Chapter 174: The Symbol of Dictatorship (3)
Chapter 174: The Symbol of Dictatorship (3)
What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a dictator?
A mustache?
A uniform?
While those might be the iconic images, I would define it as "double standards."
When I do it, it’s a romance.
When others do it, it’s an affair.
When I do it, it’s iron-fisted rule for the sake of national prosperity and military strength.
When others do it, it’s a dictatorial regime that demands an immediate revolution.
To others, I am a dictator.
But since "when I do it, it’s a romance," all of this is for the bright future of Fermaton.
"Everyone is focused on Ruji Coin. What’s the movement like in the red-light district?"
"They’re all on edge, but they haven't reached a conclusion yet."
"Yurdias. Should we move right now, then?"
"We should move lightning-fast before the enemy even notices. Assuming, of course, that no information leaks."
"Good. Are your people ready?"
"My guild is fully prepared."
Yurdias pointed to the Bitch Collar fastened around her neck.
"Everyone is wearing these as proof of their loyalty to the Young Lord. There is no chance of information leaking."
"That’s a relief. Well, you only need to act as support this time. It’s not like I’m asking for much."
The thieves under Yurdias were to move strictly for the purpose of "blocking the exits."
If they moved prematurely and gave the enemy a pretext, a clean sweep would be virtually impossible.
"The main force will be the outsiders."
The people inside Fermaton couldn't be trusted.
To trust them was difficult; interest groups had already formed through various connections, and some were undoubtedly linked to the red-light district.
For example, Lambert.
"I should consider clearing them all out while I'm at it. Yurdias, any news from the outside?"
"Everything is ready. All we need now is the Young Lord’s decision."
"Then let’s put it into action immediately. Bring Lambert to me."
I opened the door to the Sex Room, and Yurdias stepped out to call a maid.
Neither Laura, Amy, nor Serica were here right now.
Even with the door open, there was no telling when or where an accident might happen.
"Can I trust you with my back, Yoanna?"
"Please believe in me, Young Lord."
The person currently in charge of my protection was Yoanna.
She wasn't carrying a separate weapon, but her left hand was wrapped tightly in bandages.
"I will show you that I am not inferior to Lady Serica. With the power of the Black Flame dwelling in this left hand."
"Your words alone are reassuring."
That would be the weapon to save me should I ever fall into danger.
"Excuse me, Young Lord."
"I greet the Young Lord. What brings you to... 'here' at such a late hour...?"
Lambert entered the room hesitantly.
The look of anticipation in his eyes was quite unpleasant, but the Sex Room was merely a place to talk "quietly."
"I intend to mobilize the knights in full. Can you have them assembled within twenty minutes?"
"Twenty minutes...? Full mobilization? What on earth are you planning to do...?"
"I’m going to level the red-light district."
"......!"
Lambert’s eyes shook violently.
"The red-light district...?"
"I didn't like how those pimps had the audacity to stomp into the Young Lord’s office with their dirty feet and run their mouths."
A noble was displeased.
As a reason, as a justification, it was more than enough.
"After leveling the red-light district, I plan to give the place a clean, new look."
"Will it be operated directly by Fermaton?"
"Yes. If they’ve been parasitizing Fermaton for generations, it’s time that parasitism came to an end. Sir Lambert, why are you just standing there instead of moving?"
I stepped toward Lambert.
"I have given you an 'order' as your Young Lord. Although the Countess is Lady Zenith, she has delegated full authority to me for this matter. In other words, my command is a command given as the Count of Fermaton."
"......You are magnificent, Young Lord."
Lambert’s eyes sparkled as he placed a hand over his heart.
"I will gather the soldiers within fifteen—no, ten minutes. Along with the knights, I will mobilize every soldier in the territory."
"This is a real operation without a mock drill. Are you ready?"
"If it’s surrounding and suppressing everyone, it’s more than possible."
"Good. I’ll give you this. Yoanna!"
"Here it is."
Yoanna brought an object from behind.
"This is...?"
"It’s a newly developed restraint tool. If it’s just sitting there, it looks like an ordinary long strip."
It was about 22cm long, 2cm wide, and 0.5mm thick.
"To the naked eye, it’s just a strip."
The material felt like a piece of thick cardstock, but it was a "restraint" made from materials harvested from the beasts of the Infinite Labyrinth.
"But if you apply a stimulus like this—"
Snap!
When I gripped the end of the strip and slapped it against my wrist, it coiled around me, becoming a bracelet.
"Oh...."
"This is how you restrain them. Throw it at their necks, their ankles, anywhere. You can bind both hands or tie them all at once."
"Is it made of magic power?"
"Yes."
