Chapter 15
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Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: First Experience in This Wonderful Village (3)
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A small sign hung on the window.
Opening the door and stepping inside the shop, the interior was far more spacious than one could imagine from the outside.
"There's a place like this in Sanky Village?"
Lucia looked around in amazement.
Come to think of it, I'd never brought her here before.
After discovering it the first time, it was a fast travel spot within the village, so I'd mostly used that to save time.
As I browsed the shop for a moment, a slow voice drifted from behind the wall.
"New faces, huh."
The instant the voice sounded, Lucia's eyes sharpened, and she stepped in front of me protectively.
"It's fine. Stand back."
"...Yes."
She obeyed the order and retreated, but her glare stayed fixed on the direction the voice had come from.
*Shrrk—*
The closed wall parted to either side, revealing a woman lounging on an opulently ornate sofa.
"Welcome. To the Witch's Erotica Shop."
She wore a sheer red negligee that left little to the imagination, a long cigarette dangling from her lips. A striking beauty with a beauty mark that drew the eye.
"Fuu.... A handsome young gentleman and a lovely young lady. I like the look of you both, but aren't you a tad too young to be here?"
One of the few uncaptureable targets in Academy's Tamer.
"Heh, young master. You're staring daggers at me. Do you even know what kind of shop this is?"
"A pleasure shop."
My answer made Tristia's foxlike eyes widen briefly before narrowing again.
"Hmm, who told you? Madam Sarita? Madam Roman? Which one?"
"Neither."
"Well, doesn't matter. I'm fully licensed, after all."
*Tap tap—*
A business license hung proudly where she'd tapped with her cigarette holder.
"It says 'general store' on the license."
"This is a general store. One that sells goods to heighten human pleasure."
"Would the Empire see it that way?"
"Oh dear, nothing illegal here."
Not yet, anyway.
Once you build trust through repeated transactions, she'll even craft addictive aphrodisiacs.
"So, are you some imperial inspector, young master? You seem a bit too young for that."
"No, just a customer. I want you to make something for me."
"Hmm? What might that be?"
As Tristia approached, I handed her the blueprint.
She skimmed it briefly, then spoke with evident disappointment.
"A remote-controlled vibrating stone? That's already flooding the market; you don't need to ask me for—"
"Read to the end."
"Hmph. Even so."
Her bored expression shifted as she read on, her red eyes flashing fiercely.
"...Young master. How did you know about this? It's still in the research phase."
Tristia wasn't particularly interested in me; she was just idly probing a kid who'd wandered in.
A momentary diversion.
That was the extent of her curiosity.
But the blueprint changed her assessment of me in an instant.
A secret she hadn't breathed a word of to anyone...
One only she knew—and now, I did too.
"That doesn't matter either."
"...Ha, this is fun. What's your name, young master?"
"Sven."
"Drop the alias. Wise not to give your real name, but I don't do business with strangers."
Classic Tristia.
She saw right through the fake name without batting an eye.
"Eugene."
"Eugene... Eugene. Rings a bell."
Tristia tapped ash from her cigarette, pondering for a moment.
"...The third son of the Calliope family, wasn't it? Something like that."
"Does my identity matter?"
"No, just wanted to know your name."
"Then back to business. Can you have it ready by next week?"
I'd half-expected it wasn't complete yet.
The first time you buy from her shop in-game, she offers a 'brand-new product just finished—why not try it?'
That was right after first year ended, so it wouldn't be ready now.
"Not hard to make, so with effort, sure. But my motivation's gone. I craft for my own amusement, not for others...."
"Of course I'll pay. How much?"
This item's existence alone slashed Vivian's capture difficulty by miles. I'd starve if needed to buy it.
"Ha, I've got more money than I need. Know how many noble ladies can't get satisfaction from their husbands' equipment?"
*Fuu—*
Tristia's cigarette smoke wafted past my nose, dizzyingly potent.
"...So, what do you want?"
Tension gripped me, my fist clenching slightly.
Up to now, she'd been the Tristia I knew.
From here on, she was the unknown.
The Tristia I remembered dealt strictly in cash.
