♣♣♣

I quickly returned to the nearby inn where I’d booked a room and paid the owner an extra fee—for Aine staying with me.

I barely had time to talk with her. I showed the slave merchant proof that I was an S-rank adventurer and promised to pay the remaining balance later.

I expected him to gouge me, but he was surprisingly… well, “fair” isn’t quite right, but at least he was a legitimate trader.

Still, she cost a fortune. Not beyond my means, but it wiped out a good chunk of my savings.

Once inside the room, I sat Aine on a chair and took the one across from her.

“Uh… long time no see.”

“…”

She didn’t answer. Head bowed, her face was shadowed.

I’d bought her a cloak on the way, but she was gripping the hem so tightly her knuckles shook. …How do I even start this conversation?

We hadn’t seen each other in years. Normally, we’d have a mountain of things to catch up on. I wanted to brag about making S-rank.

But now wasn’t the time. First, I needed to hear her story.

Just as I thought that—

“I never wanted you to see me like this. Especially not you…”

She bit her lip, voice trembling.

Even in the cage, she’d refused to meet my eyes, desperate to hide.

Of course. No one wants to be seen as a slave.

But I was more worried about her than anything.

If I hadn’t run into her, she’d have been sold to some stranger. We might never have met again. So I told her straight:

“I’m glad I found you. Even if it’s like this—”

“There’s nothing good about it! I… I became a slave, made you buy me, caused you trouble…! It would’ve been better if we never—”

“Aine.”

“!”

She flinched when I said her name. I stepped closer, as gently as I could.

“It’s okay. Don’t worry about the money. I’m just glad I found you.”

“U-uh… I’m sorry… I—”

She was crying, muffling her sobs.

I could ask why later. For now, I needed to calm her down.

Around her neck was the collar—symbol of a slave. Chains bound her, stealing her freedom.

Could I get it off somehow…? As I thought that, Aine wiped her eyes and pulled away.

“I’m sorry… and thank you.”

“Yeah. It’s okay. So… that—”

“I know. You want to know why I became a slave.”

“…Only if you want to tell me—”

“No, I’ll tell you. You saved me, and you’d find out anyway if you looked into it.”

She looked away but steeled herself.

“I became a knight in the Labeila Empire—you heard that from the village, right?”

“Yeah, when I went back once. I was planning to visit eventually…”

“Then it’s good you didn’t. That country’s in the middle of a brutal power struggle. I became a knight there—stupid, right? I had no interest in politics, but my reputation as a commoner knight was too high. So when a ‘knight murder’ happened during an expedition, they pinned it on me.”

“Knight murder?”

“Yeah. Several people, including the fort commander, were killed. I wasn’t even there, but other knights testified they saw me do it. I denied it, but there were too many witnesses. So I was thrown in prison as a criminal.”

—Aine had been betrayed by her comrades and reduced from knight to slave.

It was outrageously unfair, but that’s how tense things were in the empire.

She might not have cared about the power games, but she got caught in them anyway.

“Couldn’t you have escaped?”

“I didn’t want to run from a crime I didn’t commit. I waited for a chance to prove my innocence—but within days of being imprisoned, my enslavement was decided.”

They probably knew she could escape if given the chance.

It had been four years since I last saw her, but her skill was undeniable.

Even I, now S-rank, could tell she was far above ordinary knights. Her honesty had led to this.

When she finished, Aine gave a bitter smile.

“So? Pretty pathetic, huh? I’m not worth—”

“Aine, I’m not letting you talk like that. I bought you. That means I decided you’re worth it.”

“…When did you get so good at saying stuff like that?”

She looked surprised.

It was kind of embarrassing in hindsight, but it was for her sake.

I answered on impulse.

“Well… I’m an S-rank adventurer now. I worked my ass off to catch up to you.”

“S-rank—wait, S-rank…? You’re at the top tier of adventurers…!?”

Her voice boomed, blowing away the gloom.

“Shh, not so loud!”

“S-sorry. But… wow. You, S-rank… I never saw that coming.”

It seemed Aine really hadn’t known. The kingdom and the empire were neighboring countries, but the distance between them was still considerable. I didn’t keep track of every adventurer active over there, and she’d been busy with her knightly duties.

“Yeah, so don’t worry about the money. And about that collar—”

“! N-no, that’s…!”

She jerked her hand to the collar and scooted back. She clearly didn’t even want it mentioned.

Then, eyes darting, she spoke haltingly.

“It’s… um… called a Collar of Lust.”

“A Collar of Lust…? So there are different kinds of slave collars.”

