Chapter 117: Dream Factory (2)
Chapter 117: Dream Factory (2)
"Thank you for the rude welcome, Young Lord Ruji Fermaton. I am Viscount Dasivir Duriex of the Royal Inspection Department."
"And thank you for the unannounced visit. You marched right in without even standing in line, so I figured you were just some guy who’d heard this was a succubus brothel and came running in a fit of excitement."
I wonder if this guy knows the saying that kind words beget kind words.
Dasivir Duriex.
He seems like an extra, but his affiliation with the Royal Inspection Department is a bit concerning.
"Right. So, what brings the Royal Inspection Department all the way to Fermaton?"
"I rushed here the moment I heard rumors of the preposterous things happening here."
"Rushed here? Ho. It’s quite a distance from the royal capital to here."
"...It was a figure of speech."
"Ah. I see. Then please, speak plainly next time. I’m not fond of beating around the bush."
I was picking a fight.
I was intentionally provoking him.
After all, I hadn't done anything wrong.
In fact, I was the one whose business was being interfered with.
"Let’s get to the point. What exactly has offended the sensibilities of the Royal Inspection Department? Hmm?"
"Cease the activities taking place in this building immediately."
"And why should I?"
Here it comes.
Just as expected.
This was a situation I had agonized over with my business partners many times—'Scenario 1: If the Kingdom Throws a Fit.'
"You barge in here and tell me to stop making money? Do you have a reason?"
"What the Young Lord is doing is a clear violation of the law."
"Ha!"
It was finally here.
The attempt to use kingdom law to suppress the activities in Fermaton.
"Fine. Under what specific law is this illegal?"
"Prostitution."
"That’s absurd."
Starting off light with prostitution, are we?
"What exactly are we selling in this building that constitutes prostitution?"
"Indecent acts using succubi."
"And how exactly are they indecent acts?"
"One of our inspectors personally experienced it yesterday. There is no point in being difficult; it won't do you any good."
But he enjoyed it!
Not a single man who used the service had left unsatisfied.
'Was it that guy who looked like a virgin?'
It was shocking to think there was an inspector among the Dream Factory's patrons.
Most of the people using the Dream Factory were those who 'looked the part.'
"Hard to believe. You’re saying an inspector was among those who visited yesterday?"
"Indeed. It is no lie. Through his testimony, we have secured the entire process of the prostitution occurring here."
They say the Intelligence and Inspection departments specifically hire people with average faces to avoid standing out. I suppose that must be true.
"But if you're going to lock me up for prostitution, then that man should also be arrested for the same crime."
"Of course. Our inspectors are more than willing to endure such a thing for the sake of duty."
"Then I suppose I’ll have to defend that poor fellow. He didn't engage in prostitution. Why? Because the Dream Factory isn't a brothel."
Oh, you poor civil servant, branded a criminal all because of your superior's orders.
I, Ruji Fermaton, shall save you this once.
"As I said before, the Dream Factory isn't a whorehouse."
"...Could you perhaps use more dignified terminology?"
"The Dream Factory is not a red-light district."
"Young Lord!"
"Yes, yes. I am the Young Lord. But so what? Who are you?"
I stepped closer to the man, who was now clenching his fists at me.
"Who do you think you are, raising your voice and throwing a tantrum here in Fermaton?"
"I am here on official inspection business."
"So what? I’ve committed no crime, and I’m already suffering immense losses just by wasting this precious time on you. Why should I submit to your inspection?"
"As I said, this place is a prostitu—"
"We haven't even had sex!"
I pointed to the people outside.
"Did those people come here to have sex?! Did they come to spread a woman's legs and pump away until they blow their load?! No! They come here to quickly alleviate the mental anguish and suffering gained from raiding the Infinite Labyrinth, and to quench the sexual desire that builds up in a man during a raid!"
"But don't they have sex in their dreams!"
"Then if someone dreams of assassinating His Majesty the King, do you arrest them for regicide? Ah, I see. In that case..."
I poked Viscount Dasivir’s solar plexus with my index finger.
"Since you’ve surely killed me in your dreams, I should report you for murder."
"Do not try to escape the situation with sophistry. And I have never had such a dream."
"Never? Really? Isn't the Inspection Department just waiting for the Young Lord of Fermaton to slip up? Haven't you been writing and deleting plans every single day to tear the throat out of this rebellious bastard who won't listen to a word the Kingdom says?"
