As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 80: Two Weeks’ Tale - Part One

Chapter 80: Two Weeks’ Tale – Part One

It is a matter of course.

“Mia.”

“I understand, I have already taken care of it.”

The two weeks that Arius spoke of.

This will be the time to defend Ronnyan with absolute resolve.

It could be said that Arius is inexperienced, or that it is an unavoidable situation.

Regardless of how it appears externally, as long as a Family has not yet been formed, Arius is not yet a boss.

They steel their hearts.

Or perhaps, the time needed to solidify their resolve is essential, and Towa and the others understood this without any doubt, recognizing that Arius required it for this purpose.

It may sound harsh to say they are taking advantage of Arius’s absence.

However, Towa and the others demonstrated a readiness to utilize every ounce of their strength to create the framework for these two weeks.

“On a provisional basis, I have installed detection magic stones at various points around and within the territory. They can be managed from my room.”

“Thank you, Shuri, Kazune.”

“Yes. We will ensure that one of the Rats is always stationed in Mia-sama’s room.”

“Additionally, we have established patrol routes for the installed points… However, with manpower allocated to the task from Goshujin-sama, there is some uncertainty in the current situation.”

Towa nods in response to the reports from Mia, Shuri, and Kazune.

She is aware of the task Arius assigned to the Rats.

While the intent behind the request is not entirely clear, since Arius personally issued it, it cannot be set aside, even temporarily.

Thus, Towa closes her eyes for a moment, then speaks.

“Everyone from the Snakes. I would like to request your assistance.”

“Naturally. As per Serika-sama’s instructions, we, the Snakes, are temporarily under Towa-sama’s command. Please use us to your fullest discretion.”

She directs her gaze toward the Snakes.

Indeed, it was a full commitment.

Regardless of the form it takes, they have not the slightest intention of holding back in their efforts to maintain the current state.

“Thank you. Then, I ask that the Snakes coordinate with the Rats to handle security at each point.”

“Yes. Understood.”

This is the full force currently gathered at Ronnyan.

They had also sent word to Ririeru.

—We will make our own judgment.

Her ambiguous response elicited a momentary surge of anger in Towa.

However, sensing the bitter undertone in Ririeru’s words, Towa decided not to rely on her.

Their determination to act for Arius’s sake is the same.

Therefore, they must be preparing for something beyond our expectations.

“Now, this is the most robust setup we can achieve. Above all, there is one rule you must absolutely adhere to.”

The atmosphere in the room grows tense.

In both fact and spirit, with the master absent, Towa is the highest authority at Ronnyan.

Towa’s words are equivalent to Arius’s words. Everyone understands this.

“Under no circumstances must any harm come to the people within our territory.”

They listen intently and nod.

“You must not frighten them, and causing harm is absolutely unthinkable. When you meet them, greet them with a smile; if they seek assistance, provide it. Know that this is what it means to protect the Arius Family’s territory.”

Arius’s walks.

No matter how many hateful stares or vile words were directed at their master, he never ceased to smile.

“We are… ugly women. Simply for being ugly women, we are met with malice, but even so.”

“Understood!!”

They do not yet understand why.

However, they know he is striving to build something.

This very act might undermine what Arius is endeavoring to accomplish.

But Towa holds one certainty.

“When Goshujin-sama returns. That will be the moment we can proudly declare that we belong to him. Thus, this is a critical juncture, and I expect even greater diligence from you all.”

“Yes! Please leave it to us!”

※

It is likely a matter of course.

Arius himself does not believe he has formed a Family, but those around him do not share that view.

Even the merchants in the market around Ronnyan believe a new boss has taken Eld’s place, and Nelba, had she not been involved, would likely have thought the same.

“Tch…”

Needless to say, Rozaria felt the same.

That is precisely why she struck at a moment before the Family could amass power.

Rozaria herself believed it was now or never, and above all…

“The feeling of missing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, huh?”

“It’s the worst. Including having to hear it again now.”

Seated before her is a humanoid figure wearing a peculiar mask.

Their perspectives were aligned.

In fact, the kidnapping of Shuri and Kazune was an unexpectedly fortunate outcome.

It was bait intended to draw out Nelba and provoke a full confrontation with the Mage Guild.

At the time, they could not determine whether it was a significant or minor catch, but having let it slip, they realized the magnitude of the fish they had lost.

“He is, without a doubt, unquestionably… an existence incompatible with us.”

“…I understand.”

Rozaria, irritated, taps the ground with one foot kachi.

She says she understands, but inwardly, she remains undecided.

