The decision to use the upward stairs was a gamble. If they failed, they could end up fighting in a narrow corridor. They could have also chosen to make a stand in the spacious boss room.
However, the gamble succeeded. They managed to leave the dungeon and descend the temple stairs before they were caught.
"…We might have been in more danger if they had been waiting for us at the Temple." Ren muttered, looking back at the stairs as he quickly walked away.
"Surely even those guys wouldn't fight inside the Temple. …Though it's getting harder to even say that."
"Could it really have been them? Maybe it was someone else."
"Yeah. We should check, just in case."
When they asked around town on their way back, a couple of people confirmed seeing Takuma and one other person heading to the Temple. The missing third person was probably acting as a lookout elsewhere.
Iris's gentle expression clouded over once they had confirmation.
"Did something happen?"
"Reinforcements came even though we hadn't asked for help. We decided to avoid them, just in case, but…"
"That's troubling."
The townspeople were on Ren's side. People who resort to underhanded tactics to settle a "party dispute" are nothing but a nuisance to the rest of the community. It needlessly reduces the available manpower for conquest and could even encourage behavior like 'beginner hunting.'
"I'll talk to the higher-ups about this. I think we can at least arrange for a lookout to stand watch for a while."
"Thank you."
Having eyes on them would make it harder for Takuma and his group to cause trouble. Takuma's group were only this year's transfer students. They were no match for the other transfer students with over a year of experience.
"We might need to increase our party size."
That was the topic of conversation once they were safely home.
"You're right. It would be harder for them to mess with us if we had more people."
"We'd feel safer when going shopping, too."
Neither girl voiced any objection. The question then became how to find new members.
"Could we ask Iris-chan's sisters?"
"If my sisters also go on adventures, our hunting will suffer…"
Since they likely wouldn't get permission from their parents, that was out. The remaining options were to find another classmate or ask the seniors.
Considering the safety of Fuuri and Iris, the additional member should ideally be a girl. And the bar was set high: she had to be someone who wasn't repulsed by Ren and wouldn't be jealous of Iris. Since Takuma's group hadn't been able to find new members, it would likely be difficult for Ren's party too.
"Should we try talking to people tomorrow?"
They could only conclude that they should try their best.
--------------------
They first approached a female classmate. There was one girls-only party, and Fuuri knew where they lived. When they visited and explained the situation, the girls were generally sympathetic.
"Ugh, those guys are doing that now…"
"I'm glad I turned them down when they asked me to join before."
However, they declined the offer.
"It's about the number of people. Merging three parties is too many, and we don't want any one of us to leave either."
It was a very understandable reason.
It would take courage to approach a girl who had teamed up with guys, so that quickly ended their options among their classmates. They pitched the idea to several senior parties, but received similar responses. Occasionally, they received a positive reply, but it came with a condition.
"We'll take you in, but you'll have to follow our instructions. If you're okay with that."
They politely declined, saying that would be a problem. It was only natural since they were seniors. However, agreeing would mean breaking their promise to "protect Iris." There was a possibility that they would be ordered to undertake dangerously hard dungeon runs. While they didn't distrust the other party, the fact that they were so direct about the condition meant they needed to be cautious.
Many of the people who had been here for years were married with families, or had non-combat classes and were running shops or working as artisans. These people had their own work, and forcing them to join would disrupt the town's operations, so they couldn't be coerced.
"…It really is quite difficult."
"We knew it, but luck and timing really matter, don't they?"
The day was already starting to set while they were going around.
"I'm exhausted. Hey, Ren. Why don't we eat out tonight?"
"We should. We need to treat ourselves sometimes."
"Yay! Iris-chan, you can order whatever you like!"
"Really!?"
There were a few restaurants in town. They chose one run by a woman in her thirties to have dinner. Since they cleared the second floor, they had money for a rare luxury.
The interior, modeled after a Japanese Western-style restaurant, was clean, calm, and cozy. Since the patrons were all former Japanese or their children, they maintained basic manners.
"Wow, they have hamburger steak, beef stew, and gratin! I don't know what to choose!" Fuuri's eyes sparkled at the sight of elaborate dishes they rarely got to eat. Iris, who was used to meat dishes thanks to hunting at home, focused on dishes that made vegetables palatable. Ren's gaze naturally went to the hearty menu items.
Katsudon (pork cutlet bowl) or katsu curry? He also saw the exciting words "Hamburger, fries, and drink set." The fact that it was called a Western restaurant but served everything was very Japanese.
"Are you new here? It must be tough with only girls."
The owner, who brought them service water, smiled gently. Incidentally, the "service" was only for the atmosphere; the price of the food itself was set higher to compensate. Even water was a finite resource here.
"I wonder if I could be useful if I took a part-time job making water?"
"Huh? You mean, 'I'?"
"Ah, this one's a boy. He got the Succubus 'Blessing.'"
"Oh, you're the one. You really do look exactly like a girl."
The owner, surprised, chatted with them for a bit.
"Are the boys giving you trouble?"
"It's a real problem. That's why we had to leave our party…"
"We've been walking around looking for new members all day."
"I see…"
She nodded sympathetically and pondered for a moment.
"Hmm. I know a few girls who are without a party. Shall I introduce you? Whether they'll join is up to your negotiation skills."
"Really!?"
"We have to help each other out when we're in trouble, right? In return, will you come and eat here again?"
"Of course!"
The food was certainly delicious. Fuuri ordered the hamburger set, Iris the vegetable tempura set meal, and Ren the katsudon. The taste, after such a long time, almost brought him to tears. He would patronize the restaurant even if she hadn't asked. He even impulsively ordered dessert, so the owner might be quite the shrewd businesswoman.
--------------------
"Is this… the place?"
"…Looks like it."
