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…

Chapter 32: Shadows Casting a Stone

“How’s it looking?”

“…Impossible. It’s a whole different league from the church. The guards, the specialized magic stones—quality and quantity are airtight.”

Shuri nods at her partner Kazune’s assessment.

As expected from the Mage Guild, even the Rats’ full effort would find infiltration and investigation nearly impossible.

Despite her mixed blood, Kazune’s warfox magic-sensing trait is sharp.

Shuri trusts the judgment of her number two in the Rat team.

“This one from the successor?”

“Nope, Towa-sama. Mia-sama used the Guild, so they want to know the reaction.”

“Hmm… then no need to push it.”

Kazune’s words widen Shuri’s eyes.

If Arius had ordered it, Kazune would’ve stormed in regardless, no question.

“…The church.”

“Hm?”

“The investigation. I want to know those men’s roles.”

“Oh, got it, Shuri-cchi. Leave it to me. I’ve got the layout memorized, so I’ll take a few and check the stone placements.”

Kazune’s enthusiasm is palpable.

Shuri’s never seen her this eager for a job.

She’s brimming with drive.

Kazune’s competent but usually passive, only moving with orders—a businesslike streak, not one to volunteer.

“…For the successor?”

“Straight to the point, huh? Embarrassing. But yeah.”

How does a woman like her change so much? Is that man that incredible? Shuri’s bewildered.

“Shuri-cchi, if the successor holds you, you’ll get it.”

“…I see.”

It’s always like this.

Kazune’s never hesitated to play.

When she had cash, she’d hit the brothel with glee, no restraint.

When told to cut back, she griped as expected, but adding it was the successor’s wish got her apologizing and complying.

Unthinkable. Even Shuri, who knows Kazune well, can’t believe it.

“For now, split the team? How’s the Rongrong investigation?”

“Stalled. As expected from Rabbit.”

Even with the Rats itching to ask Kazune about the successor, she just says, “It was good,” with a calm, fulfilled smile.

“The old Family ain’t no joke. Shuri-cchi, I’ll take the church team. You handle the rest.”

“Got it. Keep in close contact.”

That Kazune.

The woman who’d rant about what was good or bad after buying a man now smiles quietly.

All the Rats, except Shuri, are waiting for Arius’s call.

“Roger! …Oh, Shuri-cchi?”

“What?”

—I won’t forgive screw-ups.

Her eyes aren’t laughing. Shuri’s spine shivers.

Watching her leave, Shuri feels fear for the first time.

“…Kazune? No.”

No, it’s Arius.

Kazune’s been with a man from the National Male Brothel, called a demon of seduction.

She bragged about how good it was, but it never changed her like this.

“…”

Arius is that exceptional a male.

He has the power to command females.

Shuri, of course, feels the natural female urge to experience it.

But is it okay to?

“Will I… become like that?”

Living as a Rat, sharing Arius’s bed someday.

When morning comes, will she be like Kazune?

Is that good or bad? She can’t decide.

That’s why it’s scary.

It reminds her of her father, crazed by her mother, selling himself to fund her.

“…Work.”

She envied Serika.

But Kazune’s change terrifies her.

No one can name the feeling in Shuri’s heart now.

※

“Ririeru-sama…”

“What should I…!”

Rongrong’s situation hasn’t changed.

The shop’s thriving—sales are climbing, and a magazine interview was proposed.

It’s become a sudden sensation, a new type of diner in the capital.

“My dear…!”

But Ronnyan shows no notable moves.

The Rat sub-leader sleeping with Arius? Expected, not a real shift.

Despite Rongrong’s prominence, with everyone praising the transformed Ririeru as a brilliant beauty owner, she can’t win the heart she craves.

“Ririeru-sama… are you crying?”

“! N-no such thing! Luuri, your report.”

Ririeru hurriedly wipes her eyes, turning to Luuri.

Her eyes, swollen from crying, betray her.

It’s obvious she’s been weeping, but if her master says otherwise, Luuri pretends not to see and speaks.

“Rongrong’s sales are steady. We’re countering the Rats’ moves well, keeping our info secure. But there’s one concern.”

