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

Chapter 76: Family

“Sorry for dropping by without an appointment.”

“Haha, give me a break.”

Seriously, though.

I can’t exactly complain when I’m the one who barged in on the Mage Guild’s bigwig without notice.

“No, no. Anyway, you look well, and that’s a relief.”

“Thanks to you… or should I say?”

That cryptic way of speaking, as always.

I don’t even know what I’m thanking her for, but shall we play along with Nelba-san’s vague banter?

“I see. Well, at least you don’t seem to hate me, so that’s comforting.”

“I’d like to know what there is to hate?”

No, seriously, what did you do? What was done to me? Scary stuff.

More importantly, what’s the deal?

I don’t think I’ve got anything to hide, but facing someone as sharp as Nelba-san makes me nervous.

“Alright. First, please accept this.”

She hands me a coin pouch.

“Thirty gold coins. Compensation for the trouble, and maybe not enough for your time, but I’d like you to take it.”

What’s this lady saying? Her eyes are dead serious.

Compensation? My time? Sure, maybe something happened I don’t know about, but this is clearly overkill money power.

“…I’d like to hear the matter.”

“I came to clarify our positions.”

She doesn’t bat an eye at me not touching the gold, cutting straight to the point.

Ugh, feels like I’m being tested, big time.

Clarify positions, huh? Positions.

“I see, that’s more than welcome. Lately, I’ve been stumped by too many unknowns. For starters, I’m curious if you’re an enemy, Nelba-san.”

“That’s harsh. I can’t blame you after the Rozaria incident, though.”

First move landed.

Plus, I learned Nelba-san has info on Rozaria and knows about our incident.

“But we’re also scratching our heads on how to support you, Arius-dono. I’m not exactly free to act for individuals, you see.”

“Sorry for the trouble.”

I can kinda imagine why a big shot like her can’t move freely.

But her phrasing bugs me—saying “individuals” specifically.

“I want to be your ally, Arius-dono.”

“Phew… That’s a bit contradictory, Nelba-san. If you brought thirty gold coins for a roundabout talk, I’ll return them.”

Can’t act for individuals but wants to be my ally.

She means business between organizations. In short, she wants me to form one.

“Arius Family. Sounds good to me.”

Family?

Uh, mafia? Gang? What’s that?

Doesn’t exactly sound legit, does it?

“I want you to form a Family with you at the top. In return, I’ll guarantee this area as your territory.”

“You want to be my backer? Doesn’t seem like there’s much in it for you.”

Territory, Family, whatever.

The real question is what she gains. If I form this Family, what does she want me to do?

“Let me reveal one thing. Part of my job is managing the capital’s underworld.”

“Underworld management?”

“Let me be clear. The biggest reason Rozaria—or rather, the Rozaria Family—targeted you was because you hadn’t established yourself as a force.”

Well, yeah, I wanted to stay under the radar, so fair enough.

But I can’t ignore that my secrecy caused all that trouble.

I made everyone worry because of me. When, where, what did I screw up?

“If I’d made a name, it wouldn’t have happened?”

“I won’t say definitely, can’t. But Rozaria would’ve hesitated. Since you want it straight, Arius-dono, you were targeted because you were an immature boss.”

“…”

Ouch, that stings, for real.

No way to confirm, huh?

Still, Nelba-san seems to be stating facts.

Either way, my incompetence caused that mess.

“Don’t misunderstand. Even so, it’s our failure too, and as I said, I’m not here to blame you but to clarify positions.”

“Got it… Can you give me a moment to cool off?”

“Take your time.”

I take a deep breath to calm my racing heart.

So much is unclear, let’s sort it out.

Nelba-san’s a Mage Guild bigwig, secretly managing the capital’s underworld.

She’s approaching me to clarify positions, meaning she sees me as part of that world. I didn’t intend to be, though.

Anyway, she’s asking me to become the head of an underworld organization.

She skirted responsibility, but being my backer benefits her somehow.

No clue what, but… mutual benefits, maybe?

“Nelba-san.”

“Go ahead.”

“If I form a Family, can you say you’ll be my ally no matter what kind it is?”

“…I see, that’s your angle.”

Now Nelba-san’s making a sour face.