Ren mumbled the answer to Iris, who was clutching the hem of his robe. The restaurant owner had introduced them to three people in total. They had spoken to two and been declined. The last place they visited was a quiet, secluded alley.
There were no stores selling daily necessities nearby, just a few houses and shops selling miscellaneous goods and medicinal herbs, catering to a limited clientele. In Japan, one might hesitate to walk down such a street. But in this world, where shady characters were rare, it should be safe.
"So, the brothel Takuma and the others went to is somewhere around here."
What seemed to be beyond the alley was exactly the kind of place Fuuri described. Ren couldn't believe they were visiting a place like this with this party. Ren frowned, remembering being ridiculed with, "Are you going there to work?" when he asked his old party to take him along.
"Well, let's go in. We have a letter of introduction, so they shouldn't be mad."
Ren and Fuuri walked into the alley, sandwiching Iris between them. The street was clean, with no trash. After a short walk, they came to an open area. Standing there was a Western-style building. Light shone through the windows. The owner had suggested coming in the afternoon, so they arrived during snack time.
"Hello."
When Ren knocked with the knocker, a woman opened the door after a short wait.
"Who is it? The place isn't open yet. …Or are you looking for a job?"
"Excuse us, we're here to meet someone. Here's a letter of introduction."
"Oh, really?"
She looked to be in her mid-twenties. She had long hair and a well-defined face. Her short, neat nails were painted with blue nail polish. She wore light makeup and an outfit that was somewhere between lingerie and sleepwear. She glanced at the letter and then at Ren and the others.
"Ah, the new transfer students. …Then, are you the one who became the succubus? Were you part of Takuma-kun's group?"
"You know him?"
"Of course. Those boys give us a lot of business."
Fuuri gave her a deadpan look. "…He paid good money to be entertained by a beautiful woman like you."
"You girls are cute too. You'd be very popular if you worked here."
"Haha. Sorry, but that's not for me."
Fuuri brushed her off with an artificial smile. Iris hunched down and hid behind Ren. The woman's hand reached out to Ren's cheek.
"What a beautiful face. Isn't it unfair that you're a boy?"
In a natural motion, clearly practiced, she brought her face and body close to him. A faint scent of soap. They were close enough that their lips or chest might accidentally touch. Incidentally, her chest was incomparably fuller than the three of theirs.
"…How about it? Why don't we have some fun, even if it's for free?"
Her sweet breath brushed his neck and cheek. He nearly nodded at the incredibly tempting invitation when—
"I don't think you'd be satisfied, since Ren is on the cute side."
"Ren-san. We didn't come here for that, did we…?"
Fuuri elbowed him in the side, and Iris tugged on his robe from behind.
"I'm sorry, but we'll have to decline."
"I see. …Well, that's a shame. Let me know if you change your mind."
She smiled and stepped back. "My sister should be working now, so I'll show you the way."
"Your sister?"
"Did you think I was the one you were introduced to? Too bad. You're here for the manager, or rather, the protector of the brothel."
She led them through the back of the lavish, hotel-like building, away from the storefront and toward a door.
"Sis, someone's here to see you. They said they were introduced by the restaurant master."
"Please, come in."
A calm voice replied.
"Excuse us."
The room was clean and had a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Shelves lined the walls with books and papers, and a work desk was tucked in the back. A sofa and a low table were in the front. The atmosphere was reminiscent of a principal's or president's office. Given that she was the owner of a brothel, he had expected a bed in the room, but it was perfectly respectable.
The woman sitting at the desk in the back stood up when she saw Ren and the others, smiling softly.
"I'm Mariabel, and I help manage this establishment. It's a pleasure."
Her real name was apparently Maria Suzutani.
"It's not a pseudonym, but don't you think a longer name sounds more fitting?"
"Maybe so. Ren, do you want a longer name? Like Ren-Ren?"
"That sounds kind of like a panda."
They sat across from each other on the sofa, intending to start with small talk—but they had clearly strayed too far off-topic. Ren apologized to Mariabel, who chuckled.
"No, it's fine. Hearing a conversation like that is comforting. It's easy to forget about Japan when you're here."
"Mariabel-san, do you still want to return to Japan?"
"Yes, if possible. Although I can't say I'm directly contributing to that myself."
"You're trying hard, Sis. Managing this place is a valuable form of support."
"Support?"
Iris tilted her head, making her ponytail sway. Mariabel nodded. "It's a difficult concept for young people, especially women."
"Conquering the dungeon is a matter of life and death. Killing monsters and constantly being wary of traps wears down the nerves and strips away human emotion. Men, in particular, are often on the front lines, so I believe they need a place to find peace of mind."
"I see, so that's why it's a brothel."
"There are girls like me who aren't suited for fighting or production. They can work here, and being desired by a lot of boys is actually a pretty good feeling."
When they heard that there was even a straightforward class called "Prostitute," Ren was, to his shame, a little relieved.
"So I'm not the only one who got a strange 'Blessing'?"
"The contents of the 'Blessing' vary widely. While it often aligns with the person's aptitude, some seem to be completely arbitrary."
"Ren-chan—Ren-kun's Succubus class seems perfect for working here, if you ask me."
"It's not good to force someone to do what they don't want. …Now, your request was to join your party, correct?"
"Yes."
Ren explained their situation to Mariabel, including Takuma's behavior.
"Ah, so Takuma-kun and his group are doing that. I'm sorry you had to deal with their trouble."
"No, it's partly our fault to begin with…"
"Um, so what do you think? We don't want to pressure you, but…"
She was in a position of management. Ren thought she would likely refuse, and Fuuri's tone conveyed the same expectation. Iris looked anxiously at each of them. Mariabel smiled to reassure the three of them.
"I have a few conditions. If you can accept them, I would be delighted."
============
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