Chapter 125 Pair (？) Rings
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
It has been several days since I began the baby-making process with my test-subject slave, Lily. Naturally, there are no signs of pregnancy yet. However, the atmosphere in our shop’s workshop has already shifted quite a bit.
”Hum-hum-hummm~♥”
First of all, Lily-san—also known as “Lecherous Pink” or the “Pink Devil”—is in incredibly high spirits. Every chance she gets, she gazes at the pair ring on her left ring finger and let out a goofy “nihera” grin. Or she kisses the ring and grins again.
She strokes her lower abdomen as if it were precious and grins; she occasionally looks at my face and grins; she looks at the pair ring on my finger and grins. In the end, even when nothing is happening, she let out an enchanted sigh and grins.
While it makes a man feel truly appreciated to have someone so happy, and a giddy Lily is quite adorable, the shop is currently in the middle of business hours. That means the workshop is operational, and all the other employees are hard at work…
”So, what exactly is that ring Lily-sama is wearing?” Tania asked.
”Kento is wearing the same one. I have a very strong feeling that I’m going to be jealous~” Laika added.
While the adventurer elf Tania produced Ddo-Buddy¹ using the taiyaki-shaped molds, and the adventurer dog-beastman Laika crushed Metag Stone² with her bare hands, they both pressed in close. Incidentally, Lily isn’t here as she headed off to tend the shop.
”Hey, Amelia is curious too, right?” Laika asked.
”Eh!? N-No, I-I’m not particularly…! I’m just here to help out, and besides, as someone who serves God, the idea of receiving a gift from Kento-san is…!” Amelia stammered.
”You clearly want one,” Tania noted.
As Sister Amelia was egged on by Laika and Tania, she glanced repeatedly at my left hand while rubbing her own left ring finger. This has become a standard pattern over the last few days.
”…Haven’t you heard from Lily?” I asked.
”Of course we heard. But she told us, ‘It would cause a stir if I spoke about it, so please ask Master directly,’” Tania replied.
”We demand an explanation!” Laika shouted.
It’s not that they aren’t satisfied with the ‘order’ of things, but it seems they can’t stay calm after seeing Lily like that. Even Tania, who appeared to be asking calmly, and Laika, who seemed to be protesting cutely, both had eyes that weren’t laughing.
”I am also very curious. My dear, I don’t wish to nag, but you really shouldn’t show such favoritism among your females…♥” Aerith said.
Aerith from the Garou Merchant Guild³, who had just arrived, closed in with a level of intimidation that Tania and Laika couldn’t match. The tension that had been hanging over the shop these past few days was finally reaching a breaking point.
Usually, Lily would balance things out or provide follow-up, but since she’s in that state, she’s useless. Because of that, it seems my precarious relationships with these women are about to explode.
…Now is not the time for calm analysis. Right, how should I navigate this? To be honest, I already have the answer, and the preparations are done. I saw this coming the moment I bought the rings. Still, I needed to mentally prepare myself.
”The stories of merchants ruining themselves over women are amusing as rumors, but it’s quite something to watch it unfold right in front of you…” Satsuki said.
From the side, the Royal Mage Satsuki spoke with a somewhat pouting expression. It seems I’m being blamed for the stagnant production and lack of progress on new products due to this atmosphere. I haven’t ruined myself yet, so I wish she’d stop saying such ominous things.
”Alright, I get it… Ah—those are what you call ‘pair rings.’ Married couples or lovers wear them as a symbol of their bond,” I explained.
”Hoh. I’ve never heard of ‘rings’ before, but I’ve heard of similar customs,” Tania said.
”Heh. For beastmen, you can usually tell a pair by their scent, but this is like a substitute for that?” Laika asked.
”How wonderful… God also says that married couples should be harmonious,” Amelia whispered.
”I heard from my grandmother that our clan had a custom of gifting waistbands to each other,” Aerith added.
”Giving a gift like that at this specific timing… You’re quite the romantic, aren’t you…” Satsuki muttered.
Each of them directed looks at me that were ‘hoh…’ or ‘heh…’, filled with a lukewarm yet loaded gaze. This is exactly why I hated this… I thought, but I couldn’t back down now, so I silently puffed out my chest.
”But there’s more, isn’t there? Would that Lily-sama really be this giddy over just that at this point?” Tania asked.
”What was it again~? Lily-sama said she received some ‘truly wonderful words’ when she got it…” Laika noted.