"......."
"You don't even deny it. Right. You came here as part of that agenda again."
I walked toward the window and grabbed a bottle of wine.
I used to wonder why villains in movies and dramas always poured themselves a whiskey while talking, but now I finally understood.
"You're afraid of Fermaton doing something. You're scared. Scared that Fermaton will grow even stronger."
I was just thirsty.
"But tell me. Is it a problem for a Lord to provide something for his people?"
"You are selling sex through dreams. For money."
"And you're calling that prostitution? Which article and clause of Imperial Law does that violate?"
"It is not Imperial Law, but Kingdom Law—"
In an instant, the Viscount’s face turned pale.
After observing his expression, I quickly set down my glass and waved my hand dismissively.
"Sorry, sorry. The Kingdom, right. Where else but the Kingdom would try to intimidate me like this? Right. Fermaton is a County belonging to the Kingdom, so Kingdom Law applies. Yes, of course it does."
I could see his brain working at high speed.
—He’s thinking of defecting to the Empire just because of a single brothel?
I could read his thoughts clearly.
But what can I say?
I’m not doing this because of a brothel; I’m a man who feels a surge of rebellion because of people like him who come here to give me shit.
'If they knew me well, they would have sent a woman.'
The fact that they didn't send a woman shows that the Royal Inspection Department doesn't know me at all.
Well, from their perspective, why would they want to send a woman to a pimp running a succubus prostitution ring?
Anyway.
—If you're going to be like this, I'll just go to the Empire.
Fermaton was on the border between the Kingdom and the Empire.
Successive Counts of Fermaton always had to waver between the two.
While we hadn't actually defected to the Empire yet, I had my own plans if the Kingdom continued to act this way.
"Be honest. You didn't come here to pick a fight over something as ridiculous as prostitution. You came because you want something, didn't you?"
"......."
"Did you come to test my intentions? Or did you come to negotiate over this business?"
"......."
The Viscount said nothing.
"If you have nothing to say, then leave. I have an important meeting soon and must return to the Lord's Castle. Unlike you, I am a man who moves in ten-minute increments."
"Does a man who moves in ten-minute increments spend his time so leisurely having sex?"
"I shouldn't have to explain matters of my private life, but I’m a man who has sex even while eating. I must ensure my body can pump out healthy seed so that I can father a child at any time."
I realized it then.
The Kingdom had simply come to pick a fight with me for whatever reason.
They came to mess with me.
"Is the Royal Family afraid of Fermaton's growth?"
If that's the case, then this is a declaration of war.
"Are you afraid that Fermaton will become a place the Royal Family can no longer control? I’m sorry, but Fermaton is Fermaton. You cannot shake us with such petty tricks."
I pointed downward.
"I have already completed a legal review of Kingdom Law. My mother is quite exceptional in that regard, and of course, we have people at the Lord's Castle who work on such matters."
"......."
"Is there a disagreement in legal interpretation? Or did the law change a few days after our review—say, a day or two ago? Hmm? Laws regarding the criminal act of prostitution apply to 'humans,' don't they?"
There was one primary reason I could act as recklessly as I seemed to be.
"Since when were the demonkind from the Infinite Labyrinth considered 'human' under Kingdom Law? Hmm? I haven't been notified that such a law was passed."
"Then do you believe it is right to capture succubi, turn them into slaves, and profit from them?"
"Of course. The Infinite Labyrinth is an asset of Fermaton. It’s used like a public good, but it is my family—and I—who manage it while bearing the burden of the curse. Isn't it our freedom to manage it however we see fit? So, get to the point already."
I poured wine into the Mana Milk sitting in front of Astarotte.
A rich, fragrant aroma wafted through the air.
"What does the Royal Family want? If you don't get to the point soon, I’m going to get truly angry."
"......Expansion of the business."
My hand froze at the unexpected words.
"Her Majesty desires that there be other entities besides just succubi. And in places other than Fermaton."
"Speak plainly. I’m starting to get annoyed."
"Incubi."
Wait, what?
"Incubi must also be in the Dream Factory. It is her strong desire."
"...And who is 'she'?"
"You know who."
The Viscount hung his head with a weary face.
"It is Her Majesty, Queen Messalina."
"Why would the Queen want incubi—"
Ah.
Queen Messalina.
......The Gangbang Master.
That was her official setting.