“Hmm…”

Laura Freeze was lost in thought.

Exceptional swordsmanship.

Unwavering pride and dignity.

Ellie Ingrid was the epitome of nobility, maintaining her composure, mental strength, and authoritative demeanor regardless of the circumstances.

‘But why?’

Where had the fiercely competitive Swordmaster she knew gone?

“Um… could you adjust the settlement amount just a little bit…?”

That man, Yuto .

What kind of trickery had he pulled on Ellie?

It was unthinkable that a woman with such unshakable pride would plead so desperately unless she had no choice.

“She must have been caught on something.”

There was no other way to explain it.

Speculating wouldn’t help, though.

She’d find out by checking for herself.

With that thought, Lora Freeze quietly trailed after the pair leaving the academy.

Meanwhile ━━

Ellie Ingrid was filled with certainty.

‘It’s undeniable…’

That man, Yuto.

He had to be a worshipper of the demon god.

Or perhaps a descendant of demons.

No mere human would abandon her in a place like this and simply disappear.

“Oh, a newbie? You look pretty young.”

“……”

“Shy, are we? But what’s with the eye patch? Is that some sort of roleplay thing?”

Karen , the ace of the tavern, pointed at Ellie’s eye patch. Ellie, enduring the overwhelming stench of alcohol and perfume, struggled to maintain her composure.

“Roleplay?”

“Yeah, isn’t it some sort of fetish thing? I thought you were into that kind of stuff.”

“I’m not sure what you mean. It’s just a regular eye patch.”

“Whoa, you’re actually blind? Poor thing… but don’t worry. This tavern is super popular. You won’t earn as much as me, but you’ll make enough to live on.”

Make enough to live on?

‘What nonsense.’

‘If you think I’m like you, you’re sorely mistaken. As soon as I settle that cursed hypocrite’s compensation, I’ll be done with this humiliation.’

Ellie gritted her teeth, forcing herself to remain calm. Yet the thought that this tavern might be her future filled her with dread.

‘This place must be… unsavory.’

Ellie had always been uncomfortable around men.

Perhaps it was because of the oppressive treatment she had endured from her father and older brothers as a child.

Even casual conversations with men left her stomach churning with unease.

It was practically a phobia.

Despite her age, she had never built friendships or connections with men, even in social circles.

While others praised her as “noble” or “untouchable,” the truth was far from it.

Somehow, though, she had ended up entangled with Yuto.

“Ellie, I know the truth. That eye patch—it’s just an accessory, isn’t it? You can actually see perfectly fine…”

He was nothing but a troublesome acquaintance.

She even felt her safety was at risk.

Yuto was someone who knew secrets she had never revealed.

Worse, he was a shameless tormentor who had subjected her to countless humiliations.

Why had he approached her in the first place?

How had he uncovered her secrets?

The endless mysteries made her head throb, but it was a torment she could not share with anyone. Just as despair began to weigh on her, a voice reached out to her.

「My disciple, are you alright?」

Ah…

Ellie recognized that voice well.

It wasn’t exactly a physical sound.

It was the question of a thoughtform—something only she could see and hear.

‘Master, please… I’ve told you time and again not to speak to me so recklessly.’

“I’m… I’m sorry. I just wanted to check on you since I was worried…”

‘If you’re not going to help, then just stay quiet. Things are already complicated enough because of that man.’

「…My disciple, as I’ve told you before, you are the only successor of the Yukhaengryu who can see and hear me.」

Ellie  knew.

She had heard it endlessly over the past two years. She had only recently asked again because of Yuto.

‘There’s no way Yuto could be a successor of Yukhaengryu, right?’

「That, too, is a foolish question. The forbidden text of Yukhaengryu—the one you discovered—is the only one that exists.」

Two years ago, Ellie Ingrid had stumbled upon a forbidden text in the rift of a subspace she had accidentally entered. Through it, she had encountered Mihu, the founder of Yukhaengryu swordsmanship, and had unexpectedly become his disciple.

‘Fine, I get it. But please, don’t talk to me so freely when I’m outside. It’s already hard to focus, and you’re making it worse.’

「I’ll… I’ll keep that in mind. But disciple, it seems you’ve been neglecting your training lately. You should find time to practice—」

‘I’m too busy making money. Besides, I’m already following your advice by wearing this eye patch to enhance my sensation training. Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to walk around with my perfectly good eye covered?’

「I understand, having done it myself. But, disciple, let me clarify one thing. The purpose of the eye patch wasn’t solely for sensation training. It was to help you see what you usually cannot, to gain a new perspective on the things you’ve seen before. It’s meant to broaden your narrow view—」

‘Be quiet. I’m about to go in.’

「……」

Mihu wanted to say more.