She nodded stiffly.

“Can it be taken off?”

“If it were easy, slaves would riot the moment it came off. It’s designed so normal methods won’t work.”

“…I see. Then we’ll have to find the right way—”

“W-wait, it’s nothing… nnh!”

Suddenly her face flushed crimson. She twisted her body, fighting something. The sight was… dangerously alluring. I looked away on reflex.

“You’re obviously not fine. What’s wrong?”

“Hah… nnh… at a time like this…!”

Her breathing grew ragged, almost resentful. It looked like a curse or illness.

“Are you sick? I’ll get a doctor—”

“I’m fine—!”

“You’re not. I’m worried. I’ll be right back—”

“It’s the collar’s fault!”

“…The collar?”

“Y-yes… nnh… the Collar of Lust is… for sex slaves… it forces you… once a day… to go into heat…”

Her voice was a plea. I finally understood.

She was being forced into arousal—maybe for hours already.

I carried her trembling body to the bed. Her breath was hot, her cheeks scarlet as she stared at me. I’d never seen Aine like this.

She was suffering. I wanted to relieve her immediately.

“Does it wear off with time…?”

“N-no… you have to… do something… lewd…”

She turned away, mortified. What a sick device. It triggered no matter the situation.

She was fighting it with everything she had, but magic was overriding her body. She couldn’t hold out forever. And she hated that I was seeing her like this.

I turned my back.

“I’ll… step outside for a bit. You can—”

“I can’t do it alone…! I need… someone to… nnh…!”

I spun around at the desperate edge in her voice.

Tear-filled eyes, flushed cheeks, ragged breaths—she looked impossibly sensual. I’d never seen my childhood friend like this… or so I thought. Now the sight was testing me.

I exhaled and sat beside her.

When she said “someone,” there was only one option: me. I was her master now.

“Aine… is this okay?”

“…nnh.”

I couldn’t tell if it was an answer or a moan, but she silently lifted her skirt.

She wasn’t wearing underwear. Her glistening folds were already slick with arousal. The moment her pale, flawless skin came into view, she frantically tried to cover herself.

“I-it’s not that I don’t have any… they shaved it…!”

I hadn’t asked. But she’d noticed and panicked. We’d seen each other naked as kids, sure—but never after growing up. Now here she was, fallen to slavery, forced into heat, hiding her most intimate place in shame.

Honestly? It was incredibly erotic. But I knew she’d hate me thinking that. I had to stay calm.

“Aine, can you move your hands?”

“…!”

“It’s okay. You’re beautiful.”

“D-don’t say stuff like that…!”

She glared through her embarrassment. I gently pried her hands away. She barely resisted—too weak from the collar’s effects.

Her entrance twitched. Her whole body trembled with fear and need.

I bit the glove off my hand and gently touched Aine’s lower abdomen. She jolted like I’d shocked her.

“N-nyah!?”

“S-sorry!”

I hadn’t meant to startle her. Truth was, I’d never done anything like this before.

Aine shook her head frantically, hugging a pillow to her face.

“Just… do it.”

“…Huh?”

“If it’s you, Lynoah… it’s okay. Touch me however you want…?”

My childhood friend had never been this submissive. She was suffering, yes—but I also felt an overwhelming need to answer her plea.

I parted her folds with my fingertips. The petals, the clit—everything a delicate pink.

“F-fingers are enough… I just need to… cum… then it’ll stop…”

“Got it. Hold on a little longer.”

“Nnh… hyah!?”

I stroked gently, watching her reactions, searching for what felt good. The pillow was crushed in her grip.

She trembled, fragile yet impossibly erotic.

I slid a finger inside. Her body bucked.

“Naaah!? W-wait… gentler…!”

I was being gentle, but she was hypersensitive—maybe always had been. Her walls clenched around my finger, slick and quivering.

“I’m… still a virgin… so… don’t go too deep…”

Even now, she was untouched. If she’d been sold as a sex slave, that virginity was part of her value. A young, virgin knight—plenty of buyers would pay top coin.

I kept my finger shallow, thumb circling her clit.

“Hyaah…! I said gentle…!”

“I am. You’re just extra sensitive.”

“N-no… I’m not… some slut…!”

Her tongue was slurring. I was losing my own battle with arousal.

But penetration felt wrong. I’d get her off with fingers only.

Soon her whole body convulsed.

“Nnh… ah… AAAAAH!”

She went limp, breath ragged. When I pulled away, a sticky thread of her juices stretched between us.

The heat had broken—for now. Aine lay there, eyes glassy, chest heaving.

