Now, Polka features both the Old Town, characterized by its traditional, shoddily constructed buildings, and the New Town, which utilizes forest timber and technology, and occasionally even Dragon’s land-shaping abilities. Reconstruction is gradually progressing in the Old Town as well. Naturally, the original residents didn’t want to keep living in dilapidated houses while beautiful homes were being built one after another nearby. Cases like Cat House, which the Baron purchased and had magnificently rebuilt with the help of an Elven family master and Celesta’s Ogre carpenters, also provided a boost. Since the Grandze construction project, many Ogre construction workers have been attracted by Polka’s appeal and decided to move here. For them, it serves as a perfectly suitable source of employment. In winter, their great strength and tall stature make them invaluable for snow removal, and before long, Ogres were becoming an indispensable presence in Polka.
And so, although Polka’s residential area has expanded several times over in just fifteen years since initial contact with the Elves, one particular block is reputed to attract especially attractive women.
That’s not surprising, given that prostitutes from Cosmos’s—err, former prostitutes—are moving there one after another.
Most of the whores at Cosmos Main Establishment weren’t originally driven into debt or sunk by loans; they chose sex as a profession willingly. Consequently, when they decide to quit, they have few obligations holding them back, and quite a few people settle in Polka permanently on the momentum of their arrival.
Sometimes members of the Onyx Maids’ Guild resign and stay behind, but that’s rather rare. It might be related to the Head Maid’s remark that one doesn’t really accumulate much wealth being a maid. But I also think it’s partly because they’re a difficult group with the peculiar habit of wanting to serve someone while being ravished.
That said—
Those former whores from Cosmos Main Establishment who ended up settling here often possessed talents beyond sex, such as cooking skills or business acumen, due to the nature of their previous line of work. Furthermore, accustomed to men and cross-species interactions, they can compete with large men without being at a disadvantage.
As a result, they are surprisingly well-adapted, acting as an emerging commercial force capable of meeting Polka’s broadening new demands.
“Master—is anyone home?”
“Cosmos-san. It’s over here in the back.”
Cosmos-san came to me while I was tinkering with a new type of armor in Viper Palace’s Invention Lab.
She was properly clothed, even though she was inside the Palace. I was slightly surprised by that, but I was also fully clothed today.
Working blacksmith jobs naked is stupid, right? Yeah.
“I’m doing a lifestyle survey on our former prostitutes from the East District, and I finished up today… Oh my, they’re all so industrious in their businesses; it’s a bit proud to see them…”
“Well, I assumed no one would be in distress coming from Main Establishment. I’m glad everyone is doing well.”
Thanks to that “S&F Foundation,” the power of the female slaves’ families of origin, and the various benefits brought by Dragons… things have become incredibly wealthy, but my wealth isn’t infinite.
It’s different if it’s a girl who became “family” as a female slave, but taking full responsibility for whores who chose to make their own way without choosing that path is a bit difficult. To put it plainly, if we extend the target range to those I’ve let go of, the scope of support becomes too broad and endless.
However, there is an obligation to lend a hand if they are in trouble.
For that reason, I periodically have Cosmos-san check on them, but perhaps it’s because they’re women from a business nation; until now, no woman had ever reached out to us for help to the point of being distressed.
“I hear Rin got into a fight with her husband and is on the verge of divorce, but well, that’s an issue between them. And Shasta said she accidentally grabbed a client’s penis while giving a massage, so I scolded her a little.”
“Oh… Well, if we’re going to offer services like that, you have to file a declaration first.”
Whether to take clients as a prostitute here is a business permit managed by Cosmos-san with the Baron’s approval.
For small pocket money, it’s hard to monitor everything, but when it comes to their livelihoods, territorial disputes and fee problems inevitably arise. Apparently, for public safety reasons, they can’t be left unchecked.
And providing sexual services in a massage shop is quite darkly gray area.
If it’s known that a shop accepts such requests, clients will come with those expectations.
Unless one is as bold as Hilda-san back in the day—offering free service or accepting challenges from anyone—it’s prone to trouble if it’s just “happened to have sex on a whim.” It’s not safe to say that unreasonable things won’t happen, like rumors spreading, people going expecting to get lucky but being turned away, and then complaining, “Don’t mess with me!”
“Then this time too, there were no issues requiring our direct intervention?”
“Yes, ma’am. Oh, a few of them asked if they could come to the Palace to have fun with Master. Is that alright?”
