Chapter 116: Dream Factory (1)
Chapter 116: Dream Factory (1)
Meta-sex via succubi.
Though it takes the form of dreams, it is essentially the sale of virtual reality content.
It borrows the guise of a wet dream, but in modern terms, it’s a "cutting-edge, sensory-linked Metaverse porn experience."
I had conducted a demonstration for those who could exert significant influence on the business, and I was simply hoping they would review the business plan favorably.
And yet.
"Grand Opening! Dream Factory! We invite you to a maaaaassage shop that feels just like being invited into a succubus's dream!"
"Aren't you selling 'flowers'?"
"We're selling dreams! It's not an affair! It's just a dream!"
How did it come to this?
I stood there, utterly dumbfounded, staring at the new four-story building that had appeared in the back alley in just a single week.
"The momentum is insane."
It had been only a week since I presented the business plan.
The building was erected through magic.
Administrative processing was completed in the blink of an eye.
The interior, from furniture to basic fixtures, was finished in a single day.
The entire process took a mere three days, and it had already been three days since they opened for business.
"Let there be light."
"Pardon?"
"Let there be light in your dreams."
I bestowed a blessing upon those waiting in line.
The blessing of sex within a dream.
And I offered my praise to the three powerhouses who had pushed the work forward from their respective positions the moment they heard the business plan.
The operating entity.
"We invite you to the Garden of Dreams, operated directly by Countess Zenith!"
Zenith Fermaton.
People were horrified yet intrigued by the idea of a dream brothel opened by the Countess herself.
"Why would the Countess build something like this?"
"It just shows how wholesome it is. It’s not like they’re actually having sex, right? It’s not like women are selling their bodies. Fermaton is the best!"
Zenith drew the aggro that might have otherwise been directed at me.
If I hadn't consulted them on the business, I probably would have actually implemented a public succubus brothel system.
"Kids, go home! A time of healing that any adult can enjoy! How about spending time with your loved one in a dream? Don't misunderstand! It's simply the power of magic!"
Technical sponsorship: The Magic Tower.
Astarotte explained the business to Barbas, and Barbas used magic to instantly clear the site and assist with the remodeling.
The dozens of golems she controlled personally did the work of 300 demolition laborers with ease. She even agreed to take payment in the form of "Mana Milk"—the physical essence obtained from the succubi through the business.
"Aromatherapy assistants in succubus concepts will be here to help you."
Human resource recruitment(?): Nine-Tail.
Charlotte dispatched some of those involved in the underworld to our business, which proved to be a great help in customer service.
"All proceeds from this establishment will go toward a fund for the development of Fermaton!"
And the one in charge of kidnapping and enslaving virgin succubi: Ruji Fermaton.
…And so, an establishment that professionally sold dreams came into existence.
Under the leadership of none other than the current Countess of Fermaton, Zenith.
* * *
The Dream Factory CEO's Office.
"Isn't it bewildering? Just a week ago, you were a mage of the Magic Tower and a magic advisor to the Knight Order, and now you're the CEO of 'Dream Factory.'"
"Ha, haha…"
Astarotte, who had taken on the concurrent role of CEO of Dream Factory, scratched her cheek and laughed sheepishly.
"It's all thanks to the Young Lord."
"Indeed. It is thanks to me. If I hadn't come up with the idea, none of this would have happened."
Buzz, buzz.
Through the window of the CEO's office, I could see the street crowded with men.
It was the third day of business.
—Hey, Sword Maiden. I heard you've been spotted on the lower floors often lately?
—I'm on patrol. Oh, by the way, did you hear the news? They say Fermaton is directly opening a succubus brothel using sex magic.
—...What are you talking about?
Serica's adventurer connections.
—Look, look. I went there and just laid down, right? Then, suddenly, I entered a dream, and my first love appeared right before my eyes!
—So, what did you do?
—I fucked her right then and there.
—Isn't that rape?
—It's my dream, so who cares?
Yurdias's guild members.
Rumors centered around drinking parties began to spread intensively among men. Those who came just to "take a look" ended up paying money to offer their essence to the succubi.
"Hehe, hehehe."
There goes one now—a man barely walking forward on trembling legs.
Those lined up as customers swallowed hard as they watched the man, who was still in a daze, and clutched their saved-up pocket money, waiting for the line to move.
'It's a steal for the price of a motel room rental.'
Following Charlotte's suggestion, the price was set at the cost of a one-hour motel rental.
To put it bluntly, it was a bargain for the price of two or three bowls of soup.
People who think, "I absolutely must shove it into a real woman's pussy!" wouldn't come here.
But people who think, "I should just have a refreshing wank while watching an AV!" all end up stopping by.
