*

Sir, please wake up. Sir, sir, what's the matter with you...

　Such a call from Shelly woke Mako up.
　She just woke up and her mind is fuzzy.
　The temptation to fall asleep twice is almost too much for her.

'Let me sleep some more,'
Shit!　They're all here!

　There was a jangling sound and the light burned my eyeballs.
　Shelley opened the curtains.

'Ugh, it's so bright, isn't it?'
That's because he doesn't get up very often.

　Mako rubs her eyes and picks herself up.
　Incidentally, Mako is not in Shelly's living space behind the counter, but in Room 101 of the 'Golden Sheep' pavilion.

'Good morning, Shelly.'
Not a good morning, sir.
Since it's my room in the first place, isn't it an invasion of my privacy to come in here without permission?
'Well, I won't come in if you knock and wake me up. Like I said, everyone is here. Hurry up and get out of bed and get dressed. I've already washed your clothes.

　Shelley said in rapid succession, placing the neatly folded clothes on the pillow.

'You're getting louder,'
Because he's getting worse and worse every day.

　Shelly put her hands on her hips and leaned forward.
　Her eyebrows are furrowed, but her anger doesn't come through.
　It's an appeal that says I'm angry.
　She's a pretty woman, I think.

'You're not going to get ruined, you're going to get ruined.
You were able to get up on your own a while ago.

　As Mako tried to get out of bed, Shelly picked herself up.

'Shelly's going to wake me up, you know~'
Do you want me to be bad?
That's not what I said.

　Mako got out of bed and put on the clothes she had left under her pillow.
　He had thought he was a bit more firm, but it seemed that Mako was even more of a mess than he thought she was.

'Well, I'm aware that I'm spoiled~'
Oh, no, I don't think I'm being too picky.

　Sherry said as if to mend things.
　Is this kind of thing called codependency?
　It's a strange relationship where Mako spoils Sherry and gets spoiled, and Sherry gets satisfaction from spoiling Mako.

You're a bad girl, Shelly.
Please keep that kind of flippant talk to the bed.
You're stronger than ever.
That's what my husband does. He's trained me.

　Shelly puts her hand on her chest and looks at Mako flushed.
　It's a glamorous gesture.
　In the bed, she hides her face with her hands and says, 'Please endure it already,' as usual.
　In fact, it's usually a little bit more bullish, but there's a kind of joy in giving in, and it burns.
　Sometimes I feel like I'm that conscious.
　The octopus in the octopus pot may feel like this.
　Even if you think you have to get out of it, you're too comfortable to get out.
　After all, Sherry is a bad girl.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about it.

'Did you wear makeup?'
She's made up before, she's a customer.

　Shelley's lips twitched.

'Now, chutzpah, please go downstairs. They're all waiting for you.
Oh.

　Mako left the room and headed downstairs.
　Just as Shelly had said, everyone - Yuka, Fene, Liv, and Laura - were gathered around a table in the center.

'Good morning,'
Oh, yeah.

　Makoto let Yuka's sarcasm slide and sat down in the empty seat.

'You're not going?'
I'm a bit lame.

　Aside from Fene and Liv, Yuka and Laura live elsewhere.
　I want to refrain from having a relationship with them just to talk to each other in the dungeon.

''Fene, did you give Liv the magic stone?''
It's already done.
Liv, are you sure you can handle the cash?
Ooh, you better get your face in there, or you're gonna get forgotten.

　If you hit it, it will sound good.
　I feel a sense of satisfaction that it's spinning nicely.

So how's it going with Sherry?
I don't think...
A lot of things. A lot of things.
Is this a good time to talk?
It's not a good time, is it?

　Yuka raised her eyebrows and asked back.

'How is it ... normal?'
'Oh?　Normal?

　Makoto blurted out, and Yuka frowned.

'You two are lovebirds,'
Oh, Sherry's in a good mood. She hums a tune sometimes.