Seeing the two of them grinning, I finally realized I had been set up. These two knew exactly what was going on and were trying to get me to commit… There were no lies, but those words were only acceptable because they were said in bed…
I hesitated, stroking my mouth with my hand, but Tania, Laika, and even Aerith didn’t look like they were going to let me off. In fact, even Amelia and Satsuki were waiting for my words with expectant faces. I resigned myself and spoke the words.
”I told Lily, ‘When you look at this, please think of it as me saying “I love you”‘…”
Kyaaa! the girls squealed.
”L-Love…!” Amelia gasped.
”That is way too cheesy,” Satsuki said.
Tania, Laika, and Aerith were squealing with joy. Amelia’s face turned bright red, and Satsuki, while acting exasperated, was also blushing. I’m sure my own face is beet red right now. My ears feel hot.
”Hmm, suddenly my left ring finger feels quite lonely,” Tania said.
”What a coincidence, Sister. I feel like I need something here too!” Laika added.
”Me too. I wonder if there is anyone who would give me something suitable…” Aerith said.
Speaking in exaggerated tones, the three of them glanced at me while stroking their left ring fingers. They probably found out from Lily that I had prepared rings for everyone. I pulled out the items I had hidden away in the back of the chest drawer.
”I was actually planning to give them to you one by one when the time was right… Here, Tania first, give me your hand,” I said.
When I beckoned her over, Tania kept up her exaggerated act—”Hmm, I wonder what it is? “—while eagerly holding out her left hand. I gently slipped the ring onto her ring finger.
”…Aren’t you going to say it to me?” Tania asked.
”Ugh… T-This… ‘When you look at this, please think of it as me saying “I love you.”‘” I muttered.
”Hmph! Then when Kento looks at that, please remember that I, along with Lily-sama, am saying ‘I love you’ too!♥” Tania replied.
””Kyaaa~!”” the others cheered.
Tania happily stroked her ring. Laika and Aerith egged them on. I beckoned them over too, slipped the rings on, and spoke those embarrassing lines. I feel like a significant amount of damage is accumulating somewhere in my heart… No, I’m happy they accepted them, though.
Looking over, I saw Amelia sadly stroking her left ring finger. I actually have one for her too, but I wonder… After all, these are rings for those who said they would bear my children, and it feels like it might be disrespectful to her, as a nun who has vowed not to cross that line…
”Just in case—it’s just a ‘just in case,’ but I have one for Amelia too… If our relationship ever changes, would you accept it?” I asked.
”…! Y-Yes! If that ever happens…” Amelia said, her expression brightening slightly.
When that time comes, well, I’ll just pay the reportedly expensive donation for her to return to secular life. With that thought, I looked at Satsuki, who was the last one left. Of course, since I’m not in that kind of relationship with her, it’s not something to worry about, but…
”…What is it?” Satsuki asked.
”N-No, it’s nothing,” I replied.
”Hmph!” she huffed.
For some reason, she glared at me with damp eyes and then proceeded to pinch my side. I don’t get it…
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Summary:
Kento navigates a workshop filled with jealous tension after giving Lily a ‘pair ring.’ Tania, Laika, and Aerith pressure him into revealing the romantic words he said to Lily. Kento eventually relents, giving matching rings to Tania, Laika, and Aerith while repeating the embarrassing declaration of love. He also promises a ring to Amelia for the future, while Satsuki reacts with typical tsundere frustration.
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Character Insight:
Kento’s growth as a ‘master’ is tested here as he balances the emotional needs of his harem. While he finds the romantic gestures embarrassing, his willingness to prepare rings for everyone shows a deep-seated sense of responsibility and affection. Tania and Laika demonstrate their sharp intuition and sisterly coordination, using the ‘teasing’ dynamic to secure their place in Kento’s heart.
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Behind the Scene:
The term ‘nihera’ (にへら) is a specific type of goofy, lovestruck grin often used in light novels to denote a character who is completely ‘head over heels’ and slightly dazed by happiness. The mention of ‘secularization’ fees for Amelia hints at the world-building regarding the church’s strict but financially-negotiable rules.
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T/L:
Notes:
• 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.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• 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.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Amelia – The Sister of the Church of Demon-Subjugating, who usually buys from Kento, has light blue hair.
• Aerith – A wolf beast-person and Ouka’s daughter. She is intensely attracted to Kento’s creative genius and is not shy about showing her interest. Have gray fur hair and tail, wearing elegant dress.
• Satsuki – A talented Court Mage who was forced to analyze the shop’s adult magic tools. Miranda’s granddaughter. Now she’s the new worker at Harvest, a development she finds both humiliating and surprisingly fulfilling due to the rapid progress in her research under Kento’s guidance. Has long black hair, palace mage robe, and staff.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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