Chapter 303 The Daily Grind of a Honey Trap
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
The recruitment for “Project Harvest¹” had been underway for a little while now. Between running “experiments” on Muse-the Queen-heika’s personal maid-and Merluza, the Captain of the Royal Guard, I’d been trying to live my life as normally as possible.
I say “normally” because while I was acting the same as always, everyone around me had clearly lost their minds. For example, take my usual trip to the fruit stand.
”Hey, Pops! Give me the usual,” I said.
”Oh! Buying for those lovely wives of yours again? You’re a dedicated one, kid!” Pops replied.
The shop was run by a sweet elderly couple and served as a direct outlet for Merchant Guild Akatsuki, which handled the local food wholesale. They had the best selection in the area, so I stopped by often.
”The usual” had become shorthand for the citrus fruits that Lily-chan craved back when she was dealing with morning sickness. Since I had four girls pregnant at the moment, those fruits were still a godsend. Of course, pregnancy is a fickle beast. One day they love a flavor, the next they can’t stand it, and by the third, their tastes have done a total 180. It’s a constant struggle.
So, I usually grab a few other varieties along with the citrus. That’s been my routine lately. Everything seemed fine, and Pops was acting like his jolly old self, until his wife cut in.
”You old fool! How dare you speak so casually to the Lord Harvest-Viscount!?”
”Mother!? Hey now, calm down. I mean, sure, he’s a noble now, but…” Pops stammered.
It was Pops’s wife. I’d known her as long as I’d known him; she’d always called me “Kento-kun” with a warm smile. Now, she was wearing a stiff, professional mask, looking like she was ready to bow until her head hit the floor.
”Whoa, Auntie, please don’t do that,” I said. “I might have a title now, but I haven’t changed. I’m still just me.”
”I-Is that so? But our daughter… she’s been going on and on about ‘Viscount-sama’ this and ‘Viscount-sama’ that. She told us to make absolutely sure we weren’t disrespectful,” she explained.
”Yeah, now that you mention it, she did say something like that,” Pops added, scratching his bald head with a perplexed look.
Their daughter helps out at the shop sometimes. Actually, “helps out” is an understatement-she’s one of my shop’s regulars. I couldn’t exactly mention that in front of her parents, so I just tried to look confused.
”We don’t really get it ourselves,” Auntie whispered. “But the girl keeps saying her ‘entire future is at stake’ or something crazy like that.”
”And didn’t she mention the Madam over at Merchant Guild Akatsuki told her to ‘give it her all’?” Pops wondered, tilting his head as he bagged my fruit. “Why the Madam would care about our girl, I have no clue.”
I watched them both tilt their heads in unison. Yeah, this was 100% because of “Project Harvest.” I never imagined the local fruit stand girl would be gunning for a spot as a “research assistant” at my shop.
”Look… I don’t really know what’s going on either, but please, just treat me like you always do,” I told them. “It’s hard to relax at my favorite shop if you’re acting all stiff.”
”Hehe, well, if you say so, dear,” Auntie said, finally relaxing.
”Right on! Make sure you bring Momo-chan by soon. And bring the new ones too once they’re born,” Pops added.
”You bet,” I replied.
They really were the salt of the earth. As the owner of an adult magic tool shop, I felt like their wholesome aura was so bright it was practically giving me a sunburn. I made a quick exit.
But it wasn’t just them. It was the greengrocer, the butcher, the liquor store-even the blacksmith I use. Everyone was whispering. My neighbors were practically spying on me through their curtains.
Then there was the incident with Sera-chan. She’s from Merchant Guild Tasogare and has been handling our deliveries since the beginning.
”Um, Sera-chan? Your… uh, your buttons…” I muttered.
”Huh?! Ah-! Hahaha! Oh my, how embarrassing… I’m so sorry you had to see that!” she cried out.