　Suddenly, silence descended and a humming sound came from upstairs.
　'You're in a good mood.

'I'm going to spit sand.'
'What are you talking about, you asked me yourself?

　I run into Yuka, who frowns.

'You said it was like damp wood,'
That's not me.
Same thing, right?
No!

　Yuka's voice trailed off.

'Other people's love stories ... but it's unrequited love, unrequited love. That's fun to listen to and can be irresponsibly aggravating, but it's boring when it's two sided.
"Are other people's love stories expendable to you?
Or, rather, entertainment?
As far as I'm concerned, you're a dick.
It's what women do.

　'Huh,' Yuka snickered.

'You left the inn because you didn't want to be cursed?
'I wouldn't be laughing if my house was on fire.
This is not good.

　Yooka said women are like this, but I've never heard a woman say that fire on the other side of the river is fun.

'You're asking too much of women, aren't you? Hey?
Miss ....
You're too honest.
Well, you know, ha ha ha.

　Yuka asked for consent, but unfortunately, she didn't get it.

'Don't look at me like you didn't expect it,'
It's not like that. It's just not what I expected.
'Missus, Missus, we don't usually have these conversations.
Well, I don't like making enemies for myself.

　Fene chided, and Liv agreed, crossing her arms.

'Lo, what do you think Laura?'
Yeah, I mean...

　Haha, Laura laughed.
　An affectionate laugh.

'What do you think?'
It's a nice feeling to hear that we have a connection.
.....

　Laura smiled, and Yuka moaned softly.

'Why are you moaning?'
It's because we don't have the same values.

　Yuka's eyes narrowed dazedly.

'Are you a demon or something?'
What?
'No, you were pressurised by the aura Laura gives off, weren't you?　Devil, leave me alone?
I'm not the devil!
You're the only one.

　Anyone who says the fire on the other side of the river is fun should be the devil.

'Tch, say it nicely,'
You could use a little more flair.
I told you before, I was making up for it.
You can't mend your ways. Fake your own mind more, you know. If you can even fool your own mind, you'll be in heaven.
You can't even fool your own mind.
Well, it's not possible.

　If I could do that, I wouldn't be suffering.

'Don't demand of others what you can't do.
All right. I demand what I can do. You need more mending.
From there?

　Mako said, correcting her residence, and Yuka sounded puzzled.
　Then he clears his throat to regain his composure.

'So I've been making up for it!
'What's a high school girl got to mend? Mend with the intention of getting in the mood of a boss you don't like, or a pissed off senior, or being polite to a vicious creeper. It's only three times in twenty years that you're going to be able to punch out. In case you're wondering, I did it.
Mm, I can't.

　When Makoto wound up, Yuka looked away awkwardly.

'Why, it's impossible. The adults in the world do this much more normally.'
Because.....
No, no, no, no.
Ugh.

　Yuka turned over with tears in her eyes and looked up with a huff.

'Why do I have to blame you for this!
'Because you told me not to ask for anything you couldn't do.
Yeah, that's true.
"When you learn from this, you will respect your elders.
Gaggedy.

　Yuka moaned huskily.
　But still, no guigui.
　Makoto turned his gaze away from Yuka.
　The figure of Laura, who was slumped over, jumped into view.

'Well, since you said that, I'm single until my age.
Look!

　Yuka put on a big smile.
　It's a smile that almost gives the illusion that the surroundings have brightened up.

'What?'
'You can't be happy by being happy for others.
'Don't pull that shit out with a big smile on your face.'
The world is a game of musical chairs. Happiness is less than the number of chairs in the world.

　Yuka declared with a smug look on her face as if she had heard a line from somewhere.

'You can't just be happy for other people's happiness, you have to pursue your own happiness. You have to pursue your own happiness.
"Puffer!

　Laura held her chest as Yuka's words seemed to have taken a critical hit.
　This is how the buds of good intentions are nipped in the bud.

''Miss, people are ruined in a different way than my brother,''
Yeah.

