As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld

Chapter 17: People from various places

“Towa”

“If I love Master? I completely agree!”

The two of us are left at the Ronyan.

Mia is taking out a magic stone and playing with it, while Towa is extracting the essence from the ingredients Serika brought and preparing them for preservation.

“Do you know? Mia is really happy to have met Arius-san.”

“How many times do you intend to make me agree? I’m nodding so much that my head is starting to spin!”

Arius is not normal.

Yes, he’s not normal.

If we were to replace that scene with something ordinary for her and the others, the reward for Serika would be disregarded. Or, if they were a little more reasonable, they would pay a little on the spot, but the rest would still be disregarded.

Serika herself brought good things as much as possible because it was only natural for her to be disregarded. Rather, it seemed she intended to say that this time she was providing a free service, as she didn’t even plan to receive payment.

Even with a formal contract, if the situation changes even slightly, there could be some kind of unreasonable demand made.

There is no such thing as a contract properly fulfilled with an ugly woman like her.

That’s why she admires Arius’ thinking and logical development.

He didn’t disregarded her hard work, he didn’t pretend to be ignorant, and he didn’t shift the responsibility to someone else. He tried to solve the problem to the best of his ability.

From one point of view, it could be said that Serika and the adventurers tried to trap Arius by using an ambiguous contract as a shield, but he said that all the blame was on him, and even said that it was normal.

It’s only natural that they would want to help even if it wouldn’t amount to much.

Mia tried to get cash right away, regardless of her personality, and Towa was reaching for the magic stone used for communication, even without Arius’ permission, to gather money by using her power.

But he refused, and took everything on himself.

It’s still not enough for him to consider them his property.

“That’s why… I really do.”

“I’m jealous… Ugh, how many times do you have to take away Master’s first time, Serika…!”

If this deal goes through, Serika will become Arius’ property with his full awareness.

She can call Arius her master without hesitation, and serve him without reservation.

Oh how fortunate she was.

“Should we get in their way?”

“It’s not a bad proposal… I mean, normally I would say that.”

They know. It’s not the way Arius wants to do things.

“Mia and Towa doesn’t…”

“We don’t want to live any other way than Master’s normal.”

They both nodded.

Whether they’re recognized or not, it doesn’t matter.

They will do our best to protect the sunny spot they are in now.

***

“The Arius Family… huh, it’s the best, isn’t it?”

“You didn’t say that when it was Eldo-sama… I mean, the previous master.”

“What are you talking about? I was just doing Eld a favor, a favor.”

“You’re so full of it.”

What it means for the Ronyan to be given to Towa, and for Eldo to call Arius her son.

“What about Mia?”

“The Magic Guild.”

“Excellent. Aren’t you also being serious, or rather, completely serious?”

“I’ll say the same thing back to you, it’s to be expected.”

Towa, Arius’ right-hand man, who has become the new master of the Ronyan.

Mia, one of the world’s top three magicians, who has officially shown her dedication to the Ronyan as it’s dedicated magician.

Those companions, who have no means other than to live in the darkness, follow the two of them closely

And then, Sister Serika, who has been recognized as an S-rank adventurer, will probably join their ranks too.

“Well, I don’t want to go to war with the church, but I wonder what will happen?”

“The mice have already surrounded the church, and some of them have infiltrated it already. All we need now is for Master to respond… I can only pray that he will be wise.”

***

The Magic Guild, an organization that all magicians in the world are obliged to join.

In one of the rooms of the Magic Guild headquarters, which was built in the capital, the executives were throwing words at each other in a state of confusion.

“That… damn… Girl…!!!”

“Well, well, please calm down; it’s just the usual. So? What is it this time?”

“Well… I don’t really understand. It seems that a sister named Serika is going to be bought out, but I’m told to ensure that it’s done properly.”

“Huh. That’s a pretty… cute request compared to the usual ones.”

“It’s absolutely unacceptable to threaten the Federation like that! Tell him to do it himself! The Federation is not his toy!”

The current Federation leader was furious.

They have been at odds with each other for a long time, and they are still not satisfied with the fact that the dedicated magician said that the requests from the Federation would be put on hold. This time, it was an explosion of anger.

“… What are the conditions?”

“She might consider supplying some rare stones. On the other hand, if we don’t do them any favors, she will stop supplying magic stones in the future.”

“What? Just for a Sister…?!”

It was an ultimate condition in a way.