“Well… that’s fine, but you did tell those who are married to their husbands to refrain, right?”
Since none of them became my female slaves, some are normally married. I do not intend to ruin those relationships.
Everyone tends to forget it, but I’m basically cautious about getting involved with girls. I can be a bit reckless if it’s obvious there’s no shadow of another man, but generally, I don’t like having to compete with someone else to touch a girl.
“I always convey Master’s wishes on that matter… But look, some say it’s only because they’ve tasted other men that Master’s goodness becomes unforgettable…”
“Seriously, let’s skip that kind of thing! If I get hated for that, I’d definitely become the perfect villain in their eyes!”
The de facto owner of a whorehouse and a rare master who surrounds himself with a hot spring harem of around a hundred beauties.
If such a person is still reaching out to a reformed prostitute every now and then, he’s considered bad no matter how you look at it.
“Even if we got stuck up about it, Emma-san would probably stop them, so it’s fine♪”
“That just accelerates the villain act!?”
Truly, we should all seek a path that spares us from misfortune. Even if doing so means only one or two of us go without tears.
Now, regarding the new model armor I’ve been crafting while squeezing time out of my schedule with the kids and the female slaves.
“Is it nearly finished?”
“I’d like to refine it a bit more. It could pass as complete as is, but I feel I can still add something to it.”
Be fittingly “new,” this piece stands apart from any armor I’ve worked on before.
What sets it apart is that I’ve used every high-grade material available without reservation or compromise.
Not only all the metal materials I could get my hands on, but for the lining I used dragon tanned leather (tanning requires special chemicals, a technique I learned directly from silver dragons themselves), special wood from the Elven Lands as spacers to keep the silhouette clean, dragon scales for defense in key areas, and even a net of silk chainmail attached to the inner surface for a simple layer of protection. I’ve taken every possible safety measure.
The materials are so exotic that paint refuses to adhere properly, giving it a look that might be a bit too flashy… But if you wear this, unless something catastrophic happens, you won’t sustain serious damage to your body.
I’d prefer wearing a helm too, but regarding that… well, from my youth on, almost no one wore them anyway.
“The price seems impossible to estimate given the materials… They’ve surely briefed the higher-ups about the details, so we shouldn’t get captured, right?”
“Well. It’s precisely because it’s a complete one-off, with all those difficulties included, that I could make this.”
An ultimate single piece born from completely discarding any pride as a smith, relentlessly pursuing only the highest performance.
I’ve never made such armor before, no matter how strong my enemies were. Well, I usually don’t have time to prepare gear tailored to specific opponents anyway.
And the one who will wear it is—.
“It’s been a while, Papa!”
“Father, you look well.”
My innocent sister and my brother, elegant even in childhood.
Tetes’s children arrive at Viper Palace.
“Good to see you, Sonia, Tyrus.”
The children are nobles.
I can’t show such coarse behavior to them. Wearing the usual form at the palace—total nudity—is absolutely out of the question.
Just for today, I greeted them in new high-quality clothes tailored by Oregano.
Every time they visit Polka, I put on this kind of front, but naturally, I can’t provide respectable clothing for all the female slaves, dragons, prostitutes, and maids staying during their visit, so behind the scenes it’s still quite a nudist paradise, which makes me feel a bit awkward.
I want to think we’re used to it by now, but… sorry, Tyrus. I really can’t act natural about it.
No, honestly, since everyone is civilized, shouldn’t I be allowed to issue an order like “wear clothes today”? I thought of this belatedly, but my carefree sister Sonia had already dashed off into the palace interior, so I gave up for now.
“Father, it seems this place is still… that uninhibited.”
“Well… since there are many different races…”
While sweeping it aside as a “racial issue”—a response even I admit is too shoddy—I led my naive son to his quarters. We plan to have him stay for a few days.
“Tetes, take care of Sonia’s side. You’re used to this place by now, but make sure no weird trouble arises.”
“Yay♪”
“Also, since I’m dressing up this much, please maintain your maternal dignity for a while.”
I nailed down Tetes, who was already starting to strip out of her noble dress at the open-air dragon takeoff and landing pad, despite being surrounded by high walls.
To preserve the illusion the children have of you, I think showing that kind of freedom is questionable.
“This place has these rules, so we should follow the logic of it, right?♪”
”…Tyrus. You understand, don’t you? It’s not like you have to be naked here, right? It’s strictly voluntary. The ladies who are naked are just a bit perverted, so there’s no need to comply.”