　Fene and Liv muttered swallowingly.

*

　The priest stood in front of the altar and greeted me as usual.
　But then--

'Welcome, messengers of the seven evils and their attendants.

　The wording was slightly different.

'Military?'
I'm talking about you.

　Liv patted Fene's back as she tilted her head in wonder.

''As I thought, this tail is my brother's doing.
That's right.

　The priest chuckled as Fane stuck his ass out and wagged his tail.

'Is it because of Chu?'
No, physical contact isn't necessarily a requirement of being a member of the family.
''Come to think of it, King's men were less effective with their magic. Do you mean they were part of the family?
I don't know, sir.

　The priest gave a small shake of his head.

'You were holding back, weren't you?'
No way.
You were going to kill me?
'Don't put me in the same boat as you. Well, I was thinking that I'd have to die.
It was unintentional.
....

　Yuka turned her head away and ruffled her hair.

'If I have physical contact with Makoto, can I become his consort?
I don't know, sir.
Well, I guess that means I have the potential to be strong.
Yes, it's possible.
Yes!

　Liv slammed her fist into the palm of her hand.

''But by what kind of logic did you manage to break through the level limit?''
This body is in charge of the world - part of it, but not all of it.
Don't waste your time on me if you know something.
I don't mind.

　The priest chuckled, not seeming to be angry with Yuka.

''Spirits are also the forces that maintain and manage this world.
But the seven evils are spirit spirits, right?
But it's a genie.
So you're saying that the power to maintain and control the world has remade the Fene?
Or he's remade himself.
Which one is it?
I'm not authorized to look into it.

　Yuka said irritably, but the priest responded in his usual tone of voice.

'What else can I do for you?'
We're here to collect our reward for the strike.
Then give me your hand.

　Mako and the others lay their own on the priest's hand.
　A window appears and the amounts in their personal accounts change.
　The income is about 400A each.

'Is there anything else I can do for you?'
Nothing.
We look forward to seeing you again.

　The priest smiled lustily and Makoto and the others let go of his hand.
　They walked through the hall and headed to the reception desk.

'Congratulations, Mako-sama!

　The girl at the reception desk leaned over the counter and shouted.

'Did you get a promotion?'
I'm asking for names!
"Oh?

　Mako's eyes widened lightly.

'You did it!'

　Liv put her arm around Mako's shoulder.

'So, what kind of request is this?'
It was my lord's own request.

　The girl at the reception desk happily clapped her hands together, but she only had a bad feeling about it.

'.........Laura.
I don't know!

　When I looked at her, Laura turned her palms to me and waved them from side to side in denial.

'Nah, I've got a bad feeling about this.
My lord sent me for you.
What if I say no?
How dare you refuse?

　The girl at the reception desk waved her hands from side to side, as did Laura.

'So, what was the request?'
'I'll give you the details at the lord's house.
Is that what you want?

　I thought the person in charge of the church would finalize the conversation, and then it would be in the form of a request - but.

''It's the lord-sama,''
Well, I guess so.

　Mako scratched her head, boringly.

*

　The mansion of the lord (Christine) is located upstream of the river that runs east and west through Rockwell.
　Upstream is an area where the wealthy live, or perhaps a large mansion has been built.
　Makoto and his friends are led by Laura to the corridor of the mansion as if it were some time ago.

''This is my first time in a nobleman's mansion,''
Wow, that's a lot of expensive looking stuff.

　Liv is imposing, and Fene is going down the aisle in awe.

'You're both little girls,'
Why are you so proud of yourself?

　Mako shoved at Yuka, who sniffed proudly.
　Laura stopped and knocked on the door.
　After a moment -.

'........come in.'
I'm sorry, sir.

　Laura opened the door.
　Christine propped her elbows on the desk and crossed her hands to cover her mouth.
　Mako and the others - and Laura, of course - walked into the office.

'Good to see you,'
That's what I'm talking about.

