Chapter 51: The City of Luxury and Indulgence, Race Belkus – Inside the Elf Brothel

I visited the Solarion mansion again to check on Emir's condition.

Wooong.

I cast recovery spells on Emir's body one after another and checked her status. Her breathing was stable, and color had returned to her cheeks. It was thanks to the periodic healing magic I provided.

'At this rate, she'll regain consciousness around next week.'

My mind was at ease. After confirming her physical state, I stood up from my seat.

"Phew."

My feet didn't move easily. The desire to look at Emir a little longer kept tormenting me.

Kkiiik.

I finally tore myself away with difficulty.

"How is she?"

As I stepped out the door, Gaston Solarion was waiting.

"Much better. She'll regain consciousness soon."

"Haa, thank you so much. On behalf of the Solarions, I offer my deepest gratitude. Thanks to you, my daughter's complexion has improved greatly."

"I'm glad to hear that. By the way, you've hired new medical staff."

"This time, I selected the most capable ones available. In the end, what matters is whether they can heal her."

The duke, who had been laughing heartily, changed his expression and asked,

"But do you know about that?"

"What do you mean?"

"The neutral faction's movements have been suspicious lately. Do you know anything?"

"Hmm. I'm not interested in politics."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Solarion stroked his chin.

"Even if those ragtag neutrals band together, they're just a motley crew, but it still bothers me."

"Is that right?"

"I think the minister should take an interest in politics now. Didn't His Imperial Majesty appoint you as Magic Department Minister out of his ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠grace? As the empire's greatest mage, I'd like you to support him."

The duke reminded me of how the emperor had appointed me as Magic Department Minister. It was a call to repay the favor.

But for me, who knew the emperor's true intentions, it wasn't an easy decision.

"The empire's center will now revolve around His Imperial Majesty. The noble faction and neutrals are just fools who can't see the flow of the times."

The empire's center.

I recalled the emperor who had visited my mansion. Sitting in the seat of honor, begging desperately with an excited face as he watched Seria and me. For the emperor of a nation—and the protagonist of this story—it was far too pathetic.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed. But only Seria and I knew this. The other nobles had no idea.

"Indeed."

I nodded, hiding my evident emotions.

"But why haven't you proposed to our Emir? Don't you think it's time to bolster the imperial faction's power?"

Was this what he wanted to talk about?

"Marriage is a weighty matter. It's not fitting to discuss it while Lady Solarion lies unconscious."

"Are you still holding onto that incident?"

He was referring to how the Solarions had unilaterally broken off the engagement with House Dmitry.

"I'm sorry about that. As you know, noble marriages are for strengthening family ties."

A benevolent smile. I knew how insidious the intentions hid behind that smile.

"That's in the past. It won't affect my decision."

"Heh heh."

The Solarion duke, who chuckled lowly, met my eyes and spoke.

"Let me be direct. Marry my daughter. I'm not just anyone—I'm the head of Solarion, and this is my request. You're the first I've ever asked like this."

My answer was simple.

"I'm sorry."

"Ahem, let me try holding you back once more."

"My answer remains the same."

"Well then, is my daughter lacking in appeal?"

I didn't respond.

"She has appeal, of course. She's my daughter, after all. She has charm, yet you refuse. There must be another reason. Is it those women at your mansion? Concubines are common enough, so I don't mind."

"That's not the reason."

"I see. What a shame. I thought I could gain a fine son-in-law."

I bowed my head.

"Then I'll take my leave."

"If you ever change your mind, let me know."

That won't happen.

Unless the Solarions fall, I won't propose to her first.

Today, too, I thought I'd have to visit Baekseol again to forget about Emir.

To find Lilith's lair, I headed to a new city.

"Tell me your home's location."

"This is my home. Woof."

"I mean the house you used to live in."

"That one... "

Thanks to Lilith's confession, I learned the location of her lair. It was none other than the city of luxury and indulgence, Race Belkus.

Deep underground here was the base of Lilith, the succubus transcendent.