—Lend me a hand, Rozaria.

Arius’s words linger in her mind.

Not only did she let him slip away without acting, but she has yet to articulate what she felt from him, arriving at this moment still grappling with it.

She even finds herself questioning the masked figure’s assertion of incompatibility.

“Hey? Is he truly an incompatible existence?”

“This is surprising. I didn’t think you were one to be swayed by a male’s charm.”

The figure strikes an exaggerated pose of shock. Unable to suppress her irritation…

“That’s not what I mean. I still, from the bottom of my heart, want to make those beautiful bitches suffer. But…”

“But?”

If there truly exists a path to save ugly women…

Shaking her head, Rozaria dismisses the thought.

“No, it’s nothing.”

“Is that so?”

She has contemplated that path countless times.

She acted on it, made efforts.

She built connections in the capital’s lodging industry, even established a place exclusively for ugly women.

The result? Having to hire new staff every three days.

Drunken beauties would barge in, shouting about the “ugly stench.” Even the staff would say they had no desire to serve such people.

Perhaps it was a shortsighted endeavor.

Even so, many efforts culminated in outcomes that only further saddened ugly women.

Even if some form of salvation were possible, the fact of their wounds remains unchanged.

“Then let us return to the matter. It seems Arius has left his shop.”

“…Is he in his right mind? Or is he mocking us?”

Feeling genuine shock, followed by rising anger, Rozaria widens her eyes, her fists trembling.

Rozaria and Arius.

It is a fact that their Families have entered a hostile relationship.

In the midst of such tension, what is he thinking?

“But… how are we supposed to mess with him?”

That said, Rozaria cannot find an effective way to interfere.

Having observed Shuri and Kazune, it is evident that the ugly women of the Arius Family genuinely feel happiness.

Attempting to recruit them during his absence? At best, they would brush it off, but it could easily escalate to immediate war.

“Our intelligence indicates that Arius himself lacks significant combat ability.”

“Yes.”

“His strength is heavily dependent on his subordinates. Towa, his right hand, was, needless to say, a trusted aide of Eld. Mia is a mage whose excellence cannot be contained by mere words. The others are highly capable as well.”

Rozaria nods in agreement.

The limited intelligence, constrained by their competence, reinforces the recognition that the Arius Family possesses formidable strength as an organization.

“Conversely, without his subordinates, Arius is incapable of anything.”

“…Kidnap them all? Don’t be absurd.”

Rozaria dismisses the suggestion outright.

To put it plainly, it is a call to wage war.

Indeed, Arius’s absence presents an opportunity. However, it does not necessarily mean it is an opportune moment to initiate conflict.

It is irrelevant whether he is present or not. Though Rozaria cannot fully envision it, his absence might even strengthen their resolve to protect their territory.

Above all, they are ugly women.

She kidnapped Shuri and Kazune because she believed Arius was a scumbag exploiting ugly women.

Now knowing he can make them happy, Rozaria takes a stance against actions that could harm them.

“Rozaria, do not misunderstand.”

“Misunderstand?”

“We, too, champion the salvation of ugly women. As long as they are ugly women, we do not condone harming them. Hence, this is a final confirmation: is he truly a man capable of making ugly women happy?”

Rozaria regards the figure’s exaggerated gestures with suspicion.

“Stop being roundabout, it doesn’t suit me.”

“It’s simple. We have placed insurance on the ugly women of the Arius Family. Should they feel unhappiness, they will leave him—that is the insurance.”

Rozaria nods, understanding.

She felt a minimal level of trust from their exchange, but lingering doubts remain undeniable.

“With my magic thread and your magic stones, it is feasible.”

“This is something only you can do, Rozaria. Only you, who have met the Arius Family and are clearly their enemy.”

Rozaria is a half-arachne.

She can generate threads infused with her magic, which, when attached to someone, can rob them of physical autonomy.

“I see? You’re telling me to go humiliate myself?”

“It is regrettable, but we must distinguish between enemies, allies… and those we must not harm.”

Rozaria nods broadly, convinced, and also relieved.

Though she remains conflicted about her feelings toward Arius, she no longer wishes to harm him needlessly.

As for Rozaria, the proposal is appealing.

If Arius betrays the ugly women, it is his own doing; if the conditions are not triggered, it proves their continued happiness.

“Alright. I’ll bow my head lightly, at least.”

“I am grateful. I will prepare the magic stones immediately.”

Their hands clasp.

Facing Rozaria’s evident enthusiasm…

Beneath the mask, the corners of the mouth twist upward into a warped smirk.