Chapter 30

□【Triple Horn Sub-Dragon】Marilyn

Finally, the shock from Catherine has started to wear off in my mind.

Audrey is still silent, looking as if the shock hasn't completely subsided.

Currently, the Master and Catherine Adamantine are sitting at one of the tables, engaged in conversation.

The Master and Catherine Adamantine are facing each other, with Lady Babylon sitting next to the Master.

Behind Catherine Adamantine's seat, there are others standing.

I didn't notice them earlier, as I was preoccupied with Catherine Adamantine, but it seems she wasn't alone.

There are four of them.

They appear to be Catherine Adamantine's servants or slaves, dressed in maid uniforms.

Their polite and graceful demeanor is reminiscent of attendants to nobility... if they weren't standing behind Catherine Adamantine.

“...Mmm”

To add, the most striking feature of these maids is their hair.

A maid with hair as red as a ruby, extending down to her waist.

A tall maid with wavy, azure hair reminiscent of a sapphire.

A maid with emerald hair cut in a bob, looking like a young girl.

A maid with a white crystal-like hair, wearing an eye patch that covers a third of her face.

“Did Catherine encounter any PK terrorism on the way to Gideon?”

“I rode on one of my children, so it seems the aerial blockade didn't work.”

It seems Catherine Adamantine has aerial monsters like Audrey in addition to her maid slaves.

Since she is a Pimp, it's likely she tames female-type monsters.

...I can't help but wonder what charm she sees in them.

Muscular beauty?

Are Catherine Adamantine's monsters the pinnacle of muscle fetishism?

“Have you met Rubiera before?”

“Yes, when I first met Catherine.”

“Well, since you're here, I'll introduce the others. The one with azure hair is Safine, the one with emerald hair is Emera, and the one with the eye patch is Cristella.”

The maids, introduced by their owner Catherine Adamantine, bowed respectfully.

“Nice to meet you. I'm Luke, Catherine's junior.”

The Master also greeted them with a cheerful smile.

Yes, as expected of the Master. A smile that is the epitome of charm.

I thought they would be charmed, but the maids only returned a faint smile.

...Perhaps, being under Catherine Adamantine, they prefer muscular types?

“Can I see the monsters Luke is leading?”

“Of course, but here, we might damage the floor.”

Indeed, the floor here is made of wooden planks and doesn't seem capable of supporting my weight.

‘Dongame is fat, you know.’

Shut up, red chicken. You, your first words after recovering from the shock are that?

“Let's change the location then. Guild Master, can we use the back area?”

“No problem. And I have a job for you later.”

The man at the counter responded to Catherine Adamantine's words.

...So that man was the Guild Master of the Pimp Guild.

◇

We moved to the back of the Pimp Guild.

It's a vacant lot of considerable size.

It's supposed to be for expanding the Pimp Guild's facilities, but construction hasn't started yet.

One reason is that the number of pimps hasn't increased much.

“《Awakening》, Marilyn, Audrey”

Called by the Master, Audrey and I emerged from the Jewel.

“Oh, what lovely children.”

Catherine Adamantine is looking at us, her muscles rippling.

It's a bit, no, quite scary.

“Equivalent to a high-level Succubus Tamer.”

A Succubus Tamer, as the name suggests, is a profession that subjugates non-human beings—monsters.

There are three main methods of using monsters as one's power.

The first is summoning.

This involves giving a temporary form to beings that are usually invisible and intangible, such as spirits.

I don't know much about it, but I've heard it involves techniques related to spirit communication, ectoplasm, and shamanism.

There's also a method of summoning demons through a contract.

The second is creation.

This is a type of academic study that involves creating magical creatures, such as golems and homunculi.

By gathering materials, following procedures, and infusing one's magic power, various artificial monsters can be created. Necromancers, who deal with the undead, are also included in this category.

The third is subjugation.

This is the most common method and is widely used even by non-specialists.

Subjugation involves forming a contract with a monster to subordinate or tame it.

Taming wild monsters largely depends on the skills and personal aptitude of a Succubus Tamer.

However, as my experience with the Master shows, there are no particular restrictions on transferring tamed monsters to others. Therefore, this method is used in various contexts.

For example, it's common for merchants to purchase monsters to pull their carts, and some Succubus Tamers make a living by taming and selling monsters.

While it was humiliating, I myself was tamed and sold by a Succubus Tamer.

However, there are also Succubus Tamers who deepen their bond with monsters and act as friends.

The Master's unique skill 《Male Seduction》 is primarily for seduction, but it can also tame monsters at a low probability.

It can be seen as subjugation or a deep bond formed through love.

‘It’s the weakness of being madly in love,’ Audrey says.

“Just a sub-dragon and a rock bird, but Luke's Jewel seems to be high-grade, so there's still room, right?”

“Yes, and I want a monster that can travel over water or on the sea. Can I find one in the market?”

“Marine monsters? That might be difficult here.”

According to Catherine Adamantine, the town's main water source is groundwater, and there are no nearby seas or rivers.

Therefore, marine monsters are rarely handled.

The Pimp Guild doesn't deal with marine monsters or mermaid-like aquatic sub-humans.

“But if you look in the market, you might find one.”

“I understand! I'll go right away!”

“But that area is complex and not very safe for 《Master》. I'd like to go with you, but I have work... I know.”

Catherine Adamantine turned to the maids standing behind her and beckoned the one with red hair.

“Rubiera, can you guide Luke?”

“Yes, Miss.”

The red-haired maid—Rubiera—bowed while holding her skirt and accepted Catherine Adamantine's command.

...By the way, is it correct to call her ‘Miss’?

“Is it okay?”

“Yes, it's fine. Just tell her to come back after she's done.”

