Chapter 936: How to Spend the Year-End and New Year Holidays 5
When we returned to the 「Sexroom」, the group that had gone to Basson was just starting to trickle back.
“I figured there wouldn’t be any decent shops open at this hour……but I guess I was wrong. It seems to have gotten even livelier since we left”
“More shops than before were wafting delicious smells. Though I did notice some street stalls run by people of dubious character”
“Dubious?”
“Street stalls run by shabbily dressed children and elderly people, open at this late hour……that’s a sight we never saw in Basson before”
“Ah……I see”
It’s not often that merchants, who care so much about their image, would set up shop looking so shabby. In other words, they aren’t merchants. ……When the flow of people picks up, people start setting up shop without the proper permits they’re supposed to obtain from the authorities. For legitimate peddlers or retailers affiliated with reputable merchant guilds, getting a permit isn’t much of a hassle. Still, most of the people who do this aren’t merchants to begin with; they either have other jobs or are trying to offload dodgy goods, like stolen merchandise, in the chaos. For example, if this were a town like Officlade, near a labyrinth excavation site, it might be different, but Basson is just a town near the border. A Celesta merchant would immediately realize that you’re not likely to find any real bargains at shady stalls like these, and that dealing with them won’t end well. It’s usually the Trot people who don’t catch on……well, in short.
“Riding the wave of recent developments on the Trot side, the hyenas have come crawling in, have they?”
The efforts of King Ruth and his allies to actively rebuild their nation have rippled throughout all of Trot, leading to a trend where Trot people, who refuse to simply be at Celesta’s mercy, are trying to hold their own on the opponent’s home turf, 「Business」. Now, unscrupulous individuals are gathering in Basson, looking to make a quick buck by preying on these Trots who are tentatively taking their first steps in this unfamiliar world. I’ve heard that the reason such shady characters use children and the elderly at their street stalls is that, in the unlikely event they catch the authorities’ attention, the fines will be lower, or they’ll be more agile and able to make a quick getaway……that’s their scheme, I’ve been told.
“There are pros and cons to a bustling town……I suppose. I wish Basson could stay as carefree as it used to be”
“Still, it’s not really our place to chase them away. We’ll just have to leave it to the local officials”
“Umm”
Technically, the Crossbow Corps is treated as a sort of 「Auxiliary law enforcement force」, so the mayor and others sometimes request our deployment. Well, it’s not anything too serious, we’d occasionally get requests like sending out a small squad to deal with bandits in the suburbs. So, strictly speaking, we do have some grounds to intervene with groups that seem to be blatantly breaking the law……or at least, you could argue that. But we’re not really the 「Crossbow Corps」 anymore, are we? ……Or rather, when it comes to these kinds of random troubles, we probably shouldn’t stick our noses in just because they catch our eye. Sensing the awkward tension among us, Dianne-san, who had also just returned from town, stepped in with a wry smile.
“Those kinds of issues are bound to arise as the town grows. Overcoming them by any means necessary is an important opportunity for the town’s residents to find their own way of coming to terms with the times, and for both the perpetrators and the victims, a forced resolution isn’t desirable. Since we’re no longer directly involved, we shouldn’t stick our noses in”
“I kind of liked Basson, even if it was a bit rough around the edges, it was still pretty peaceful”
“A town is a living thing. It’s inevitable that it will change with the times. Don’t you think it’s a bit harsh to tell a chick to stay a chick forever?”
“Ugh”
I suppose Dianne is right. A town grows on its own, encounters problems, and comes up with its own unique solutions based on the strength of its residents. It can’t afford to cater to the sentimentality of outsiders. It’s the people who live there who shape the town; its way of being cannot be dictated by outsiders who aren’t even there. Just like Polka, who has suddenly begun to change after interacting with the elves and forming a bond with Celesta.
“Oh, come on. In my experience, it won’t turn out that badly. Basson is a city with a good balance between external and internal pressures, and a healthy balance of power. Eventually, once the right people are assigned to the right places, petty lawlessness will fade away”
“I wonder if that’s true……I’m worried something bad might happen before that, though”
“People have both virtues and vices, don’t they?”
