-tier Adventurer.

The woman I had spent the longest time with on the Gaia Continent—and the one bound to me by the most ill-fated ties.

Now, twenty-two years old.

An Albino Elf.

A Fire Mage Witch.

A woman who enjoys most meats, loves drinking tea, and spends her weekends reading books at home.

Surprisingly, she sleeps a lot too.

She’s courted by many men and seems to exploit their affections, yet she never truly accepts anyone’s heart—a master of keeping a vast harem.

A Master of Whipping.

The Authority of Slapping.

Cold hands and feet.

The occasional smile.

Sometimes, she grows tender after a full meal, just before sleep.

These are just the things that come to mind when listing what I know about Elpride. Having spent two years with her, I could go on endlessly about her.

And why wouldn’t I? To a slave, their master is their entire world. The master is the ceiling, the roof, the walls, and the floor.

So, at one point, Elpride was everything to me.

Of course, it wasn’t a rational relationship, nor was it an equal one between two Humans. Yet, she occupied the largest part of my life.

Slave and master.

Honestly, I could never accept such a concept.

I, who had once savored the sweet honey of 21st-century freedom and equality, suddenly found myself with a collar around my neck, forced to obey another’s commands. A horrifying thought.

At least in the military, there’s a discharge date.

For a slave, escape is hopeless unless they can pay their own price. Unfair, absurd—that’s why they’re a slave.

Of course, my fall into slavery was my own fault.

Had I not set fire to the Desros Arena, I wouldn’t have been sentenced to execution or slavery, nor would I have been entangled in this ill-fated bond with Elpride.

But if you ask why I became a Gladiator in that arena or how I ended up in this world—that, honestly, wasn’t my fault.

What is this world?

Why am I here?

Cursed by the Two Serpents, I often found myself observing the world and my place in it from the distant Border of Lust and Flesh. The only conclusion was an unanswerable question…

—

”Samaritan, Elpi talks about you often. I don’t know what your relationship was or what kind of bond you shared, but… Elpi is in a lot of pain.”

Delphina rose from the bed and began donning her light armor. Watching the leather straps and sheathed sword sway against her slender frame snapped me out of my thoughts.

The name “Elpride” always traps me in excessive reflection.

The time I spent with her: roughly two years.

The time apart: roughly two months.

Only after an equal amount of time passes will those memories begin to fade. Though I don’t show it, I’m still living in her shadow.

Still, I feigned indifference and asked casually, as if it were just passing curiosity:

”In a lot of pain? Is she sick or something?”

”I don’t know either. Even visiting the Healer’s clinic doesn’t seem to help. Watching her struggle to sleep every night is hard on me and the others. When her condition worsens, work efficiency drops.”

Delphina’s words made me recall the last time I saw Elpride.

Was it in that dark, damp underground sewer? Back then, her body had creaked like an unoiled tin can.

”But… that’s not really my problem, is it?”

”I thought you two were close. Normally, people would at least help out of basic humanity.”

Delphina clicked her tongue as if she were looking at the worst kind of sc*m. Did she not know what my relationship with Elpride was? Otherwise, she wouldn’t act like this.

I wondered if Elpride had never told others that I was her slave.

She’s the type to keep her true self hidden—sly like that. It’s understandable if she concealed her past from her new comrades.

But then, what did she say about me?

As I lost myself in thought, Delphina added:

”Weren’t you her old comrade? Even if a party breaks up over bad bl**d, there’s still camaraderie, right?”

”Camaraderie? Elpride described me as her old comrade?”

”If not a comrade, then… a boyfriend? But as far as I know, Elpi said she’s never had one.”

”Well, our relationship was… complicated.”

”Anyway, I have a favor to ask. I tried handling it internally, but… I’ve hit my limits. Honestly, I get why she praised your massages.”

Delphina rotated her waist like she was spinning a transparent hula hoop.

”My back really doesn’t hurt anymore. I might even be able to ride a horse again. I got kicked out of the brigade because I couldn’t.”

She even mimicked a horse-riding stance, swaying her hips up and down. Unintentionally, the motion was… suggestive. My lower half reacted embarrassingly.

So this is the legendary Silver-tier hip control.

Just as I was marveling, Delphina abruptly stopped. Had she caught me staring? Thankfully, no.

”Interested in intel on a Named Monster? It’s incredibly valuable. Taking it down would boost your Karma enough to jump straight to Silver-tier.”

She was tempting me hard. It made me curious—she’d only known Elpride for a month or two.

”Why do you care so much about Elpride?”

”Why? Well—”

Her expression darkened slightly. Her delicate features tightened before she uttered something unbelievable:

”Isn’t it obvious? An Albino Elf… is someone born to d*e.”

