As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 45: Let’s Go Camping, Part 1

Chapter 45: Chapter Two Interlude: Let’s Go Camping, Part One

T/N: Just realized I skipped the Arius Family introduction on the retranslation lol, forgive me, but yeah I will follow that numbering onwards, just that chapters 43 and below will follow actual chapters ordering.

—How about a bonding event?

It was a casual suggestion from Arius.

Towa, hearing it directly, probed for his intentions, and the reason was refreshingly simple.

With the sister restaurant contract and business partnership with Rongrong, Arius found himself facing a situation where he didn’t always know the names and faces of everyone involved.

It was a side effect of the sudden increase in people he was dealing with. Sure, he’d met some of the Rats as clients, but among Rongrong’s employees and the Rabbit members, there were plenty who’d never interacted with him directly.

If even he was feeling this way, and since this was going to be a long-term relationship, Arius figured it’d be better to build camaraderie now, while connections were still fresh, by setting up an opportunity to bond.

Truly, my Goshujin-sama is the best.

After mentally cheering three times, Towa, her crotch a little damp and breathing heavily, immediately replied she’d check if it could be arranged.

“Ugh, ugh.”

But when she sat down to map out the organization and review it, she ended up clutching her head.

“So many people.”

“Seeing it laid out in an org chart like this, it’s wild.”

Joining Towa in pressing their hands to their heads were Mia and Serika.

Both had been thrilled by Arius’s proposal, just like Towa, but now they shared the same headache.

Simply put, there were just too many people.

No, that in itself wasn’t the problem. The real issue was figuring out who exactly Arius meant by “people to bond with.”

Of course, Arius would include all of Ronnyan’s staff, plus all of Rongrong’s employees, including Ririeru, but deciding who else to invite among the shop’s associates was tricky.

The Rats, starting with Kazune, weren’t fully recognized by Arius but were basically tied to Ronnyan’s shadowy operations. The Snakes, led by Serika, were in a similar boat—indirectly connected.

If you stretched it, even Nelba could be considered an associate, which raised the question of whether to invite the remaining three Snakes or not.

“How about we play it safe and just invite Ronnyan and Rongrong’s employees? Our days off line up, and if we give them a heads-up, it shouldn’t be too hard.”

“If we’re only thinking about scheduling, sure… but how do we explain that to the Rats or Snakes?”

“Then maybe just representatives from each shop?”

“That’d end up with just Goshujin-sama and Ririeru-sama having a fancy dinner.”

It’s fair to say they’d grown into a significant force.

In terms of sheer manpower, absolutely, and their influence was considerable too.

They could probably go toe-to-toe with another Family lurking in the capital’s shadows and come out on top.

“Loyalty to Arius-san is rock-solid, but the issue is with us, right?”

“Yeah. The Rats are already handling deterrence against other Families, building up the Arius Family’s rep. Even if I tell them to chill, they won’t listen easily.”

“The Snakes might be manageable, but… I don’t really want to boss them around with orders, you know?”

If they could offer another chance to interact with Arius, it’d be different.

But right now, the Arius Family project is being kept under wraps from the man himself, making it tricky.

That’s the thing.

Arius just wanted to hang out with his crew.

But for Towa, the Rats, Snakes, and Rabbits, a chance to directly bond with Arius was something they could only dream of.

“If we brush them off… ugh, hmm.”

“At worst, we’d get internal splits, and this time, an all-out civil war would be inevitable.”

“Yeah, exactly…”

If such an opportunity existed and they pushed forward without telling anyone, what would happen?

As Mia said, the Rats would lose it, at the very least. The Snakes? Who knows how they’d react.

If Arius told them to keep quiet, they wouldn’t complain, though they’d feel a bit lonely.

But that’s not an option—the three of them in this room hold the decision-making power.

“I never imagined a situation like this would be a problem.”

“Who else but Arius-san would suggest throwing a party for a bunch of ‘ugly’ women? Only him… Ugh, Arius-san, I love you…”

“Haha.”

In short, no matter the format, they had to create a situation where everyone connected to Arius could join the bonding event.

At the very least, they’d need to offer each group a chance to build camaraderie, or no one would be satisfied.

“If we’re just thinking numbers, Rongrong’s the place, right?”

“That’d probably work, but how do we invite the Snakes and Rats? If that’s the plan—”

“Hmm, but Ronnyan can only fit about fifteen people max.”

Rongrong’s staff, including Ririeru and Luuri, totals thirty-five—no way they’d all fit in Ronnyan.

So, the venue would have to be Rongrong. Renting out some other shop might work if it was just the Rabbits or a transformed Ririeru, but including Ronnyan’s crew makes it tough.

Most places with enough space for a big group are likely to turn away “ugly” women.

As the meeting bounced between this and that…

“Hm.”

“Huh? What’s up, Towa?”

“Got an idea?”

Towa suddenly took a breath.

