As A Result of Trying To Live An Erotic Slow-Life, I Have Become The Underground Ruler of This Upside-Down Otherworld - Chapter 81: Two Weeks’ Tale - Part Two

Chapter 81: Two Weeks’ Tale – Part Two

The task could be called territory patrol, and Ronnyan had taken a vigilant stance.

The alert network was, in a word, flawless. Detection magic stones were discreetly placed at the territory’s boundaries, unnoticed by outsiders, while Snakes stood guard at key points like sentinels.

Mia monitored for irregularities through the magic stones from Ronnyan, and patrols were conducted by Rat members, with Shuri joining them.

In simple terms, it was a state with no gaps or vulnerabilities.

The only concern would be the consideration for the people living within the territory.

A heavy atmosphere would naturally cause anxiety among residents.

As Towa had said, those associated with Arius were, after all, ugly women. Their mere presence could evoke negative feelings.

—However, as much as possible.

They hadn’t committed any acts deemed evil, for Arius’s sake.

Rather than endurance, Sonya considered her own emotions trivial compared to what her master was building. She maintained as soft an expression as possible while staying vigilant at her assigned post.

Some people whispered things while looking at her from a distance.

The words weren’t aimed at Sonya specifically but at those cloaked in black robes, always laced with malice.

Whether spoken loud enough to hear or just vaguely sensed, as now, it was a sight she’d grown accustomed to.

“…Fuu.”

She was used to it.

Normally, she’d silently pretend not to care or leave the scene.

But.

After shaking her head, Sonya, still hooded, waved at the person saying something about her.

“Eh, what? You’re from that Arius’ guy’s place, right?”

“Eh? Uh, y-yes.”

When meeting face-to-face, greet them.

Following Towa’s words, her action elicited a response entirely different from before.

“What’s that? Wearing a black robe like that scared me for a sec. Hello, on the job?”

“Y-Yes. Just, um, a bit of… security duty…”

Sonya responded to the woman who approached, her usual dignified air nowhere to be found. The woman shrugged slightly and said softly.

“…You shouldn’t say ‘security,’ Sonya-san.”

“!”

“No worries, it’s Luuri.”

Sonya tensed for a moment but relaxed at the follow-up words.

Indeed, as expected, Luuri’s disguise was so perfect that Sonya wouldn’t have recognized her without being told.

Sonya gave a wry smile, realizing Luuri’s reputed versatility in an odd moment.

“…Cover? From Aruji-sama?”

“From Ririeru-sama. That said, the order was to talk to you just enough not to interfere. We don’t fully understand it ourselves, but… it’s definitely not cover for security or vigilance.”

Sonya tilted her head, unable to grasp the intent, but decided it was fine if it wasn’t disruptive.

“How’ve you been lately?”

“No point discussing things you lot already know.”

Such a contrast.

Luuri chuckled softly, wondering where the Sonya who was all caution toward the stranger earlier had gone.

“It’s my job to talk to you, you know. Still as curt as ever.”

“We’re not close enough for friendly chats, now or ever.”

“True, but we’re not enemies to be hostile with either.”

It was nothing major.

Luuri understood that Sonya was just embarrassed for showing a vulnerable side to someone who knew her somewhat.

“…Hmph.”

“Yes, yes. I’m just a neighbor right now, okay? Let’s keep it nice and friendly~.”

“Grr… muu.”

This time, Sonya admitted defeat.

Or rather, she’d never beaten Luuri outside of combat skills, so it was nothing new.

“Ha. Recent events, was it? I’m fulfilled. How about you?”

“I’m fulfilled too. Well, some desires remain unfulfilled… ugh, thinking about it pisses me off, damn you, Arius-san…”

Sonya sighed in exasperation at Luuri, who trembled with clenched fists.

“For old times’ sake, I’ll let it slide. But there won’t be a next time for insults to my master.”

“Huh? Were we that kind of close?”

“Want to burn?”

“Haha, spare me!”

The air began to feel somewhat lighter.

Sonya belatedly realized she’d been tense.

Entrusted by Serika to handle things in her absence, and despite Arius being away, directly involved with Ronnyan.

“Hey, Luuri.”

“Yes?”

“Thanks, you helped.”

“…What’s with you all of a sudden? No, seriously.”

Suppression or domination through force was her forte.

But, as with the earlier incident, their strengths hadn’t been useful.

The task at hand was “security,” prioritizing protection over attack.

She’d felt the difficulty, aware of it consciously but unaware of how much unconscious tension she carried.

Moderate tension was necessary, but Sonya knew well that excess became chains binding the body.

She thanked Luuri for loosening those chains.

“What? Is it weird for me to say thanks?”

“Not exactly… but you’ve gotten a much gentler expression.”

“Hm? Really?”

Sonya patted her face.

Luuri called it a gentle expression, but she struggled to find words for the look Sonya had just shown.

Sonya was a woman who didn’t smile.

In Luuri’s memory, Sonya might show confidence or provocation toward enemies, but not a smile of gratitude like now.

She was always hungry for something, baring her fangs at the world to fill that void—that was Sonya.

“Yes, truly. If it’s the current Sonya-san—”

“Hey, you! Ugly woman over there!!”

