Chapter 178: Unintentionally
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 178: Unintentionally
“...Excuse me?”
“It is the Female Subjugation Theory.”
“Ha... Right. Please, continue.”
An incredible phrase had just escaped Ms. Alfi’s lips. It was a combination of two words: one that, by my standards, should never be used in human relationships, and another that probably shouldn't be used in a romantic context either.
'Female' was fine—this was originally an education intended for beastkin, after all. But what on earth was this 'Subjugation' business?
“Women often show a preference for so-called ‘bad boys’ over men who treat them with nothing but kindness and affection.”
Ms. Alfi was bringing up a female archetype usually found in works of fiction created with very impure intentions. It was the kind of nonsense that deserved a guillotine rather than a rebuttal, but for now, I decided to listen quietly. At this point, I was genuinely curious about what she was going to say next.
“Any living creature that engages in reproduction always aims for hypergamy. This holds true for demi-humans, including the Human Species. It’s not just about institutional status; they desire males with exceptional traits, such as being tall, having a good physique, possessing striking looks, or being skilled in combat.”
“Hmm... Yeah, well. I suppose so.”
I could give her that much. It was a somewhat understandable point.
“Females naturally categorize males who treat them with kindness and affection as lower-grade entities. Even if that isn't actually the case. The reason is that in the competition for reproduction, males also aim for hypergamy.”
“I see...”
“Kindness is classified as a type of courtship activity intended to secure mating.”
She was making human kindness sound like something incredibly sinister.
“The reason these individuals are classified as lower-grade entities is that performing active courtship is a behavior directed toward an entity higher than oneself.”
“Hmm.”
“Conversely, they do not engage in active courtship toward members of the opposite sex who are of a lower grade than themselves. It means that person is someone whose presence or absence doesn't really matter. Because of this, females feel a desire to be dominated by males who maintain an indifferent attitude toward them.”
“Wow.”
I mentally rewound my memories to check if this was actually a lesson on Ms. Alfi’s personal sexual preferences, but she had clearly stated this was a method to seduce women and gain acceptance for polygamy. I hadn't misheard her, had I?
“Thus, the second stage: Domination and Neglect. By showing an attitude that prioritizes the woman in the first stage I mentioned, you maximize the effect of the neglect that follows.”
“And what effect does neglect have...?”
“It compels the female to actively engage in courtship toward the male she has perceived as a higher-grade entity. Of course, a woman in a state of domination must be rewarded. Just like in the previous stage, this can include praise and concern.”
* * *
“H-How do I look, Yoo Eon...?”
“Sera, you look especially beautiful today. I’m worried someone might try to steal you away.”
“H-Huuuuh...!”
Sera was certainly beautiful today. Stepping away from her usual dirndl-style attire, she wore a flowing one-piece dress with a waistband that clearly emphasized her voluptuous femininity. The pure white fabric suited her exceptionally well.
The shoes she wore were white heels with a deep cut that exposed the tops of her feet—a stark contrast to the leather boots she usually wore for mobility. The fact that she hadn't prioritized practicality was a nice touch.
“Ravi’s friend came by and took her. It’s a shame, but I guess the three of us will have to head out together.”
“I-I see! Okay....”
Sera nodded vigorously, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. I had expected this to some extent, but I couldn't tell exactly which part of Ravi’s departure had affected her so positively.
‘The biggest difference between a state of domination and non-domination is the presence or absence of physical contact. It is a simple yet clear way to imprint the fact that this female belongs to you—both to others and to the female herself.’
Recalling Ms. Alfi’s lesson in my heart, I half-doubtingly implemented what she had taught me.
—Grab.
‘Her waist is thin.’
I wrapped my arm around Sera’s waist as she stood there hesitating to come closer, pulling her toward me to strongly assert the current state of domination.
“What are you doing, not staying close? There are a lot of people out today; if you get separated, I’ll lose you.”
“H-Hyut... I-I see...!”
We stepped out onto the street and walked together. If I followed Ms. Alfi’s teachings...
‘You must clearly and concisely distinguish between the woman placed in a state of subjugation and the woman who is not. However, do not make it too obvious, and adjust your behavior so that the latter woman’s mind doesn't shatter from anxiety.’
“Dora, let’s hurry up.”
“O-Okay....”
Distinguishing between the person I was paying attention to and the one I wasn't made me feel like a very bad person... but it couldn't be helped. She said I had to differentiate the two clearly so that the woman would crave a continuous state of domination.
* * *
We were in an area in the Northwest commercial district where a long line of street stalls stretched out. Originally, it was a street with a spacious feel, with wide roads and alleys between buildings large enough for people to pass through.
Now, however, street vendors had set up stalls along the wide road, selling goods brought in from outside and hawking their wares. It was incredibly crowded and bustling.
As I entered the street and looked around, one stall caught my eye.