The reason for seeking Lilith's lair: to uncover Seria's secrets. From her birth mystery to information on her abilities—all of it.

I'd first tried asking Lilith, but she refused to explain why Seria was half-transcendent to the end.

If she won't tell me, I'll find out myself. That's why I came.

I turned my head and surveyed the surroundings. Dazzling lights illuminated the night. Half-naked women were soliciting customers on the streets. Alleys filled with gambling and sex were littered endlessly with those drunk on drugs and women.

Race Belkus was a city where everything was permitted except murder. The only imperial territory where imperial law didn't apply.

I spotted a woman in a bunny girl outfit with rabbit ears. Women luring passersby to promote the casino.

"Sir, why don't you come in? If you enter now, we'll give you a special gift. If you come now, Merry can give you special service."

The bunny girl subtly revealed the fabric covering her chest. Her pure white breasts and pink nipples peeked out teasingly—she knew exactly what men liked.

"I'm not interested in beastkin."

I flatly refused the woman's solicitation.

"Ah, really? Sorry."

The woman quickly moved on to another target.

The empire fundamentally treated non-humans with hostility, excluding humans. Elves, beastkin, dwarves, even orcs. Humans who consorted with them faced legal punishment.

That was why no non-humans were seen in other imperial cities.

However, Race Belkus, where imperial law didn't hold, was different. They ignored beastkin. They didn't kill elves. If an orc didn't attack first, they tolerated it.

Thus, countless races lived here. From rabbit beastkin with rabbit ears like just now, to cat beastkin, dog beastkin, and more.

Tourists flocked here just to see non-humans unseen in the empire.

The reason I came here: to meet one elf.

I passed through the crowded streets and stood before the most glamorous and massive building. Before the marble structure stood familiar faces: various imperial nobles. Among them was even the general who had massacred beastkin.

Gleaming lights and an elegant atmosphere. It looked like a classy restaurant, but in truth, this was an elf brothel.

"Welcome."

A male elf in uniform, guiding guests at the entrance, met my eyes and froze stiffly.

"Long time no see."

"M-Mo-Morris Dmitry?"

"It's not pleasant seeing a friend who once roamed freely in the forest selling his body here... but it's nice to see an old friend's face."

"Th-the boss isn't here right now."

"Do you think I'd fall for such a lie?"

"Kgh!"

I snapped my fingers, stopping him from drawing the sword at ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠his waist. Mana flowed, sealing the elf's movements.

"Sorry, but no one who draws a weapon on me has survived. And..."

I whispered into the elf's ear.

"Think about who loses if the image of this brothel—built to fund the war—gets damaged."

With that, I brushed past the employee elf without hesitation.

The gazes of people waiting in the lobby pierced me.

"Even the great Magic ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Department Minister wants to taste an elf, huh."

"Oh my, which woman will end up in his arms?"

"Isn't the Magic Department Minister rarer than elves?"

'Men and women alike, all swarming here.'

They were nobles who came to share intimacy with easily unseen elves.

I ignored the stares boring into my back and opened the manager's office door.

"I said not to disturb me while eating..."

The elf gnawing on a well-roasted pork leg in the center of the manager's office turned her eyes toward me.

She was a beautiful elf. Even the torn scar on her jaw couldn't mar her beauty; it only added a wild allure.

"Long time no see."

"Y-You! Morris Dmitry!"

"Aren't elves vegetarians? Looks like more than just the brothel has changed since coming to this city."

Whiskey sat beside the meat, too. An elf who loved meat and liquor.

"I learned meat is essential for fighting well... But more importantly, why are you here?!"

"Came to find you. Remilia."

"I said I'd cut your head off if you came back."

"Try it if you can. This brothel will fly away first."

Remilia glared at me for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Kahaha! You think I'd really cut your head off? The war hero who saved us elves?!"

"The other elves would weep if they heard that."

"Let them weep, those fools. They don't even know whose grace kept the elven race alive."

