Chapter 35 - 35 Margrave Kruger's Territory
『White Castle』
In Water City Aqua, after it was reported in the newspapers that even His Majesty had stayed there, it became famous overnight, and reservations began flooding in. Since people from the Klaus faction in particular were requesting it, I set a condition: "Bring a letter of introduction from Excellency Klaus," which resulted in receiving thanks from Klaus himself.
After His Majesty and the Klaus family departed, I invited Emilia and Reimi to the pool, and as expected of owners of massive breasts, a crowd of men swarmed toward Reimi.
"Ah...?"
With just that single word, she drove all the men away.
After enjoying the Water Slide to their heart's content, the two of them were thoroughly embraced.
"You were able to enjoy the summer, right?"
The two had learned how to swim, but since they complained that I was making them exhausted every day, I went to the Klaus house to embrace Aqua instead. She fortunately became pregnant, but my wife also fortunately became pregnant. While feeling a slight sense of anxiety that it might be my child, autumn arrived.
As it grew cooler, we switched to a heated pool. Since the flow of customers didn't drop as much as expected, the people from Cielo Trading Company were also pleased.
One day, Cielo said he wanted to meet, so I headed there via Instant Movement.
"Regarding that Tarsel Trading Company..."
I couldn't say I had completely forgotten. When I asked how it was going, he said, "I think it would be good to do business with them," explaining that they apparently produce good wine in a grape-growing region. As a business, it seemed to be a steady operation that valued the local area.
"As for me, I have judged that it is fine to sign a contract. What do you think?"
"If Cielo-san says it is good, then I have no choice but to agree, right?"
He wore a satisfied smile at my reply.
Afterward, he asked if the pool would be unusable during the winter, so when I told him what I was planning to do next, he asked, "Ho! Such a thing? Is it possible?"
"Of course! I've had artisans making them since the summer. The prototypes are already finished. Please look forward to the information from the Head Clerk!"
What I was planning to do was... a skating rink.
I would freeze the pool to turn it into a skating rink, but I had to ensure no irregularities appeared on the surface. That was likely possible. Currently, my artisans and shoemakers were jointly prototyping easy-to-use ice skates. Of course, the artisans and shoemakers from the Butler territory were also involved.
"There isn't much time left! The artisans in the Butler territory have apparently already completed theirs! Don't you dare lose!"
The motivation of the people who had [Skill: Adrenaline] and [Skill: Dopamine] cast upon them was tremendous. With "Make something better!" as their motto, they were honing their skills through mutual competition.
Passo was also working hard.
I gave him hints, and he had commenced research into letterpress printing and paper manufacturing. As for the newspaper, we scouted motivated young people, and the newspaper company was becoming a success. Not just throughout the territory, but by using Cielo's transport, merchants from the Imperial Capital and neighboring nobles were also signing up for regular subscriptions.
That newspaper had even come to be read by His Majesty and the Klaus family. Vista and Blade, who had realized that intel was important, were also avid readers.
"Did you see it, Blade? Today's newspaper? Lately, they've even been writing about events in the Imperial Capital!"
Of course, they were reading it. Lately, when people were told it was for a newspaper interview, many actively provided information because common people enjoyed seeing their names appear. Blade, sensing that it would be bad if something that could lead to being criticized occurred, had begun to care about public sentiment.
"When I was in the Imperial Capital, I honestly thought common people... didn't matter. I thought what they knew of us nobles was irrelevant. Furthermore, we had absolutely no interest in commoners. No matter how they lived... I didn't care to know, but they obtain various pieces of information through the common people. To put it another way, they are a dangerous existence!"
Blade believed their capabilities were higher than even a mediocre intelligence department. Passo was no fool either, so he ordered the reporting staff to ensure they properly verified their information. As the level of trust rose, even as the price increased, the number of people wishing to purchase only continued to grow.
One day, a letter arrived from His Majesty telling us to come to the Imperial Capital.
"I wonder what it is? Well, shall we go?"
The three called were myself, Sera, and Yaris.
Lately, there was even a palace reporting team in the Imperial Capital. His Majesty, finding it amusing, had prepared people similar to press officers to receive interviews.
"The reason I called you today is for nothing other than this. An award ceremony!"
I was granted a title for my achievements in helping the development of this country.
"Shivans O'Brien! I hereby make you a Quasi-Knight. Do you accept?"
"I humbly accept the appointment!"
I was finally appointed as a noble of the Altmea Empire, not merely as my father's child. And Sera and Yaris were also each honored and given things like medals.
