As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 35: Who is Ordinary For?

Chapter 34: Whose Normal Is It For?

“Towa-san.”

“I understand. I’ll take responsibility… Serika, I’m sorry, desu.”

“No, it’s my fault, desu.”

“Thank you, desu.”

With those words, Towa vanishes.

Needless to say, to capture Shuri.

A Rat reported Arius’s kidnapping.

In that instant, Serika’s face went blank, and she gripped her weapon, bolting from Ronnyan.

Towa and Mia froze for a moment, stunned, then snapped back, racing to investigate the scene, now overhearing the conversation inside.

“Serika, Mia’s sorry too.”

“It’s not for me to be mad about, desu.”

“Still. I’m sorry—Shuri doing this was completely unexpected.”

Mia’s face is heavy with guilt.

She knows words would only sound like excuses, making it worse.

“I’m sorry for losing it, desu.”

“No, your anger helped me stay calm.”

If Luuri had tried to harm Arius, the outcome could’ve been dire.

Her head would’ve rolled instantly—how many heads, who knows.

In a way, it was fortunate. Since Arius accepted the outcome, Serika could calm her rage, knowing it wasn’t her place to be angry.

“And thinking of Towa-san’s feelings… yeah, desu.”

“Shuri was her favorite, after all. Sympathy… feels too cheap a word.”

Towa’s heart, chasing Shuri, is unfathomable.

She trusted her. That’s why she approved Shuri as Arius’s next client after Kazune.

She was thrilled—Shuri, who never voiced her desires, wanted to connect with her master without sex.

If Arius hadn’t been there, Towa might’ve cried tears of joy.

She believed he could save the Rats, something she couldn’t do at their core.

“Hey, Mia-san, desu.”

“Yeah?”

“What’s normal, desu ka?”

With a calmed mind, Serika ponders Arius’s “normal.”

Not just Serika—Towa and Mia don’t dream of marriage either.

In this world, marriage isn’t the fruit of love or a step toward it.

It’s merely proof that a “beautiful” person owns something.

“I don’t know. Mia and Towa… we’ve only just started wanting to live in Arius-san’s normal.”

“Yeah, desu.”

It’s the same for Serika.

She’s only begun living to be used for Arius’s normal world, striving to be useful.

It’s comforting, warm, impossible to leave.

They can’t forgive or accept tainting that sanctuary themselves.

They’ll protect Arius’s world.

That’s what they decided, vowed.

Yet…

“What should we do, desu ka?”

“…Maybe we’re doing too much, you know.”

They won’t say they caused this situation.

But they can’t deny they played a part.

Chasing Arius in a panic, even planning to deal with Shuri—maybe that defies his normal too.

“Let’s move. I’ll guard Arius-sama, desu.”

“Yeah. I’ll dig into the background.”

They must learn.

They can’t stay chicks waiting for food—they want to expand that sanctuary.

With their parent bird.

※

“…I’ve made the call.”

“Thank you, Mother.”

Ririeru quietly conveys her resolve to Eld through the magic stone.

In the end, she couldn’t tell the Rabbits to start a war. How could she? Ask those drawn to her environment to destroy it?

“No second thoughts?”

“None. It seems I truly am worthless.”

Ririeru laughs self-deprecatingly.

Even cloaked in a shop’s glamour or power’s garb, Arius didn’t acknowledge her.

She’ll end the mess she started herself.

“Did you talk to Arius?”

“How could I? I picked a fight and self-destructed on my own.”

That’s her answer.

Her opponent is the Mage Guild.

Luckily, her well-connected mother can easily link her to influential Guild members.

“That’s not what I meant. Fine. Let’s confirm—Nelba’s ruthless, uses everything to the fullest.”

“That’s why we can cooperate, isn’t it?”

“Well, that’s why I did too. Listen, your freedom’s gone after this. A lifetime caged. You sure?”

“I’m prepared.”

“…What a shame.”

That’s the end.

Ririeru’s prepared documents for Rongrong’s future. Even with the Rabbits, she’s always operated alone—prep time is short.

“My dear… I’m sorry.”

Bowing her head, spilling regret, she looks up to face—

“I beg your pardon. I am Ririeru, here to see Nelba-sama.”

“…Understood, please wait while I confirm.”

The Mage Guild’s reception.

She wants to secure the best terms for Arius without giving Nelba time to scheme.

Thus, this timing.

Almost simultaneous, utterly rude and presumptuous.

“Fuu…”

She exhales deeply to steady her heart.

Even if Arius sees no value in her, society sees Ririeru as a prize.

Daughter of a major Family boss. Exceptional business skills. And her transformed beauty.

Claiming her would propel the Guild forward.

Taking Rongrong alone would bring massive profits, and the Eld Family name holds weight.

The Rabbits who adore her would follow, and her call would rally more subordinates.

“Your wait is over. This way, please.”

“Thank you.”

She’s ready to offer it all.

If Arius’s safety is guaranteed.

※

“To think Eld’s darling daughter would visit. First time meeting—I’m Nelba.”

“No need for preamble. You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?”