“Y-yes…”
Tyrus blushed and hid behind me as she followed. How charming.
The sons living in Polka don’t react like that to women’s nudity anymore. Kraw wouldn’t bat an eye even if any kind of breasts were swaying right in front of him, and Peter would boldly chase them around with a lecherous face and an erection, after all.
Oh right.
“Sonia! Tone down the excitement for now and come to the workshop! I have a present for you!”
“Huh, really?!” Sonia had just spotted her sister, whom she recognized, and rejoiced in the reunion, but now she was beaming with joy at the mention of a present. Mm-hmm. As expected, it’s a wonderful feeling to see a kid so happy. “Is this only for Sonia?” “Nah, I’ll make one for Tyrus next. Honestly, I whipped yours up in a bit of a rush.” “You promised!” “Yeah. Consider today’s portion booked and forgiven for now.” I said that to Tyrus with a smile, and he graciously accepted my excuse.
The reason I prepared this particular item for Sonia was that she had been recognized as possessing combat prowess rivaling the Gantlet Knights far sooner than expected. Having watched her sparring match with Berga, the other knights who observed urged her to test herself in real combat since she was that strong, and it seemed she ultimately caved in. She wasn’t formally hired, but she felt like giving it a try just to see what she could do. Given Renfangas’s national temperament, it wouldn’t be good to laugh off such a move as “just a hobby.” Especially considering she is a blood relative of Alexander Buster, the reigning sovereign, there are limits to how much one can scoff or dismiss it. I heard that Tetes, too, was about the same age as Sonia is now when he first fought monsters. But then again, even if she had shown skill capable of landing an occasional hit on Black Arms, sending a child like Sonia—who could only be described as still a child—into the thick of monster territory was something that kept me up at night. To guard against any accidents, I wrote earnest letters to Alexander and Feros begging for their care, but since I was still anxious, I crafted this elaborate suit of armor. As for weapons, given that it’s the Buster family in question, there might be finer pieces available than anything I could forge, but if it comes to armor, making a decision not to worry about appearances or conventional constraints ensures I can craft something undeniably sturdier than any other artisan’s work. So, with full confidence, I whipped the cloth off abruptly before Sonia to reveal my masterwork. Now then, what was the daughter’s reaction?
”…This is way too tacky…”
Father is dead.
“H-Hold it together, Father! Father—!!”
Tyrus dutifully shook me as I crumpled to the floor. Thank you, my son.
And my daughter. That thing you just made is truly incredible. If I tried to buy something of that quality, it would probably cost about as much as an entire castle.
“But more importantly, Papa, make me a bikini armor! Like Sharon’s!”
“Bikini armor…?!”
You… asking your parent to make… bikini armor?!
To commission semi-nude armor for my underage daughter…?!
“I can’t do that kind of thing!”
“Why not?! You’re supposed to be the legendary bikini armor craftsman in Gantlet! Why is my present such a damn ugly piece of crap?!”
“I can’t keep up with all your complaints!!”
Why have I become known as a legendary bikini armor craftsman? I, who am treated like a son-in-law of the Buster family.
Why does she hold such high regard for bikini armor?
Also, is it really that damn ugly to be called so?
And making bikini armor involves a lot of groping breasts, you know. You brat.
…Was it really that hideous?
My design sense was usually praised, but your single comment shattered my pride to dust.
Is it really that bad…?
“Father, I actually think this armor of yours is wonderful. If anything, please let me have it.”
“Tyrus doesn’t even fight with a sword in the first place…”
“Well, that’s… sort of true…”
Plus, since I modeled it on a female body type to begin with, Tyrus wouldn’t really… no, well, she is a child and they’re twins, so it’s not impossible for her to wear it, right…?
“Then I’ll give them to Tyrus, so will you make me a bikini armor instead? Can you have it ready by tomorrow?” “That’s just too soon to promise! And besides, I’m not allowing you to fight in front of people looking half-naked like that! You can do that once you’re an adult!” “Isn’t it actually worse when you become an adult…?” Tyrus. For adults, there’s a strategy called “shelving for later” or “deferring.” Yeah, but honestly, you shouldn’t say things like that to kids.
What’s with Lennfangas? Why is bikini armor so popular among girls?
※ Apparently it’s because there are women knights who proudly display themselves, like Sharon.