Sera was honored as the 'Commerce Minister' who contributed to the territory's development through tax reforms. Yaris was praised as a 'General' for her achievements in maintaining public order and repelling bandits.
The news that commoners, and women at that, had been awarded medals by His Majesty spread rapidly through the Imperial Capital reporting team and reached all corners of the land. Amidst that, there was a small article stating that the Tarsel Trading Company, which makes wine, and the large-scale general merchant Cielo Trading Company had entered into a business alliance.
This autumn was busy.
It was said that Kate, the daughter of Margrave Kruger, and David, the son of a Vassal Noble and Baron, were getting married. Normally, I would have no business with it as someone who had just become a Quasi-Knight, but Kruger, who identified himself as a heavyweight of the Klaus faction, had recently sent invitations to the two of us who had been honored, saying, "Please come!"
The Klaus family apparently wouldn't be coming, as the pregnant wife and Aqua said they would stay home. Aria apparently said, "I want to go!" upon learning she could meet Sera.
Butler and Gale also said they would participate. My mother, Leen, was also pregnant, so she would be staying home. We immediately prepared a carriage and set off.
"Speaking of which, Boy! You probably don't know, but that bastard Kruger went to a hot spring inn. He seemed to like our bedding, so he bought up a massive amount of mats, futons, and pillows from our territory for the wedding!"
I see. He probably thought there would be complaints if Klaus or His Majesty came. It seemed he had also bought up various ingredients and lotions.
I can really feel his extraordinary enthusiasm for this wedding...
After that, I asked Sera and Yaris various things. Sera reported that she was expanding the market, and Yaris complained that since the Vista territory she dealt with had stabilized, bad guys had decreased and she was bored. Sera was in a suit and Yaris was in a military uniform, but each had an embroidered emblem of their medal on their chest and arm. Of course, we had obtained His Majesty's permission.
It took a week by carriage, but during that time, I would slip out at night, use Instant Movement to return home, and embrace Emilia and Reimi.
"You... even at a time like this, you don't have to embrace me... Ah!"
"Even though you're happy! Emi-nee, you're not honest!"
Reimi also let out a cry, saying, "I'm happy, but my body can't take it..."
On the fourth day, as we reached the mountains bordering the Traffic Light Trio and Margrave Kruger's territory, Butler told the driver to hurry.
"Shivans might not know, but the surrounding area is a den of monsters, and it has been called the Forest of Confusion since ancient times. Even I don't want to pass through here at night!"
He told us that even during the day, mist appears, and if you lose your way, you can never return.
One week later, we arrived at the Territory Capital, but... the impression was not good.
Sera immediately said, "There's no vitality. It looks like the slums are expanding," and Yaris said, "The public order seems bad. At this rate, we won't be able to do business properly."
Upon entering the Lord's Manor, Kate welcomed us, saying, "I'm glad you came!" and Aria said it was because they had even attended her own ceremony.
Aristo and I were sitting alone in the room next to ours, separated by a single wall. Klaus, Windam, Butler, and Gale were called by Kruger and headed to a separate room.
It was lively once the four women gathered.
"Hey, hey? How is married life with Aristo-sama?"
Sera and Yaris also bit into Kate's inquisitive question.
"Hmm, he's kind, but the impression I had when we first met is gone. Even though he's 14, he still loves Mama so much, and perhaps because I don't have breasts, he still seems to be seeking Mama's boobs."
I felt pity for Aristo, who was muttering and looking down beside me, saying, "That's not it... I'm not a mother-con..."
"Gross! He's just like my older brother! He was lusting after our mother! My younger brother used to masturbate to my naked body... it was so disgusting I vomited! I want him to die!"
"Seriously? Whoa... I wonder if Aristo is like that too?"
At the conversation between Sera and Aria, his complexion worsened even further, and he looked even more dangerous, muttering, "That's not it... I'm not lusting after my mother..."
Then, the eldest, Yaris, asked a question.
"Sera and I are virgins, but what about you two?"
"I'm a virgin, but Aristo might be sleeping with Mama? Even if I wear sexy panties, he won't attack me. Well, since he intends to go to school, it would be a problem even if he did attack me. He's pregnant and can't go to school, right?"
The three were completely repulsed by Aristo's "sleeping with Mama" comment. Then Kate began talking about herself.
"I have exams soon. David also said that until he takes over as Margrave, he won't do... that kind of thing with me. So, we decided to at least get married first. We said we'll sleep together once he becomes the Margrave."
Everyone asked what they would do if that were ten years later.
"If it's ten years later, I'll still be 25, and my father will still be energetic, so there might be that possibility."