I took a deep breath to calm myself. I’d bought her. That meant this every day.

Silence. She stayed on the bed; I sat with my back to her.

First priority: get that collar off. She didn’t want to be forced like this—nobody would.

The bed creaked. I turned— THUMP. A pillow smacked my face.

“…Still don’t look.”

“…Sorry.”

“N-no… I’m the one who should apologize. I’ve got no right to complain.”

She spoke awkwardly. I set the pillow on the table.

She wouldn’t meet my eyes. Hard to forget what just happened—but we needed to talk future.

“I’ll find a way to remove that collar.”

“…This thing?”

“Yeah. You hate wearing it, right? And I don’t want to keep… helping you like that. Not forever.”

“…”

She fell silent, then touched her lips.

“I don’t… hate it.”

“Huh?”

“—N-nothing! Anyway—if you’re removing it, fine. I want it gone. But I don’t want to burden you…”

“Aine, it’s not a burden.”

“I feel like one!”

“…Even so. You can’t move freely like this. Unless you plan to rely on someone else?”

“I… can’t. You’re my owner now. You infused the collar with your mana, remember?”

Ah. The contract. Only I could satisfy the collar’s demand.

“Then you’re stuck with me.”

“I know… but doing that every day with you is…”

Her eyes darted. Of course—she was still a girl. Letting a non-lover touch her there was humiliating.

“We’ll make it quick. And I’ll get the collar off ASAP. I’m S-rank—I can do this. Trust me.”

“…I already trust you.”

“Then we’re good?”

“Fine. I’m your slave. No choice.”

She turned to the window. She’d accepted it—for now.

Goal set: remove the collar. Once that was gone, she’d be free. Until then… she’d have to endure.

“Let’s do this, Aine.”

“…Yeah. Let’s, Lynoah.”

Master and slave. We couldn’t go back to how things were—not yet. But someday, I wanted to cross blades with her again.

“I’ll step out for a bit.”

“! Where?”

“Back soon.”

Her face looked lonely. I didn’t point it out—just left.

First: pay the slave merchant the rest. Second: find out how to remove the collar.

(If that bastard put it on her… I’ll start by asking nicely. Calm down, Lynoah. Killing him’s a bad idea.)

I couldn’t forgive whoever did this to her.

I stopped by the Adventurer Guild first—high-value rewards could be paid in installments at S-rank. There were only a handful of us in the kingdom. My face was known.

The merchant hadn’t recognized me earlier, but he would now—someone had filled him in.

I wasn’t tall; longish black hair, androgynous enough that kids used to mistake me for a girl. Less now, but still.

I kept my tone civil with the merchant.

I paid the remaining balance for Aine as a normal customer and casually asked about the collar.

According to the merchant, he’d simply acquired her—she was already wearing the Collar of Lust when she came into his hands.

He didn’t know much about slaves, but that collar was rare and expensive. Even among Magi, few could craft magical tools. Simple obedience collars were one thing; layering forced arousal on top narrowed the pool drastically.

The fastest solution was to have the creator remove it—but there was no guarantee they could or would.

In short: no leads. Whoever put it on her was the only one who could answer that. Aine knew the collar’s name, so she must know the person. And since the merchant sourced her from the empire, the culprit was almost certainly there.

“…Aine won’t want to rush back, though.”

That was the problem. I hadn’t asked her directly because I didn’t want to dredge up painful memories. Proposing a trip to the empire right after reuniting felt wrong.

I wanted her free now, but… Until then, we’d have to keep repeating that.

“…”

I pressed my fingers to my temples and sighed. Her blushing, pleading face—adorable. She was suffering, yet I kept thinking that.

“Back for now.”

The purchase was finalized. She was still a slave on paper, but under my ownership, she could move freely. The daily heat… she’d have to endure my help for a while.

On the way back, I spotted a bakery. I remembered how she used to devour my mother’s sweet breads. Not a bribe—just wanted to cheer her up. We had years of catching up to do. I bought a few for each of us and headed to the inn.

If her tastes hadn’t changed, she’d like the sweet ones.

As I reached the door, a voice leaked out.

“…? Ai—”

“Nnh… no… Lynoah…!”

I froze. This was private. I stepped back silently and exhaled.

That’s weird.

I’d relieved her earlier. Yet here she was, touching herself. Was I not thorough enough?

No—she’d definitely calmed down.

I decided to make noise on the way in. I stomped deliberately. Inside, frantic rustling.

I knocked.

“Aine, it’s me. I’m back.”

“C-come in!”

