As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 78: Arius’s Preparations

Chapter 78: Arius’s Preparations

I did try to contact the room’s magic stone, and I even knocked before entering.

So I’m not at fault!

If only I could say that… Making a girl feel that kind of shame, I can only apologize profusely.

Kazune, wrapped in blankets, mumbling “uuh” or “aah,” makes me give a wry smile.

When I say I want to talk business, she pokes her head out, meets my gaze…

“—My apologies, I’m listening.”

Switching gears in an instant like that, I can’t help but admire her professionalism.

“—Territory investigation, sir?”

“Yeah. Specifically, from this area to the Ririeru Family’s territory, how many people have been harmed by beautiful women. If possible, the details of that harm too.”

I wonder if this is the kind of job to pitch to an adventurer team like the Rats.

I know it’s a stretch, but Kazune thinks for a moment without looking troubled.

“Understood, I accept the task.”

“Good. Timeframe… Let’s say a month. Of course, keep one Rat stationed at Ronnyan. As much as possible, we need a contact, so.”

Kazune nods.

It’s also a check.

Honestly, I don’t know where my territory’s supposed to be.

But by assigning work as if it exists, the results will show how others perceive it.

Plus…

“No complaints about the job, sir… But, um…”

“Why this kind of work?”

She nods, looking apologetic.

Maybe a boss would say, You don’t need to know, but that’s not my style.

“There’s one thing I’m thinking.”

“A thing, sir?”

I get that there’s an underworld. That I’ve got one foot in it.

The rival diner was too big to just call it that, but Ririeru, someone tied to the underworld, was closer than I thought.

“Why does it have to be the underworld?”

“The need for the underworld…”

I get it, the power—or whatever—of beautiful women is huge.

They’re forgiven for things normal people wouldn’t be. If an ugly woman did the same, she’d be erased in a second.

So they band together to fight back.

Depending on the details, it’s a natural, even righteous idea.

“We should be able to fight fair and square. Doing it secretly in the shadows… doesn’t that feel like we’re the bad guys?”

“—”

Kazune’s expression freezes, or maybe scales fall from her eyes.

“I know, I’m asking you for this investigation. It’s straight-up shady work, I get that. But…”

We have to change this state of being shoved into the shadows.

We can’t stay in a world where they’ve decided that’s our only place.

“To stand on the same stage, I think this is necessary.”

“Goshujin-sama…”

Exactly.

I don’t mind forming an Arius Family.

But I don’t feel it needs to be an underworld group. Committing to the shadows feels like admitting everyone involved can only live there.

“Kazune.”

“Yes!”

Her vibe shifts slightly.

“Counting on you.”

“An honor. I’ll bring good news.”

Alright, now the rest—

※

“Just making money, huh…”

How to earn it, though.

Ten gold coins is a fortune. Working five years at Master’s diner, I saved twenty gold coins.

That’s two and a half years, based on my old earnings.

Honestly, I’ve got less cash now.

Running Ronnyan is tight, and hiring the Rats left us with no wiggle room.

“Long-term, it’s not impossible.”

With time, it’s doable.

But the situation doesn’t allow it. Securing that time is dicey with Rozaria’s moves unknown, and she might go hard, making it impossible.

“A month… Yeah, when the Rats’ job wraps up, that’s the deadline.”

How do I shrink years into a month? Seriously, not realistic.

“Selling my body… that’d probably work.”

If I sold myself to beautiful women, yeah, it’s possible.

A week would be enough—hell, I could probably double it.

Not arrogance.

I could milk one person dry, and opportunities are plenty—hit up a rich lady at Rongrong.

But doing that… the aftermath’s scary.

More than that…

“They’d be sad.”

They might look the other way. Or cheer me on, thinking there’s a reason.

If I were alone, I’d take it without hesitation, no restraint.

But knowing it’d hurt Towa and the others, it’s not the move.

At least, it needs a legit method and reason.

What I’ve got that can make money is my body. My cooking’s barely hobby-level.

“Part-time at the National Male Brothel?”

I laugh saying it.

A year’s contract, looks don’t matter—signing alone could net ten gold coins.

But leaving Ronnyan for that long? No way.

I don’t have Towa’s cooking skills or Mia’s tech.

No monster-slaying power like Serika or Shuri. All I’ve got is sex.

Makes me sick, why do they love a guy like me?

“Ugh… No, negative thinking’s no good.”

That far, and I’m disrespecting the ones who love me.

Ten gold coins.

I’ve gotta earn it myself.

It’s not about ditching pride and borrowing from Mia.

If I can’t earn ten gold coins, I’ve got no right leading them.

“Dammit… What do I do… Yo, hold up? Come in!”

“U-Um, excuse me, Onii-san.”

Yuri?

It’s late, what’s up?

“What’s wrong? Can’t sleep?”

“U-Uh… Um, I just, I’m really grateful to you, Onii-san, but…”

…Yeah, right.

I said I’d prioritize it, but here I am.

“Wanna go home?”

“…Yeah.”

My bad, Yuri.

Facing him squarely, meeting his eyes.

“Man-to-man talk. No crying, can you hear me out?”

“Yeah.”

“Might be tough. Can you answer what I ask?”

“Yes…!”

Good, even a kid’s a proper man.

No, that attitude taught me—I’ve gotta face things.

Thanks, Yuri.

※

In the end.

Yuri didn’t cry, listened fully, and answered.

The village the Rats investigated was his hometown, and he was a kidnapping victim.

At the same time, though fully recovered, he understood he couldn’t go home yet.

“…Kuu.”

“Good job, Yuri.”

The moment we finished, Yuri sobbed in my arms.

“You too, Goshujin-sama.”

“Yeah, thanks.”

He’s sleeping in my bed now.

Towa waited outside with a tray of three warm drinks until things calmed.

We stroke Yuri’s sleeping face, watching him.

“Hey, Towa.”

“Yes, what is it?”

I made up my mind.

“Two weeks… I’m leaving Ronnyan to you.”

“…Eh.”

It’ll be tight, distance-wise.

No guarantee it’ll go smoothly.

“There’s something I’ve gotta do, Towa.”

“Something you have to do…?”

Her eyes waver with unease.

Come to think of it, since coming to the capital, we’ve always been in the same building.

Honestly, I’m uneasy too—lonely, even.

“There’s something I need to know. Something I have to confirm… Towa, can you trust me and wait here for two weeks?”

These two weeks are absolutely necessary.

To move forward, to aim for happiness.

With that resolve, I meet Towa’s eyes.

“I’ll await your swift return.”

“…Thanks.”

That’s my woman.

It’s decided. Let’s move.

For the future.