"Everyone's so anxious to hide their faces and pull their hats down. Oh, look, even masks. Someone might think this is a gathering place for criminals."
"Wouldn't it be a bit embarrassing to run into someone you know?"
"That's true. It's basically the same as announcing, 'I'm here to have sex with a woman in a dream.'"
Even if Fermaton is somewhat sexually liberated and many people lack ethics due to the influence of the Infinite Labyrinth...
When you think about the fact that they've come to have wet-dream sex for the price of a bucket of fried chicken, they might not be able to walk around with their heads held high.
Still.
The fact that it's this crowded.
The fact that people who came on the first day are back again today, standing in line.
"It's a hit."
"Pardon?"
"I mean this business has nothing but success ahead of it."
We hit the jackpot.
Since coming to this world, all I've done is process official documents, enter the Infinite Labyrinth, and have sex. But now, a source of income has been created that brings in money even while I sit still.
"On days when you're not going to the Infinite Labyrinth, please conduct magic and succubus research here. If you need more people, you can request personnel from the Magic Tower."
"Yes. I've already received permission from Tower Master Barbas. The Tower Master's jaw dropped in surprise when she saw us obtaining magic power here."
"I bet."
On days we head to the Infinite Labyrinth, she provides support for "Tactics Ruji Fermaton" at the Lord's Castle.
And in her spare time, she handles the operation of Dream Factory, secures capital, and conducts research using the succubi.
"Regarding the release of the curse, have you found a way?"
"...I have found one definitive method."
Astarotte tapped the sofa she was sitting on with a deep smile.
I approached her cautiously, and Astarotte whispered into my ear.
"Becoming a succubus."
"...What?"
"It's about accepting the curse. Fufu."
Is she joking because we've become close?
Or is she serious?
I found the succubus-like, smiling Astarotte a bit unfamiliar yet fascinating.
"If you become a succubus, I'll have no choice but to take responsibility for you."
"You... will take responsibility, right?"
"That goes without saying."
"Then that's enough. Those words are all I need."
Astarotte pulled out one of the documents lying on the desk.
"Please take a look at this. It's data from investigating the blood and magic power of the succubi every night."
"...How am I supposed to read this?"
It looked like she had organized it diligently, but it felt like opening to the middle of a doctoral thesis in a subject I had zero interest in.
"Explain it to me."
"To put the conclusion first, the research shows that the real-world libido of succubi who regularly absorb a man's essence through dreams decreases."
"...Let me take a look."
I skimmed through Astarotte's data.
Succubi who took customers and absorbed men's essence through dreams.
And succubi who were prevented from taking customers for two days and couldn't absorb essence.
The former lived wholesome lives like nuns, not even masturbating in reality.
The latter, however, went beyond masturbation and were at the point of desperately wanting direct sex with a man. Even though they were virgins.
"The succubi who absorbed essence through Dream Factory even gained mental peace. In the Infinite Labyrinth, they talked about whether to kill people or not, but once they started stably absorbing essence outside the labyrinth, they became satiated."
"In a way, we've provided the best workplace for the succubi."
"It's beyond a win-win; they might have become indispensable to each other now. In just three days."
So-called "instant sex."
Casual dream sex was an incredible sales point for adventurers and the men of the Fermaton County.
It was a situation where demand was explosively high compared to the supply of service.
Since the first three succubus slaves we caught, we had captured several more virgin succubus slaves with Nine-Tail's help, but the number was still woefully insufficient to handle everyone seeking out Dream Factory.
"The men's sexual desire is exploding, but because the succubi are taking on so many people, they can't inhale all the essence. After about half the business hours, some customers just spill their essence and only pay money."
"For a grand opening buzz, the problems caused by the labor shortage are quite serious."
It was to the point where the succubi were so full they couldn't absorb any more essence.
The number of men was increasing.
The number of virgin succubi was small.
And since the succubi were mostly from the lower floors of the labyrinth, their essence storage capacity was limited.
"Whew. Having a business do too well is its own kind of headache."
And.
When a business does well, there are always those who come to throw their weight around.
"Young Lord. Those people are...!"
"Some pieces of trash finally decided to snitch."
Beyond the glass window.
A group of people walking toward Dream Factory were wearing the kingdom's insignia.
"...Is it the Royal Inspection Department, or the Intelligence Department?"
Whichever it was.
"If they came to pick a fight, I'll have to give them an appropriate response."
Creeeeak.
The door opened.
"Welcome. To Dream Factory. To the Garden of Dreams."
I greeted the men entering the CEO's office and offered them seats.
"If you're here to have sex with a succubus, this isn't that kind of place."
"Wh-What?!"
To the man who was getting angry, I pointed outside.
"The red-light district is two blocks down, friend."