As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 36: For Whom Is This Predetermined Harmony?

Chapter 35: Whose Harmony Is It For?

Man, life’s just one big misunderstanding, isn’t it?

I come to meet her, but she’s gone, leaving a note. Luuri reads it and freaks out.

Chasing her as she bolts for the Mage Guild, I run into Serika, looking like she’s about to cry.

I’m totally lost here—what do I do?

“Nelba?”

“Yes… uh, think of her as a big shot in the Mage Guild. Ririeru-sama seems to have gone for direct negotiations.”

No clue why the Mage Guild’s name pops up in our deal.

From the looks of it, we can’t let those negotiations wrap up.

“A-Arius-sama, sh-shall we s-storm the Guild?”

“Storm? That’s just a fancy way of saying raid. Honestly, I don’t get what’s going on, but Luuri?”

“C-calling me by name is fine. It’s, uh, too much honor, or something.”

What’s that about? Too much honor—what am I, a king?

“Luuri, what should I do?”

“Th-that’s…”

I decided to help Luuri this time.

Sure, I’ve been clueless from the start, but I’m not backing out just because I don’t get it.

“I don’t know what to do, so tell me. I said I’d help, so I’ll do what I can.”

“…! Thank you!”

“Arius-sama! I-I’ll p-protect you properly this time, desu! Don’t w-worry, desu!”

“This time”? Oh, she means failing to stop the kidnapping?

That’s not her fault, come on.

“No need for that. We’re in a hurry, right? Just head to the Mage Guild?”

“Y-yes!”

“Then let’s go. Give me instructions on the way.”

Alright, feet, move!

But man, I can’t shake the feeling things are spiraling out of my control.

Ronnyan and Rongrong being rivals? I can kinda see it from the outside, though we’re not really competing. Let’s ignore that.

But why’s the Mage Guild involved? Are they sticking their nose in every shop’s survival game in the capital?

That’s not realistic.

“Arius-sama.”

“Yeah? What’s up, Serika?”

“D-do whatever you w-want, desu.”

She says it with such a serious face.

Luuri’s the same, running while lost in thought, unsure what to do.

The air’s heavy as hell, seriously.

Nelba, right? A big shot, so it makes sense we’re tense about meeting her. But this isn’t that kind of tension.

“Let’s confirm the goal, Arius-san.”

“Got it. From my view, we’re picking up Ririeru-san, right? That’s correct?”

“Yes, desu. Before any deal’s made, that’s the condition, desu.”

Guess I was right.

I don’t know what negotiations are happening, but if it’s about stopping them, I don’t need details.

But the timing’s tight. If Ririeru left a while ago, we might be too late.

“S-snatch her back, desu?”

“That was considered—”

“Whoa, too intense!”

Snatching her back? And you considered it?

Can we go a bit more peaceful?

“Ahem. It’s a last resort, desu. If it comes to that, we won’t ask for Ronnyan’s help, desu.”

“Arius-sama, desu?”

“I’m not backing out, but hearing that does ease my mind.”

“Yes, desu. So, we’ll request a meeting head-on. If accepted, we negotiate on the spot. If not, the last resort, desu.”

That’s a short path to the last resort! Is Luuri secretly a meathead? A mob-looking girl being a battle maniac is scary.

“All we can do is pray they let us in…”

“As you say, desu. But the odds are high, desu. Nelba is… a bit unusual, desu.”

“Hmm?”

Well, like she said, let’s pray for a meeting.

That’s the starting line, and I hope she’s someone we can talk to.

“There it is, desu. Uh… please, do your best, desu.”

“No clue what I can do, but I’ll give it all I got.”

※

The first hurdle was surprisingly easy. I just said I wanted to meet Nelba at reception, and it went through.

Walking down a fancy corridor, I open a door to find…

“My dear… why…?”

“Welcome, Arius-dono. Oh, introductions first, right? I’m Nelba.”

Nelba’s all smiles, while Ririeru’s dripping with despair. Total chaos.

I’m glad they let us meet, but I didn’t expect Ririeru to be here. What’s the deal?

For now…

“Pardon the intrusion. I’m Arius. Thank you for accepting this sudden meeting.”

“…Well, such polite greetings. My thanks. Your companions can relax too—please, sit.”

“Thank you.”

I sink into the offered sofa… damn, it’s plush, high-end stuff…

“Standing makes us uneasy too, you know.”

“N-no, uh…”

“Sit, you two.”

“Y-y-yes.”

With my nudge, Serika and Luuri finally sit beside me.

Ririeru’s on another sofa… yeah, she’s super confused.

But I shouldn’t speak first. Nelba’s vibe is intense.

Not a beauty by my standards, but she’s got presence.

Is this charisma? Her androgynous look amplifies it, and for the first time in a while, my back straightens naturally.

“Hm. You’re calm, Arius-dono.”

“No way. Wanna see my palms? Sweating buckets.”

“Hahaha, need a towel then? Gotta talk with clean hands.”

That’s a refined laugh. Can’t put my finger on it, but…

She’s seasoned, maybe. No tension, just natural ease.

“Here.”

“Thanks.”

