Chapter 8: Schooled by the Lord (1)
After bursting out of the inn, I wandered aimlessly through the streets for a while. That was the only thing I could do right away in this unfamiliar fallen world. Of course, I still had some money left from Jere-mi, but considering what I'd paid the inn yesterday, it would barely last three days at best. Naturally, I couldn't just eat and sleep forever—I needed to find work to earn money. The problem was figuring out what kind of job a man without any backing could even do in this world...
"H-Hey, miss passing by. Could you take a quick look here?"
As I pondered that, I spotted a man on the roadside beckoning passersby with a sign. It looked like some kind of touting, but his outfit struck me as utterly bizarre—no, downright horrifying. A skin-tight leotard that no man would ever wear, fishnet stockings, and bunny ears perched on his head... Fuck, what the hell is that? Total flaming gay.
"Ooh, when a cute bunny calls, how can I say no?"
But even in that getup, he was drawing eyes. The women he called over strode right up to him boldly, their faces lit with clear excitement and anticipation.
"So, what did you call me over for?"
"W-Well, if you're okay with it, how about spending some good time at our shop?"
"Haha, sure. If I go with you, you'll treat me, right?"
"N-No, I just handle the touting..."
"Eh, for that much, a fat tip will sort it out. Come on, no point standing around—let's head inside."
The woman took charge with boisterous confidence, dragging the man into the shop while roughly groping his ass. It reminded me of a balding department head sexually harassing a female employee back home. And yet he just took it silently... Yeah, I got the picture. This guy was pulling off some kind of male prostitute gig.
"...So in this world, that's the main way men make a living?"
A world where women courted men and led relationships. There'd always be plenty who just wanted to satisfy their lust without the hassle, so demand for men renting out their bodies would never dry up. And judging by the reactions from the women I'd met so far, I seemed like a pretty hot commodity here. If a guy like me dove into the male brothel district, I might even aim for top earner. I'd rake in cash, and best of all, I'd get to fuck all sorts of women—total satisfaction on every front... Ooh, playing male hooker in a reversed world might not be half bad.
Thud, thud.
Around then, a heavy thudding sound caught my ear. I turned reflexively and saw an enormously built woman lumbering into the brothel. Her body jiggled with fat slabs everywhere, nothing like my own somewhat muscled frame—a monstrous sight.
"Heehee~ Let's have some fun with the cute boys today too, shall we?"
...Uh. So even a woman like that uses brothels? If she shelled out big bucks to pick me, I'd have to spread 'em wide under capitalism's iron logic?
"Yeah, hard pass on the brothel."
Sure, if sex became my job, I couldn't pick and choose partners. I wanted to be the one choosing women, not forced into it. With that in mind, I turned my back on the brothels and resumed wandering the city, racking my brain for other ways to make money. Could I even find something satisfying in this strange world...?
"There you are."
Then a familiar voice rang out, and a figure stepped smoothly into view before me. A woman with red hair, clad in provocative bikini-like armor.
"Helia?"
"You remember me."
"Y-Yeah. Of course."
How could I forget? She'd shown kindness to me in this unfamiliar world, and just last night I'd jerked off hard using her image as fap fuel... Meeting the woman I'd used that way again made my face heat up awkwardly.
"I've been looking for you."
Her words left me blankly staring before I knew it.
"Looking for me?"
"Yes. I have business with you..."
No way—did she have interest in me? Was this the so-called green light? A chance to actually fuck the woman I'd fapped to?
"...Just to confirm."
But her follow-up was dry, devoid of warmth.
"Do you have anything to prove your identity?"
"My identity?"
"Anything showing who you are, where you're from... Doesn't matter what, as long as it verifies."
"No, unfortunately..."
"I see."
Unsatisfied with my answer? She trailed off, averted her gaze, then squeezed her eyes shut and slipped a hand under her cloak. A metallic clank followed as she drew out what looked like handcuffs.
"Helia? What's..."
"Freeze."