Tristia narrowed her crescent-moon eyes and pointed at me with a pale finger.
"Pay with your body."
"...You mean my body?"
"No. You're handsome enough, but you don't do it for me."
Tristia beckoned with her finger, signaling Lucia to step aside.
I scowled and took a step sideways.
Her finger now pointed at Lucia behind me.
"I'll take the young lady instead."
"Pay with her body?"
"Yes. I prefer women."
So that's why she's uncaptureable.
I'd thought it was because it's a taming goods shop—handing them over too easily would tank the difficulty.
...Nope. She's just a lesbian.
Whether that made sense or was utterly ridiculous, I couldn't decide.
But my answer was set.
"I refuse."
Right now, Lucia was my number one lifeline for surviving this world.
Absolutely not.
To anyone.
I wouldn't let her be taken.
I shot Tristia a glare and pulled Lucia's shoulder close.
"...She's mine. I have no intention of letting anyone take what's mine."
"Master..."
Tristia, who had been smiling slyly, shrugged.
"Hmm... Shame. Forget I said it. Goodbye, young master."
*Click, click, click.*
Tristia turned and strode away, heels echoing.
...Wait, that's not how this goes?
I'd expected a counteroffer after one refusal.
But she was just leaving.
I had to stop her, but offering Lucia now was impossible.
*Shrrk.*
The wall began closing slowly. Anxiety mounted as my mind raced for a way to grab her attention.
Just before it sealed shut, it suddenly reopened.
"...Cold one, aren't you, young master. Most would cave at that. First time this happens—wounds my pride."
Tristia stood before me again.
"Fine, new terms. How about spending one night with me?"
"...I told you. I won't let anyone take what's mine. Not even for one night."
"Mm. Not her—you, young master."
"...?"
What was this witch saying?
Nothing added up.
"...Didn't you say you're not into men?"
"Yep. Not interested."
Her matter-of-fact tone only confused me more.
"But young master. I like beautiful women, sure—but tormented beautiful women? Even better."
Tristia smiled like a fox.
"That girl won't break under violence... And I don't care much for physical force anyway. What I enjoy is watching them crumble mentally from pleasure, guilt, sorrow, jealousy—all those negative emotions piling up."
Just hearing it made my head spin.
So, lesbian and sadist?
...Does this world have any normal women?
"And for her, nothing would hit harder than you getting stolen by another woman. Right?"
I nearly snorted at Tristia's smug, all-knowing tone.
Everything else aside—this was wrong.
As I'd said before, Lucia didn't care what I did with other women.
Because I'd made her that way.
"...What do you mean? If Master desires it, he can embrace any woman anytime."
See? Just like that.
"Is that what you want to think, miss?"
"...I don't understand what you're saying."
"Unaware? Or playing dumb? Bottle it up like that, and it'll explode someday."
"I've nothing bottled up."
Lucia beamed innocently, while Tristia whispered silkily.
"Then you wouldn't mind if your master fell completely for me."
"Of course not. I'm Master's possession. But that won't happen."
Tristia smirked as Lucia tilted her head.
"Why's that?"
"You're not as pretty as me."
Tristia froze in shock at the knife-like words delivered with a sunny smile.
...Tristia's looks weren't ugly by any stretch.
She'd rank in the Empire's top ten easily.
But her opponent was Lucia.
Dyed hair and makeup couldn't hide the world's pinnacle beauty, once called the 'Empire's Moon.'
"...First time anyone's called me ugly."
"Stick around Master, and you'll hear it plenty."
"Such cheek."
"Doesn't matter. I only need to look good for Master."
Lucia kept beaming; Tristia's lips twitched.
Hearing that to her face without exploding took serious composure.
"Heh... Fine. I like it. So, just need you then, young master. What'll it be? Don't think I'll chase after a second refusal. This is your last chance."
"..."
No reason to refuse.
I'd planned to shell out big for taming gear.
This way? Free gear and a chance to test 'Prince on the Bed.'
"Got it. I'll pay with my body."
"Good choice."
Tristia crooked a finger, and the sign on the window spun around.
"Now, both of you, come this way."
Tristia gestured from the open wall.