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

Chapter 33: Throwing a stone into the pond, the shadows…

“How is it?”

“…It’s impossible. The church is on a different level, the guards and the magic stones assigned to them are of high quality and quantity.”

Shuri nodded in agreement with her partner, Kazune’s opinion.

As expected of the Magic Guild, with its formidable security measures, even for a mouse like Shuri and Kazune, an invasion and investigation would be extremely challenging.

Being a half-werefox, Shuri possessed the magical sensing abilities of a fox.

She trusted Kazune’s judgment, her partner and the second-in-command of the mice.

“Is this from Successor-sama?”

“No, it’s from Towa-sama. Mia-sama used the guild, so she wants to know their reaction afterwards.”

“Hmm… then I don’t have to push myself too hard.”

Kazune’s words made Shuri’s eyes widen.

If it was Arius who said it, then she would be prepared to force an entry.

“…The church.”

“Huh?”

“I want to investigate. I want to know the role of those men.”

“Oh, leave it to me, Shuri-tchi. I have the layout in my head, I’ll bring a few people and we’ll check the positions of the magic stones too.”

The enthusiasm emanating from Kazune.

At the very least, Shuri had never seen Kazune this proactive about work before.

Her energy and determination were in full swing.

Kazune was indeed capable, but she had the kind of personality that wouldn’t take action without clear instructions—a businesslike attitude, so to speak. In some respects, she was inherently passive. At the very least, she wasn’t the kind of woman who would proactively volunteer for something

“…For Successor-sama?”

“You’re so direct. But yes, that’s right.”

Shuri was perplexed at how this woman, who didn’t hesitate to play around, could change so much.

“If you were embraced by Successor-sama, you’d understand, Shuri-tchi.”

“That so…”

And Kazune would continue to say that to her every time.

Kazune was the type who didn’t hesitate to have fun.

When she had the money, she would frequently visit the male brothel, without any self-restraint.

When Shuri told her to tone it down, as she had been instructed, Kazune naturally complained, but when Shuri added that it was the Successor-sama’s wish, she apologized and complied.

It was simply unbelievable, even for Shuri, who knew Kazune so well.

“Let’s divide into teams? How’s the investigation into the Ryu Ryu going?”

“It’s not going well. Those rabbits are tough.”

It was the same for the curious mouse, who eagerly tried to ask Kazune about how Successor-sama had been.

With just a single word, ‘It was good,’ she responded, then showed a calm and contented smile.

“Former family members are not to be trifled with, huh? Shuri-tchi, I’ll take the church team. You take care of the rest.”

“Understood. Let’s keep in close contact.”

Shuri couldn’t believe it was Kazune.

The same woman who would make a fuss about what was good or bad about buying a man, was now smiling calmly.

Now, the mice, excluding Shuri, were eagerly waiting to be called by Arius-sama.

“Ryo!… Oh, and btw Shuri-tchi?”

“What?”

“— I won’t forgive any screw-ups.”

Her eyes were not smiling. Shuri’s back froze.

As she watched her departing back, for the first time, she felt afraid.

“You?. No.”

It was Arius-sama she was talking about.

Kazune had once been with the man known as the “The Enchanting One” from the National Male Brothel, and she had boasted about how good it was.

She spoke proudly about how incredibly good it felt, but it definitely didn’t please her enough to make her end up like this.

“….”

In other words, Arius is such an exceptional male.

Arius possesses the strength worthy of having females by his side.

Even Shuri, as a female, naturally has the desire to experience that, a feeling that is only natural for a living being.

However, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was truly okay to indulge in it.

“Will I become like that too…?”

As a mouse, living her life, and one day sharing a bed with Arius.

When morning came, would she become like Kazune?

Was that a good thing or a bad thing? Shuri couldn’t make a judgment.

That’s why she was afraid.

She thought of her father, who had gone mad with love for her mother and sold himself to make money to dedicate to her.

“I’ll go back to work…”

Shuri envied Serika.

But she was terrified of the changed Kazune.

No one could answer the name of the feeling that Shuri now harbored in her heart.

“Liliel-sama…”

“What should I…!”

The situation with the Ryu Ryu remained unchanged. (T/N: The original Master’s restaurant.)

The store was doing well, sales were increasing steadily, and the other day, they had even received a request for an interview from a magazine.

Now, the new type of dining establishment that had suddenly appeared in the capital city was becoming a boom.

“My dear…”

However, there was no noticeable movement from the Ronyan.

The mice’s deputy leader had been embraced by Arius, but that was something that had been expected, and it wasn’t a significant move.

Despite standing out in the capital city, everyone recognized the transformed Liliel as an excellent and beautiful business owner.

She just couldn’t get the heart of the person she desired.

“Liliel-sama… are you crying?”

“Ugh…! No, of course not! Rather, Luuri. Give me the report.”

Liliel hurriedly wiped her eyes and turned to face Luuri.

Her eyes were swollen from crying.

It was obvious to anyone that she had been crying.

However, since the master said so, Luuri chose to ignore it and spoke.