She hands me a fragrant towel.

Wiping my hands, I feel oddly calm.

“If you’re up for it, Arius-dono, I’d love to prepare tea.”

“No, I appreciate it. As I said, this sudden meeting—especially with a prior guest—getting this much hospitality is already too much.”

“Oh? Shame. I’ll look forward to next time.”

Ugh, I feel like I’m being tested.

Every word carries that vibe… can’t let my guard down.

“Now, what’s your business today?”

“Return Ririeru-sama—”

“No, actually, I was wondering if you had any troubles.”

I cut off Luuri’s attempt to say return Ririeru.

What’s she thinking? Total klutz. Going straight for it’s fine, but saying we’re here to grab her kills the point of me coming.

“Troubles, huh?”

“Just checking in, basically. Ririeru-san and I are rivals, and I heard she came to see you. Couldn’t let her get ahead, so here I am.”

Bit forced, maybe?

Not lying, so it’s fine.

“Then I’ll take you up on that and ask. Frankly, Arius-dono, what can you do?”

“I’m confident in meat dishes.”

I’m also great at bedding women—three silver coins, how’s that?

If only I could say that here… Maybe treat her to dinner and call it good? Nah, no way.

“I see… Got it. Thanks.”

Nelba’s eyes sharpen.

Did I disappoint her? No, that’s not it. Am I an enemy?

Nah, that’s off too.

More like she’s intrigued, sizing me up harder.

Feels like her act, but I can’t tell.

“Now, Ririeru-san offered to help with my work.”

“Work?”

Ririeru and Luuri twitch, and Serika lets out a small, sharp breath.

I get it.

We’re at the main topic.

“To put it simply, it’s staff welfare. As you know, Rongrong’s the capital’s hot spot. Having its manager help is a godsend.”

“Welfare… I’ve been to Rongrong once. Saying it’s for your staff would thrill them.”

“You catch on quick. Exactly. That’s why I’m considering her offer. I’d give her a right-hand role to boost the Guild together.”

Like a business partnership.

The Guild gets a welfare spot, and Ririeru gains a Guild position.

Sounds pretty great, right?

We’re stopping this? Really?

“…!”

Glancing at Luuri, she’s clenching her teeth. Ririeru’s gripping her hands, trembling.

It seems good, but I can’t just think it’s fine.

“As for me, staff welfare’s enough, but I don’t need two spots.”

Got it.

She’s asking if I can offer better perks than Ririeru’s shop.

Food-wise… I can guarantee quality, but…

“How many staff?”

“Hm… Five, for now.”

Five, huh? Towa and I could cook for that.

But we’d hit the “ugly” women’s cooking issue.

“Gender?”

“Women.”

…Sigh.

Knew it’d come to this.

“So, satisfying those five is the deal?”

“You can take it that way. Arius-dono, got anything to offer?”

Well… yeah, I can do that. But there’s a problem.

“Yes. I can provide sexual satisfaction.”

“My dear!?”

“Arius-sama, desu!?”

“…!”

It’s the only option, right?

Nelba’s slight smirk says she expected it, and Luuri… yeah, she knew this was our only card. That’s why she couldn’t give specific orders.

“That’s a huge help. But is that okay? My staff includes ‘ugly’ women—”

“—Before that.”

“Hm…”

There’s a catch.

Not about looks.

“Let me be clear. I’ll satisfy your staff 100%… no, more. They’ll end up unable to live without me.”

“Big talk. Go on.”

“Thanks. I get the skepticism—test me if you want. But if you choose me, I want a contract first.”

I know it’s bold.

I could keep it moderate, but this is a negotiation.

You need to bet big, and now’s the time.

“…Contract terms?”

“No interference with Ririeru-san going forward. In exchange, I’ll provide regular welfare.”

Nelba finally takes a thoughtful stance.

Just back off. And don’t touch Rongrong later.

To me, cheap Rongrong meals or Guild-only seats would be sweeter.

But in this world, sexual release is a big deal. Solving it easily is tempting.

Here’s the bet.

A decent boss like Nelba likely has ways to handle that.

But she’s not a beauty here—closer to “ugly.” Building her position means she’s a master at connections.

Who’ll she pick?

Me or Ririeru?

“Ku… haha, hahaha!!”

“W-whoa?”

“No, no, sorry, really sorry. I see, I see. If women are satisfied, Ririeru-san’s role isn’t needed. Brilliant. But… only if your words hold true, Arius-dono.”

“Yeah, test me however you like.”

Looks like I won the bet… but—

“Serika.”

“U… b-but… n-no, yes, desu.”

I shoot a warning to Serika, who’s about to pounce.

“Should I satisfy Nelba-san?”

“My, how bold! I wouldn’t mind a taste, but let’s have you handle those five. A test, as you said.”

“Got it. Right now work?”

“Yup. Oh, I’ll set up some safeguards in the room to ensure no funny business.”

Of course.

I wouldn’t do anything weird.

“My dear…!”

“I told Luuri, Ririeru-san—it’s one favor owed. Can you guide me?”

“Yup, I’ll send someone to fetch them.”

Alright, then…

“Let’s do this.”