Whatever Luuri meant to say was cut off.

A man from the market street shouted, interrupting.

“Do you have business with me?”

“Y-Yeah! I went out of my way to talk to you! Be grateful!”

His demeanor was less intimidating and more like forced bravado, and Sonya inwardly stifled a laugh.

“My apologies for the delay, but thank you. So, what’s your business?”

“Y-You! You’re one of Arius’s people, huh!!”

“…Yes, I am.”

Calling her beloved, supreme master so casually made her briefly consider magic, but she restrained herself.

“Good thing this guy isn’t dealing with Serika-san…”

Luuri muttered, and Sonya nodded in complete agreement.

“Here! Take this!!”

“Whoa.”

He tossed a single fruit.

“This… a Toto fruit? One this fine is rare.”

“Sh-Shut up! Tell him it’s for last time’s change!! And you, woman! Talking to an ugly chick like that’ll get you hurt! Come with me!!”

“Haha, guess our chat ends here, Sonya-san.”

“…Yeah.”

Sonya stared at the yellow fruit in her hand, eyes filled with disbelief.

Seeing this, Luuri suddenly thought.

“…I see.”

She felt she’d grasped the intent behind Ririeru’s orders.

“Sorry for worrying you. He’s quite manly, huh?”

“Hmph… n-not really! D-Damn it! I-I stuttered! It’s no big deal!”

“Hehe.”

Luuri couldn’t help but laugh, finding it oddly cute.

“But why such a fine Toto fruit?”

“I-I just… gave the change I couldn’t before.”

Then why not go to Arius directly?

The details were unclear, but Luuri sensed it was a kind of bravado.

“I see.”

“Hm? W-What’s that look! Stop staring like it’s heartwarming!”

Luuri was certain that the seeds Arius had sown were beginning to sprout from the earth.

※

“If you’re hiding your killing intent, hide it. If you’re directing it, do it properly.”

Rozaria walked alone near the entrance to Arius’s territory.

With a shrug, she spoke toward the increasingly irritating presence.

“If you want to make it clear, take one more step.”

“I’ll teach you properly.”

“Hah… I see.”

A voice responded, but no figure appeared.

Rozaria felt some relief, thinking her instincts weren’t dulled.

Apparently, one step further marked the boundary of the Arius Family’s territory.

“But don’t be ridiculous. We never agreed on exact boundaries.”

“I’ve been saying.”

“Take one step, and you’ll see.”

The directed killing intent grew heavier.

Rozaria didn’t flinch, but a chill ran down her spine.

Rozaria was a Family boss, with strength befitting one. In a fair fight, she was equal to or slightly above Sonya.

But she envisioned her death under the gaze of what felt like two murderous intents.

“Goddamn… what kind of monsters is he keeping?”

Activating the magic stone in her pocket yielded no response.

It meant her hidden escorts had been neutralized.

She was truly alone here.

The killing intent was palpable, yet Rozaria couldn’t pinpoint its source.

No matter how she struggled, it was checkmate.

She realized that nearly having Arius in her grasp before was nothing short of a miracle.

In normal times, or in a state of readiness like now, she felt no chance of winning.

“As the boss of the Rozaria Family, I request a meeting with the Arius Family’s boss. I, Rozaria, wish to apologize to Arius.”

Still, Rozaria wasn’t one for underhanded tactics at this stage.

Her nature was always direct, breaking through head-on.

“…Is she an idiot?”

“Or rather, sane?”

Contrary to their words, a sense of being outmaneuvered passed between Shuri and Kazune.

“You could eliminate me here now that I’ve shown myself. But you know what that would mean, right?”

They wanted to shout, “Who are you to say that?” but Rozaria was right—killing her here could tarnish Arius’s name.

The boss’s caliber was being tested by how they handled someone seeking atonement.

“…Kazune, contact Mia-sama.”

“Damn it… I really wanna kill her…!”

“Kazune.”

“Ugh… Understood…!”

Bold, to say the least.

Rozaria was using herself as a hostage to push her demands.

With Arius absent, Shuri and Kazune lacked the authority or capacity to decide.

“…Huh? So it was you.”

“Shut up.”

Shuri appeared before Rozaria.

Like Kazune, who gritted her teeth while calmly contacting Mia, Shuri’s feelings toward Rozaria were far from ordinary.

Someone who hurt her master, treated her as a hostage, and aimed to harm the Arius Family.

“Pretty scary… how about a little charm? Your boss’s caliber is on display.”

“—”

Boss’s caliber.

The moment it was said, Shuri drew the dagger from her waist.

“…”

“Don’t you dare speak of my master.”

She pressed it to Rozaria’s throat, who couldn’t move a step.

“Don’t misunderstand.”

Shuri’s eyes said it.

She was only humoring a loser’s barking.

In terms of caliber, you’re far beneath.

This was an act of overflowing mercy.

“…Follow me.”

Kazune appeared, saying so. Apparently, Mia and Towa had agreed to the meeting.

“…Damn.”

Arius had shown Rozaria his worth.

Now, Rozaria would do the same.

Today would be a trial for Rozaria.