Sera-chan was blushing furiously, but she was definitely “accidentally” giving me a prime view of her cleavage. Usually, she’s the picture of a professional merchant-neat, tidy, and buttoned up. I tried looking away, thinking it was a fluke, but she wasn’t exactly rushing to fix it.
”I mean, I’m not complaining, but…” I started.
”R-Really?! You’re happy!?” she asked, her eyes lighting up.
”Well, yeah…”
For some reason, she looked thrilled and started “adjusting” her collar, which only made things more revealing. I thought I was telling her to cover up, but apparently, I was giving her the green light. She seemed like she wanted me to look.
”Also, that hair clip…” I noted.
”Oh… it doesn’t suit me, does it? I knew it…” she said, her shoulders slumping.
”No, it looks great on you. It’s cute,” I said.
”Really!?”
”Well, yeah…”
Sera-chan adjusted her glasses, looking like she’d just won the lottery. I could’ve sworn she told me once she had “zero interest in accessories,” but I guess people change.
A few days later, I stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild to check on some material requests with the receptionist, Marm-san.
”Hey, Marm-san. How is the collection of materials coming along?” I asked.
”EEK! K-Kento-kun?! Wait! Just-just give me a second!” she shouted.
”Uh, okay…”
She scrambled into the back office in a panic. I stood there confused until she emerged a few minutes later, looking like she was headed to a gala.
”Marm-san? Why did you just change your clothes?” I asked.
”Ahaha… well, you see, I just spilled a drink on myself! Total klutz move, right?” she laughed nervously.
”Right. But… why are you wearing a cocktail dress?”
”Because I didn’t have a spare uniform! I’m so sorry, I must look awful. Can you forgive me?” she asked.
”You don’t look awful. Honestly, you’re a total sight for sore eyes,” I admitted.
”Really!?”
”Well, yes…”
It was the exact same script as Sera-chan. Marm-san ran her fingers through her crimson hair, striking a pose that made the shoulder straps of her backless, low-cut dress do a lot of heavy lifting. The sun-kissed curves of her breasts jiggled with every breath.
She was blushing furiously, which made me wonder why she was even doing this if it made her so embarrassed. But she didn’t stop. She kept leaning in close, giving me a front-row seat to the show. I wasn’t about to be rude, so I made sure to observe her thoroughly.
Naturally, on my way out, the local adventurer thugs nearly broke my ribs slapping me on the back in “congratulations.” I also saw a rookie adventurer boy nearby who looked like his entire world had just been shattered. Sorry, kid.
Finally, there was the Canarias Convent. Usually, I just waltz in and head to the workshop, but today the triplet sisters-Tetra, Metra, and Netra-were lying in wait.
”The Shopkeeper is here! Follow us~dayo²!” Tetra said.
”We’re your guides~nano!” Metra said.
”This way, maybe~kamo?” Netra said.
They were in their usual habits, but they swarmed me like a pack of thirsty club promoters, grabbing my arms and pushing me forward. They’d never given me a “welcome wagon” before. Had they been standing there all day?
”Is the Archbishop behind this?” I asked.
”Gasp! He figured it out~dayo!” Tetra said.
”That was supposed to be a secret~nano!” Metra said.
”But we’re doing this because we want to~kamo! Maybe!” Netra said.
Tetra locked onto my right arm, Metra took the left, and Netra pressed herself against my back. Since they aren’t exactly “well-endowed” enough for a proper back-press, it was more the thought that counted. Since when were nuns this aggressive?
”Well, well! Welcome, Shopkeeper~♡ Our lovely young sisters are hard at work today, pumping out ‘Ddo-Buddy³‘s just for you!” Mother Shireen said.
”Mother Shireen, please. When you say it like that, it sounds way worse than it is,” I replied.
Even Mother Shireen-the woman whose obsession with back-door play is legendary-was swaying her hips like she was auditioning for a role. The whole workshop felt… heated. Like every nun in the building was suddenly trying too hard.
”Master! I’ve been waiting! Please, bestow your discipline upon me today!” Nina-Mailse shouted.
