It Is a Tool of Humanity

I came to my senses.  

I had fainted for a long time again.  

The pain had lessened.  

That meant I could think again.  

If it were me, I would have done a better job.  

Cutting the horn and inserting a foreign object was certainly interesting.  

But what if this wasn’t just an ordinary vessel?  

A heated iron, or maybe an awl… Hmm.  

But those methods would lower the market value of the horn, so they wouldn’t be allowed.  

"...Sister?"  

Ratna's horn hadn't been cut yet.  

I wondered when the Count would decide to cut it.  

"Are you okay? Are you awake? Did you get up?"  

Yes. I had gotten up.  

The headache was severe, but I was fine.  

Punishment for the crime of attacking the nobles of humanity.  

I had received it willingly.  

Mr. Richard must have learned a lesson from this incident.  

I had done something worthwhile.  

"Uh, Sister, they said they’re taking you somewhere else."  

Somewhere else?  

Why?  

"I heard it earlier..."  

Where would I be going?  

I had grown quite attached to this place; it was a bit disappointing.  

But my horn hadn’t been fully cut yet.  

It would be nice if they finished cutting it before I left.  

After that, they could burn it for fuel or do whatever they pleased.  

"Well… they said the things made from your horn sold well, so you’re going to a banquet hall or something."  

Sold well?  

I wondered what they had made and sold.  

Using horns as medicine was a well-known method.  

Like antlers.  

But a banquet hall?  

That part was hard to understand.  

Why all of a sudden?  

"...They made cups and plates... out of your horn..."  

She spoke as if she couldn't believe they had done such a thing.  

Using something so expensive to make tableware.  

Had they used it as a luxury item?  

No, was that even considered a luxury item?  

It was certainly unique.  

But if it were me, I wouldn’t want to use tableware made from parts of a different species.  

If it were for decoration, I could somewhat understand.  

Anyway, I was going to a new place.  

Ratna would be the only one left here.  

I might never see her again.  

I had a strong desire to do something for her.  

I wanted to tell her that serving humanity should be done with gratitude.  

I had hoped she would observe and learn well.  

It was a shame.  

"Sister...?"  

At the very least, I could tell her my name.  

A simple introduction should be fine.  

"Huh?"  

I bit my fingertip, drawing blood.  

Then, I used the blood to write letters on the wall.  

Asha.  

I pointed at the name with my finger.  

Then, I pointed at myself.  

"Ah, Asha? That’s your name?"  

I nodded.  

That was the name I had received back when I still thought of myself as human.  

If it had been a name given by my own kind, I would have discarded it immediately.  

Now, if things went well, this name...  

Would be known as that of a model being among demi-human species.  

Or it would simply be forgotten as the name of an inferior creature, used as mere firewood.  

Either was fine.  

"I see, Asha... It’s a good name!"  

She tried her best to smile brightly.  

A good attitude.  

Always be grateful.  

Live with boundless affection for humanity.  

"Asha, Sister, stay strong. Let’s meet again someday."  

When we met again, I hoped both our horns would be completely gone.  

I hoped we could meet in a form that was at least somewhat human.  

I thought we would have more time together, but it was a shame.  

This was our farewell.  

***  

And about a month passed.  

I heard news that an unknown knight had attacked the Rhinefield estate.  

Apparently, they had rescued the enslaved beastkin.  

I wasn’t sure if it was the hero brother Ratna had mentioned.  

Around the time I heard that news...  

Clink—  

The sound of a cup being set down rang out.  

A cup made from fragments of my horn.  

Whoever the craftsman was, the design was truly artistic.  

Ah.  

I’m satisfied.  

Now that I no longer have a mask, I can at least let out simple exclamations.  

I have been given the honor of carrying the cup on a tray.  

I am a maid.  

It’s quite fascinating how some people use other species as servants.  

A simple maid uniform in a blend of black and white.  

It’s cut short to allow for free movement, yet its design evokes a certain sense of shame.  

Well, enjoy it to your heart’s content.  

I’m getting used to carrying plates and cups.  

And I like this place very much.  

Very much.  

The banquet hall is located underground in the imperial palace.  

It is a memorial commemorating humanity’s victory.  

It was built not too long ago.  

The floor is made of black stone, like obsidian.  

The carpet laid out is made from the hides of other species.  

The carpet in the middle of the banquet hall, called the King’s Path... is lined with dragon scales.  

