9. Orc and Onahole
Before long, a large proclamation was posted in the main square of Bellua.
[ Proclamation Regarding Public Decency and Dress Code Within the Bellua Territory ]
1. All citizens must maintain dignity in public places.
2. It has come to our attention that individuals have been parading through the streets in bizarre and unsightly attire. Accordingly, the use of said magical tool in public places is hereby prohibited.
3. Violators will have the item confiscated, be fined 10 gold coins, and face imprisonment.
— The Lord of Bellua, Count Lowell.
It was only natural.
Common sense dictates, does it make any sense to walk around with an automatic onahole stuffed in your underwear? In many ways, it felt like it was way too far ahead of its time.
In some sense, it was cyberpunk-esque, and in another sense, it was like a basic implant you'd only see in a sci-fi world... or something like that.
Before the trend(?) that started with Bargus could even spread,
New— Neo Bellua has fortunately regained its image as a wholesome trading city. I never wished for it to go that far anyway, so it's truly a good thing.
If you're going to use it, use it at home by yourself.
It might not be good for the children's education.
"Now, now. What did I tell you all?"
"T-to visualize an image, you said!"
Shuri, sitting in the front row, raised her hand with sparkling eyes.
"Yes, that's correct. Visualize an image."
Right now, I am the very kind elf magic teacher, Noah.
Now that my wallet is well-off, there's no reason to stay here just to make ends meet, but, well. It's killing two birds with one stone.
Because the city is just too peaceful.
"What you wish to manifest. What texture it has, what temperature it holds. To visualize an image, it's also important to concretize your knowledge. That's why experience is important for a mage."
However, I can't tell these little ones to go out into dangerous situations.
That's why a teacher exists.
I slowly extended and opened my hand.
"Now, behold."
""Whoaa....""
A small but vivid flame.
It was an extremely simple yet incredibly intuitive manifestation of magic.
The red hue of the flame, the heat haze rising as it burned the air, the realistic heat you could feel on your skin...
If you had the knowledge that combustion requires oxygen, that too would aid in such a manifestation, but explaining everything one by one with my limited scientific knowledge would be an endless task.
The children gathered around curiously.
I showed the fire to the children carefully, then clenched my fist to extinguish it.
"However, fire is dangerous. It's good to remember that it's something hazardous that could hurt you if you're not careful. So today, let's practice with something safer. Kal. Bring what I prepared."
"... Yep."
Even for this bothersome errand, Kal got up without a word. And just as I instructed, he brought out small cups on a tray and set one before each child.
The cups were about half-filled with water.
"Noah-nim. Do we drink this?"
"You dummy. Do you think he brought it for us to drink?"
When Nell asked, Shuri, sitting next to her, giggled and interjected. I pointed to Anne and asked.
"You try to answer. Why do you think I asked for cups filled with water?"
"Uh... because fire is dangerous... so you want us to try with water... isn't that it?"
"Yes. Correct. Now that you know, go ahead and try."
The children began to concentrate, each with their own expression.
Some frowned, some pouted their lips, some dipped their fingers in the water, and some even took a sip and played around.
As I quietly observed this peaceful scene,
I got up and approached the window. The view outside the window was extremely peaceful. It was an angle where the magnificent main church building was quite visible.
As the largest church in Bellua, quite a lot of people were coming and going. Men and women, young and old, without discrimination. But among them, one person caught my eye.
"... Hm. An orc?"
A massive orc was walking towards the main gate of the church. It wasn't that strange a sight to see an orc wandering around Bellua, but an orc coming to the church was indeed strange.
"Wh-what brings you here?!"
"Squeak! Bellua! I came to find Bellua!"
"Th-the church is an equal place for everyone but... s-sorry, there are no seats available... the chairs...."
Priests and nuns who seemed to be blocking the orc.
They spread their slender arms, stopping the giant orc. Focusing from a distance, it seemed like that kind of conversation was taking place.
Bellua, being a trading city, saw various races come and go, but the church was strictly a human domain.
Each race has its own god, after all.
I heard orcs believe in a god of fertility?
Of course, sometimes oddballs appear who follow the teachings of the human god...
That orc seemed far from being such a believer. Not backing down, he beat his chest and shouted.
"Squeak! Bellua! Holy land! Humans! I came to the humans' holy land to give thanks! Onahole! Onahole! Long live humans!"
