Original subtitles

In the deep, deep forest known as the Lost Woods,

a man has taken up residence in a deserted, decaying castle.

He is a sorcerer, feared and hated by the populace at large...

His name is Zagan.

And right now, he is facing a grave challenge.

Master...

is it all right if I ask a question?

What is it?

How exactly...

am I going to be killed?

Hey... hang on a sec!

Why are you assuming I'm going to kill you?!

And what exactly am I supposed to do?!

H-How do you talk to a girl that you like?

Episode 1: First Love Is Like a Nasty Disease That Everyone Catches Once

Our story begins the previous morning...

Meyers!

Why are you doing this?!

No!

N-No, you're not Meyers... Who are you?!

What did you do to Meyers?!

That's a pretty tasty face you're making there...

And I hate to disappoint you,

but this isn't the kind of assault you're hoping for.

See, the face off a living virgin makes a hell of a catalyst...

A sorcerer?!

Don't die too easily, now!

No!

Relax! After I've got your face, I'll treat your body real nice!

H-Huh?

Wh-Who the hell are you?!

You tell me first.

Do you realize this is someone's yard you're shouting in?

I was trying to get some shut-eye, but thanks to you, that's not happening.

Shit, this must be his territory.

H-Hang on!

We're both sorcerers!

Let me go and I'll share the fruits of my research with you!

I don't need any sorcery that requires flaying people.

I overdid it.

She's absolutely gonna be traumatized when she wakes up.

G-Gotta keep my cool. I'm a sorcerer.

This'll be easy to fix.

Rewound Cycle.

All that really does is put everything back where it was...

But since the blood is gone,

she'll probably think it was a dream.

A cross?

Is she with the Church?

The self-proclaimed apostles of God. Enemies of all sorcerers.

I actually saved her,

but I'm likely to get blamed for the attack.

Not that I really care.

If I drop her on the road to a town, someone's bound to find her.

Something's interfering with my translocation sorcery?

This is my territory. I've got protective fields all around.

This isn't a trick that just any sorcerer could pull.

I'd appreciate if you wouldn't muck around with my casting circles, Barbatos.

Hey, Zagan. You look like shit, as usual.

And so do you.

So, what? Did I interrupt some kind of party?

Just teaching a lesson to a creep who was making a fuss in my yard, that's all.

A creep? Where do you get off, man?

We're sorcerers. The only thing we respect is our own pursuit of power.

Other people's lives and livelihoods are nothing but

fuel for that, which we take, if we feel like it.

That's what it means to be a sorcerer, right?

Hey... this girl's got a decent amount of mana.

You gonna sacrifice her or something?

Sacrificial sorcery isn't my style.

What a waste. You should've let me have her if you weren't going to use her!

I'm going to bed. I was up late reading sorcerous tomes.

If you need something, come back later.

Come on, man. Don't be like that after I came all this way!

You could always just tweak your brain with adrenaline to wake up.

That sort of thing is how you ended up looking like such a mess yourself.

Manipulating the body is fundamental for sorcery!

It keeps us healthy and long-lived.

Even if it's got a limit of about a thousand years.

I've got some real interesting news, Zagan.

Did you know one of the Archdemons, Marchosias, is dead?

The Archdemons.

Earning that title gets you an incredible amount of mana,

along with the authority to command lower-ranked sorcerers.

They are the pinnacle of sorcery.

Of the 13 Archdemons,

the longest lived—who had been around for a millennium—passed away the other day.

See, now you're all curious, huh?

But I thought you were going to bed! What a shame!

If you're going to talk, then talk!

All right, all right.

There's apparently gonna be a huge auction at Marchosias' territory, Kianoides.

From legitimate merchandise to the kind of thing you and I would be interested in.

Are you saying...

I am!

An Archdemon's legacy is gonna be up for auction!

And I thought you actually had news for me.

But you just want to borrow money for the auction, don't you?

I could just buy the legacy for myself, y'know?

Come on, man, no fair!

I was the one who told you about it!

Well, you can ask someone else.

You're the only sorcerer I know who'd loan me any money!

Come on, I'll help you pick out some nice chicks in exchange!

Women, huh...

