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

Chapter 50: Chapter Three: The Walking Route

Shut-in life is the best!!

Man, it’s been a whirlwind since coming to the capital, but finally being able to enjoy a calm life, body and soul, feels so damn good.

That said, though.

The biggest thing is not having to deal with annoying beauties.

The customers at Ronnyan are basically all family. I can tell who’s come in just by the sound of “Welcome!” and their order—that’s how close we are.

It’s wild how we’ve stopped getting new customers altogether.

We’re not advertising, and I took down the job postings at the Adventurer’s Guild, so maybe the world’s forgotten about us, and that’s fine.

But there’s no worry about income, and our lifestyle’s not under threat.

So, this is good enough—at least the system’s solid.

If there’s anything to think about moving forward, it’s how to improve the quality of life for the crew… Towa, Mia, Serika, Shuri, and everyone else.

“So, Towa, got any requests or anything?”

“Well, even if you say that…”

Towa looks troubled.

Crap, too sudden, huh?

“I mean about our living situation. Anything you want to change or think could be better?”

“Even then, it’s hard to say. We’re in an environment so blessed it’s almost too much. I can’t think of anything more.”

Hmm.

Fair enough, I’m asking ‘cause I can’t think of anything either.

But still.

“Well, I’m drawing a blank too, which is why I’m asking. But I think maintaining stability and settling for the status quo are different.”

“…Yes, I understand what you mean. If we get complacent, we might find ourselves in an unstable situation before we know it. Stability comes from active effort, doesn’t it?”

Exactly.

I’ve got no complaints about this shut-in setup, and like Towa says, I feel almost too blessed.

That’s why I want to keep it this way.

I know this environment was built because of Towa and the others.

So, basically, raising their life satisfaction as much as possible should help maintain it.

“That’s the idea. I want to make active efforts for stability. Honestly, the whole thing with Ririeru-san tying to some big shot in the Mage Guild was a mess. That’s what I’d call unstable, and it’s proof we didn’t make enough effort to avoid it.”

“I see… As expected of you, Goshujin-sama. I’m truly impressed.”

Why do I feel like she’s kinda poking fun at me?

No, I can tell Towa’s genuinely moved, eyes all teary with admiration.

She must feel a bit guilty, huh?

Like her daily efforts for us outweigh my own, and I’m not pulling my weight.

“In that case, Goshujin-sama.”

“Yeah? Got an idea?”

After rubbing her eyes, Towa wags her finger confidently.

“Your afternoon walks with Shuri. How about extending the route a bit?”

“…Uh, okay.”

Am I being brushed off… or is she saying I’ve gotten fat enough to need exercise?

Damn, that’s depressing. Harsh. Time to retreat to the forest… where’s the sea of trees?

“N-N-N-No, wait!? I-I mean! I meant it’d be good to expand the range where you can walk safely!”

“…Walk safely?”

What’s that supposed to mean?

“Phew… Okay, do you remember when we first met?”

“When I arrived in the capital? Yeah, of course. You guided me to Ronnyan, and I got to hold you for the first time. Thanks for that.”

“Hanya… Nn, nn! I’m the one who’s thankful, really, so happy. But, uh, do you remember getting hassled by adventurers on the way?”

Oh, yeah, that happened, didn’t it? All I really remember is how stupidly cute Towa was.

“Shuri’s got a sharp nose, and it seems the walks you’re taking now are planned to avoid those kinds of run-ins.”

“Whoa… Shuri-chan’s pretty amazing, huh?”

I can’t help but say it, and Towa puffs out her chest a bit. She’s the one who’s looked after Shuri the most, so maybe she’s proud of her little sister’s growth?

“If you extend the walking route, the chance of running into those idiots goes up, but Shuri’s got serious skills. She won’t let you come to harm.”

“Well, I know Shuri-chan’s strong.”

She goes ingredient sourcing with Serika, so I don’t doubt that.

But, like, doesn’t the image seem kinda off?

I mean, it’s a common sight in this world, but it’s a matter of feeling.

“I don’t get how extending the walking range ties to active efforts for stability.”

“To put it bluntly, maybe expanding your territory?”

“Territory?”

“Oh, no, I couldn’t think of a better word. If the area where you can move safely grows, that’s a good thing for us. We’re your subordinates, so it’s easier to operate where our boss can walk freely. Having to tiptoe around the world’s beauties is stifling.”

I see, territory.

That’s a pretty good way to put it—basically, get my face out there.

I want to keep my flag shop identity under wraps. But the more I hide, the more people will try to dig, that’s obvious.