Her voice shook. She sat on the bed, face flushed, staring out the window. Blanket draped over her lap.

I pretended not to notice.

“Brought bread. Hungry?”

“…Yeah. Been a while since I ate normal food.”

I handed her a sweet roll. We ate in silence—late lunch.

Talk of the future could wait.

Afterward, we stayed in the room. I’d come to the capital for a job offer, but hadn’t accepted yet. With Aine, I’d only withdrawn funds at the Adventurer Guild.

I sat in the chair; she returned to the bed. …How to start?

Seeing her after so long, words failed me. The act earlier made it awkward.

Back then, her bright personality carried conversations. Expecting that now would be unfair.

“Um—”

“You’re here for an adventurer job?”

She beat me to it.

“Yeah.”

“S-rank is hero-level even in the empire. Never thought you’d reach it.”

“Haha… didn’t expect it myself. Thanks to our training, maybe?”

“That alone wouldn’t get you there. It’s your talent and effort.”

“…Hearing that means a lot. But I’m here because of you. Without you, I’d never have picked up a sword.”

“Well, I always knew you had potential. Guess my eye for talent was spot-on.”

Finally—a small smile. I smiled back. She was always blunt with praise. So I returned the favor.

“You became a knight, right?”

“…Yeah. Short time, but I was well-regarded.”

“Didn’t expect you to join a foreign order.”

“I had my reasons. Took the kingdom’s knight exam too.”

“Really? Empire paid better?”

“Treatment was awful.”

She pointed at her collar. I choked. She giggled.

“Kidding. …I really am grateful you saved me.”

A forced smile, but genuine gratitude.

I was choosing words carefully too—didn’t want to hurt her. But one thing needed saying.

I stood and approached. She looked up, puzzled.

“ Lynoah…?”

“Aine, I got strong because of you. For you.”

“…?! W-what are you saying!?”

She squeaked. I hadn’t meant it that way.

I took her hand.

“I’m S-rank. Just a guild label, but if it reassures you—I’ll brag. I’ll protect you. So relax—”

“I-I get it! Just… let go of my hand?”

“S-sorry!”

Got carried away. We weren’t kids anymore—touching freely was out.

“I… understand how you feel. If you think that way… um… yeah.”

Her voice faded, face crimson. Wait.

“…Fever? You’re red.”

“N-no! Anyway—I trust you. That’s all!”

She dove under the blanket. She seemed… livelier.

We didn’t talk about the collar, but little by little was fine.

I watched her cocooned form for a while.

♡♡♡

Aine Krosinte had no hope left. The path she’d chosen had been a mistake; it had dragged her down to the status of slave.

Even as a slave, she’d planned to hold her head high—but in truth, her spirit was already cracking. No, it had shattered.

The Collar of Lust forced her body into daily heat. She had no future but to live as a slave. Maybe death would be kinder.

That was her thought when they brought her to the royal capital. A flicker of “Maybe I’ll see Lynoah…” clashed with “He can never see me like this.”

Better to be sold to some stranger than face him. And yet… he was there.

Years apart, but she recognized him instantly. She couldn’t hide. Despair—then, in a flash, Lynoah’s sword at the merchant’s throat. In that moment, she understood: he had grown far beyond her. And that made her feel pathetic.

He’ll save me. Even if he can’t, he’ll try. She hated herself for thinking it. So she tried to keep distance. And yet—

“I’m S-rank now. Just a guild label. But if it reassures you, I’ll brag. I’ll protect you.”

Curled under the blanket, she replayed his words.

When did Lynoah become… so cool?

He could leave a fallen slave like her behind. But every time she remembered, she squirmed in secret.

(Ugh… saying that to someone like me…!)

It was inevitable. Because Aine loved Lynoah.

During those endless sword-training days, it had crept in—slowly, surely. Recalling their act, she’d touched herself in shame and ecstasy. Now she burned with embarrassment.

(That was basically a confession…! I’m a slave…! Getting all fluttery…!)

Neither noticed the delicate misalignment of their hearts.

For a long while, Aine couldn’t face him. She could only wait, cocooned in blankets, for time to pass.

☆☆

Lynoah and Aine spent the rest of the day in light conversation. How he became an adventurer, how she became a knight—carefully skirting the Collar of Lust.

He wanted answers, but timing mattered.

Then, almost as an afterthought:

“…Come to think of it, there’s only one bed.”

She’d been using it all day. It was barely big enough for one—definitely cramped for two.

Should’ve booked a double room. Too late now. The inn was full, and switching meant leaving earlier.

