As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 67: Aftercare for Each

Chapter 67: Aftercare for Each

“First, I should apologize for making you come all this way and for breaching the contract.”

“No need. It’s over and done with.”

Mage Guild, Nelba’s private room.

Mia, without a word, sat on the sofa and glared at Nelba.

“Still, if I may… Aren’t you slacking a bit too much?”

“I’m speechless. I couldn’t even take the initiative this time.”

The contract between Nelba and Mia. One clause indeed involved suppressing forces meddling with Arius-san.

But this time, Nelba couldn’t even grasp the Rozaria Family’s movements.

Words like “utter shame” don’t cover it—a grave contract violation has occurred.

In fact, Nelba couldn’t lift her head for a long while.

Facing Mia’s anger, she kept her head bowed, unable to move.

“Raise your head already. Like I said, it’s done. Mia didn’t come here to make you grovel.”

Nelba couldn’t see it, but Mia’s eyes held a glint of understanding.

Mia knew Nelba wasn’t one to let things spiral without acting.

She came here, as she said, to confirm what happened behind the scenes of the resolved incident.

“We couldn’t stop Arius-san from expanding his influence either. How about we call it even?”

“…You say that so easily. You know I can’t just nod to that.”

Finally, Nelba raised her head, a wry smile plastered on her troubled face.

It was unprecedented for Nelba to bow so long to anyone.

It showed how shaken she was.

To clarify, Nelba supports Arius-san, albeit not openly.

She must help him establish a comfortable domain without picking fights with the world.

Her view of the Arius-Rozaria incident was akin to clearing a path—or self-defense.

She was managing her turf, responding to someone trying to invade it.

But in the end, it led to a precarious situation.

Arius-san’s pledge to Rozaria created the possibility of him becoming an enemy.

The result of faltering support is what they face now.

And Mia’s saying to call it even… No, that she’ll make it even.

“Mia doesn’t care either way. Whatever happens, I’m sticking with Arius-san.”

“Haa… A lovestruck maiden turned into a woman living for love, huh? I can’t understand it, but it seems like the real deal, this love thing.”

Nelba spoke playfully, but Mia’s gaze was so direct.

It sent a chill down her spine, as if a fight could break out right there.

“Let me say again, this mess is my mistake’s result… I don’t have the right to refuse. But please, don’t go overboard.”

“It’s not Mia’s call. But… Arius-san won’t make anyone unhappy. Beautiful or ugly, doesn’t matter.”

At that, the tension between them finally eased.

They only said “do as you please,” but both shared an inexplicable certainty.

Arius-san wouldn’t do anything to cause concern.

Even if concerns arose, he’d seize the best outcome.

“So? What happened?”

“Quick to switch gears. Admirable, but could you be a bit kinder to me?”

“Shut up. Mia hates being teased. Only Arius-san gets to do that.”

“Don’t flaunt your love here… Fine, straight to the point. The Ugly Duckling got us.”

It was one of Mia’s guesses, so her face showed no surprise.

But inside, she wrestled with emotions too strong to suppress.

“Damage?”

“One village. And eight of my subordinates in combat. Luckily, no fatalities, but the Snakes will need time to recover their magic.”

Mia narrowed her eyes.

The village hit—was it Yuri’s hometown? Mia had heard reports from the Rats.

“The village’s state?”

“Wiped out. Well, they’re alive, but it’s like their souls were drained… I sent a survey team, but they’re repeating set actions daily, like puppets.”

Mia nodded, certain.

In the timeline, it was before the Rats went—Nelba’s team clashed with the Ugly Duckling.

Makes sense. Nelba was incapacitated from the battle’s aftermath. That’s when the Arius-Rozaria incident happened.

“Got it. I’ll share our info too. Let’s sit down and piece this together.”

Nelba nodded at Mia’s serious gaze.

※

“Serika-sama.”

“Yeah.”

Before Serika, the Snakes prostrated themselves.

“This time, we couldn’t do anything.”

What was their role?

“We put Arius-sama in danger.”

Food gatherers? Just females serving Arius-sama?

“Can you all forgive that?”

“Yes. No, we can’t forgive it.”

They were the spear and shield.

The power wielded for Arius-sama.

“Right. I can’t forgive it either. But Arius-sama doesn’t want fighting, does he?”

“Yes. Our god is merciful and full of love.”

Moving against their master’s will? Unthinkable.

Thus, they suppressed their fierce anger and helplessness with noble reason.

“Sharpen your fangs.”

“Yes!”

Enemies exist.

Rozaria, obviously, and likely a greater force behind her.

Including Serika, six of them.

A paltry number. Battles are often decided by numbers.

Six is far too few, easily swallowed by larger waves.

But that must not happen.

Even as individuals, they must crush thousands, sweep away myriad dangers.

“We are the power of our god.”

“Yes! We are Arius-sama’s divine soldiers!”

“We are our god’s possessions.”

“Yes! We are Arius-sama’s tools!”

And above all.

“We are those who love our god.”

“Yes! Our hearts are with Arius-sama!”

Just as Towa or Mia, or the Rats, have unique roles…

They have something only they can do. The time they’re needed will come.

“…Let’s do this.”

“Yes!”

That day, a divine army serving Arius-sama was born.

※

“Towa-sama.”

“What is it, Shuri?”

Night.

Shuri visited Towa’s room for the first time.

In her imagination, Towa’s private room was perfectly tidy, not a speck of dust.

“…Um, well…”

“Oh… Not what you expected? Yes, I’m quite fond of these things.”

The room was filled with adorable stuffed animals.

Towa picked up a deformed stuffed toy from the desk.

“—Good evening. Visiting Towa at this hour, what’s up, nya?”

“Hau!?”

Hiding her face behind the toy, Towa said that.

The unexpected scene sent Shuri’s confusion into overdrive.

“Hehe, too much teasing, huh? Keep it a secret from Goshujin-sama, okay?”

“Eugh… Y-Yes.”

“I’ll make something to drink, so please, sit.”

Shuri sat as prompted.

Looking around again, it was indeed stuffed animals.

One on the bed caught her eye—somehow resembling Arius, clearly cherished above the rest.

“…”

She picked up a nearby stuffed toy—maybe Serika? It wasn’t unlike her.

“I still need to improve. Someday, I want to make one for everyone in the Arius Family.”

“Eh…?”

Handing over a cup on a tray, Towa blushed shyly.

“Lately, I think a lot about leaving things behind. I used to want this life to end quickly… but now, I want to leave proof I lived in this moment. Making stuffed animals is part of that.”

Towa, cheeks flushed, looked truly happy.

Once, Shuri might have feared that expression, but now…

“Yes… I think that’s really wonderful.”

“Thank you. Hearing that from you puts me at ease.”

It felt purely warm.

“I feel a bit pathetic, or wasteful, for being scared of this before.”

“Oh? Finally noticed?”

“Yes, embarrassingly.”

In the end, being held changed her, no doubt.

She still felt some fear about it. But…

“But I can’t imagine happiness greater than this.”

If there was more, could she even stay herself?

She’d melt into a puddle, leaving no trace, wouldn’t she?

“I understand, Shuri. That’s why I started making stuffed animals.”

Towa said with a gentle smile.

“Can I… do it too?”

“Of course. You’re more dexterous than me, so you’ll pick it up quickly.”

“Can you… teach me?”

Hesitant, still unused to asking, Shuri looked to Towa.

“Naturally. I’ll teach you strictly.”

“…Hehe, that’s the same line from when you taught me the Rats’ work.”

Towa nodded gently, thinking tomorrow they’d make even better stuffed animals.

Savoring the happiness of now.