Her sharp voice cut through my confusion. She grabbed my wrist roughly, snapping one cuff on with grim resolve.
"I'm now detaining an illegal intruder into this city."
"W-Wait, illegal intruder? I got permission from the guards..."
"Please come quietly."
She ignored my protests, prepping the other cuff while her voice trembled faintly.
"I don't want to rough up a delicate man like you."
Her pained expression and reluctant tone told me she hated this. Yeah, she wasn't doing it to screw me over. Probably had no choice. Thinking that, I extended my other hand to the cuff and murmured quietly.
"...Fine, I'll go along for now."
I didn't want to make her life harder, for whatever reason.
***
Dozens of minutes trailing Helia took me through the vast city to a massive building smack in the center.
"This the castle?"
"The residence of Lady Renes, lord of the domain."
Right—she'd introduced herself as a knight serving the lord at our first meeting. Given the castle's scale, she was basically the ruler of this sprawling city.
"Wasn't I dragged here as an illegal intruder? I figured jail cell."
"Ordinary criminals go to holding before trial... But Lady Renes will decide your disposition personally."
"The lord herself, for me?"
"She took unusual interest in the story I reported. As a knight, I must submit daily reports..."
So I'd met Helia, she reported it, the lord got curious and ordered me brought in. That explained her guilty look since reuniting. I could see why.
"...I'm sorry."
"Nah, it's not your fault, Helia."
I didn't like seeing her wracked with guilt. With nothing better to do anyway, I shrugged and followed her into the Lord's Castle to see what this was about.
"Lady Helia."
Armored female guards—castle security, I guessed—greeted her politely the moment we entered. She nodded curtly, as if routine, and pressed on inside. I'd pegged her as just an exhibitionist slut, but she had real status. As that thought crossed my mind, I noticed men haunting the corridors in butler-like attire, handling cleaning and chores... Got it—this world had women as soldiers, men as maids and servants. Maybe housework was something I could do. Tailgating Helia with that in mind led us to a lavish room atop the castle's highest floor.
Helia bowed upon entering.
"Lady Renes. As ordered, I've brought the unidentified illegal intruder to the city."
That alone told me everything. The blue-haired woman on the throne-like chair facing us was the city's top authority.
"Good work. Helia, you're always so efficient~"
She praised Helia lightly, then turned her gaze to me.
"So, you're the handsome guy who snuck into my city—a criminal, huh?"
"Uh... I'm a criminal now?"
"Well, you can't prove squat and waltzed in, so yeah, for now. I asked the guard from last night—she said you fucked her and played dumb... Happens sometimes~ Loose guys trading body for guard favors."
Damn, Helia's testimony wasn't enough; that bitch Ajeta must've ratted me out. Next time I see her, I'll fuck her brains blank white.
"But don't worry. I didn't call you here just 'cause you're a criminal."
Unlike my anxiety, Renes showed no real hostility—in fact, her voice carried a friendly warmth that eased my tension. She continued in a gently chiding tone.
"This city's huge, full of all sorts. No big crimes, so nitpicking entry papers is too much hassle, right?"
"So... I didn't actually do anything wrong to end up here?"
"Exactly. 'Illegal entry' was just an excuse to bring you. I've got new plans brewing, and I need a sturdy guy like you. Simple terms: I want to hire you."
"Hire me...?"
"Do well, get paid, of course. Food and lodging provided under me. Sound good? Perfect for an unidentified drifter bold enough to sneak into my city."
Wait, she was hooking me up with a job? Room, board, and salary?
"Sounds great. I was just hunting for work here."
"Hehe, glad you like my offer~"
Renes flashed a beaming smile. As relief and gratitude washed over me, she nodded toward Helia beside me.
"But before details, one thing first... Helia?"
"Yes, my lady."
Helia replied sternly. Renes grinned innocently.
"Take off this man's pants. Right now."
"...Pardon?"
Helia and I blurted in unison, stunned. Take off my pants—what the hell did that mean?