If I’m seen as some shady guy, that’ll only make them more aggressive. Plus, it bugs me to let Towa and the others stay labeled as “shady women working for a shady guy’s shop.”

So, maybe building local trust—getting people to know me—could keep suspicion at bay.

Hide a tree in a forest, hide a person in a crowd. That’s the deal.

“Got it. I’ve got some worries, but I’ll give it a shot.”

“Yes, please do.”

Just praying I don’t run into one of those unstoppable monster beauties.

※

“So, uh, Goshujin. I’m counting on you today! I’ll make sure you don’t face any danger!”

“Yeah, I’m relying on you, Shuri.”

So, past noon.

I head out from Ronnyan with a super pumped-up Shuri.

With her funsu funsu snorting, she really just looks like a cute little sister… but, no, thinking about our nighttime walks feels a bit taboo, so let’s switch gears.

Anyway, off we go.

Ronnyan’s a small shop tucked away in a back alley.

You go from the main street into a shopping district, then down a narrow path to reach it—a complicated spot that’s terrible for business.

Rongrong, our sister shop, is on the main street, a bit far from Ronnyan.

Our usual walks were from Ronnyan to Rongrong, sticking to small paths to avoid the shopping district, then looping back.

“Alright, first… yeah, Goshujin! Let’s go this way!”

“Sure thing. I’m leaving it to you, Shuri.”

“Yup!”

Right away, she picks a less familiar route—the shortest path to the shopping district.

Pretty safe choice, I guess? It’s the shopping district where Towa and I bought furniture for Ronnyan, so maybe some folks there recognize us.

“Um, Goshujin, the shopping district people are fine. Towa-san and Mia-san show up there a lot, so they know them.”

“Are they seen as my associates or something?”

“Uh… yeah, kinda. So today, I was thinking we could go deeper into the shopping district.”

Deeper into the shopping district, huh…

“Wait, Shuri, you inviting me somewhere special?”

“N-N-No! That’s not it!”

That’s the area with the “adult” shops, but closer to Ronnyan, it’s mostly love hotels.

Not the mild kind for picking up dates, but more for buying male escorts and taking them there. In past-life terms, it’s like a strip of hotels for call girls.

“Wouldn’t mind if you were, though.”

“Ugh, enough! That’s for nighttime! Night-time! Let’s go, Goshujin!”

“Yes, yes, what a shame.”

Do I want to hold Shuri? Hell yeah, I do.

The biggest perk of working at Ronnyan is me, so I wish she wouldn’t hold back.

But something feels off—she’s a type of girl I’ve never dealt with in this world.

“H-Hello!”

“Oh, hi. How’s business going?”

“Thanks to you, great!”

“Thanks to… me? Haha, I haven’t done anything. Glad it’s going well, though.”

As we walk, people call out.

Friendly… maybe? I’m not sure. It’s a kind of look and vibe I’ve never gotten before.

“G-Good work!”

“Good work? Nah, you’re the one working hard. Oh, that liquor…”

“T-T-T-This!? P-Please, take it!”

“No way!? Nah, nah! I’ll come buy some later! Uh, alright! S-See ya!”

I’m almost offered—or, like, presented—stuff at the liquor store, and it’s baffling.

“Hey, Shuri?”

“Tsuun.”

“Sorry, my bad.”

Shuri’s puffed cheeks and turned-away face are cute, and I wanna keep looking.

But seriously, help me out—I’m starting to wonder who I am.

“Ugh… you done bullying me?”

“That’s for nighttime, right? My bad.”

“A, u…♡ Ugh! Fine, Goshujin!”

Her face, finally turning back, is a bit red. Too cute.

“Thanks. So, uh, haven’t the shopping district folks been acting weird? Like they’re scared of me or something.”

“Hmm… maybe ‘cause they see Ririeru-san behind you? They probably think if they upset you, Rongrong’ll crush them, and it’s not unreasonable.”

Hmm.

True, some of my dealings with Ririeru-san couldn’t be kept secret, and she was pretty flashy about trying to buy out Ronnyan. Guess it’s no surprise they see me as her favorite.

“Gotta clear up that misunderstanding… another thing to work on.”

“Time’ll fix some things, Goshujin!”

She’s saying rushing might backfire, huh?

Yeah, fair enough, no need to hurry. Let’s take it slow.

We’ve got plenty of walks ahead, and if I actively mingle, the misunderstanding should clear up naturally.

The question is how actively to mingle.

Getting too chummy could be trouble—I want local trust and credibility, but…

Swallowing up the whole community to hide Ronnyan, and by extension my flag shop self, isn’t realistic.

“Still got a lot to think about… huh?”

“…”

Shuri stops walking.

Something up? Did she sense danger?