”What do you mean, ‘born to d*e’?”

”Ah—”

She didn’t elaborate. Her face showed regret, as if she’d slipped up.

I couldn’t understand.

I thought I knew Elpride better than anyone in this world.

Turns out, I didn’t.

”Elpi doesn’t have much time left, Samaritan. From what I gather, you owe her. Think of this as repayment.”

”Hah… a debt?”

”Once the Clementor Viscount’s son’s wedding is over, we’re returning to Kolkata. Then, we’re embarking on a long journey. We might never see you again.”

—

On sunny days like this, certain memories flash back without warning.

In my mind, that day was unusually bright.

Perfect weather, birds singing—ideal for a spring picnic.

But for me, it was the worst day.

Because it was the first time I had to k*ll someone.

Thud. Splurt.

That person was the first friend I made in this bizarre world.

”You… you won, Hassan. Cough… Now, run. You don’t belong in this hell on earth. Staying here means dying like a dog. Find freedom… leave. Our Samaritan… never bound by anything…”

”My name’s Hassan, not Hassan… And I’m not a Samaritan.”

”Ha… san…”

He was a Samaritan.

Until the moment he coughed bl**d and went cold, he was a Samaritan.

A person turning into a cold corpse in my hands… Truth is, every Gladiator in the Desros Arena was destined to end up like that.

The only difference was when.

No Gladiator survives.

They’re sacrificial offerings to the Gods—through battle, d*ath, and bl**d.

”Here… a Match. Use it… burn the barrels… escape through the passage… cross the northern sea… to the black Wilderness… find my Younger Sister… her name… Juno…”

”Rest well, Castor. My friend.”

I buried that day’s memories deep within the raging flames.

Not a happy memory, and no one ever asked about it. Not that I would’ve answered.

Had Samaritan Castor not stopped his sword that day, I would’ve been the one dying. I owed him my life.

And not long after, had Elpride not bought me as a slave, I would’ve been executed.

So, in a way, I owed her my life too.

Not that Castor or Elpride would’ve considered it a debt.

But I kept those owed lives in my heart, like unsettled debts. Maybe it’s because I was taught from childhood to honor promises and debts.

Castor fell in battle that day, so I couldn’t repay him. But Elpride is still alive.

If I want to repay her, I can.

Elpride.

This will truly be the End of our bond.

Donning a robe and mask, I entered an inn near the City’s southern gate. Somewhere inside was Elpride.

Following Delphina’s directions, I found the farthest room on the second floor. A strange unease churned in my chest—proof that Elpride was beyond that door.

Knock. Knock.

”Come in.”

Opening the door, I saw Delphina standing stiffly and Elpride sitting on the bed, frowning.

Delphina brightened upon seeing me.

”This is him! The famous Healer from the City!”

”Quite tall. But why cover your face?”

”A childhood disease left it scarred. But his skills are trustworthy!”

”Delphi, your shoulder massages were enough—”

Had their argument not ended yet? Elpride and Delphina bickered about me standing at the door.

Swoosh.

Soon, ruby-red eyes locked onto me. Even behind the mask, I flinched. A Witch’s gaze pierces through essence, unsettling anyone.

Did she recognize me?

”You’re… quite large.”

The robe from Delphina worked well—Elpride didn’t recognize me.

A robe enchanted with magic suppression? No wonder it costs 50 Silver. High-tier Adventurers must wear these often.

”Well, I’m busy, so I’ll leave now. I’ll be back in an hour. Make sure to loosen up by then. Mr. Lihan, take care!”

”Ah, got it. Lihan… good at massages.”

I replied reflexively in a strange voice—distorted by the mask’s enchantment. The bizarre tone startled even me.

An awkward silence filled the cramped room.

Did she figure it out?

Just as I grew uneasy, Delphina laughed it off. ”Alright, I’m really leaving now!” She shut the door behind her.

Elpride shouted ”Delphi—!”, but footsteps had already faded down the hall.

She sighed and glanced at me.

”So… Mr. Lihan, was it?”

”Yes. Lihan. Good at massages.”

I deliberately used broken speech to avoid recognition. Even with voice distortion, habits could betray me.

If we didn’t recognize each other, we’d just do what was needed and part ways.

A clean End to our bond.

”Lihan. From desert. Earn money. Marry City woman. Get Citizenship.”

I mimicked the Sandman Dorgo I’d met during the War. This clumsy speech should keep my identity hidden.

”Elf. Lie down. On bed.”

”Huh? ‘Elf’?”

”Elpride.”

”Hmm—”

She frowned, distrustful.

Swoosh.