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

Chapter 23: The Changed Lolita

“Uwaaa…”

“What are you spacing out for? Come in.”

Is it really that surprising? I think this is a pretty normal house for a magician.

But this size in the best part of the capital is unusual. I only thought it was convenient because the Federation was nearby.

“O, oh, I’m sorry, I’m intruding…”

“Yeah, yeah, you’re stuttering. I don’t want Serika to change her opinion of me, so go back to normal.”

“… Yeah, sorry. I’m intruding again.”

Phew, I’m a bit relieved.

Even if I change my perspective, it’s more like a vacation home or a storage shed.

I still can’t help but think of my former home in that way. But it’s a good place to store magic stones and tools.

But you know, Mia’s house makes me feel like she’s a dragon girl, and I’m really happy about it.

“Hey, wait, is Mia the only one here?”

“Yeah. There used to be a lot of people, but I don’t need them anymore, so I let them go.”

I made sure to take care of them afterwards.

I gave them three times their monthly salary as severance pay, and I even helped those who wanted to find new jobs.

I tried to solve their shattered self-esteem with money and jobs, but I did what I could for Mia. I even felt depressed that I could only do so little.

I was depressed about my own powerlessness, but I didn’t feel guilty.

I thought about it and realized that I was taught by Arius’ words.

The men who lived here were there as a reward for a legitimate transaction, in exchange for something they wanted from Mia.

When the Federation demanded men, and Arius nodded in agreement.

When they said they would pay with their bodies because they had no money, I took advantage of them.

I don’t like to think about the past, but looking back, I did whatever I wanted.

First, when I returned home, a man with only a collar around his neck would kneel to greet me, and I would use my hands and feet to feed and bathe myself.

The men who served as my bedding, and my penis, which I played with at my leisure.

I think I had a good life back then. Now, I wonder what I enjoyed about it.

So in the end, the only thing I regret is not being able to give my virginity to Arius.

“I see. But is it okay to manage this big house?”

“I have a maintenance contractor on a regular basis, and cleaning is done with magic stones, so it’s fine. To be honest, I want to get rid of it, but Arius won’t accept magic stones… it’s perfect as a storage shed.”

“You’re rich…”

What are you saying, Miss Airlstadt?

Oh, your family was disbanded, and Serika is the last descendant, so it’s understandable if you don’t know.

“Let’s get to the point. Later, I’ll serve you some alcohol… or something.”

“No need to worry about me. But are you sure? I’m doing fine with what I have now.”

Well, if Serika is as skilled as you say, even a cheap twin sword might be enough.

“Don’t be so modest. I’m not trying to give you a present or anything. If your equipment is better, it’ll be easier for you to get ingredients and help Arius.”

“Hehe… okay, I’ll take it that way.”

What’s with that wry smile? It’s the truth.

I’m not doing this for Serika’s sake.

“Just so you know.”

“I know. I haven’t forgotten that I’m supposed to be Arius’ bodyguard.”

“Then it’s fine.”

We consulted with Towa about our roles.

Arius hates relying on anything other than himself. He’s very conscious of what he can control.

I realized this when I bought Serika’s freedom. That event made me fall in love with Arius all over again, but it was also a lesson in how thoughtless we had been.

Whether he’s aware of it or not, Arius knows that relying on power greater than his own leads to decadence.

“It’s a painful reminder, isn’t it?”

“Mia?”

“No, it’s nothing.”

I’ve seen so many people like that.

I know the arrogance and decadence that came with obtaining Mia for the Federation.

“Arius is amazing, isn’t he?”

“Huh?”

“I mean, you have Mia, who has this big house, and Towa, who’s an excellent right-hand woman. If I were in your position, I’d tell you to figure it out. Even if I thought it was impossible, I’d say, ‘You can do it.'”

That’s right.

Mia, and all of us, like the fact that Arius doesn’t do that.

I’m sure Serika likes the same thing about him.

“… That’s true, being relied on is different from being dependent.”

“Yeah. That’s why you’re improving my equipment, right? So I can move quickly when Arius needs our power, and…”

“And you’re trying to prevent that situation from arising…”

If I take away the words that would lead to that conclusion, Serika still gives me a wry smile.

She’s really smart, just like Towa.

I thought we were hiding it well between the two of us.

“Do you think I’m wrong?”

“I can’t really say, but I understand that it’s an action for Arius’ happiness. I’d do anything for him, and I want to do anything. I can’t deny Mia’s or Towa’s feelings.”

It’s a sense of frustration, I think.

I can sense that Mia and the others feel the same way.

“… Right now, I’m inviting former subordinates as guests to the dragon girl’s house.”