I'm kind of interested, but they seem like more trouble than they'd be worth...

The guards seem weirdly on edge.

Yeah, that'd be due to the serial kidnappings.

Some dumbasses have been snatching up young women for sorcerous experiments.

Sounds like a risky proposition.

They're basically picking a fight with the Church.

And for what?

Couldn't tell you.

Maybe they're planning on summoning something significant?

Like an actual demon.

Then again, that's like something out of a fairy tale.

Come to think of it, Zagan...

Aren't you suspected of being behind these kidnappings?

That's stupid.

How practical can sacrificial sorcery really be, when you get down to it?

True enough.

And it's not like you have enough friends to help you out, either!

I never really thought friends were a necessity, anyway.

Check it out, Zagan.

We've got a regular bunch of celebrities.

Kimaris the Black Blade.

Kimaris the Black Blade

Gremory the Enchantress..

Gremory the Enchantress

And there's even Valefor the Apparition.

Valefor the Apparition

Second names... are something like titles for sorcerers.

Are they strong?

Oh, yeah.

They're candidates to become the 13th Archdemon now that old Marchosias is gone.

Granted, so am I.

The next Archdemon...

Who makes that call?

The surviving 12 apparently debate it.

Kimaris, look over there.

The sickly-looking guy who's loafing around...

What was his name again?

I believe that is Barbatos the Purgatory.

And that sour-looking one next to him is called Zagan.

He's young, and without a title,

but for some reason his name came up among the Archdemon candidates.

Ladies and gentlemen,

who have finally come to our final, and most remarkable lot for the auction!

This merchandise was previously scheduled

to come into the possession of Archdemon Marchosias himself.

However, with Lord Marchosias' passing, that deal fell through,

and it now is on us to see that it finds a new owner!

Wait, what about all his stuff?

This is probably a catalyst that he had picked out.

A member of the legendary race from the distant Norden holy land...

An elf!

An Archdemon's Dilemma: How to Love Your Elf Bride

As you're all aware, elves are closer to gods and nature spirits than humans!

And as you can see with this one, she has striking white hair!

This isn't dyed, folks. You're looking at an extremely rare, naturally platinum-locked elf!

Her magical properties make her extremely valuable,

to say nothing of her worth as a love slave!

And if you can afford the price, she's yours for doing with as you please!

Let's start the bidding at ten thousand—

One million!

Uh, Zagan...

One million gold Kuriotes.

Thank you very much, sir!

What an amazing bid!

Do we have any others?

Damn, Zagan! I know she's an elf, but that's so much!

What is this feeling in my chest?

She's so lovely.

Is that the right way to express it?

I want to help her, I want to see her smiling...

And I want to touch her.

It's like I've finally found something I didn't know I was looking for.

What the hell kinda sorcery are you going to use her for?

Congratulations, sir!

The sorcerer Zagan has purchased one white-haired elf!

What now? What do I say to her?

Is she okay? She's not under some sorcery right now, is she?

Any problems, Mr. Zagan?

Uh, no!

What's this?

The collar must keep her mana contained.

She's likely to run off without it, so please, be careful.

That said, none of us know how to remove it, anyway.

Is she conscious?

Not to worry!

She's been preserved in her natural state, sir!

To be honest, she's got such incredible capacity,

ordinary sorcery hasn't proven effective.

I believe you.

First, I'd like to talk with her.

I can't wait to hear the sweet sounds she makes!

Huh?

Did that come out weird?

This is what happens when someone who thought women were too much trouble just moments ago

falls in love for the first time in his life.

Well, I've brought her home, but...

I should've asked Barbatos about this.

What am I supposed to say to her?

But I have to say something eventually.

"The sky is beautiful today."

No, come on. Even I can do better than that.

Besides, we can't see the sky in here, and the weather is awful!

"What do you think of the castle?"

Get a grip, man!

"It's like execution grounds, or maybe hell" is all I can think she'd say!

Not to mention...

Why didn't I clean up before bringing her home?!

Master...

Is it all right if I ask a question?

She talked!

She's got a sweet voice like the ringing of a bell.

What is it?

Why'd I say it like that?!

I sounded completely annoyed just now!

How exactly...

am I going to be killed?