“The sales of Ryu Ryu are going well. We have also successfully dealt with the mice’s movements, and they probably don’t have any information on us. But there is one concern…”

“Concern… the Magic Guild’s movements, right?”

“Yes. It seems that they are seeing it as a succession dispute within the old Eld Family.”

The guild had learned of Arius’s existence due to Serika’s case.

Some said that he was a dangerous person who was trying to seduce Mia and gain power.

Others said that he was a compassionate man filled with charity, trying to save the ugly woman.

Opinions were divided right down the middle.

While some voices called for urgent action, others advocated for caution and a wait-and-see approach.

Then, the daughter of the Eld Family, which had once greatly expanded its power behind the scenes in the capital city, visited the capital.

“How ridiculous…”

“You’re right. But that’s probably what they want to believe.”

They wanted to see it as a succession dispute, an easy-to-understand scenario that they could deal with.

And they wanted to use the outcome as a guide for future action.

In other words, whether it was Liliel or Arius who won this imaginary conflict, they would still be under scrutiny.

Even though neither of them had any intention of engaging in such a dispute, the current situation was such that those with a little knowledge might see it that way.

“I have no choice but to act…”

Liliel had originally intended to win and take Arius for herself, and then deal with the situation under her own leadership.

But now that things had come to this, it could no longer be contained within the scope of love or heartbreak.

The winner would be seen as the successor.

In other words, it would be like being recognized as a prominent figure in the underworld, which went against Arius’s wish to live a peaceful life.

Liliel wished for happiness with Arius, but as someone who also wished for Arius’s happiness, she couldn’t help but think this way.

“Luuri, if we go to war with the guild, what are our chances?”

“If it’s an armed conflict, it’s about 30% chance of winning. Other than that, there’s no chance of us winning.”

“I see… I’ll think about it a bit.”

“Understood. Please call me again if there’s anything else.”

Luuri quietly left the room as Liliel began to think, resting her chin on her hand.

Reason was the most important thing in this world.

Impulsive actions were common, but the presence or absence of persuasive power was still very important.

“I raped him because he was cool.”

“I sent him tribute because he was beautiful.”

“I followed him because I admired him.”

For Luuri, the reason to follow Liliel was respect.

However, that feeling probably hadn’t reached Liliel, as she couldn’t believe in motivations that came from vague emotions, and she loved and trusted only facts that could be understood.

“I lied for the first time…”

Luuri was downcast.

The 30% chance of winning in an armed conflict was a lie.

While it might have been possible for the former rabbits, the current situation was even worse.

“Something to protect, huh…”

The average-looking rabbits.

Some of them had even become parents.

Telling such people, ‘Risk your lives for war,’ was obviously out of the question.

It was precisely because only small additional tasks were added to their roles as employees at the eatery that they had gathered once again under Liliel, seeing it quite literally as a good workplace.

That is exactly why Liliel had said they would think about it.

Every one of the Rabbits believed that Liliel would never give such an order.

Yet, there was a subtle misunderstanding at play.

Liliel thought the Rabbits followed her because the environment she provided was good.

However, the Rabbits believed it was because the environment Liliel created made it good..

“Successor-sama, why…?”

People either follow things or other people.

From that perspective, the Rabbits, including herself, were undeniably following Liliel.

However, Liliel did not see it that way.

Liliel did not place any value on her true self at all.

If people were drawn to beauty, why hadn’t Arius been drawn to her transformed self?

If Arius was so noble, why hadn’t he taken an interest in her when she revealed her true form?

And so, Liliel resorted to means that left no room for refusal. She thought that by doing this, Arius would have no choice but to see her for who she is. If there was a reason for him to care about her, then he would have to care.

Yet, the clumsy conclusion of her romantic pursuit…

No matter how Liliel decided, it would come to an end, along with the one-month-long dream of Ryu Ryu.

“Damn it… I’m the leader of the rabbits! I can’t give up! Fight on!”

Things couldn’t continue like this.

It was fine for the master to make a decision, but if it was under the name of giving up, then it was not okay.

No matter what form it took, Liliel had to be satisfied.

That was the proof of Luuri’s loyalty, which Liliel probably wouldn’t understand.

“If only I could meet the Successor directly and talk to him. But if I tried to take direct action, I’d probably be killed by that sister… To-sama and Mia-sama wouldn’t open up to me either. Is there any way…”

Luuri considered the need for connections.

The story was no longer just about the rabbits and Dragon Dragon.

Now that the guild had taken notice, swift action was required.

Then, the simplest method would be to explain the circumstances to Arius and obtain his cooperation.

“If it was Kazune-chan… would she cooperate for money?”

Luuri thought of hiring Kazune, one of the mice.

It was a good idea, but only if it was the former Kazune.

“Yeah, it’s okay. If it’s about ten gold coins… she should be able to help me out, right? Okay. Let’s get started right away…”

“— I think it’s better to stop.”

“Huh?!”

Luuri turned her gaze to the voice, ready to use the hidden weapon in her sleeve.

“Fuh—“