It was a tool dedicated to SM play, based on a Succubus’s sex magic.
Only this time, it would be used to purge the red-light district.
"I believe you will be able to make excellent use of this."
"...Young Lord."
Lambert licked his lips as he accepted the box containing the strips.
"Is it the prostitutes we are to catch, or the pimps?"
"The prostitutes don't matter. Why do you think I called you?"
A strange light flickered in Lambert’s eyes.
"The pimps—catch every last one of them."
* * *
The announcement of Ruji Coin.
The news sparked anxiety in many, but none were more unsettled than the Pimp Alliance of the back alleys.
"This is impossible. How can a mere County think they can mint their own currency? It’s not like they have a mine."
"They have the Infinite Labyrinth."
"Do you think minting currency is easy? If it were that simple, people would just carve stones on the side of the road and call it money."
Scarcity is vital for currency.
If it were to replace the existing currency, Gold, Ruji Coin would have to be usable in all sectors.
But was that possible?
Common sense said no.
In that case, it was highly likely to be used in the Dream Factory.
"Damn it. Ruji Fermaton.... He’s planning to accept Ruji Coin at the Dream Factory."
"Then what should we do? Should we make those coupons we talked about doing a long time ago?"
"Coupons, my ass. What, give them one free lay for every ten? Don't be ridiculous."
The head of the Pimp Alliance, Beckmesser, gnashed his teeth as he crumpled the parchment containing information about Ruji Coin.
"What the hell is he thinking...?"
Wail—!!
An alarm began to blare outside.
It wasn't a fire alarm; the sound of the unknown siren made the pimps' hearts drop.
"W-What is that?!"
"Is it a raid? No way! We didn't hear anything from the Lord's Castle!"
"Boss! We’re screwed!"
Their subordinates burst into the room all at once.
"Ruji Fermaton has drawn his sword! He’s coming to arrest all of us!"
"On what grounds! What did we do wrong!"
"Sexual exploitation!"
"What kind of bullshit is that?!"
That Ruji Fermaton was going to arrest pimps for "sexual exploitation"?
"This is absurd! What sexual exploitation did we do?!"
"He claims we kidnapped ordinary women and forced them into prostitution, and he’s going to round us all up!"
"What was the Lord's Castle doing!"
"It’s an emergency raid! They say the soldiers were mobilized thirty minutes ago!"
"That lunatic!"
He had planned this.
Accidents happen suddenly, but an "accident" like this was completely unforeseen.
"No, how can he do this so suddenly! We only went to see him once to suggest we all live and let live!"
"To think he’s the kind of crazy bastard who stabs you in the back after you go to say hello! Damn it, we should have run sooner!"
Wail—
The alarm grew even louder.
In the dead of night, the siren intensified as if determined to wake everyone in the vicinity.
—Attention. You are surrounded. If you come out and surrender quietly, we will stop at an arrest.
"T-That...! The Knight Captain!"
"Sir Lambert?!"
Beckmesser felt a stinging sense of betrayal.
"Fuck, after all the bribes he took, he betrays us just like that!"
How many times had they entertained that man, who was now shouting through a magical megaphone in his brilliant armor?
"Damn it! We’re taking the bolt hole! Everyone, get out!"
"What about the money?!"
"Only take what you can carry! Fermaton has gone mad!"
A purge of the red-light district.
What noble would try to level a red-light district for no reason, using a ridiculous excuse like sexual exploitation?
"He’s trying to kill us so he can sell the girls himself! That son of a bitch!"
The real reason was plain to see behind the facade; how could they not curse?
"Run!"
The pimps scrambled toward the basement.
They manipulated various mechanisms to escape one by one through a pre-made secret passage. Soon, they would be clear of the perimeter—
"Welcome, pimps."
"Y-You, don't tell me...!"
"The Sword Prostitute!"
"It’s Sword Maiden."
A silver-haired female knight in Fermaton’s official knight uniform stood at the end of the underground passage, sword in hand.
"H-How are you here?!"
"You don't need to know. There are only two fates for you."
Schwing.
As Serica drew her sword, women in maid uniforms stepped out from behind her.
"S-Succubi...?!"
"Is that... a whip...?"
"Capture them all. Well, there’s no need to keep them all alive. You may kill anyone who resists."
"T-This is...!"
Beckmesser clenched his fists.
"Does a noble have nothing better to do than rob a pimp’s wallet!"
"You just insulted the Young Lord."
Clink.
"Adding 'Lèse-majesté' to the charges."
From behind the pimps, a knight in silver armor appeared, holding whips in both hands.
"Surrender quietly."
Lick.
"Or you can resist. Hehehe...."
At Sir Lambert’s smile, a chill ran down the pimps' spines.