“Was it okay for me to know that? But I see. The money will circulate around Arius at the top, right?”

Mia and Towa are trying to build such a system.

Or rather, it’s already halfway complete, thanks to Arius.

“You don’t have to agree with me. The dragon girls’ salaries will pay for those subordinates, and the people who are hired will eat at the dragon girls’ restaurant, returning the money… it’s a good system, I think. The ingredients are Arius’ property, so I’ll get them, and by dealing with family members, Arius’ anonymity as a flag house will be enhanced.”

“…

Serika is really smart.

I didn’t mean to underestimate her, but not underestimating her is proof that I did.

“There are limits to dealing only with family, so we need to attract some customers as a restaurant, but it’s probably okay.”

“Huh?”

“Did you think I’d object? But I think of Arius as a god. The formation of the Family is, in a way, a world with Arius at the top, as the god. If there’s a god named Arius in the world… then I have no reason to object.”

It’s a very beautiful… no, fanatical smile.

Mia, who thinks this smile is beautiful, is also quite fanatical. She’s obsessed with Arius. I’m sure Towa feels the same way.

“The Arius Family Formation Plan. I’ll tell you about it, Serika.”

“I didn’t expect to gain your trust in this way, but yeah. I’m looking forward to working with you.”

“Is that so?”

“I told you almost everything. And the weapon I was supposed to give you is the Kishoku Sword.”

After sending Serika off to check the condition of her new weapon, I told Towa and Serika everything.

At first, they looked at me with wide eyes.

“If Mia has decided to trust you, there’s no problem. I trust your judgment.”

“Thanks. I had some ulterior motives too, but the Tiger, one of the Twelve Zodiac Houses, has disbanded, so I thought this would fill the gap.”

She nodded slowly and smiled at me. I still find it difficult to deal with old acquaintances, but it’s a relief.

The plan to use the Tiger as a replacement was originally part of the schedule.

The Tiger was a team specialized in military intervention, but most of them became adventurers because they were proud of their strength.

I don’t know if Serika alone can handle it, but I think she can manage at a level that exceeds my expectations with that sword in her hands.

“Yes, I was thinking the same thing… about giving Serika the Kishoku Sword.”

“Uh, was that a mistake?”

The effect of the sword I gave her is simple: it amplifies magic.

But it’s not made of magic stones, it’s a Kishoku. Its effect is much higher than that of ordinary things.

I also gave her some useful accessories.

Most of them are barrier-type, but at Serika’s request, I also gave her a charm… one with a pheromone suppression effect.

I think she’s now an adventurer with high-quality equipment that’s rarely seen in the capital.

I didn’t want her to be burdened with unnecessary thoughts, so I chose a simple priest’s robe without excessive decoration.

I thought about giving some to Mia too, but I decided against it.

I’m sure Serika won’t betray Arius, but there’s no guarantee that her blade won’t be turned against us.

“I don’t think Mia’s concerns will come to pass.”

“Huh? Is that so?”

“Tsk tsk, Mia, you’re so timid. You should learn to trust people.”

I’m aware of that, but… what?

“Serika is Arius’ sword. If she were to turn that blade against us, it would be because Arius ordered her to. Do you think Arius would give such an order, Mia?”

“No, of course not!”

“That’s what I think. I’m sorry for being so condescending, but I also find it difficult to trust people. I need reasons and logic to feel secure, just like you… but”

Arius’ common sense is something that didn’t exist in our world.

“… That’s true. That’s why I feel so comfortable here.”

“That’s right. We can’t let ourselves become decadent by becoming too comfortable, but we need to get used to it, Mia.”

I understand what you mean.

If I were to ask Arius to get rid of Serika because I was too comfortable with him… oh, I don’t even want to imagine what would happen.

But I have to get used to it.

I need to accept the comfort and the reasons for it, and continue this life without becoming too comfortable.

“Towa is really amazing.”

“I was just the first to touch Arius. And he told me directly that I should get used to it. If the order had been reversed, I would have said the same thing to Mia and Serika.”

“Hehe, it sounds a bit boastful, doesn’t it?”

“Because it is.”

I find my best friend’s smug face a bit annoying.

But the fact that my body is still that of a child doesn’t mean that my heart should be childish too.

“Mia, you’ll become a better woman.”

“Please stop, I won’t allow Arius to be alone with you.”

That’s not what I meant.

Good men attract good women.

If Mia becomes a better woman, it will prove that Arius is a good man.

“Hmm… I’m going to let Arius suck me a little.”

“Why does it have to be like that?! Come on, I’ll show you an example!”

“No, I have to practice! Hey! No! No, no, no!”