Chapter 375 Expansion Plan ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
After spending the morning going a few rounds-actually, more like two or three rounds-with Viscountess Ray Nixfen, I finally crawled out of bed once she’d recovered. I helped her into the bath, and it seemed Her Majesty’s maid, Muse, had her subordinates handle the laundry for the clothes I’d thoroughly… wrinkled.
While I was wondering what she should wear today, the maid staff took over, treating Ray like a living dress-up doll with far too much excitement. When they were finished, the result was breathtaking.
”I… I feel so exposed,” Ray muttered, fidgeting.
”Well, it certainly suits you,” I replied.
By all accounts, she looked every bit the highborn lady. Of course, she was a Viscountess by birth, but the “Prince” persona she usually wore had vanished entirely. If anything, she was just slightly taller than the average woman, but her incredible proportions turned that into a pure asset.
The one-piece dress was cinched at the waist with a belt, shamelessly emphasizing a chest no longer bound by her usual sarashi¹ wraps. Ten out of ten men would have turned their heads for a second look. She seemed restless in the skirt, clearly unaccustomed to the feel of fabric between her thighs as she shifted nervously.
It wasn’t just the clothes, either. Her usual masculine wolf-cut had been transformed into long, flowing locks-likely a wig. If I’d passed her on the street, even I might not have recognized her.
”Do I… really look okay?” she asked tentatively.
”Better than okay,” I said. “I’m honestly tempted to pin you back down and ask for a few more rounds.”
”Ah…♡ Well… if that’s what you want…♡” Ray said, blushing.
She noticed my eyes locked onto her ample cleavage and modestly puffed out her chest. My Viscountess had become quite honest with her desires.
Normally, I would have dove right back in, but I had work to do. I shook my head with a will of iron, and her face fell like a dejected puppy being told to stay home.
”Right… of course,” Ray sighed. “But walking through the capital dressed like this… I just can’t do it. I still feel like everything is… pinched. I can’t even walk straight. Kento, would you mind handling the report and consultation with Her Majesty alone?”
She was right. I needed to speak with Queen Cecile regarding my concerns about the depletion of monster materials-specifically the Pororo Snail shells. They were irreplaceable, and with their narrow habitat, we risked running them dry if we scaled up production. I also needed to update her on the factory plans. Ray looked stunning, but if she went out blushing and stumbling like that, it would be dangerous in more ways than one.
”Yeah, I’ve got it,” I said. “Just take it easy for a while.”
”Thank you, Kento,” she whispered.
We shared a final kiss-one far too passionate for a simple goodbye-which made it a bit difficult to walk, but I had to focus. Work mode. Be cool.
”You certainly looked like you were enjoying yourself last night, Lord Harvest,” a voice called out.
”Muse, I should have known,” I muttered.
Just as I was trying to shake off my distractions, Muse appeared as if she’d timed it perfectly-which she probably had, likely watching from the shadows. She’d stepped out of the same concealment magic I’d experienced before. I wondered just how much of last night she’d seen, but for the sake of my own sanity, I decided it was better not to ask.
”Let’s just say it was a very productive ‘discussion,’” I replied.
”I’m sure. However, Queen Cecile is currently sulking, so please do your best to improve her mood,” Muse said.
”I heard Ray joining the team was Lily and Her Majesty’s idea in the first place,” I countered.
”That is one thing; her current mood is quite another,” Muse replied dryly.
Talking as we went, we reached the royal palace. Since the mansion was in the northwest district, it was a short walk. I basically had a permanent pass into the palace now, especially with Muse at my side. I was led straight to the Queen’s private office.
”Ah, Lord Harvest. You’ve arrived,” the Queen said.
”Yes, sorry to keep you waiting,” I replied.
Seeing her face-to-face, Her Majesty actually seemed to be in a better mood than Muse had let on. Perhaps it was Muse who had been the grumpy one? I glanced at her, but she remained perfectly stoic.
To be honest, the Queen’s complexion had improved significantly lately. The resolution of several national crises, the successful negotiations with the Ferguson Kingdom, and the upcoming marriage of Prince Roland had clearly lifted a weight off her shoulders. Her reign was finally moving toward a more stable era. I found myself smiling, hoping I could help her find her freedom sooner.
”What are you smirking at?” she asked suspiciously. “No matter. Tell me, is the production increase proceeding well?”
