The Master’s Cold Command

“How many people does our corps have left here in Vero?”

“Only one small squad remains, seven of us including myself. We are all apprentice knights, and our combat training isn’t finished yet… The people in the Lower City are so terrifying… Everyone is very scared…”

Having finally caught her own corps commander, Vireta’s eyes welled up with tears as she chattered on and on without end.

Saranya listened silently, patiently hearing out Vireta’s complaints.

She hadn’t expected their once-large knight corps branch to be reduced to such a state.

Regardless, the most important matter now was the livelihood of her subordinates.

Coincidentally, the Redwater Gang, having experienced Haru’s betrayal, was even more short-staffed than before the incident.

It would be a good idea to take in these apprentice knights.

Although they weren’t familiar with the business and their combat strength wasn’t high, their advantage lay in their unwavering loyalty.

As for their lacking abilities, they could be slowly cultivated later.

“Go downstairs to the kitchen and fetch a few roasted chickens, and pack some vegetable stew and bread…”

“No need, Commander, I’ll just have everyone come in for a simple meal—”

“Then go to the cellar warehouse and get seven sets of daily necessities: bedding, soap, bowls, basins, and don’t forget changes of clothes…”

“Commander…”

Vireta’s eyes, looking back at Saranya, sparkled like a child who had found her long-lost mother.

She couldn’t stop sobbing and hugged Saranya tightly.

“Ah, mm, it’s alright… There, did you see the large carriage with a compartment downstairs?”

Saranya, feeling a bit awkward, raised both hands and patted Vireta’s shoulders in comfort.

“I saw it…”

“The coachman’s name is Leif.

Take your companions, load those supplies into the carriage, and tell him you’re going to Hillburg Manor.

He’s also the manor’s butler.

Tell him you’ll be staying at the manor and ask him to make arrangements, saying that Lady Hillburg has agreed.

Do you understand?”

“Mm… I understand.”

Saranya curled her lips, smiling very gently:

“Go on.”

“Thank you, thank you, Commander…”

Vireta turned to leave, but Saranya suddenly remembered something:

“Oh, Vireta… Don’t tell anyone you’ve met ‘Commander Saranya.’ My name is Haia, understood?”

“Understood~”

Vireta nodded obediently, showing a sensible understanding by not asking for the reason.

After seeing Vireta off, Saranya let out a long breath and closed the door.

“Finished with your charity?”

Kaelan’s icy voice came from behind her.

At the same time, a strange, sharp pain suddenly flared in Saranya’s abdomen.

The faint purple glow of the magic tattoo seeped through her collar, climbing up her smooth jawline, flickering slightly around her eyes.

“Ma… Master…”

The Master, having dressed at some unknown point, had quietly padded up behind her.

The physical discomfort, the Master’s frosty tone in her ear, and the persistent panic in her mind, influenced by the magic’s domination, all made Saranya feel as though she had plunged into an icy abyss.

“Master… I…”

Kaelan’s demeanor was severe, completely unlike the little witch who had trembled in arousal and wantonly released female hormones in bed just moments ago.

‘She hadn’t been like this just now.

How could the Master be a completely different person the moment she pulled up her pants?’

“You give away my property and my house, yet you alone enjoy the gratitude of your subordinates… Tell me, what is the meaning of this?”

“Master, I’m sorry, I thought you were still in bed—”

“Don’t say it!!!”

Saranya flinched, trembling all over.

Kaelan’s eyes widened, glaring at Saranya, and it took her a long time to calm her erratic breathing.

“You revealed your identity to that Vireta, didn’t you?”

“Yes…”

“If your identity as commander were exposed, it would likely attract the attention of a group of busybodies, wouldn’t it?

Someone who won’t be of any help to me, but instead acts on their own initiative and brings me trouble… Do you think I would keep such a useless person by my side?”

“No, Master, that won’t happen…”

“I know what you’re thinking.

I know.

You’ve become so conceited that you’ve forgotten your place…”

“No! I, I wouldn’t let what happened in bed—”

“I told you not to say it!!!”

Facing her Master’s second outburst, Saranya hastily lowered her head, adopting a submissive posture.

Kaelan turned sideways, her breathing ragged, a continuous hiss escaping her lips.

She hid her expression behind her dishevelled hair, picked up a porcelain bowl from the table, and held it out to Saranya.

Saranya noticed a shallow cut on the Master’s wrist holding the bowl, and a layer of crimson blood lined the bottom of the bowl.

“Running low on magic, are we? Drink it, magic s*ave.”

Kaelan deliberately drew out the word “magic s*ave,” clearly intending to assert her dominance over her thrall.

Saranya took the bowl, seizing the opportunity to quickly glance at her Master.

‘Her Master’s expression is terrifying…’

She let out a soft gasp of fright, and without hesitation, pressed her mouth to the rim of the bowl, tilting her head back to pour a trickle of blood down her throat.

“Slap!”

Before she could finish drinking, her Master suddenly struck her across the face.

Her head snapped to the side, one ear ringing, and a burning pain flared on her cheek.

The porcelain bowl slipped from her grasp, shattering into fragments on the floor beneath her.

“Why make decisions on your own?

Why not obey your Master’s will?

Why… overstep your bounds?”

“Mm… Master, I won’t ever again—”

Kaelan’s gem-like eyes flashed crimson, silencing Saranya with her gaze.

Somehow, the moment Saranya met her Master’s eyes, an extreme, unbidden fear enveloped her entire body.

Cold sweat broke out all over her, and she trembled like a leaf, even feeling a faint urge to urinate.

‘This feeling isn’t normal… Is it because she’s her Master’s magic s*ave? And when… when did her Master train her to be like this…?’

“Kneel.”

Kaelan raised a delicate, fair hand, her finger pointing at the bloody shards of porcelain on the floor.

“Kneel right here.”

“Yes…”

Almost without a moment’s hesitation, Saranya bent her knees, kneeling on the scattered porcelain shards.

She could hear the dull thud of sharp objects piercing her flesh, followed by a bone-chilling pain.

Trembling, she shuffled forward as if by rote, gently pressing against her Master’s thigh.

“Master… Saranya will always be your most obedient little s*ave… Saranya… will never do that again…”

“Grand Commander, you haven’t kissed my feet today, have you?”

Kaelan’s tone held a hint of mockery as she leaned back in her chair, lifting a fair, tender leg towards Saranya.

“Lick them clean.”

Tears welled in the corners of Saranya’s eyes, and a blush of shame crept onto her cheeks.

Receiving the command, she gently cupped one of her Master’s smooth, jade-like feet, extended her fragrant tongue, and meticulously began to clean it.

This sensation was unlike any before.

Previously, her Master had always seemed to enjoy her service, but this time, her expression was cold, devoid of even a trace of pleasure.

Saranya understood.

Her Master’s purpose this time was purely to make her understand who was in charge, who could issue commands, and who would offer body and soul unreservedly.

Between them, there could only be one dominant figure.

“Enough.”

Kaelan lowered her small foot, using her other foot to push Saranya’s face to the side.

“Clean this up, then come downstairs to find me.

I want to show you the changes in the tavern and explain our plans for the future.”

“Yes, Master…”

Saranya’s eyes dimmed as she watched her Master close the door.