Yeah, that’s a point I can’t overlook.

Even if I buy that forming an organization leads to a peaceful life, there’s no guarantee my idea of it matches hers.

If I build something and she turns against me, that’d suck.

Reducing enemies shouldn’t create new ones.

“Honestly, I can’t say that.”

“Thought so.”

“…You’re something, Arius-dono.”

“No idea what you mean.”

Obvious, right?

She can’t just let me do whatever with her backing.

Basically, jumping on this offer blindly is a bad move.

“Nelba-san, I’ll hear this talk again later.”

“Hm… So, I should judge based on what you do next?”

I nod.

Takeaways: I’m apparently in the capital’s underworld, and in that world, Families are clashing hard.

“Whether I’ll form one… I can’t say. But I’ll show you some kind of shape. Then we can talk again.”

I push back the gold pouch.

Nelba-san’s expression is unreadable.

“Understood. I hope to place gold on this table again.”

“I’d rather shake hands than take gold.”

Seems she’s satisfied, for now.

※

What an unexpected direction.

Arius Family? Honestly, no clue.

I figured every world has an underworld, but I didn’t think I’d stumbled into it.

So…

“What’s a Family?”

“Yeah, sorry for my ignorance, but I thought Ririeru might know.”

“I’m honored, Darling. I’ll answer anything I know.”

I came to Rongrong.

Normally, I’d ask Towa or Mia, but they’re not the right ones for this.

They’re the ones I’d ask to follow me after deciding to form it.

Ririeru built Rongrong into something big in no time.

I figured she’d know how to deal with the underworld, hence the choice.

“Thanks. So… why do people form Families?”

“Well… Reasons vary, but the common thread is sharing and achieving a purpose.”

Purpose-sharing for achievement, huh.

If I formed an Arius Family, would it be for a happy environment?

But do I need a grandiose organization for that?

“Darling, those who form or join Families are often ugly women.”

“…Oh, yeah, that makes sense.”

Got it.

For the Rozaria Family, it’s about flipping the world.

No way one person could do that alone.

Exactly.

Ugly women are societal underdogs—Mia makes you forget, but that’s their treatment.

Grouping to protect themselves is natural.

Formed to stand against those deemed strong just for being beautiful.

“To achieve that, Families form and build territories. Within those, they create their ideal paradise.”

“Building paradise in a territory.”

So, the territory’s manager, the paradise’s keeper, is the Family’s boss.

Wait, isn’t that exactly what I was trying to do? A shut-in paradise?

No wonder Rozaria and Nelba-san see me as a Family boss.

“U-Um, Darling? Why so down?”

“Nah, just… crushed by my own carelessness. Don’t mind me. So, how many Families are in the capital?”

“Y-Yes. If we count all sizes, countless. Ones I know, of significant size… four.”

Four… A lot or a little?

“Know their names?”

“Of course. In the north, the Dolza Family, controlling entertainment interests. In the east, the Karsha Family, influential in faith matters. In the west, the Rozaria Family, with strong lodging connections. And in the south, the Ririeru Family, dominant in dining.”

“Ii!?”

Hold up, Ririeru? Wait, you did that on purpose, didn’t you? That I got you face!

“Those are the four Families, Darling.”

“Not biting, I’m not biting… Ugh, give me a break.”

Smiling so prettily nikkori.

Well, yeah, Rongrong’s being called the capital’s top restaurant.

“Fine… So, Ririeru, what’s your Family’s purpose?”

“Darling.”

“…”

Instant answer. My back straightened.

“Kusukusu. Sorry, too much teasing. That was my goal when I came to the capital, but not anymore. I just ran Rongrong to make you turn to me, and it happened.”

“That’s… Ugh, I don’t know what to say.”

“Yes, I’ll take your feelings gladly.”

But yeah, huh.

Ronnyan’s in the capital’s southwest, between Rozaria and Ririeru.

So… I don’t even need to form a Family—

“—”

“…I know, thanks.”

I almost said, Join the Ririeru Family.

Ririeru’s eyes stopped me.

Trying to become hers after learning the situation is too convenient.

That could cool a thousand-year love in a second. Close call.

“Family, huh.”