Jobless Rising! ~I’ve Become a NEET. I Acquired Lewd Skills and Lived a Life of Sex in the Other World and in Japan. Before I Knew it, I Was Impregnating A Harem of Ladies?!~

Chapter 66: Return to Japan! A Spreading Rumor…?

“Fuaaa…”

The next morning, sunlight streaming through the window woke me. What a great morning…!

Beside me, Erinabel slept soundly, naked. Such a cute sleeping face…! The sheets are a crumpled mess, though!

I slipped out of bed quietly and checked the cloth bag of magic stones again. Inside were fifteen stones of varying sizes. No wonder it felt heavy…!

“How many can I take back…?”

‘Based on past experience, probably three,’ Cui said, flying to perch on my head. It’s become her usual spot…

“Nn…”

“Oh, you’re awake. Morning, Erinabel.”

“Mor… ning…”

She looked at me with sleepy eyes. I’m naked, holding the bag of stones.

Even if I wore clothes, I’d end up naked back in Japan anyway.

“I’m heading out soon. Can’t leave things unattended there for too long.”

“Nn… When’ll you be back…?”

“Less than a month, I think. Thanks for the stones.”

I moved to her side, stroking her head and pulling her close for a gentle kiss, lips barely brushing.

“Next time we meet, I’ll have some crazy new toys ready!”

“…! N-No more toys…!”

“Really? Well, use them as much as you want while I’m gone!”

I’m betting Erinabel will go wild with that vibrator!

“Well… see ya, Erinabel!”

“Ah…”

I had to cut it short, or I’d never leave. Honestly, I wanted to go at it again this morning…! Gotta save it for next time!

And Filmeria! I’m definitely gonna have my fun with her too…!

With those thoughts, I returned to Japan.

Hagfree Lemarsas, a Thirteenth Count in the Kainzbern Empire, a low-ranking noble.

Frankly, ranks below tenth are barely above commoners in the eyes of high nobles, who see little difference.

But it also meant Hagfree was closer to commoners. Assigned to Erinabel’s command, he’d served under her for quite a while.

“Another day of work…”

At first, serving under Erinabel was nerve-wracking.

She was a Third Count and one of the Twelve Radiant Generals, her title “Fortress-Smasher” well-earned.

Erinabel had the haughty confidence typical of high nobles. But she judged work fairly and didn’t shy away from talking to low nobles like him.

She was cute, too—a pretty good boss. …Though she often made her subordinates practice self-aggrandizing introductions.

But Erinabel was busy beyond her knight duties and couldn’t always be at the outpost.

Since she rarely spoke with commoners, knights like Hagfree handled dealings with merchants supplying the Eastern Capital Security Force.

Past noon, in the reception room, Hagfree discussed weapon and food orders with a merchant.

“…That should do it.”

“Thank you.”

“But food… prices went up again, huh…”

“The capital’s still better off. In the provinces, prices vary wildly.”

The ongoing civil war was draining the empire’s strength.

Depleted resources, lives, and labor, combined with spreading conflict, worsened security, inviting bandits and foreign threats.

The rebellion led by Yugdovarn wasn’t the only enemy. A neighboring kingdom could intervene with some flimsy excuse like “saving a noble relative” any day.

A few years ago, one kingdom did just that.

As long as political instability persisted, such interventions would further destabilize the empire—a vicious cycle.

“Some merchants used to buy cheap food and sell it high in other territories.”

“Not anymore?”

“No. Bandits could strike anytime, and rebels would confiscate it.”

“It’s rough out there…”

The Kainzbern Empire, with its vast territory, advanced industries, and high food self-sufficiency, still struggled.

Nobles split between Aranx and Yugdovarn factions, and with limited large-scale farmlands, food price disparities were emerging.

“Can you keep this price for us? Our budget’s tight, and accounting’s been on our case.”

“I don’t raise prices for fun, you know… But, well, we’ve worked with your force for a while. If you share some useful info, I’ll keep prices steady next time.”

“Info? Don’t have much that’d interest you…”

Hagfree, a low-ranking knight, knew little of high-level intelligence or shifting faction dynamics in the civil war.

He doubted he had anything valuable for a merchant… but the merchant leaned in, lowering his voice.

“I heard a rumor.”

“What’s that?”

“That rebel general, Armor-Cleaver Alkrom! He kidnapped a noble lady here in the capital, didn’t he?”

“…Yeah.”

Hagfree knew it well. He’d been with Erinabel, scouring the capital for Alkrom.

“They say Erinabel-sama’s retainer rescued the lady! Against Alkrom, no less…! Come on, that retainer’s been here, right? What’s he like?”

It’s already spreading among merchants…? Hagfree realized the merchant’s goal.

He’d been fishing for info on the retainer, and Hagfree had taken the bait.

“You love your gossip.”

“Information’s our lifeblood. Whether it’s useful depends on the situation. Word is, even the castle’s buzzing about Erinabel-sama’s retainer.”

“Really?”

“Yes. Erinabel-sama, who never took a retainer, picked a commoner-turned-Fifteenth Count. Anyone who knows her would be curious.”

Talking, Hagfree pieced together the merchant’s connections.

He likely had ties with castle nobles and got curious about Erinabel’s retainer.

This merchant dealt with Erinabel’s Eastern Capital Security Force outpost.

If he got retainer info, he could boost his standing with castle nobles.

(Touya’s info… What to do…)

Hagfree knew rumors swirled about Erinabel’s sudden retainer. One claimed she’d taken a male courtesan.

Hagfree didn’t buy it. Knowing Erinabel’s personality, she wouldn’t fall for a commoner.

And Touya’s skills were worthy of her choice.

He’d matched them in sparring, even holding his own against Erinabel’s direct training. Rough around the edges, but his raw athleticism was enough.

(Maybe I should let the merchant spread Touya’s story… It’d show Erinabel chose him for his skill.)

A rumor that their boss picked a commoner for personal reasons wouldn’t sit well.

Telling this merchant could ensure the right story spread among castle nobles.

With that, Hagfree grinned.

“That retainer? Strong enough to fight us imperial knights bare-handed.”

“Oh…! Can you tell me more…!?”

“Sure. He’s definitely capable of facing Alkrom. I was impressed Erinabel-sama found such a gem in the wild. When we first met, I couldn’t gauge his strength at all. Thinking back, when we brought him to the outpost, it must’ve been to make him her retainer.”

Hagfree’s enthusiasm drew the merchant in.

“So, Erinabel-sama chose him purely for his skill?”

“What else would it be?”

“N-Nothing…”

“The first man Erinabel-sama chose as her retainer? No ordinary guy. He can keep up with her in sparring.”

“No way…!”

Even now, Touya’s skill stood out. No magic, yet endless stamina.

Even holding back, he matched Erinabel’s moves.

“His name’s Touya. Weird guy with a white bird on his head. But a guy like that… might just become a hero someday. That’s what I think.”