She clearly thought I was plotting something. I filled her in on the details regarding Ray’s father, Tail, and the factory logistics. I told her that while we wouldn’t know for sure until operations began, everything was looking green.
”I see. That is excellent news,” she said, crossing her arms. “I hadn’t realized such a small rural fief held such talented individuals.”
She admitted she still had much to learn about her own lands. Even a monarch can’t know everything. She’d met Tail before, but without talking shop, he just looked like another cranky old man.
”However, I do have one major concern,” I added.
”Let’s hear it,” she replied.
I explained the risk of running out of monster materials. If we increased production, our current supply lines wouldn’t hold. The Pororo Snail shells were the biggest bottleneck; their habitat was too small. I told her I wanted to look into breeding them.
”Breeding monsters…”
Her Majesty’s reaction was unreadable. She hummed thoughtfully, resting her chin on her hand.
”Is that a problem?” I asked.
”In terms of practicality? No,” she said. “But in a different era, simply suggesting such a thing would have been a beheading offense.”
I felt a cold sweat break out. I’d forgotten for a moment that the woman in front of me had the power to have me executed on a whim. While I knew she wasn’t prone to tyranny, the reminder was sobering.
”Don’t look so worried,” she said, waving a hand. “In this day and age, it’s not that radical. We already have closed seasons for certain monsters. The Caramel Spiders you use, for instance-the Adventurer’s Guild has strict rules against over-harvesting their nests. But active breeding… that’s a different beast.”
She went back to brooding. Apparently, it was more complicated than I’d thought.
”Honestly, why do you always come to me with ideas that sound like the plot of some Dark Lord?” she sighed, exasperated.
That felt a bit unfair, but I couldn’t exactly deny it. I was making adult-themed magic circuits that the Church would call heresy, I’d used them to essentially topple an enemy nation, and now I wanted to farm monsters. From the outside, I was the textbook definition of a “Mad Mage” from a fairy tale. I wondered if the villains in those stories were also just people who took their research a bit too seriously.
And of course, the “Evil Sorcerer” trope usually involved a harem of beauties… which was the one part I definitely couldn’t argue against.
”Is the main issue the Church?” I asked.
”Yes. Fortunately, Lady Loire-Rose seems to be fond of you, so I doubt it will come to blows,” she replied.
”But if she has rivals within the Church, this gives them ammunition, doesn’t it?”
”Exactly. Be prepared to get dragged into their internal politics. Though, if worst comes to worst, I can always just keep you confined here in the palace for your own ‘protection.’ Don’t worry too much.”
I didn’t miss the way she whispered, “That might actually be more convenient,” to herself.
That didn’t sound like the worst fate, but I decided it was best to proceed with extreme caution.
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Summary:
Kento transitions from a morning tryst with Ray to official state business. He presents his production expansion plans to Queen Cecile, but highlights a critical resource shortage: Pororo Snail shells. The chapter concludes with a discussion on the controversial prospect of breeding monsters and the potential political backlash from the Church.
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Trivia:
- Ray’s father Tail is a highly skilled technical mind in a rural fief.
- The ‘Prince’ nickname for Ray comes from her masculine appearance, which is completely altered this chapter.
- Muse uses concealment magic to move around undetected, suggesting she observes Kento frequently.
- Pororo Snails have a very specific, narrow habitat, making them vulnerable to extinction.
- Breeding monsters was historically considered a major taboo/crime
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Character Insight:
Kento is becoming more aware of his own image as an ‘Evil Mage’ in this world, even if his intentions are economic. Queen Cecile is showing signs of personal attachment to Kento, hinting she’d enjoy ‘confining’ him in the palace for her own convenience.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses the ‘Evil Mage’ trope to contrast the protagonist’s modern industrial mindset with the world’s traditional fantasy ethics.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• 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.
• Ray – A Viscount with flaxen-gold hair in a men’s wolf cut. Possesses a sweet mask and a prince-like aura. It is revealed at the end that Ray is actually a woman. She has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district.
• 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.
• Cecile – A queen in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
• 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.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Tail – Former Viscount Nixfen and Ray’s father. A master craftsman with rugged, calloused, and scarred hands. Stern expression, socially awkward, and proud of his family’s ‘specialized’ trade.
• Loire-Rose – The current Saintess, possessing a divine appearance yet a modern, playful, and irreverent attitude that clashes with Church tradition. She has white hair, pale skin, blue eyes, and wears clergy robes.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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