Remilia clicked her tongue.

The great elf-orc war a year ago. The elves won, but the wounds ran deep. Over seventy percent of the forest burned, and the World Tree was barely saved but lost its former power.

The elves needed a way to regain strength: elevating a new war hero.

They wanted to crown me as that hero and leader, but I refused. I had to go home.

To the prideful elves, that was a deep wound and insult. Some extremists even declared they'd kill me, but none dared send assassins.

They sent the World Tree as thanks, but relations between elves and me weren't great.

Remilia took a big bite of the pork leg in her hand.

"Want a bite? The meat here's pretty good. Pork foreleg slow-cooked for eight hours—melts in your mouth."

"No need."

"At first, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it felt like eating orcs and grossed me out, but the taste is insane. Now it's my regular."

She cackled with laughter.

"So, what's up?"

"I need your help."

"The great Morris Dmitry needs help? Must be tough, huh?"

"Not tough, but it'd be several times easier with you."

"What do you need?"

"Guide me."

Race Belkus's underground was long and complex. I needed a local guide, and Remilia was perfect.

Sharp eyes, good ears, exceptional at finding paths. She'd spot traps quickly.

"Pay?"

"Even the great elf moves for money now?"

"I learned there's more important than pride in this world."

"Elves have fallen, too."

"Kek, maybe."

Remilia gave a self-deprecating smile.

"300 gold upfront. 1700 more upon completion."

"Whoa, enough left over after rolling with Ace here three times."

"Gotta spend that much to hire a capable manager, right?"

"You get it."

She took the money pouch I handed her.

"Contract made. When do we start?"

"Right now."

"Good. Let's move."

Remilia gathered her gear. Seemed more reliable than expected—until we hit the trap in Lilith's base.

"W-We trapped?"

Remilia asked in a bewildered voice.

How did this happen?

We'd proceeded smoothly to the destination under her guidance. We entered what appeared to be Lilith's ordinary underground lair.

After a long corridor, we reached the first room. No matter how much strength I applied, the door wouldn't open.

I looked at the writing above the door.

"Ancient script. Do you know it?"

"Uh, basic knowledge, yeah."

"Read it for me."

I knew many spells, but nothing about ancient languages.

"Got it. Wait a sec."

Remilia slowly read the inscription above the door.

Stumbling through, Remilia's face turned beet red.

"What do we have to do to leave?"

"W-Well..."

"I'd appreciate it if you spoke quickly. Can't you translate it?"

"I-It says... How about we turn back? Bring another friend..."

"Don't be ridiculous. The 300 gold you ate hasn't digested yet. Besides, look there."

I pointed to the door we'd entered through. It was shut tight, unyielding.

"Can't go back. Solving this riddle quick is our only key out."

Remilia hung her head. Then she mumbled so softly it was inaudible.

"... "

"What? I can't hear."

"W-Well..."

"This is frustrating. Spit it out before I burst."

"...Handjob..."

"What?"

"This room—you can only leave if you masturbate!"

Remilia shouted without meeting my eyes.

Masturbate, huh. Fitting for a damn succubus lair.

"I see."

I replied calmly.

"Good job."

"W-Wait... You're not telling me to do it, right?"

I ignored Remilia and gathered mana.

Boom!

Flames from my fingertips shattered the obstructing door.

Remilia stared blankly at the magically breached door, then turned to me.

"Y-You could break it? Why didn't you say?!"

"Testing your skills. Gotta know ancient script to be useful."

"W-Wait..."

"Your embarrassed face was pretty entertaining."

I brushed past her into the breached door.

"Hey, you orc bastard Morris!"

"Error in that statement. Orcs aren't as handsome as me."

"Ugh, annoying."

A new room appeared before me as I led the way. Next stage?

I opened the door and entered.

What met my eyes:

"Huh? Same writing as before?"

The exact same shaped room as the first, inscribed with identical text.

"You can only leave if you masturbate..."

Remilia looked at me in horror.

"No way out of this one."