"Ee, eeeek!"
"I will show my gratitude to the human god! Squeak!"
Ugh.
I held my forehead. Fuck.
"Um, Noah-nim...?"
Just then, Shuri's voice came from behind. The children had all crowded behind me.
"What is that green mister saying?"
"... Ah, it's nothing. Return to your seats!"
Clack! Swish!
I closed the window, locked it, and even drew the curtains.
Then I sat back down.
Ah, my head...
In times like this, there's a simple solution.
Ignore it. Just ignore it.
"I'll give you a break if anyone shows any results. After that, I'll give breaks in order, so get to it."
"Ehh—."
"Don't just stare blankly at me, get to it, I said?"
"No break...?"
There are still children complaining.
In times like this—
"... Shall we try making dalgona again tonight? If you want to eat it again, just say so. We still have plenty of ingredients left."
"Gasp! I-I'm okay! I'll do it quickly!"
The dalgona making, which started as a favor to create memories for the children... had become a punishment the children dreaded.
Something to be used in a WWE-like fashion when you want to make them do something.
And so, a memory from my own childhood was reduced to that.
Not an important story, though.
===
"Shall we give ourselves a round of applause? Just among ourselves?"
"......."
"Wh-why am I at this table...."
The three executives of Cabesiri were gathered together.
Investor, Marian Lowell.
Planner, me.
(Figurehead) President, Jane.
On the table were crystal glasses filled with expensive wine. Of course, no one except Marian touched theirs.
Marian shrugged and picked up her glass.
Jane immediately checked my reaction. I did too, but only internally. (This is important.)
Clap clap clap clap—!
"Hmm. Good. Now, Jane? Please present the results so far."
"Uh, uhh...."
Jane awkwardly tried to get up, but Marian made her sit back down. They're supposed to be on equal footing or something.
Though the person in question didn't seem to believe it at all.
Jane began reading from a stack of documents with a face full of despair.
"Th-then I will begin the presentation. First, the distribution status."
The news that the entire stock of [Elf's Temptation] supplied to two merchant groups had sold out.
The story that it was received by the market better than expected.
Rumors that it's getting quite a good response, especially among mercenaries.
"Um... have you heard about an orc mercenary group that recently came to Bellua? I heard that every member of that orc mercenary group purchased an onahole."
"Ah... so that's why."
No wonder. The orc I saw during the day must have been from outside.
Still, it's a relief the orc wasn't wearing it like Bargus. That would have been horrifying. In that sense, maybe orcs are more intelligent than Bargus.
"... Hmm. As a result, the net profit secured so far is 300 gold coins. Even after excluding merchant group commissions and material costs. Considering the initial batch wasn't that large to begin with, the future looks even more promising... one could say."
"Orcs... orcs... you say orcs...."
Marian's expression didn't look very satisfied.
She was the one who proposed this celebratory gathering first, and with this level of success from the initial batch, it's clearly a huge success, yet...
"Marian. Is there something you're not pleased with?"
At my question, Marian leaned towards me. With a very serious expression, she whispered to me.
"It seems it will serve its role as a loss leader quite well... but Noah-nim."
"......."
"Orcs... for a young lady to take as a husband, that, that thing is a bit too big, isn't it? This way, it has no meaning for me...?"
Ah, that's right.
This girl's goal wasn't money but finding her future husband.
Thinking that way, it's a rather valid concern.
Orcs are said to be twice, or even three times, the size of an average human. Applying that arithmetic ratio directly, the meat stick hanging below would also be at least twice the size.
Both in length and girth.
For the record, I have never seen an orc dick.
Nor have I ever taken one.
Even for humans, it's a niche brothel; would other races even come here?
Jane, who was watching Marian and me, continued.
"Um... so, about that. The promotional slogan seems to have been quite effective, as an orc... made a reservation."
"... Ugh."
Meaning, from now on, it's my job.
Marian, as if it wasn't her problem, straightened her posture and took a sip of wine.
Heartless wench...
"Sigh... just one person shouldn't be a big deal."
His dick might be a bit big, but it's not like I can't handle it. I had a feeling a day like this would come. It was inevitable from the moment I linked the onahole business with the brothel.
Just as I was steeling my resolve like that,
Jane spoke up. Saying her report wasn't over yet.
"... Ten orcs came by."
"Ten?"
"Yes... all of them requested Noah-nim specifically...."