Above all, he wanted to tell her that her attitude needed to change if she was ever to truly inherit Yukhaengryu.

But he stayed silent.

This brash fledgling would only understand after experiencing failure. Sometimes, one must get burned to know the fire’s heat.

Ding-a-ling.

The tavern’s doorbell chimed, and the staff began guiding the guests.

“Oh, looks like customers are here. Newbie, you’re up!”

“Um… what exactly am I supposed to do?”

“What else? Just drink with the customers. Don’t worry—we’re not like those shady taverns.”

“What’s different about this place…?”

“Well, we’re more about ‘entertainment’—you know, singing and dancing!”

‘How is that any different?’ Ellie thought but kept her mouth shut.

Though drinking wasn’t an issue since she was of legal age as an Imperial cadet, the thought of interacting with men made her stomach churn.

“Madam, give us your best tonight, as always!”

A group of burly men approached the counter.

They were adventurers, decked out with expensive-looking gear. Their badges, attached to their chests or shoulders, marked them as part of a guild.

‘Gold rank.’

Even at a glance, Ellie could tell they were from a reputable adventurer clan.

The adventurers were professionals in their field, a level Ellie  would need to surpass lightly in the future. But as a cadet, she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by their sheer presence.

“Oh, so the newbie’s a young lady? That eye-patch thing is so hot. Madam, I’m picking her tonight.”

“Whoa! Boss, your taste is impeccable. She’s going to be fun to unwrap—oh, I mean, the eye patch, of course. Hahaha!”

‘What vile trash.’

Ellie’s  evaluation was cold and concise.

But no matter her feelings, as someone in a subordinate position, she couldn’t refuse.

“Ellie, right? Congratulations on your first selection! The changing room is in the back—hurry and get ready!”

“T-The changing room?”

“Hmm? You didn’t think you’d work in that plain outfit, did you? Don’t be ridiculous! Go get changed. There should be something flashier there—oh, and ditch the boring eye patch for something bolder. Chop, chop! Move it!”

“W-Wait a second…”

But Karen shoved Ellie toward the changing room. Her feet dragged more and more as she approached.

The Moment Arrives

“Wow, you look great in that outfit! Come sit next to me.”

The time had come.

As Ellie entered the room, the adventurers from earlier waited with leering eyes. The other women of the tavern were already seated beside the men, leaving the remaining seat next to the burliest, most boorish man in the group.

‘Ugh, I feel like throwing up…’

Ellie shut her eyes.

She closed off her senses, too.

It was too much to endure the sights and sounds, so she abandoned her awareness altogether.

“Wow, up close, you’re even more stunning. Why are you working here? You’re prettier than most nobles I’ve met!”

Should she stop breathing altogether?

Every word he spoke came with hot, repugnant breath that seemed to suffocate her.

Would it help if she drank the liquor sitting in front of her?

She reached for the glass.

Smack.

Her hand was seized by the man.

“Whoa, thirsty already? A newbie, huh? Hold on—we need to initiate you first.”

Initiation?

Before Ellie could fully process what was happening, a cold sensation spread across her chest.

Rip!

Her outfit was torn open. She managed to cover herself partially with her undergarments, but her dignity was already in tatters.

“You—you’re insane! What are you doing?!”

“Huh? Why are you acting so shy? You’re working here, aren’t you? What’s with the fake pride?”

Ellie struggled to cover herself with one arm while her other arm was firmly restrained by the man.

‘How is he so strong…?’

Imperial cadets were elite, yes.

But in the end, they were still trainees, mere saplings compared to seasoned professionals. Against a veteran adventurer, her resistance was futile.

“Ugh…”

“Hahaha, are you crying now? This is too good. What kind of tavern girl acts all pure and innocent? Hey, everyone, check it out—she’s crying!”

The man’s mocking laughter echoed around the room, joined by the jeers of his companions.

“Hahaha! Hey, bro, why don’t you take off her eye patch too!”

Ellie  had become the target of everyone’s ridicule.

Tears streamed endlessly down her cheeks.

“Let me go… please…”

“Huh? Sure, I’ll let you go. But don’t even think about running. Not that you’d get far anyway.”

Her arm was released.

But her situation hadn’t improved. The humiliation was only going to escalate, and she knew it. Biting down hard on her lip, she tasted the faint tang of blood.

There was no one to help her.

She had never asked for help before, nor had she ever offered it to anyone. Expecting it now felt futile.

Clunk.

That was when the door to the room swung open.

“Pardon me.”

“What the—? You’re not a waiter. Who are you, barging in here?”

Ellie’s head slowly turned toward the voice.

It was a familiar one.

“I’m here to conduct an inspection.”

Standing in the doorway was none other than Yuto.