Mia was basically allowed to become a dedicated magician because she continued to supply a large amount of magic stones to the federation.

The excavation of magic stones and the adjustment of magic stones to protect the life of the city as a magician.

There are few magicians who can do both, and even fewer who can produce magic stones of such high purity and performance as Mia… it cannot be helped but to say that she is unparalleled when it comes to such things.

No matter how you think about it, Mia is an essential existence for the Federation.

No matter how many unreasonable demands are casually thrown at them, they dependent on her to the extent that they have no choice but to respond.

In fact, the word “helped” is too weak to describe the situation. It is not an exaggeration to say that Mia has been a lifesaver, as she can finish work that would take a typical magician three days in just half a day.

“But, rare stones…”

“For us, this is not just convenient; it’s an unprecedented deal. Is there something hidden behind this?”

Magic stones that can replace more than 10 magic stones with just one are called rare stones. Of course, they are valuable and rare.

Mia, who controls more than half of the circulation and share of rare stones, probably means that she will give a certain percentage of them.

Mia is said to be one of the top three magicians, not only because of her skill as a magician, but also because she can excavate rare stones.

“We have found out. The Sister is Serika Airlstadt, a demonkin with a family name, a half-succubus and half-incubus. As you know, the Airlstadt family has already been disbanded, so she is probably a survivor of that family. The only other thing that stands out is that she is an S-rank adventurer.”

“The Airlstadt family…a clan that was crushed due to their madness for colors, huh? It’s been a while since I heard that name. If I were to think about it, it would probably be the blood of Airlstadt. What do you intend to use it for?”

“There are plenty of S-rank adventurers, and Mia can do what they can do herself.”

The intention of Mia is not clear.

It’s a common understanding among the Federation that that wicked and ugly woman could never engage in charitable work.

Rather, she would say to the Federation, “If you want to borrow my power, send me a man.” It is impossible for her to just request such a thing.

In other words. Or rather, if we look at it properly.

That’s just how serious Mia is.

She is saying that she is willing to do all this to fulfill this wish.

But that is something that the people in this room cannot understand.

“Prepare the communication magic stone.”

“Well, I guess so. The conditions are too favorable, and we can’t lose Mia.”

“You fool…”

The Federation leader, except for one person.

“Investigate this matter thoroughly. It could be a bomb from the church, or from Mia herself.”

“Understood. I will arrange for an investigation of the church, Mia, and Serika Airlstadt.”

But even the Federation leader could not reach the conclusion that Mia was moving for just one man.

“This is Mouse 1. Infiltration successful, waiting for instructions.”

“Understood.”

The twelve zodiac animals, which are legendary creatures.

In the past, they were the names of the teams formed according to the roles of the Eldo Family.

Each team, named after the animals of the zodiac, such as Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Boar, was responsible for covert operations such as infiltration and assassination.

Now that the Family has disbanded, some of the teams have disappeared, but the Mouse team is still intact with all its members.

“For Eldo-sama and Towa-sama.”

“Hey, Shuriccgu? Why don’t you say it’s for the successor?”

“… Just a passing inclusion.”

Covert operations are basically done in pairs.

The current leader of the Mice, Shuri, who had infiltrated according to the teachings of the former leader Towa, listened to her deputy with a wry smile.

“Yeah, I feel the same way.”

“Then, be quiet and do your job.”

“Understo–! … Wait.”

Shuri killed off hier expression and aura, dodged the magic stone sensors that had been carefully set up, and ran through the darkness to chase the target.

“… It’s strange.”

“That’s right. If they were concentrating on the room where the negotiations were taking place, I would understand, but… what’s over there?”

The room where Arius and the others were at had a hidden ceiling, and there were almost no detection traps in it. Infiltration was easy.

However, probably underground. There was a cleverly hidden entrance somewhere, along with a large number of detection magic stones.

“… The job is to protect the successor, Serika, from the shadows.”

“But we also have to investigate the church, right?”

“… Give instructions.”

Shuri took out the communication magic stone and added that deep entry was prohibited as she gave instructions to her subordinates to investigate the church.

Shuri felt the Mice who were waiting outside move at the same time.

“Shuricchi, can you hear me?”

“Wait.”

It was like a stethoscope.

Shuri, who had placed the stethoscope against the wall, operated the magic stone in her hand to adjust the volume and focus on the sound.

“…”

“..O–.”

The conversation gradually became clearer.

“Serika is a valuable Sister, you know?”