I know. David intends to sell you once he becomes the Margrave, you know? Well, you probably wouldn't believe me even if I told you...
"Ten years later. I'll be 26. Yaris, you'll be 27, right? I have a desire to want children soon, but work is also fun, so it's difficult, isn't it? Since our names are known, I think I'll have them use contraception for sex for a while."
When Yaris agreed with Sera's words, Kate asked a question.
"Are you going to become Shivans-sama's concubine? If they are wealthy merchants, couldn't both of you become legal wives?"
Yaris waved her hand and said something maidenly, "Status doesn't matter. I want to be by Shivans-sama's side!"
"Heh! You love him! I thought I loved Aristo a little while ago, but I cooled off a bit after finding out he was a mother-con."
"I understand, Aria-sama! Even I wouldn't marry David if he were to lust after his own mother! So, I think it's admirable. But, it's disappointing that Aristo-sama was such a pervert, isn't it? I thought he was quite a good man. Speaking of which, Shivans-sama is also handsome, isn't he?"
Aristo slumped so low it felt like a "thud" sound occurred from being unilaterally disappointed.
"Shivans, you believe me, right? I have never, ever lusted after my mother! It's true!"
I told him "I know" to calm him down.
"If we make a scene here, it will be discovered that we were listening to the conversation next door, and you'll lose even more trust. The problem is that Aria-sama believes Aristo-sama is the pinnacle of mother-cons, so the problem is whether you've shown that attitude somewhere?"
He thought about it for a moment, but there seemed to be no recollection of such a thing. He seemed to understand that he had no choice but to act in a way that wouldn't make people think so, but... does he actually understand?
Then, the topic shifted to me.
"I saw Shivans-sama for the first time at the previous wedding, and despite having such a beautiful face, he was incredibly strong! It was enough to tell that Butler-sama was active sixteen years ago."
When she said that, Sera and Yaris started saying, "Tell us more!"
"Shivans-sama, who was swinging his sword without losing to that, was also cool. But don't you think that, despite being short, if he cross-dressed, most women would lose? He's beautiful, isn't he? It's a face I somewhat long for!"
The three agreed with Kate's words.
"I heard that long ago, my mother Leen-sama wanted a girl, so she once made Shivans-sama cross-dress!"
At Sera's words, I learned that I had been made to cross-dress. Then Aria dropped an incredible bombshell.
"That's right! Aristo is unusually close with Shivans-kun, isn't he! I suspect that might be the case! If he had breasts like that, I would have no chance of winning..."
Are we being treated as BL...? Aristo next door is already a wreck.
Next, the topic turned to the size of breasts, and they seemed to be checking each other.
As a result, it seemed the order was Sera > Kate > Yaris > Aria, and Yaris spoke to the depressed Aria.
"Both the bust-enhancing bra and the night bra that Sera and I wear—during the day we grow them with the bust-enhancing bra, and at night we shape them with the night bra. Sera's breasts are large, but they don't sag or spread thanks to these bras!"
Immediately, Aria and Kate bit in, saying they wanted them.
"Leave it to me, a former maid! If it's Shivans-sama, he will surely manage something. He should be able to make you both beautiful-breasted!"
At Sera's words, the two said, "Please do!" Since the conversation was about to end, we quietly slipped out of the room. However, Aristo, having learned he was suspected of being a mother-con Moho, looked like a hollow shell of a soul.
"Aristo-sama. Everything is a misunderstanding by Aria-sama. Therefore, first, instead of following Aqua-sama with your eyes, why don't you start by looking at Aria-sama as much as possible, and perhaps begin by embracing or kissing her?"
He barely managed to reply that he understood.
Before tomorrow's wedding, after dinner, there was a drinking party. Aristo and I had also become able to drink a little. There, a drunken Windam caused a controversy.
"Does David not know me? As the 'Hero Old Man,' there isn't a single person near the Imperial Capital who doesn't know me! This place really is the frontier!"
David, who had a complex about not being able to match him even with a sword, exploded.
"Who are you calling a country bumpkin, you bastard! Come outside! Once I become the Margrave, you'll..."
I pulled David away as he grabbed Windam by the collar. Then, the surrounding nobles admonished David.
"It's because of things like that that you're called a country bumpkin! You aren't fit to be a Margrave!"
When someone who seemed like a relative lectured him, others joined in.
"Just a mere Vassal Noble, a mere son of a Baron! Apologize to Excellency the Minister of Military Affairs!"
Both Margrave Kruger and David's parents bowed their heads, but David himself would not bow. Kate also called out, "Please apologize," but he pushed her away.
(Will he be able to get married tomorrow with this?)
