8. Adult Products
8. Adult Products
"Don't forget to keep your mouth shut."
"Yes. Count-nim."
Count Lowell sent the butler away and walked down the corridor alone. The hallway leading to the reception room was extremely quiet. It was only natural, as he had sent all the cleaning servants and maids elsewhere.
There should be no chance of encountering anyone.
"Father? Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
As soon as he turned the corner of the hallway, he ran into his beloved daughter, Marian Lowell. The Count flinched in surprise and let out a fake cough.
"... Ahem. It's nothing. Just a minor complaint regarding the management of the territory. It's nothing for you to worry about, so don't concern yourself."
The Count smiled kindly and patted his daughter's head.
Of course, inwardly, he was slightly anxious. Since childhood, his daughter had a tendency to become deeply immersed in something until her curiosity was satisfied. He did not want such blasphemous items to ever reach the ears of such a daughter.
He had already given strict instructions to Butler Orolon.
'Orolon, I say this again, but there must be absolutely no chance of such items being discussed within earshot of Marian. If any servant within the Count's household is found in possession of such a thing, punish them severely immediately...!'
Look at this daughter of mine, smiling so innocently. It absolutely must not happen.
Count Lowell casually asked Marian.
"I've heard... you've been going out for walks often lately. Is there some special business?"
"Nothing special. I just occasionally meet with Noah-nim for tea. As you know, Father, she is so knowledgeable that there is much to learn from her."
"Hmm. If that's the case."
"Hoho. Father. Well then, I shall go tend to the garden."
Count Lowell nodded, reassured by his daughter's answer. That elf might be stubborn and inflexible, but he was not the type to have a bad influence on his daughter.
As long as her personality wasn't influenced, it should be fine, but he couldn't imagine such a future for his lovely daughter.
Marian passed by her father with light steps and headed down the stairs. The Count watched her retreating figure for a moment before turning his steps toward the reception room.
It seemed like Marian had just come from the direction of the reception room...
But the dining hall entrance was also in that direction, so he thought nothing of it.
The Count reached the door of the reception room and looked around. Soon, Orolon would return and guard the door, making it impossible for anyone to eavesdrop.
Creeeak—
When he opened the door, the representative of Cabessiry, Jane, was waiting inside. Jane immediately stood up and bowed at a 90-degree angle.
"C-Count-nim! I-I am Jane from Cabessiry! It's an honor to meet you, Count-nim!"
The Count sat down with a cold gaze. He took a small box from his pocket and tossed it onto the table before asking.
"Sit. Are you the one responsible for spreading this blasphemous item in Bellua?"
"Uh... Uh...."
Cold sweat was beading on Jane's back.
===
"Ha, what are you doing bowing at a 90-degree angle there?!"
I held the back of my neck and leaned deep into the sofa.
There was a crystal orb on my table. Thanks to the crystal orbs Marian had placed all over the Count's mansion as decorations, I could easily peek into any room I wanted like this.
"Sigh... I gave her strict instructions."
I had told her over and over that seizing the initiative was important, but the moment Count Lowell appeared, Jane looked like a guilty person.
Of course, I didn't think it would be easy. It wouldn't be simple for an ordinary woman like Jane to act properly in front of a Count who was a former knight.
But if she breaks down here, my perfect gold coin mining plan is over. What happens now is crucial.
It's a so-called magic that aligns with another person's mana and frequency to remotely transmit my voice to the desired person.
Leaving Awakening aside, everyone is born with mana. That's why it's a communication magic anyone can use.
"Jane. Stay calm. Start by taking a deep breath."
I saw Jane flinch through the crystal orb. She seemed to instinctively look around upon hearing my voice, but I continued speaking immediately.
"Don't turn your head. Look the Count straight in the eye. From now on, just say what I tell you to say. Understood?"
She still looked visibly nervous, but we had practiced...
All Jane needs to do is follow my instructions well.
===
Count Lowell leaned back in his chair and scrutinized Jane carefully.