”Stay back, Nina,” I said, pushing her away.
”But why!?”
Nina-Mailse, my so-called “apprentice” and resident lunatic, tried to tackle-hug me. Since my arms were occupied by the triplets, I had to keep her at bay with a well-placed boot to her chest.
The whole convent was like this. I know I’ve got a weakness for women, but this was getting ridiculous. After a long day of being poked, prodded, and peered at, I finally made it home and turned to Lily-chan.
”Hey, Lily-chan… is the reason you won’t let me help with the recruitment because…”
”Obviously. If we let you handle the interviews, Master, this ‘honey trap’ situation would turn into a national disaster,” she replied.
Well… mystery solved, I guess.
—
Summary:
Kento experiences the social fallout of his new ‘Harvest-Viscount’ title. Women across the city, from merchant daughters to guild receptionists and nuns, are aggressively seducing him to secure a spot in his shop’s expansion project. Lily-chan confirms she is shielding him from the interviews to prevent a total disaster.
—
Trivia:
- Kento currently has four pregnant women in his household.
- The ‘citrus fruits’ are a specific plot point related to morning sickness relief.
- The daughter of the fruit shop owners is a regular customer of Kento’s adult shop.
- Marm-san is the one who usually provides monster material quests.
- The nuns are actually manufacturing adult goods (‘Ddo-Buddies’) in the convent
—
Character Insight:
Kento remains largely oblivious to the scale of his own influence, viewing the attention as an inconvenience or a ‘honey trap’ rather than realizing his political and s*xual value has skyrocketed. His self-preservation instinct manifests as a quick exit from ‘wholesome’ situations.
—
Behind the Scenes:
The author uses this chapter as a ‘refection interlude’ to show the world’s reaction to the protagonist’s growth without moving the central plot forward immediately.
—
TL Notes:
Notes:
• Merluza – The Captain of the Royal Guard, a veteran soldier and Lion Beast-person. She testifies to the military necessity and effectiveness of the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’ (which she calls ‘Bob’) for female beast-person soldiers, ensuring job performance isn’t compromised by ‘heat’. Have dull yellow hair, large feline ears, wearing armor, and large scar over the right eye.
• Muse – Cecile’s trusted attendant and chief maid, Muse handles sensitive, discreet tasks like espionage and product acquisition. Have sharp, black eyes, wearing maid uniform, and have expressionless face.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Kento – The owner of the magic tool shop ‘Harvest,’ which discretely sells adult goods. He’s a former overworked, ordinary salaryman from modern Japan who was suddenly transported (isekai’d) to this fantasy world. He has dark hair and an unremarkable appearance, typically wearing a plain, slightly suspicious-looking shop owner’s clothes looks like Kazuma Satou from certain series. He has a minimal amount of magic power, enough to craft his specialty items.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• Sera – A young, earnest salesperson from the Tasogare Merchant Guild, Kento’s supplier. She is characterized by her braided brown hair, large round glasses, and freckles. She’s serious about her job and easily flustered, especially by Kento’s adult goods business. Looks like Onodera from certain series.
• Marm – The attractive, red-haired, tanned receptionist at the Adventurer’s Guild. She wears a uniform that emphasizes her ‘nice body.’ She is kind and acts like a supportive ‘big sister’ figure to Kento. Looks like Mirajane Strauss from certain series.
• Suu – Secretary for the Royal Capital Beast-person Mutual Aid Association and a cat beast-person. Sample No. 19 in Kento’s report. She steps up as the first witness for the defense.
• Metra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features.
• Netra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features. Shows interest in Kento.
• Tetra – One of the triplets. Thick navy hair covering her eyes. Beautiful facial features.
• Shireen – A high-ranking nun at the convent who tends to modify product specifications on a whim.
• Nina-Mailse – A Sacred Artificer from the Holy City. She has short violet hair and wears bottle-bottom glasses thick glasses that somehow look stylish. She is attached to the Saint.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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