Chapter 144
Chapter 144
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 144
Chapter Title: Reborn as the Plum Blossom Sword Master in a Count's Family
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Cheonggwan. The Haven by the Sea.
Officially, Madam Catarina is the owner. However, everyone who needs to know is aware that in reality, I, the lord, am the true owner. At least in my city of Tebra, hardly anyone is unaware of that fact.
I turned my gaze toward the entrance. There was a sign unique to this brothel.
No credit, leave quietly without causing a scene if you have no money. Mandatory shower before sex, and so on.
"Is something troubling you?"
"How could there be any trouble when the lord himself has come to help?"
In this city, my authority is absolute.
Do they look down on me because I'm young? That never happens. I immediately execute anyone who defies me or displeases me by pinning some suitable charge on them. For those too tricky to execute outright, I just have Yuria assassinate them.
The territory's people know that crossing me means they're fucked.
"Where are the girls?"
"Yes. They've all arrived. Since the lord said he'd be coming today, I made sure they all attended. Hehehe."
The women working here are all former prostitutes from the old brothels. I hired them all.
'A brothel is a business that steadily brings in money regardless of the season.'
Prostitution is an age-old profession that exists even in the modern world. It's illegal in Korea, but in this world, it's legal if I, the lord, permit it.
"Looks like we can start operations today."
"Of course. Shall we begin now?"
I take 70% of the net profits from this brothel. The remaining 30% goes to the madam and the girls. I could take more if I wanted.
This building is mine, and prostitution can't happen without the lord's permission.
'But if I exploit them too much, their motivation drops, so I settled for 70%.'
This is a high-class brothel, so the girls will earn more than they did in the slums.
"No. Start operations tomorrow. Today... you know."
The madam covered her mouth and laughed at my suggestive question.
"Hehehe. Of course. The girls are all getting ready. Where shall I escort you?"
"To the top-suite underground, naturally."
"I figured as much."
I sent Phesus back and headed underground with the madam. The basement is similar to a real-world room salon—optimized for hospitality.
Among them, the top suite is a room reserved for VVIPs like wealthy merchants and nobles.
I flopped down on the wide sofa. The madam had anticipated my visit and set up the large table with drinks and food.
"Madam. Strip."
"Yes, my lord."
Madam Catarina stripped without the slightest hesitation.
Her figure was unbelievably stunning for a middle-aged woman. Her age showed only in her large, slightly sagging breasts. Her crotch was covered in a thick bush of golden pubic hair.
"Masturbate."
"Yes~."
At my command, the madam spread her legs wide and began pleasuring herself with both hands on her pussy. Her large clitoris and labia minora were prominent.
"Madam. You haven't forgotten our most important contract, have you?"
"Of course not. We took in six new girls this time. We'll hold their initiation today."
Initiation rite.
The prostitutes starting work here must first offer their bodies to me. This is the most important contract between the madam and me.
The moment she breaks it, her pretty face will be impaled on a spike in the square, and a new madam will take over.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Haaah... My lord. Won't you put your cock in me?"
"Later. Once all of you are gathered, I'll fuck you once."
That's exactly why I came today. To give each prostitute a taste of my cock before operations begin. Since it's their first time here, you could call it an initiation in the broad sense.
"When will the girls arrive?"
The madam, gripping her clitoris tightly, shuddered and let out excited breaths. Her pussy juices dripped steadily onto the floor.
"Haa... They should be ready by now. I'll go fetch them."
"Hurry back."
The madam left the room and returned after ten minutes. She wasn't alone. A line of naked women followed behind her.
"I'm back, my lord. Sorry it took a bit; gathering all the girls..."
A smile crept across my lips.
'Kyaah. Nice view. Though they're nowhere near my maids' quality, the quantity makes up for it.'
I scanned the prostitutes with a hawk's eye. None were ugly. These were the top earners even in the slums.
The ugly ones from the slums? Turned them into serfs. They don't deserve to be prostitutes. They're probably hauling manure under the blazing sun right now.
About sixty prostitutes stood in line, staring at me with tense faces. Their strong determination not to make a mistake with me was evident.
"I heard there are new girls. Step forward."
Six young women came forward.
None looked healthy.
'Prostitution isn't a job anyone wants in this world or that one.'
Prostitutes are treated slightly better than slaves and despised by commoners.
No woman becomes a prostitute by choice. Most do it due to debt. Sometimes slave owners sell female slaves to brothels.
"Any virgins? Raise your hands if so."
Two raised their hands.
I nodded, stood, and dropped my pants. My massive cock sprang into view.
"Let's start with the virgins."
The initiation began.
The next day.
I headed to the gambling den on the outskirts of the city. Like the brothel, the casino is mine.