“Yes, everything except her appearance is at a high level.”

Shuri sighed with relief, apparently having arrived in time for the negotiation scene.

“Shuricchi?”

“Adjusted. Lend me your ear.”

Shuri put one of the stethoscopes in her partner’s ear and listened to the proceedings.

The job was to protect the two of them, investigate the church, and if the talks went sour, kidnap Serika.

It was decided behind Arius’ back that Serika would be kidnapped and handed back over to the Ronyan in secret.

“What, twenty gold coins? I can get that back right away with Serika’s help.”

“‘…It’s as if you’re saying you’ve been doing such things for quite a while now.”

“‘That’s absolutely not the case. I am a servant of the gods; such things are beyond me.’”

Still, 20 gold coins.

No matter how you think about it, this is just too much to ask. In the first place, money is not necessary for such a contract.

There is indeed money required for the procedures themselves, and it’s possible for the side requesting the sister to pay for it. There are also exchanges where a portion might be marked up.

But it’s not to the extent that gold coins would be even necessary.

“‘Shall we delve a little deeper into this conversation? I mean, we are saying that with that money, we will turn a blind eye on your exploitation of the slave.’”

“… Huh?”

Shuri’s drooping dog ears twitched.

“Serika’s only use is to be used up as a slave, right? Make her work outside and put the money in your pocket. It’s a very straightforward way to use her.”

“… “

Slave.

Shuri scolded herself for reacting to the word, even though she was working.

“We are clerics. We cannot overlook the misfortune of a single woman, even if she is ugly… do you understand?”

Yes, that’s how the world is.

It’s a common path, too normal.

Really, from who’s mouth is this even coming from?

Shuri had heard that Serika had spent five years as a Sister here.

That is, she had been used for five years by the church.

“But even if you say twenty gold coins, it’s not something that you can prepare right away. So…”

“Are you trying to get me to convert?”

“I like smart people. How about it?”

Shuri never gets used to the feeling of her heart being clouded by familiar work.

“Shuricchi”

“Prepare yourself.”

Shuri took out her weapon, anticipating Arius’ words.

Whether he would nod or refuse, either way, it would not be Towa’s intention, and the next words would be the signal for them to enter.

However.

“Someone’s coming.”

“…Tsk.”

A Sister knocked on the door, dampening their spirits.

“Excuse me. Gelha-sama, there is a call.”

“Mmm… I’m in the middle of an important talk right now, I’ll take care of it later.”

“But… um, it said, just tell him the word ‘Nelba’, hurry up and connect the line.”

“Nel…ba…?! Excuse me, Arius-dono, I’ll be right back.”

There was a sense of panic in the room, he was probably heading towards the magic stone communication.

“Gelha is a bishop, right?”

“A corrupt bishop. But what about Nelba?”

Shuri tilted her head.

Is it a person’s name, or some kind of code or password? She had never heard of it.

“We have to go.”

“Yeah.”

Shuri watched her partner quickly follow Gelha.

“A-Arius-sama”

“Huh?”

She heard voices inside the room again.

Shuri focused on the conversation between the two left in the room, perhaps to confirm the next words that would have come out of his mouth that had been put on hold.

“I’m sorry…”

“I don’t understand why you’re apologizing. But I want you to know that I will definitely keep my promise, Serika.”

Shuri wondered what the promise was, but this was probably a confirmation.

Arius, the successor, will accept the bishop’s request.

Shuri thought it was not bad.

Their work might increase in the future, but it could be handled. She still couldn’t grasp what Gelha was trying to do by making Arius convert, but she could protect him either way.

“Well, this was definitely my…”

“Of course not. This is all my fault, Serika doesn’t have to worry about it.”

Yes, it’s not bad.

It’s nice to have someone who doesn’t try to involve others in their desires.

However, it’s only that. Shuri couldn’t understand why Towa had sworn loyalty to him. She imagined that he had made her submit to him by using his body, but she didn’t want to think about it.

Just as Shuri’s imagination was turning into a wild guess, her partner said.

“Shuricchi?”

“How did it go?”

“I’m so happy. Our job is gone.”

“Huh?”

Shuri tilted her head at her partner’s words, which she couldn’t hide her amusement.

“… Sorry for the wait.”

“Yeah. So, um… about the twenty gold coins?”

“One silver coin is enough.”

“What?”

Shuri wondered what had happened.

She looked at her partner, who was trying hard not to laugh, with her eyes wide open, and then she heard.