Chapter 113: Slave Hunt (2)
Chapter 113: Slave Hunt (2)
P.A.O. was an all-ages game. Because of that, anything that could even remotely be considered "R-rated" was either omitted entirely or treated as if it didn't exist.
‘Then I’ll take it all for myself.’
The adult market.
No matter how much adult content is pushed into the shadows or kept underground, anything that stimulates primal human desires is bound to make money.
It might not be a literal mountain of gold, but it’s definitely profitable!
‘Of course, a market where sexual elements are sold already exists in Fermaton.’
If you go into Fermaton...
There are brothels.
There are slave traders.
There are red-light districts.
Everything exists.
This is reality, and it’s teeming with all sorts of underground sexual content that was never shown in-game.
As a latecomer to this market, I needed to provide content that differentiated me from those already established.
And it wasn't just about making money; it had to help me in a way that provided a significant advantage.
That was the "Succubus Officetel" project.
"...You’re probably the first person to ever think of kidnapping succubi to run them as prostitutes."
"No. I’m sure someone else has thought of it. They just couldn't execute it because the practical situation was too difficult."
Succubus red-light districts could exist anywhere.
The only difference was whether they actually existed and whether they could establish themselves in any form.
They might exist in some village where newbie adventurers gather, but surprisingly, none existed within the County of Fermaton.
I understood why.
From the perspective of the Fermaton family, who had to prevent their bloodline from spreading recklessly, the idea of people having sex with succubi to their heart's content must have been infuriating.
And sex with a succubus—a monster, not even a human?
Under normal circumstances, it would be worthy of condemnation.
However.
I was different.
What if I was condemned?
‘So what?’
The moment positive public opinion outweighed the negative—the moment more people supported the legalization of succubus brothels than opposed it—I would essentially have wings.
"Mother. Is there a problem?"
"No. I just think you’re quite remarkable."
Fortunately, the legalization of succubus brothels didn't seem to be a major issue.
"It’s a bit bitter, though."
"What is?"
"Buying slaves would cause a massive uproar in the Kingdom, yet running a succubus brothel doesn't seem like it'll be a problem at all."
"...I wouldn't say it’s no problem at all."
"Then what?"
"It’s like a mana bomb that could go off at any time."
Zenith pointed at my cock.
"You know how you sometimes blow your load at the most unexpected times? It’s like that."
"I see. I understand."
If someone decides to make it an issue, it becomes an issue.
Problems can arise from places you never even considered.
Because it’s a problem that has never exploded before, and because it’s a problem no one has ever experienced, it can become a problem.
"Being a pioneer is truly difficult."
"You really never know. You might make a huge profit here and have it spread across the entire continent, or there could be an uproar about how you could turn monsters into sex slaves and sell them. You could even be branded a heretic for encouraging sex between monsters and humans."
"While those possibilities exist, the economic impact is certain."
I was convinced.
Ethical issues aside, the economic impact of a succubus brothel would be greater than any other facility.
"Mother. If I were to open a succubus brothel, who do you think would be the first to revolt?"
"Ruji. Have you heard the saying? A woman’s enemy is another woman. A pussy’s enemy is another pussy."
"......I understand."
Zenith’s words sent an unexpected chill down my spine.
I never imagined I’d hear that here, in this situation.
"The girls selling flowers will be the first to throw a fit. And the pimps, too."
"Exactly. Anyone who sees their business being interfered with will see it as a stumbling block and try to take action immediately."
It’s human nature to get angry when someone tries to take away your livelihood.
Whether they’re prostitutes or pimps, it’s only natural to be pissed off when someone else tries to move into your territory.
—These bastards, I can't let this slide. It’s been a while since I’ve dumped someone in the Infinite Labyrinth. Hey, who built that?
—It’s a building constructed directly by the Fermaton Estate.
—...The brat must have some pull with the Lord. Hey. Set up a meeting with the Count. And get some grease money ready to slide his way.
—It’s a brothel operated directly by the Lord of Fermaton.
—...Is that crazy bastard insane? Fuck, of all the things a Lord could do, he’s playing pimp!
—Boss, you’re a pimp too.
But what if that person is the Lord of Fermaton?
It would be enough to drive them mad.
—Wow, I know he’s desperate for money, but still. How could he think of running a brothel? Is he a psycho?
—Ruji Fermaton is indeed a psycho.
—Exactly. Isn't this basically telling us to get lost or die?