Everyone calmed him down, and somehow the matter was settled, but resentment remained.
That Night
I changed into thug-like clothes and walked the night streets of the Territory Capital.
Then, I was approached by people who appeared bright red on my map.
"Yo, big brother! Didn't Mama teach you that walking alone at night is dangerous?"
When I replied with a smile that, unfortunately, I hadn't, they looked at me with creepiness but led me to a place where no one was around.
"Tell me before you die. Who is the worst criminal in this city?"
"You're the one who's going to die, kid!"
Six of them attacked, but it didn't seem to be a problem. Since I was here, I'll use them to test the nameless sword I received from His Majesty.
(With guys of this level, I don't even need to use the One-Stroke Severance skill to cut them.)
Reading their thoughts, the one running the gambling den ahead seemed to be the worst criminal.
I went there immediately and said, "I want to play," and they probably thought I was a sucker. They let me in easily. A so-called game of betting was being held.
A customer next to me spoke to me.
"That woman, Ogin, is a good one, isn't she?"
It was someone in my memory. That was a thief named Ginji, the guy whose penis I cut off, but I shouldn't have any memory of him. However, he seemed to be cowering upon seeing me.
In the dim gambling den, the youngsters were shouting, "Bet, bet!" Since I used psychokinesis to change the dice, I won ten rounds in a row in an instant.
I first bet 10,000G, and since I bet everything, it doubled and doubled. When it finally exceeded 10 million G, the youngsters led me to a different room where the boss appeared.
"You bastard! Using tricks against us! You've got some nerve, don't you?"
All the customers were pushed outside, and they ran away, saying, "That guy is going to die... I don't want anything to do with him." It was convenient for me too.
"Now! Since the customers are gone, shall I kill you!"
"W-what are you talking about? Even though you don't have a weapon!"
I pulled a sword from my Inventory and extinguished the lights, plunging it into darkness and causing confusion. When I shouted that they would end up killing each other, they couldn't swing their weapons, and twenty people died in an instant.
The one called Ogin was sitting in a corner, urinating.
"Hey, Ginji? I told you to work seriously, didn't I? You went and cheated! Next time, it won't just be your penis, your head will fall off too!"
He performed a dogeza, begging for forgiveness, and explained the circumstances up to now.
It seemed that his fellow thieves, too, had lost that part and were at a loss, so they had discussed how they could no longer live here. They had made it this far by boat, but there was no work. Then, his dexterity was recognized, and he was ordered by the boss to work at the gambling den.
"They told me that if I dressed as a woman, everyone would let their guard down, so I wore this outfit..."
Since he performed a dogeza saying he would never do it again, I had him lead me to the boss.
"Ogin. Who is this? It's time to dote on this Female Dog, isn't it?"
A greasy Old Man had a woman at his side, but she was naked with a collar and tied with a string, being treated like a dog.
"There is no need for you to know."
"Ugyaa!"
A thin needle pierced his head, and as he died, the Female Dog and Ginji urinated themselves.
"H-help me! I'll do anything!"
Since the Female Dog pleaded, I cast [Skill: Clean] and embraced her all night long.
"Ah! I'm coming, coming, coming! I'm going to die from coming too much! Please forgive me! I'm going crazy! It feels too good, I'm going to die!"
"You said you'd do anything, didn't you?"
Ginji watched the whole time as I thoroughly doted on the Female Dog, who was a virgin. The Female Dog's mouth and ass were covered in semen, but she looked satisfied. Apparently, the boss was impotent and only had her perform fellatio.
I found out all the money here.
And I erased the Female Dog's Slave Mark. I let Ginji and the Female Dog look for things they wanted, and they got clothes and underwear. I had them load everything onto a cart outside and spoke with them. Ginji said that using his dexterity, he wanted to run a restaurant. The Female Dog said she had been a slave since she was a child and had no family.
"How much do you need to start a shop?"
"If it's a good location, maybe 3 million G would be needed?"
In that case, I gave them 15 million G from the money I had taken.
"With this much, you should be able to cover miscellaneous expenses, clothing, and material costs, right? With her cute face, the Female Dog would be great even just as a waitress. It's bound to be a hit."
She looked happy to be called cute. When I told them "Good luck," they said, "We promise! The two of us will work hard! This time for real!"
When they asked my name, I said, "It's Shivans," and they said, "Thank you, Shivans-sama! I will work hard with the Female Dog!"
The Female Dog looked so happy she might have wagged a tail if she had one. Since it was pitiful to call her Female Dog forever, they said they would come up with a name.
I also hurried back for the wedding.