"Come over here and sit down first. Then lean over the chair in front." Ignoring Raphtalia's racing thoughts, Takeru spoke directly to her.
"Y-yes." Blushing, Raphtalia replied softly. She timidly came to the chair in front of Takeru and sat down, obediently leaning over the slightly higher chair in front.
Looking at the nervous Raphtalia, Takeru didn't say much.
He called her over simply because he wanted to help her wash her hair. After being there so long, even a demi-human's glossy, smooth hair would inevitably be very dirty.
Moreover, she probably wouldn't know how to use these products either...
Soon, the nervous Raphtalia felt warm water slowly soaking her long hair. Takeru's hands gently washed her hair, which stunned her.
She had never imagined anyone would be willing to wash her long hair for her. Even more so, this person was the master who had just bought her today. For a moment, she felt an incredible warmth in her heart...
"Takeru-sama, I... I can wash it myself." With a hint of nervousness and embarrassment, Raphtalia said softly.
"Don't talk. And close your eyes, or the soap will get in them." Hearing her words, Takeru spoke directly.
Hearing this, Raphtalia closed her eyes. Feeling Takeru's gentle movements and the special foam on her head, she felt so comfortable she wanted to sleep.
Because since her parents died, she had been captured and enslaved. Her previous owner, as the slave merchant said, was a pervert who enjoyed torture. She constantly endured torment.
A few days ago, because Raphtalia looked like she was about to die, she was sold back to the slave merchant...
A series of experiences had left her physically and mentally exhausted. Moreover, she was currently carrying a disease.
The reason Takeru's purification hadn't directly cured her was mainly because the slave merchant was still present at the time.
Now, watching Raphtalia fall asleep, Takeru showed a pitying expression. As he washed her hair, he also simultaneously used healing magic and purification magic.
As he washed, Takeru thought of the time he helped Miu wash her hair. Because his parents in this life had left early, Takeru had taken on the responsibility of caring for Miu from a young age. Back then, Takeru often helped Miu wash her hair too. From being unskilled at first, he became more and more proficient.
After she turned seven, it happened less often. After all, Takeru had many things to do. Miu was very sensible and tried not to trouble Takeru with things she could do herself.
Of course, she would still occasionally act spoiled and ask for Takeru's help. That continued until she was nine, gradually becoming less frequent...
While Takeru was thinking, he quickly finished thoroughly washing her long hair. At that moment, Raphtalia seemed to dream of something terrible. She suddenly struggled awake from the dream, reaching her hands forward, screaming in terror.
"Father, mother, no, waaa..."
"It's okay. Don't worry, it's all over." Looking at the terrified Raphtalia, Takeru was momentarily stunned. He then took her into his arms and comforted her softly.
After gently soothing her for over ten minutes, her emotions gradually stabilized. Watching Raphtalia fall back asleep, and her somewhat damp long hair, Takeru felt a bit helpless.
'It seemed she wouldn't be able to bathe properly.'
Thinking this, Takeru used telekinesis to control water to flow around her, simply rinsing her off. He then made the water droplets completely dissipate. As for her damp long hair, he could only use a gentle breeze to dry it.
Thinking this, Takeru let her lean against his chest and used his hand to release a warm air current, slowly drying her hair.
About ten minutes later, Raphtalia's long hair became dry, soft, and smooth again. Her body was also very clean. Then, Takeru directly placed her on his bed and covered her with a blanket.
Afterwards, Takeru went downstairs and asked the waiter to send two portions of food to his room. He then returned to the room...
Watching Raphtalia, who had fallen into a deep sleep, Takeru revealed a slight smile.
Saving Raphtalia was definitely a major event that would change her life's trajectory. She was also an important person in this world.
As for whether she would grow to a level that would impress him, Takeru wasn't sure.
Shaking his head, Takeru stopped thinking. He sat on the chair, closed his eyes, and began to meditate. Not long after, a knock came at Takeru's door.
Opening it, it was the waiter bringing the food. After taking the food, Takeru paid him for the meal and tipped him a few copper coins.
Under the waiter's grateful gaze, Takeru closed the door again.
Seeing that Raphtalia showed no signs of waking up, Takeru didn't wait for her. He directly stored her food in his item bar.
He then took out some BB Popcorn and Gourmet Powder. He also picked some Bacon Leaves and Banana Cucumbers, wrapping them together to eat.
Feeling the various ultimate flavors flooding his taste buds, Takeru had a blissful expression. For Takeru now, aside from significantly increasing his strength, only various delicious foods could bring him such immense happiness.
After enjoying his dinner, Takeru sat back on the chair and entered a meditative state.
Time passed like this. About two hours later, due to hunger, Raphtalia hazily woke up. Feeling unexpectedly refreshed, aside from some hunger, she was even more surprised not to feel any pain or the torment of illness anywhere on her body.
Looking at the dim light in the room and the unfamiliar surroundings, she was stunned.
'Who am I, where am I, what am I doing?' After asking herself these three questions directly, she noticed Takeru sitting on the chair, meditating. Her memories came flooding back quickly.
She finally remembered. She had been bought by Takeru, brought here, Takeru helped her wash her hair, and then...
Thinking this, Raphtalia became nervous. But seeing that her clothes hadn't been changed, though there seemed to be traces of having been cleaned, she was somewhat surprised. Her face also flushed.
Growl~
As she was lost in thought, hunger brought her back to reality.
"You're awake." Hearing the sound from her stomach, Takeru, who had been meditating, opened his eyes and looked at her.
"T-Takeru-sama, I-I'm sorry." Seeing that she seemed to have disturbed Takeru, she became nervous and scared.
"Come and eat. You were sleeping soundly just now, so I didn't wake you." Looking at the frightened Raphtalia, Takeru spoke gently with a refined, gentle demeanor, no hint of reproach on his face. He also took out the dinner he had prepared for her earlier.
"I... can I eat it?" Looking at the appetizing food, Raphtalia asked nervously.
"Of course. This was prepared for you. After eating, go change your clothes inside. As for the clothes you're wearing now, don't keep them." Looking at the nervous Raphtalia, Takeru spoke directly.
"Yes." Feeling the hunger in her stomach, Raphtalia couldn't worry about much else. She came to the table.
Looking at the still-steaming food, she unconsciously began to swallow.
Soon, she could no longer resist and began to eat quickly. Although it was just ordinary food, it brought her a feeling of immense happiness. After taking one bite, she quickly began to devour it. The result was obvious: she soon choked.
Takeru directly handed her a cup of warm water. She quickly took it and downed it in one gulp, finally breathing a sigh of relief.
She then focused on eating again. After two more bites, she stopped again and looked at Takeru.
"Takeru-sama, aren't you going to eat?" With a hint of nervousness and unease, she asked softly.
"I've already eaten. You go ahead. After you finish eating and change your clothes, starting tomorrow, you'll need to fight." Looking at Raphtalia, Takeru spoke directly.
"Fight?" Hearing Takeru's words, Raphtalia showed a fearful expression.
"That's right. My identity is a Hero. If you want to stay by my side, then fighting is essential. Otherwise, I can't protect you all the time." Looking at her nervous expression, Takeru said calmly.