It gives the feeling of trampling over something massive.  

Laughter fills the room as the nobles chuckle.  

The light from the chandeliers illuminates them.  

The chandeliers are made from the spoils of defeated races.  

Dragon gold, the sacred branches of elves, and the red gemstones of vampires are all mixed together.  

But the most striking thing of all is the mural.  

A massive painting depicting humanity’s subjugation of demi-human species hangs on the wall.  

The Elf King kneeling after removing his crown, the dragon bound in chains—these are the central images.  

The Elf Queen is being roughly handled by human soldiers, while the emperor of the empire points his sword at the Elf King in a striking pose.  

In the background, the burning Eternal Forest can be seen.  

The homeland of the elves.  

Ah, it brings back memories.  

In my past life, I stood among them.  

Besides this, there are also depictions of the destruction of orc settlements and the downfall of various demi-human species.  

"The Empire’s Victory Memorial Day… The Empire seems quite at ease despite losing overseas territories."  

I set the cup down on the table while eavesdropping.  

It seemed the Empire no longer maintained its former glory.  

This banquet hall must serve as a reminder of past greatness.  

"Which is why it must be celebrated all the more. Isn’t it an amusing sight? A beastkin serving drinks in a cup made from her own horn? You wouldn’t see this anywhere but the imperial palace."  

One of the nobles glanced at me and spoke.  

"Still… this is rather…"  

His discomfort was evident.  

He must have come from a country other than the Empire.  

"Hey, shouldn’t you be grateful that we’re using a cup made from your horn?"  

If that’s what you wish.  

"Thank you… very much."  

I bowed my head in gratitude.  

Laughter and mocking words echoed throughout the hall.  

It was an amusing sight to ridicule.  

Well, that’s precisely why I was made a maid.  

To serve as the ultimate fate of a conquered race.  

That’s why most of the servants here were of demi-human species.  

"It’s a shame they didn’t finish cutting off the horn."  

"Well, it’s probably easier to recognize this way."  

"True, rather than cutting it all off…"  

Thud.  

One of the nobles, having finished his drink, turned the cup upside down and hooked it onto my horn.  

"It suits you best when it’s returned to its rightful owner."  

Your horn has been replaced by a cup.  

I see.  

How mischievous.  

The remaining liquid in the cup dripped down my horn and onto my head.  

If my horn were to be used as a utensil holder, that would be a fine use as well.  

I felt refreshed.  

Where else could one find such a prime example of how to handle demi-humans?  

Even the once-proud elves here were reduced to pouring drinks.  

Their noble warrior and scholarly image had long vanished.  

Ah, their defining long ears had also been cut off.  

I wondered if elf ears were also used as materials for something.  

The very existence of this place was an insult to demi-humans.  

I truly liked it here.  

I was glad that the Empire’s policies hadn’t changed.  

For now, I stood still with the cup hanging from my horn.  

"You’re smiling like you’ve lost your mind…"  

"Must be well-trained."  

There was no training needed.  

I assumed their original intention was to watch me break down.  

How many of my kind would willingly serve drinks using a cup made from their own horn?  

Almost none.  

Most of my kind would never accept becoming an object of ridicule.  

They prided themselves on being descended from dragons, pretending to be great.  

They didn’t realize that even dragons were nothing more than inferior beings for humanity to step on.  

But I was different.  

I was enjoying my work immensely.  

How wonderful it was to have tasks to do beyond simply getting my horn cut.  

"Does the current emperor enjoy such things?"  

A man looked at me as if gazing at something repulsive.  

"Does this bother you?"  

"No, rather than finding it unpleasant…"  

"Then what?"  

"I once met a beastkin before."  

"Oh?"  

That sounded interesting.  

I would listen while standing by.  

Wine trickled from the cup hanging from my horn.  

It ran down my white hair.  

"He was a renowned warrior in the region."  

"Hmm."  

"He took great pride in inheriting the power of dragons. He was hostile, but there was a certain nobility and dignity about him…"  

And yet, what was this?  

His expression seemed to ask that question.  

Were you disappointed?  

This is merely the form of an inferior species.  

"Why, are you disappointed?"  

"I just find it fascinating. If it’s possible to tame one to this extent, I’d like to have one myself."  

Ah, this person had the proper mindset regarding demi-humans.  

Raising one as a pet wasn’t necessarily bad, depending on the situation.  

As long as the animal didn’t crawl out pretending to be human, I was satisfied.