“There’s no helping it. I’m not sure if it’ll turn out proper, but—”

※

Rongrong was buzzing when the bonding event news arrived.

“Hey, you going?”

“Duh, I’d pawn my husband to go. You too, right?”

“No question!”

To be frank, the Rabbits didn’t need Arius.

With their ordinary, average looks, they had plenty of options.

In fact, even those who’d been swept up by Arius’s rampage rarely got hooked on his seed.

Sure, it was intense sexual pleasure, but they weren’t exactly starving for it.

Some had husbands, and they had enough charm to snag a random guy if they wanted.

They’d never needed to visit a brothel, and worst case, they could probably rape some guy to scratch an itch and get away with it, given their status.

The reason they didn’t hold Arius’s rampage against him was the sense of gratitude for saving Ririeru.

Flip that around, and without Ririeru’s situation, they’d have attacked Arius as a matter of course. It’s highly likely it would’ve sparked a literal war with Ronnyan.

They’d only heard about Ririeru’s situation from Luuri.

That’s why they were ready to size him up properly at this event.

That said, seeing Arius rush over to apologize right after waking up…

They thought he was just as good a person as Ririeru, if not more, and since he’s the one Ririeru loves, no one’s looking at him with a negative eye.

“Hey, Luuri! This time, for real… nufufu.”

“W-What’s with the nufufu! I-I’m not, like, expecting anything or anything!”

Of the few Rabbits who did get hooked, three stood out, and Luuri was one of them.

Luuri was a bit of an oddball among the Rabbits.

Everyone admired Ririeru, but Luuri’s devotion and loyalty were on another level.

She was so devoted she’d planned to settle down with some random guy only after seeing Ririeru happily paired off.

So, the fact that Ririeru, even if only physically for now, had connected with her beloved was a joyous occasion, and it gave Luuri the push to start her own journey as a woman.

The problem, though…

“Come on, you said it the other day! You’re gonna demand a redo of your first time!”

“T-That was! T-The, the alcohol, you know!?”

“Oh? Our mighty leader’s blaming it on booze now?”

“Hmphhh…”

It’s not like Luuri was hung up on how her virginity was taken or who she gave it to.

But still, she thought it was a bit much. Her first time was with a guy she kinda liked, but he was in a total frenzy.

“This time, make sure you lock in a proper promise, okay?”

“Shut, shut up already! Fine! I’ll hit the sales quota before the day off! Get to work, you slackers!”

“Yes, ma’am! Understood!”

Ririeru smiles at the Rabbits’ lively chatter.

It was one of her concerns—how to handle their relationship with Arius.

For those working at Rongrong, the main reason to visit Arius would likely be for sexual encounters.

Luuri seems hesitant, but the other two hooked Rabbits are frequently spotted heading his way.

The rest of the Rabbits don’t have a reason to visit him.

Just popping by to say hi isn’t something you do with someone who’s above Ririeru.

That’s why the Rabbits are touched that someone in such a high position is reaching out like this.

It’s not about whether they’ll actually talk at the event—it’s about being recognized and valued.

“I really have so much to learn.”

Since signing the sister restaurant contract—and, to be honest, since being embraced by Arius—every day feels radiant, and it’s not just because some of her wishes came true.

This bonding event, his usual demeanor…

Just as Eld said, Ririeru can genuinely sense the qualities of a true leader in Arius.

Because she feels and understands this, Ririeru stands taller.

The Rabbits look to her, but through her, they also see Arius.

The work itself hasn’t changed.

Keep Rongrong thriving, provide better sustenance for the Rabbits.

But unlike before, Ririeru now feels a strong sense of purpose in doing so.

“Ririeru-sama.”

“Oh? Luuri, had enough of being teased already?”

“Ririeru-sama!?”

“Just kidding. So? Have you got a headcount for attendees?”

“Ugh… You’ve been so mean to me lately.”

Luuri pouts gushi gushi.

Ririeru’s only recently started thinking this might be the real her.

“Oh, I’m the bad one here. Tell me, please.”

“N-No… I’m the one who’s sorry. Uh, everyone wants to join. There’s just one small issue.”

“Oh, no need to worry about childcare. We’ve hired some sitters for the day. Let them know they can leave the kids at Rongrong if they’re okay with that.”

“U-Understood! Then it’s full attendance!”

Ririeru answers the issue before it’s fully stated.

It’s no wonder Luuri’s eyes shine with awe—she’s always thought this way, but lately, Ririeru’s care for the Rabbits has grown even warmer and more polished.

“That’s great. You too, Luuri—don’t worry about me on the day and just have fun, okay?”

“Yes! Thank you! I’ll go let them know!”

Ririeru smiles as Luuri dashes off patata.

She turns her eyes back to the document detailing the event.

“Still… Lakeside Merusia, huh? Fufu, a bonding event outdoors is unheard of… but it sounds fun.”