In the end, since they couldn't do anything with brute force and all their customers would be stolen by the succubi, they would seek new ways to screw me over.
—Let’s report the Count of Fermaton.
—To whom?
—Dammit, report him to anyone! We have to make him pay for touching our rice bowl!
If they felt they couldn't resolve it within the County of Fermaton, they would try to borrow power from elsewhere.
To clarify one thing in advance: selling flowers is not illegal in the Kingdom.
But the funny thing is, it is illegal in the Empire.
‘It’s a joke.’
It’s fine to buy slaves for sex, but paying for sex for a single night or whatever is illegal.
There’s no end to digging into this irony, so to put it simply, selling flowers wasn't illegal in the Empire in the past.
But then a major STD outbreak happened, the Crown Prince caught something, and then it became illegal.
"Ruji. You should know this. I can block things on the Kingdom’s side regarding the slave purchases, but I have no power over this."
"It’s fine. The Empire will never be able to say a word about a succubus brothel."
I had already researched all the political pressure that might come regarding the brothel.
"Because the Empire’s laws target 'humans.'"
"......Don't tell me?"
"Succubi are not humans. They are demons. And there are no laws targeting demons yet."
Zenith’s expression changed quite strangely.
"I have connections in the Empire, so don't worry too much. And besides, the County of Fermaton belongs to the Kingdom, not the Empire, doesn't it? Hehehe. If catching human slaves is illegal, I’ll just catch demon slaves."
Neither the Kingdom nor the Empire.
No law could stop me, Ruji Fermaton.
"I haven't committed any crime."
Not yet.
* * *
Infinite Labyrinth, 12th Floor.
"Succubi. They’ve appeared."
Yurdias pointed ahead.
I hid with the knights, and soon a group of succubi appeared.
[They’re definitely succubi.]
Small demon wings on their heads.
Large bat wings on their backs.
Sleek tails extending from above their butt cracks.
And erotic outfits with less surface area than underwear, looking like they lived for sex.
[I could even compare them to Serica.]
"I am wearing a robe, though."
Serica pouted.
"Wouldn't it be more appropriate to compare them to the Captain?"
"I’m wearing a bunny girl outfit, though?"
"I know you’re wearing a reverse bunny underneath."
"Ugh...!"
Now that I thought about it...
Laura’s reverse bunny might actually have less surface area than a succubus's outfit.
"Lord Lewd. What shall we do?"
[Well.]
As a "lewd man," the right answer would be to rush in and pounce on them immediately.
But I was anxious.
[What if they’re non-virgins again?]
I had already encountered succubi a few times.
Perhaps because I came down specifically to catch them, or maybe because they just spawned frequently, quite a few had appeared.
And all of them had either had their hearts pierced by Laura’s arrows or their heads taken by Serica.
Because they were "non-virgins."
[We have to catch them first. Yurdias. Shiro. You two come with me and we’ll subdue them one by one.]
"I’ll shoot down any that try to escape."
[Then, three, two, one—]
Boom!
We immediately sprinted toward the succubi.
The succubi, who were floating low through the labyrinth, were startled the moment they saw us and conjured mana whips, but—
[Too slow.]
"Kyaaa!"
The succubus I was targeting was caught by me, whip and all.
The other succubi were subdued in an instant, screaming and thrashing about.
[Make another sound and I’ll kill you.]
Thud!
I slammed my fist into the ground.
Instantly, the three succubi went silent, and Yurdias and Shiro skillfully bound them.
Tortoise shell binding.
A perfect restraint suited for succubi.
[From now on, your fate depends on yourselves.]
I pointed the tip of my halberd—the weapon I brought specifically for this battle—at the succubi.
[I am going to verify you now. Verify what? If you’re a virgin, you live. If you’re not, you die.]
"T-That’s...!"
"You crazy bastard!"
[What? If you’re angry out of embarrassment because you’re a virgin, I’ll allow it. But if not...]
I rested the halberd over my shoulder.
[The Sword Maiden will cut you down without mercy.]
"Hehe..."
"Hieee!"
Even without me threatening them, Serica simply twirling her sword was intimidating enough.
[Then, it’s time for the verification. If you please.]
"...Excuse me."
A woman in a black suit stepped forward.
"Among these succubi, the virgin is..."
Lick.
"...only one."
Racuir.
The Virginity Discriminator.
She wasn't a member of the knight order, but a "supporter" I had specially hired for a high fee.