　Christine turned her attention to Laura.

'Laura, how are you feeling?'
You're on level 21.

　Laura proudly puffed out her chest.

'Ho, level 21? What else?'
I've learned some new tricks.
....

　After all, Laura is proud of her, but Christine has a disgruntled look on her face.

'Well, how are you and Mako getting along?
It's not going anywhere.
I'm disappointed in you.

　Christine leaned back and turned her gaze away.

'Hey, why?'
Because my relationship with Makoto isn't progressing. You're not suited to be a woman who listens to other people's love stories and is happy about it.
Look, look, look!

　Yuka's eyes lit up and she slapped Mako on the second arm.

'Are you through about why Laura rolled in?
You said it would be a shame not to pass on your talents, so your nymph--

　Yuka turned over, her face turning red.

'Think about it a little more before you speak up.'
Uh-oh!
'Well, I understand that Christine is trying to get me to have a baby,'
After all, a woman with a sultry virginity is useless.
Oh, my God!　Not much!

　Laura is teary-eyed.

'So what's the request?'
I know. I know. I know.

　Christine straightened up.

As a matter of fact there have been incidents of monsters destroying villages in the neighboring territories.
'Leave the other people alone,'
As much as I'd like to leave them alone, I can't because we have an agreement to help each other out if we get attacked by a monster.

　Christine grunted bitterly.

'What's wrong with the adventurer?'
A number of teams, some fledgling and some mid-level, have set out to solve the problem, but they've been beaten back.
You don't need us to go there, do you?

　Isn't such a thing the job of the army - the Order?

'My men will die if you don't go.

　Christine said with a straight face.

'So what kind of monster are you?'
We have an armed rabbit.
You're a rabbit and you're armed?
I'm told he can walk on two legs.
That's not a rabbit.

　It's not a rabbit when it's walking on two legs.

As an added bonus, they say they kidnap women and impregnate them.
How do you know I'm going to knock you up?
Yes, that's the testimony of a girl who ran for her life.

　Mako let out a sigh and covered her face with her right hand.

'My team is all women, right?'
Yes, I'm aware of that.
I don't know what to think.

　I don't want them to fight a monster that can impregnate humans.

''You'll just have to coordinate with the other knights.
Do they come from King's Landing?
He was supposed to be here.
....

　Yuka crossed her arms thoughtfully.

'I'll take it!'
We'll take a majority vote.
Why?
Isn't this something you're going to turn down?

　I'd say no to you.

"If you don't do it here, where will you do it?
But the majority vote. I'm against it.
I'd like to avoid it if I could.
I don't mind.
That's two for and two against.

　Yuka grinned and turned her gaze to Laura.

''Well I think I should take the request.''
Well, I guess I win.
That's because of Laura.

　After all, Laura is a nobleman - Christine's man.

Hmm, that's settled. How will you be paid?
Do you want any amount?

　'Mm,' said Christine, nodding hawkishly.

'Ten million A.'
Look at your feet so much!

　Christine stood up and shouted.

'I told you I'd take whatever amount you wanted.
Gagging.

　Christine grunted huskily.

'And the carriage, and the lodging... in short, expenses, expenses. You've got the expenses.'
'Uggh, to add more demands to the list...'
It's a request I'd rather not take.

　'Uggh,' grunted Christine, and suddenly broke down.

'All right. However, you will receive 5 million A up front and 5 million A on a contingency fee.
What, are you gonna drink?
I'll drink!

　Mwah!　Christine barked.
　I was expecting her to say no to the quarry, but this might have been a bit more of a blowout.
　Anyway, this request alone was two million A--a lot closer to the slow life.

'When do we leave?'
Tomorrow!

　Christine shouted again.

''And while you're at it, buy me some magic stones.
I'll give you 3,000 A.
Do what you want!　I'm content to let people know that I have strong subordinates!

　Christine screamed in desperation and flapped her arms and legs like a spoiled child.