“The Mage Guild’s movements, yes?”

“Yes. It seems they view this as a succession dispute for the old Eld Family.”

The Guild learned of Arius through the Serika incident.

Some call him a dangerous schemer seducing Mia for power.

Others, a compassionate man saving “ugly” women.

Opinions are split.

Some demand immediate action, others urge caution.

Amid this, Ririeru, daughter of the Eld Family’s former head, arrives in the capital, once a major underworld force.

“…How absurd.”

“Indeed. But it’s what they want to believe.”

They want it to be a succession fight—a neat framework to address and guide future actions.

Win or lose, Arius or Ririeru, the victor will be targeted.

Neither intends this, but to those with partial knowledge, the situation looks like a power struggle.

“I have no choice but to act.”

She planned to win Arius through victory, handling things her way.

But now, it’s beyond love or heartbreak.

The winner will be seen as the successor.

That means being marked as a major underworld figure, against Arius’s wish for a quiet life.

Ririeru yearns for happiness with Arius but also for his own.

“Luuri, if it’s war with the Guild, what’s our chance?”

“Three out of ten for armed conflict. Otherwise, none.”

“…Understood. I’ll think it over.”

“As you wish. Call if you need me.”

Luuri leaves quietly, as Ririeru ponders, hand on chin.

※

Reason is the most valued thing in this world.

Impulsive actions happen, but their persuasiveness matters greatly.

Raped because he’s hot.

Gave gifts because she’s beautiful.

Followed because of admiration.

For Luuri, her reason to follow Ririeru is reverence.

But that feeling likely doesn’t reach her. Ririeru distrusts vague emotions, cherishing and trusting only tangible facts.

“…First time I lied.”

Luuri slumps.

The three-in-ten win rate for armed conflict is a flat-out lie.

The old Rabbits might’ve had that chance, but now it’s lower.

“Something to protect, huh…”

The Rabbits, average in looks.

Some are parents now.

Telling them to risk their lives for war is unthinkable.

They rejoined Ririeru because it’s just diner work with a bit extra—a good job, literally.

That’s why Ririeru said it.

She believes the Rabbits follow her for the good environment she provides.

But they believe it’s good because Ririeru created it.

A subtle disconnect.

“Successor, why…”

Luuri clutches her head.

People follow things or people.

The Rabbits, including her, follow Ririeru.

But Ririeru doesn’t see it that way.

She feels no worth in her true self.

If beauty sways, why didn’t Arius fall for her transformed self?

If he’s noble, why no interest in her real form?

So, she took an undeniable path, forcing Arius to see her, to have a reason to engage.

But her clumsy love’s end arrives with Rongrong’s one-month dream, whatever she decides.

“No way…! I’m the Rabbit leader! I can’t give up! Fight!”

This won’t do.

Her master can decide, but not out of resignation.

Luuri wants her to find satisfaction, proof of her unspoken loyalty.

“If I could talk to the successor directly… But I’d probably get killed by that nun. Towa-sama and Mia-sama won’t open up either. Any options…”

Luuri considers connections.

It’s no longer just Rabbits and Rongrong.

With the Guild’s eyes on them, swift action is needed.

A simple approach: explain to Arius and gain his cooperation.

“Maybe Kazune-chan… would help for money?”

Hiring Kazune from the Rats isn’t a bad idea—if she were the old Kazune.

“Sure, ten gold coins should… get her to make introductions. Alright, let’s—”

“—Better not.”

“!?”

Luuri snaps her head toward the voice, hand ready on a hidden weapon in her sleeve.

“Fu—”

“—”

She throws a kunai, activating a stone to signal enemy intrusion.

“…Your skills’ve sharpened, Shuri-chan.”

“You too, Luuri.”

Shuri bleeds from her cheek; Luuri’s stone is pierced by a dagger.

“So? Here for my life? Not Ririeru-sama, right?”

“Not your life. Came for info. But… not anymore.”

“Oh? Then what?”

Luuri stays on guard.

Shuri lowers hers.

“Luuri, buy me.”

“…What?”

Shuri says, expressionless as ever.