It's been operating for a month now. I'm stopping by for a walk and to check if everything's running smoothly.
'The profits from the casino are pretty juicy.'
Gambling isn't developed in this world. People get bored. Gambling fills that boredom—as long as you don't get addicted.
'Ugh, look at that cigarette smoke pouring out the windows.'
Makes me not want to go in. The inside must be foggy as hell.
Then, the casino door burst open with a bang, and a man tumbled out onto the ground.
"Aack!"
"You penniless beggar...! Why crawl in here without even enough for the table?! Get lost!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut.
I approached the man curled up clutching his stomach. There was a shoeprint on his abdomen.
"You look pathetic. No money?"
"Urk... Who're you—huh?! My lord!"
"That's right. It's the lord."
The man quickly knelt and bowed his head. From that reaction, he's pretty sharp.
'His clothes are better than what commoners wear. He's got some money—or had.'
I glanced around. It was midday, so townsfolk were about. They bowed deeply upon seeing me. I nodded casually in return, then asked the man,
"I'll ask again. No money?"
"Yes... er, no, I don't."
"What do you do?"
"I, I used to do sea work."
A fisherman.
Tebra borders the sea, so there are more fishermen than farmers.
"Used to? Not anymore?"
"......I sold my boat a week ago."
"Ah."
I understood immediately.
This guy's a gambling addict. Sold his boat, blew all the money gambling. Obvious as day. No sympathy. Total self-inflicted.
"If you desperately need money, go there."
I pointed to the building across from the casino.
It had a sign reading 'Rush & Zealot.' My loan shark operation. Interest at 70%, compounded.
Pretty fair by this world's standards—quite popular.
"That's... I went there recently, but they won't lend me more."
"How much debt?"
"...20 million Ner."
"20 million?!"
I was genuinely surprised.
The casino's only been open a month. Already 20 million in debt? And he sold his boat too.
Even assuming it was a small fishing boat worth 50 million Ner, that's 70 million Ner blown at the casino.
"S-so I have nowhere to get money."
The man looked at me with hopeful eyes. Delusional hope that I'd lend him money.
'Is this idiot sane? As if the lord would lend him cash. ...Well, if he were sane, he wouldn't be in this mess.'
Even in the modern world, gambling destroys families. No wonder it's called the highway to ruin.
"I see. Good luck."
I turned to head back to the mansion. Seeing this guy confirmed the casino's doing fine.
"My lord! Please lend me some money! I beg you! This time, I've had a major revelation about poker! With money, I can win it all back right now!"
"Ha. This fucker..."
I was dumbfounded. Talking about 'revelations' like a moron. Gambling blinded him to who I am.
The moment I began drawing mana from my body, a fairly pretty woman appeared from afar. She rushed over, knelt at my feet, and kowtowed.
"My lord! I'm sorry! My husband isn't in his right mind! Please forgive him! Have mercy!"
"......His wife."
The man, realizing too late what he'd done, went pale and bowed deeply.
"Yes. His wife. Please forgive..."
"Enough. Lift your head."
"Yes, my lord."
"Hm."
I examined her face. Straight nose, healthy skin—a beauty. Dark brown hair, blue eyes. D-cup breasts and a big ass.
'Jackpot.'
My dick twitched.
I turned to the man.
"I'll lend you 1 million Ner."
"R-really?! Thank you! Thank you! I'll win it back at poker and repay you right away!"
"On one condition. I'll borrow your wife for a day. How about it?"
"My wife..."
The man glanced at his wife. She stared at her husband desperately, her face rigid.
She knew exactly what I'd do to her.
The husband looked at his wife and nodded firmly.
"Deal!"
As expected.
"Here's 1 million Ner."
"D-dear...! You just sold me for 1 million Ner?!"
"Sold? No, just lending you out for today. Endure it. Tomorrow, I'll buy a grand mansion... get a new boat... make up for everything. Alright, my lord. I'll be off."
I nodded, and he bolted into the casino.
"Get up. You planning to sit on the ground forever? Let's go."
"Go... where?"
The woman rose, trembling. Her face was filled with bitter betrayal. Hatred too—not for me, but her husband.
"Your place is probably filthy, so to my mansion."
I pondered their future.
He'd end up broke, unable to pay debts, sold into slavery. His wife might end up in the brothel soon enough.
Vroom! Vroom!
A maid on a motorcycle appeared in Tebra city's square.
Aisha, the green short-haired maid, skillfully rode up to the bulletin board, posted a few sheets of paper, and coolly departed.
The townsfolk swarmed the board as soon as she left. A maid posting notices meant orders from the lord. They were dying to know what he had to say.
"Wh-what's it say?"
"Outta the way. I'll read it aloud."