“Shall we go over there?”
“Huh? What is it?”
Quite a few people were standing nearby, watching a particular stall. The merchant was holding up a small metal ring, preaching the greatness of his product to the surrounding crowd.
“Look closely! This is a ring made of the very rare ‘Red Gold’! Do you see it? This brilliant color?”
“What is this Red Gold? Is it more expensive than real gold?”
“Of course! It’s so rare that it’s much more expensive than real gold!”
What the merchant held in his hand was a unique metal with a slight pinkish hue. As far as I knew, it was an alloy of copper and gold called rose gold. It seemed to be a sales tactic the merchant was using on people who didn't know any better.
“Dora, what do you think of that?”
“That? Hmm, well... it is a unique and pretty color.”
“What about you, Sera? Is there anything you want?”
“M-Me?! Oh, no! Something too expensive is a bit...”
“Hmm.”
I reached toward Sera’s ear for a moment, lifting her hair and lightly touching her earlobe.
‘There are marks from wearing earrings.’
Fortunately, there were traces of a piercing in Sera’s left ear. I had been unsure since she didn't usually wear accessories. It would be a disaster if I bought her earrings and she couldn't wear them.
“H-Hyut... Hik...!”
Sera jumped in surprise when I touched her ear, but now that I’d confirmed she could wear earrings, that was enough. I approached the stall, and the owner skillfully began his pitch.
“Welcome, handsome young master! What can I do for you?”
“One pair of earrings, and... hmm. This bracelet is nice.”
“Oh, young master, you have quite an eye! Give me just 40 gold coins for both!”
I knew it. I should have realized the moment he started talking like a swindler about Red Gold. I leaned down slightly, bringing my face close to the merchant sitting behind the display.
“Shopkeeper. Why has the price gone up when you’ve just mixed copper into gold?”
“H-How did you...!”
“Do I need to shout the source of this rare ‘Red Gold’ right here?”
“N-No! Just... give me six gold coins....”
“This is the price for keeping your secret. Take it. Do your business with others.”
I took a pair of beautifully crafted flower-shaped earrings and a sleekly designed bracelet from the stall of the shopkeeper, who was now dripping with cold sweat.
Since Dora already had earrings, I slipped the bracelet onto her arm, and for Sera, I put the earrings on her myself.
“Left? Or right?”
“Y-Yoo Eon...! Isn't this expensive...?”
“Which side.”
“Ugh....”
Sera hesitated for a moment before brushing back her hair on the right side to reveal her ear. I don't know why she was so embarrassed; her face had turned bright red.
“It’s pretty. It suits you well.”
“T-Thank you... but....”
“Just ‘thank you’ is enough. No ‘buts’.”
“Okay....”
I turned my head to look at Dora, and she seemed to like her gift as well. The bracelet on her left wrist, with its subtle pink hue, suited her perfectly.
“It’s pretty. Though I’m sure you have plenty of even prettier things.”
“N-No, well...! It’s not exactly like that....”
“Right, it’s a gift, so it’s the thought that counts. Isn't that so?”
“Yeah! T-That’s right!”
Paying a lot of attention to someone—what she called 'domination'—was easy. But what on earth was 'neglect'? I had no idea how I was supposed to go about that.
* * *
For now, we had decided to eat first before going to watch the matches later.
“It’s unique... it’s such a delicious fruit....”
“Have you never tried this, Ms. Sera?”
“Pardon? Oh, yes.... It’s probably a fruit that doesn't grow in Calax, right...?”
On the way to the restaurant, there was a fruit that gave off a strong, sweet scent, so Theodora picked it up first. The reason was that Sera had shown interest in it.
“It’s a fruit from the hot regions near Hechituk. I could have some sent to your inn if you’d like.”
“Oh, no! I’m sure fruit coming from so far away must be expensive....”
“Oh, it’s fine. Just this much. I’ll send some good ones later, so you can eat them with your family.”
Theodora’s full-scale attempt to win favor had begun, though she was still under the mistaken impression that she was dealing with her fiancé’s mistress. Of course, from Sera’s perspective, it looked like a noble lady showing grace to her fiancé’s concubine.
‘I have to earn points with Ms. Sera...!’
‘Ms. Theodora is so kind it’s scary...! Is she telling me to eat this and get lost...?!’
‘Aven seems to be looking out for Ms. Sera more... I wonder if he’s thinking about buying her fruit...?’
‘Yoo Eon is probably more concerned about Ms. Theodora, right...? He’s probably reminiscing about his memories with her....’
While the two women were fidgeting, conscious of each other, Yoo Eon was deep in thought.
‘Man, what was the name of this? Was it Mangosteem?’
As he walked along, indifferently rolling the fruit peel in his hand, his gaze staring into space was unintentionally making both women very anxious.
‘It’s Mangolatin.’