No big deal.

“You take the bed, Aine.”

“And you…?”

“I’m fine in the chair.”

“That’s awful. You won’t rest.”

“Haha, I’m used to it. Adventuring life. I can sleep standing if I have to.”

“Standing… You really have gotten tough.”

A mix of admiration and exasperation.

Three years—long and short—had forged him. Forest floors, monster dens: beds were luxury, not necessity.

Aine hadn’t slept properly in who-knows-how-long. She deserved rest.

But—

“No. I can sleep anywhere too.”

“It’s not a contest. Just take it.”

“I’m not competing! I just… feel bad…”

She couldn’t shake the guilt. Telling her not to wouldn’t help. He needed another way.

Then, hesitantly:

“…W-well… if you really don’t mind…”

“Hm? Got an idea?”

“W-we could… share?”

Her face said she’d agonized over it.

The bed was tiny. She didn’t look thrilled.

“You don’t have to force—”

“I’m not forcing anything!”

“You don’t have to worry about me—”

“You’re the one worrying! I said I’m fine!”

He fell silent. She was right—he was tiptoeing around her too.

She looked away, mumbling.

“…Sorry. I overstepped. I don’t have the right…”

There it was—self-loathing again. To close the gap, he had to change first.

“…Alright. Let’s share.”

“…Huh? Really?”

“You suggested it. Or should I take the chair—?”

“N-no! …I-I mean, that works from the start.”

She turned away, lips pursed in a pout. A rare, familiar sulk. It eased his heart.

They hadn’t shared a bed since they were kids. She was older, but he’d outgrown her. Nostalgia warmed him.

Night fell. He stripped to shirt and trousers, sat on the edge. Aine scooted to the far side, making room.

He lay facing the table—back-to-back to avoid contact. Still tight. Might be more tiring. But it was their compromise.

Creak. She rolled over. A blanket draped over him—her hand gently resting atop.

“…Aine?”

“This way… you can scoot closer.”

“You don’t have to—”

“I’m not. I told you—if it’s you, it’s okay.”

She pressed against his back. He couldn’t see her face, but she didn’t sound reluctant.

Maybe he was the one overthinking. He wanted to shield her from bad memories. That’s why he hadn’t asked the hard questions. Tomorrow, he decided. He closed his eyes.

“ Lynoah.”

“Hm?”

“…Nothing. Good night.”

“Yeah. Night.”

With her warmth beside him, sleep came quickly.

♣♣♣

Morning. Breakfast from the inn. Awkward at first, but now normal.

He finally asked.

“About the collar…”

“…Yeah.”

Her tone darkened, but she didn’t shut down.

“Who put it on you?”

“Why…?”

“Trace the source—might lead to the maker.”

“…No way to know how old it is.”

“True, but…”

The merchant gave nothing. Aine was the only lead.

She hesitated.

“An imperial. In prison.”

“As expected…”

“But don’t say you’re going to the empire…?”

She read him like a book. He wouldn’t drag her back—but going alone meant her heat became an issue. Only he, her master, could relieve it.

A half-curse, perfect for a sex slave.

“I won’t force it. But you hate this, right?”

“I do… but… if it’s you…”

Her voice shrank to a whisper.

“Hm? Me and…?”

“—N-nothing! We don’t have to rush!”

“But—”

“I said it’s fine!”

She steamrolled him. He nodded—for now. He wasn’t convinced, but her feelings came first. He’d check the Adventurer Guild for solutions.

“Anyway… don’t you have work?”

“Yeah. Going to hear the job today. And we need clothes for you. Should’ve yesterday…”

“Mine…?”

“That outfit’s too thin. You’ll need more for daily life. My place only has men’s stuff. But I don’t know women’s sizes—want to pick? Or should I go alone?”

She blinked, then flushed deeper.

“I-I don’t know when it’ll hit… waiting might not be practical.”

“Right. Control would help, but…”

“Control!?”

“N-not like that! Just… yeah. I’ll go fast. And you hate the collar being visible, right?”

It screamed slave. An S-rank like him was recognizable. Walking with a collared girl would draw eyes. He didn’t care—but she would.

She shook her head.

“I am a slave. Doesn’t matter.”

“You sure?”

“Waiting might be worse—when it hits. If you mind being seen with a slave, leave me.”

“I’d never mind being with you.”

“…! Y-yeah. Then… I want to come.”

She looked down, shy.

“Alright. Clothes first, then the Adventurer Guild. Tell me if it gets bad.”

“Got it.”

Plan set. They geared up and left the inn.