If I know beforehand, I believe I'll be able to better prepare myself...

Wait, wait, wait!

I'm not going to kill you!

If anything, I need you alive!

Then...

I should be expecting something worse than death, with no release?

You've got it wrong!

All this stuff belonged to the castle's previous owner!

I just never got rid of it because it seemed like a lot of work!

My name is Zagan.

As you can tell, I'm a sorcerer, but I have no interest in torture.

Now, then...

So...

This is ridiculous!

Why am I having so much trouble just asking for her name?!

I apologize.

My name is Nephelia.

Nephelia...

What a beautiful name.

Nephelia... what, exactly? What is your family name?

I have none.

If you find it distasteful, please, just call me Nephy.

Can I?!

Yes...

Not only is her name beautiful, she's got a cute nickname like Nephy!

Is it common for elves not to have a family name?

No...

I just happen to be a cursed child.

A cursed child?

Excuse me... but, why are you asking?

Well...

You don't need to worry.

I'm a virgin.

Y-You...

Do you realize what you're talking about?!

I thought you were concerned about my value as a subject for your experiments.

Don't misunderstand me!

I have no intention of experimenting on you.

Why did you buy me, then?

You don't need to know that.

What am I even saying?!

But "I fell head over heels for you at an underground auction"

"and spent my entire fortune buying you"

obviously makes me sound like some kind of pervert.

And if we're going to be living together in the future,

I couldn't bear her looking at me like that...

Living together?!

I'm going to be under the same roof as this adorable girl?!

I need to calm down. I'm a sorcerer.

A powerful sorcerer should always maintain his composure.

Nephy, for now, I'm going to provide you with a room.

Pick out whichever you would like.

Are you asking me to choose where I'll die?

I told you, I'm not going to kill you!

I just don't understand why you wouldn't...

Are you saying that I'm not going to be killed,

no matter what purpose you have for me?

I get it.

Of course...

She was caught and sold off as a slave.

She was probably told that she was going to be a test subject or a sacrifice this entire time.

I don't know what this "cursed child" business is,

and she doesn't seem to want to talk about it,

so she probably doesn't have a home to return to.

It was the same for me.

Not only did I not have a family name,

I don't even remember my parents.

The first thing I do remember is living in the trash...

And being called by the name Zagan.

I bought you because I need you.

So, no more of this dying talk.

Need... me?

You mean that?

Yes. So for now, you'll live for my sake.

Yes.

Now, about your room...

What would be good?

Maybe someplace with a view...

Do you mind heights?

No.

Feel free to hang me by the neck or the wrists as you like.

I'm not talking about torture!

Forgive me.

I couldn't think of anything else when you mentioned heights.

Please, scrounge up a little more hope.

Be careful. Watch where you're walking.

R-Right.

Huh... Am I holding hands with Nephy right now?

But it'd be weird to let go.

They're so soft, and warm...

This room isn't usually in use.

It might not be very tidy, but...

You may take my head as it pleases you, Master.

Seriously, stop!

This is, you know...

A trap to protect the castle from airborne enemies!

Even I have trouble buying that.

However, I can see how it'd be in the way.

Let me dispose of it.

I have my doubts about it's function as a room, but...

At least she's got nothing to be afraid of.

I've never seen such destructive sorcery before.

Okay, so maybe blasting away with attack sorcery out of the blue is intimidating!

This is what happens when the only person I ever talk to is Barbatos!

This won't do after all. It's too dreary.

Is that really the word for it?

You like the moon?

I don't know.

I don't think we can reach it.

That makes sense.

U-Um...

Is it all right if I stay in this room?

You don't mind all of... this, then?

No.

Because it's the room you prepared for me, Master.

F-Fine, then. Use it how you see fit.

Thank you.

Is something wrong?

No...

It's just been a long time since anyone thanked me for anything.

I think it's been a long time since I've given thanks, too.

I see.

Yes...

It was on this night that their long cohabitation...

and their very, very long story began.

Next Time: First Love With Social Anxiety Tastes a Lot Like Moldy Bread

Crap, what do I do?

What do I do?

She's so cute it's painful...!!! Am I gonna be able to sleep tonight?!

Zagan's internal monologue