“Don’t joke. Eld’s call came, and then you show up. You planned this—pretty sly.”

The ornate reception room, more for secrecy than luxury, is lined with magic stones for protection.

The path to it is rigged with detection and elimination stones, no place for ordinary folk.

“Mutual, isn’t it?”

“Tch, fair. But mouthing off won’t do you favors with my impression.”

Nelba, laughing kerakera, faces Ririeru, who grits her teeth, stripping enmity from her tense gaze.

“That’s it, good. But is that attitude necessary for your goal? I don’t get why you’re acting like this.”

“You’re right. My apologies. Please, you brute.”

Bowing, Ririeru realizes her defeat early.

If Nelba had raised her voice at her rudeness, there’d be hope. But her relaxed demeanor shows no good terms are possible, no matter how she tries.

“I don’t feel apologized to at all. Whatever, let’s clarify. Ririeru, opinions on Arius—his name, right?—are split.”

“Hawks and doves, yes? Absurd…”

“I agree, so I’m neutral. Honestly, I’m stumped.”

Nelba’s cheerful face holds steady.

But her eyes seem to ask, You know what to do, don’t you?

“…!”

“Here’s a chance. May I hear your opinion, Ririeru? What should I do?”

The choice is thrust upon her.

Not which side to pick, but what she wants.

“If there’s anything I can help with.”

“Come on, that makes me sound like a corrupt merchant fishing for bribes. Stop it—I just want your input.”

She’s not even allowed to hear conditions first.

It’s like unconditional surrender—Nelba’s declaring she’ll devour all of Ririeru.

A vile exchange.

Ririeru’s prepared for any treatment.

But Arius’s safety and permanent non-interference are non-negotiable.

“I see. You’re desperate for Arius-kun’s safety, huh? Quite noble, or something. Is that love? I wouldn’t know.”

Ririeru can’t respond to Nelba’s shrugging yare yare—she has no right.

Any woman would fall for a charming man, but she can’t say that when body trumps heart here.

“Alright, out of respect for a lovestruck maiden, I’ll share one thing. I need people to handle personnel.”

“Handle… personnel?”

“Yup. Like Mia, women with beauty, power, anything—they demand a lot. Men are the quick fix, you get that? But managing those men is a hassle…”

As Mia craved men, men crave rewards—it’s natural.

“No way, the men in the church’s basement…!”

“Oh? You knew? Yup, they’re for women’s service. Ririeru, I want you to manage them. With your power.”

Ririeru’s speechless.

Nelba’s demanding everything from her.

A reward for the men.

Her body would do, but her transformation breaks with sexual stimulation, revealing her “ugly” form.

So she must provide women or money the men desire or find satisfying.

“Gu, u…!”

But who in this world would offer their body to men? Especially “beautiful” women who satisfy them.

No matter what…

“You can do it, right? With the Rabbits.”

As Nelba says, she has no choice but to use them.

To fulfill her wish, Ririeru must tell the Rabbits to sell themselves.

What a twist—coming to protect Arius and the Rabbits, only to face another impossible choice.

Because she has no worth herself.

She’s forced to sacrifice someone to achieve her goal, her shortsightedness laid bare.

“Ha, a…”

Her head spins, her vision flickers.

No matter what, she must abandon one.

Choose Arius, and the Rabbits sell their bodies—even those happily talking about new kids.

Choose the Rabbits, and Arius must keep fighting the Guild.

If it’s Arius.

If it’s the Rabbits.

She can imagine both paths.

Both are painted in misery.

“There, I’ve compromised. Now it’s your call.”

Nelba’s certain of victory.

Eld’s call gave her a headache, but meeting Ririeru, she’s just a naive girl.

Someone with resolve to cut losses would’ve been trickier, but Nelba, who’s walked countless dark paths, finds her no challenge.

“I-I…!”

Nelba spreads her arms, awaiting Ririeru’s answer.

It’s been a while since such a clean win—her face breaks into a genuine smile.

Then—

“…Hm? Quite the crowd today.”

A magic stone in the room chimes.

It’s known Nelba’s using this space, meaning someone’s contacting her.

“What’s up? I’m at a really good part.”

“S-so sorry. Someone wishes to meet you.”

“A meeting?”

Few know Nelba’s name.

As a shadow in the Guild’s underbelly, it’s closely guarded.

Thus, knowing her name is proof of the right to meet her.

“Who is it?”

“Arius.”

Nelba freezes.

“Kuku, haha! Ahahaha!! This is hilarious, a masterpiece! What chaos! I love it! Let’s go all in! Sure, bring him up! I’m waiting!”

“U-Understood. I’ll guide him,.”

Laughter doesn’t stop even after the call ends.

Ririeru, in utter confusion, faces that maddened voice.

“W-why…?”

She can’t comprehend.

Why is Arius here? What happened?

“Here comes your prince, Ririeru! Wonder what he’ll say! Can’t wait! Ahahaha!!”

Nelba’s booming voice doesn’t reach her.

Ririeru can only stare, dumbfounded, at her unrelenting laughter.