“Thank you, Catherine!”

In response to the Master's gratitude, Catherine Adamantine gently smiled—though to some, it might look like a death sentence—and patted the Master's head.

The Master also smiled happily.

‘...The Master is being tamed.’

‘Even that blonde is easy with men.’

‘No, no, the Master isn't easy! He just gets attached when treated kindly!’

‘Isn't that what people call easy?’

Grr...

‘Only when there are no ulterior motives. If there are, he can tell.’

Lady Babylon muttered something, but I didn't understand its meaning.

◇

Guided by Rubiera, we entered a certain district.

If I had to describe this district in one word, it would be “black market.”

The legitimate shopping district is in another area, but here, various illegitimate items are displayed on the streets.

Stolen goods from some treasure vault.

Drugs that are illegal under the kingdom's laws.

Slaves with chains around their necks.

And monsters in cages or Jewels.

“Wow...”

The Master let out a sigh of amazement at the surroundings.

It's not clear if it's the goods on display or the enthusiasm of the people flooding this district.

Gideon is a town filled with enthusiasm, but the enthusiasm in this district is different.

It's all driven by human desire.

The heat is intense, and even I, inside the Jewel, can feel it.

This is Gideon's Fourth Street, also known as the “Market,” the accumulation of desires in Gideon... no, in the kingdom.

“Mr. Luke, may I explain about the Market?”

Rubiera, our guide, asked the Master, who nodded in response.

“This Market has both street stalls and shops. Street stalls can offer hidden gems, but if you don't have the 《Appraisal Eye》 skill, you risk buying fakes or low-quality items. Shops, on the other hand, offer a certain level of trust in the quality and authenticity of their goods, but they are more expensive.”

“So, for a first-time shopper, it's better to go to a shop.”

“Yes. Also, you can set up your own stall in the street. The stall locations are managed by the boss of Fourth Street. By paying a daily fee, you can sell goods on the street even if you're not a merchant.”

The daily fee varies by location, ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 rils.

“Since you're looking for marine monsters today, I'll introduce you to a shop that the Miss often frequents. If you don't find anything you like, we can check the street stalls.”

“Thank you.”

Guided by Rubiera, we arrived at an old stone shop.

It was located in a secluded alley, and we probably wouldn't have found it without a guide.

The sign in front of the shop reads ‘Devil Shop Central Continent Branch.’

It's written as if the devil runs it and the main store is in another continent.

However, the world map only shows this continent.

“Welcome.”

As we entered the shop, a voice came from the counter at the back.

The owner is a very small person, about a head shorter than the Master.

Dressed in a black robe with a hood covering their face, they look like a typical shop owner except for their height.

“Oh, isn't that Rubiera?”

“It's been a while. Is the owner on duty today?”

“Sometimes. Where's Catherine?”

“She's not with me today. I'm guiding Mr. Luke today.”

“Nice to meet you, I'm Catherine's junior, Luke.”

When the Master greeted the owner, they seemed a bit surprised.

“Oh, Catherine's junior. That's rare.”

The word ‘rare’ could mean that the Master being a Pimp is rare, or that it's rare for Catherine Adamantine to have a junior who is tamed.

Both, perhaps.

“Since you're here, you must be looking for a monster. What do you want?”

“A marine monster.”

“Marine, huh? There's not much demand for them around here. We don't have many rare ones, but we do have a corner for them.”

The owner came out from behind the counter to guide the Master.

This shop only deals with tamed monsters, and the shelves are lined with countless Jewels.

If you look inside, you can see the monsters.

Ah, there are Jewels of the 【Triple Horn Sub-Dragon】 for sale.

“Is it more like a pet shop or a jewelry shop?”

That was the Master's mutter.

“Here's the marine monster corner. Take a look.”

On one shelf, Jewels containing marine monsters are displayed.

There are indeed fewer compared to other monsters.

But I have something to say.

‘...What’s going on?’

The owner said, “We don't have many rare ones,” but that's strange.

Because there are several Jewels of marine sub-dragons on display.

How can this be considered “not rare”?

“We have pure dragons for land and sky dragons, but not for sea dragons.”

The standards are off.

How much value does a single pure dragon have...?

Even as a combat force, a single pure dragon can be destroyed by a regular high-level party.

“We can't afford a pure dragon...”

“Since you're introduced by Catherine, we can accept installment payments.”

Installment payments. The Master will likely pay them off properly.

But if a pure dragon comes, my position might be at risk...

“I remember. When I met Miss, it was also on installment.”

“Oh, about four years ago, right? Has it been that long?”

...Huh?

I think there was a strange comment just now.

“What should I do...”

The Master is looking at the Jewels of marine monsters but seems to be in a dilemma.

I thought it would be a sub-dragon, but something doesn't seem to satisfy him.

“Luke, what's wrong?”

“Is it that a sub-dragon won't do?”

“No, it's not that. But...”

The Master tilted his head in confusion, as if he himself didn't understand.

“I just don't feel it.”

It wasn't a logical reason.

“When I met Marilyn and Audrey, I felt something I can't explain. But now, I don't feel anything...”

‘That means there was a fated love between you and me, Master!’

Audrey is being noisy. But the sentiment is similar, so I won't complain.

Being told that I had something that attracted the Master is a nice compliment.

I'll replay it in my mind. The ultimate loop.

“Oh, I see.”

The owner nodded as if understanding the Master's words.

Rubiera also seemed to agree.

“Luke, right? You seem to have a natural talent for being a Pimp, but you also have a good sense as a Succubus Tamer. Not many people have that kind of intuition.”

“Really?”

“Yes. In that case, it's better not to limit yourself to marine monsters. Look through all the Jewels in the shop and see if