A girl with green hair and a fairly pretty face. Her hands were quite clean for a commoner's. Of course, they didn't give off the feeling of being raised without ever getting them wet, like a noble lady's.
And that expression, trembling with fear.
She looked like nothing more than an ordinary girl.
The Count's gaze moved to the onahole placed on the table. That would be the case, except for the fact that this wretched item was distributed by this girl.
"Well. Go on, speak. What is the reason you created this blasphemous item and spread it throughout Bellua?"
"Th, that...."
In fact, it was considerable consideration from a Count to personally arrange such a meeting and listen to her story. It would have been a simple matter to just arrest everyone, but though often hot-tempered, he considered himself a generous lord.
Of course, it would have been a different story if some swaggering thug or vulgar merchant had shown up...
And today, Count Lowell was feeling rather generous. Perhaps because he had seen Marian's smiling face before coming to the reception room.
He patiently waited for Jane to open her mouth.
"... May I ask something first?"
The Count nodded.
"I, I'd like to hear why Count-nim treats this as a blasphemous item... I mean."
Jane bit her tongue at the end, but the Count didn't mind. He seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking immediately.
"To be honest. I dislike brothels too. However, just because I dislike them doesn't mean I can shut them down. After all, they operate legally."
"......."
"Simply because they are necessary."
How does one curb the sexual desires of vigorous mercenaries in their prime? From Bellua's perspective, which lacked notable local specialties or attractions, maintaining brothels was necessary regardless.
"But what about this thing called an onahole? Is it a necessary item for Bellua? If you recall all distributed items and dispose of them now, I will generously..."
"C, Count-nim...!"
Count Lowell frowned.
Daring to interrupt?
Before the Count could say anything, Jane took a sharp breath and continued. Her momentum seemed so desperate that the Count closed his mouth.
"I, I am well aware of the famous stories that Count-nim cares deeply for this place, Bellua. That you worry greatly about the territory's future toooo...."
"... Worry?"
"The things that come to mind when one thinks of Bellua. Bellua's unique characteristics. Bellua's points of pride... things like that."
"Hmph. I've tried this and that. I've held festivals and introduced new crops for cultivation. But the effects were minimal. The food in the south is much tastier, and we can't compete with the Empire or the capital in arts. Everything felt half-hearted. Because this is Bellua, where all sorts of goods come in."
His voice carried a hint of skepticism.
The expressions of the common people were bright.
However, Count Lowell wanted to develop Bellua even further than it was now. The current prosperity was merely due to its fortunate location on the trade route. Therefore, as the lord himself, he wanted to achieve something as his own accomplishment.
"P, Please leave it to me! I, I will establish a s-sex industry in Belluaaa...!"
Sex industry...?
The Count couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"O, Onaholes are just the beginning! That lack you worry about, Count-nim. I will make Bellua... famous throughout the entire continent with a unique and original Bellua-only sex industry!!!"
"......."
"I, I have the ideas and technology to make it happen!!!"
It was icy cold.
Following Jane's words, the reception room fell into a silence so deep not even a breath could be heard.
'Aaaah! I'm finished! Lady Marian! Noah-nim!'
Jane couldn't even remember what she had said herself.
It was a good thing she was wearing clothes that didn't show sweat. Her whole body was already drenched in cold sweat.
Jane had merely spat out the words she heard from Noah in her head. But she couldn't use that as an excuse. Just as she feared the Count, from Jane's perspective, Noah was also a fearsome presence.
As she waited for what felt like a death sentence, Noah's voice continued.
[ Hmm. Might have been overreaching. ]
'Eh? Noah-nim! Noah-nim!!! If you say that, Noah-nim, then I, I...!'
And then the Count's mouth opened.
"So, to summarize what you're saying, you intend to turn my beloved Bellua into a city of debauchery. Is that it?"
"......."
Gulp—
[ Have you ever used an onahole? ]
"H, Have you ever used an o, onahole...?"
Even as she spoke, Jane thought to herself.
This is definitely a one-way ticket to jail.