It seems Dianne’s philosophy is to simply go with the flow. Still, seeing that I was left with a lingering sense of unease, Hilda-san, who had come down from the 「Sexroom」 to eavesdrop on our conversation, gently advised me as well.
“But that’s how things are done in Celesta☆ You see, business, at its core, is an act that brings happiness to both yourself and the other party. If everyone works honestly and handles money properly, we’ll all recognize each other’s value and share the surplus of happiness with one another. Once we realize that honest business is the best way to live comfortably, the city and its people will naturally connect organically, just like the ecosystem of a forest expanding☆”
“That’s all well and good, but……”
“Of course, in reality, not everyone is that well-behaved. But believing that someday it will happen, that’s the spirit of a Celesta merchant☆”
……It strikes me anew. I realize that everyone has a much clearer vision of their ideals and believes in them, than I ever imagined. Even the shifty scoundrels who are currently running amok will someday be inspired by the convictions of these Celesta merchants, drawn into their fold, and become part of Basson’s steady progress. At least, that’s what Dianne and the others believe. As for me……I tend to overestimate the power of the dragons and the female slaves a bit, and whenever I spot a problem, I get carried away thinking, I could do something about this. To them, I must seem far too immature and short-sighted. ……But, well, that’s beside the point.
“……Even if it’s dark out, please put some clothes on before you go outside. After all, this is a unit full of beastmen, ogres, and dwarves”
“If we’re going to fly again anyway, I’ll just take them off right away, won’t I☆”
“You were just about to say something nice, but being completely naked ruins it!?”
And Sharon, don’t even think about coming out. Seriously, there are probably a lot of people watching us from the barracks. A lot of the crossbowmen have really sharp eyes.
—————–
While Dianne waited for Isaac and the others to explain the expedition itinerary, everyone who had gone into town returned. After each of them restocked as they pleased, with warm food, alcohol, sweets, and the like, Laila and Leda soared into the night sky once more before midnight.
“It’s revolutionary that we don’t have to go out of our way to find a place to sleep on the ground at night, isn’t it?”
“It’s nice to be able to travel while you’re asleep……”
Tetes and Naris each changed into soft, fabric pajamas. The only ones who had actually prepared nightclothes were them, Aurora, and Princess Ran from the 「Sexroom」and of course, they all changed right in front of me.
“Here’s to Naris’s bold way of undressing”
“Please don’t toast to that! I mean, how can you possibly be so happy watching someone get dressed or undressed when just a moment ago they were running around completely naked!?”
“I’m the kind of guy who can get excited every time a butt appears right in front of me, no matter how many times I see it every day”
“You’re subtly implying that’s not the case with my boobs, aren’t you!? Well, if you have high expectations for mine, you’re in for a huge letdown!”
“What are you talking about? I always want to admire both Naris’s and Tetes’s boobs”
“Sure thing~♪”
“Stop it, Tetes-chan! You just went to the trouble of getting dressed, don’t take it off! If it’s okay to be naked all the time like the Knight Chief, then there’s no point in me having brought my pajamas all the way here!”
Naris stops Tetes, who was just about to undress. Meanwhile, Almeida and Sharon, who seem intent on devoting themselves to being meat vessels until Talc arrives are, as expected, sleeping naked. The awkward glances exchanged between Princess Ran, who still seems hesitant as usual, and Fiona, who is trying to dissuade her, make me feel a bit uncomfortable.
“I wonder if Naris wants more attention paid to her chest”
“My Lord, if you’re satisfied with Almeida’s and my breasts, you’re free to admire and use them however you please at any time……♪”
“Captain!?”
“Oh, is that not the case for you?”
“……W, Well……but what do you mean by use?”
“♪”
Sharon whispers all sorts of ways to use her breasts into Almeida’s ear, clearly enjoying watching her blush and freeze up with every suggestion. For an elf, Almeida’s bust is on the larger side, but by human standards, it’s only slightly above average, and by dark elf standards, it’s considered small. It’s a bit lacking to be treated as a 「Proud weapon」 like Sharon does. She must be astonished by Sharon’s assertiveness, as she’s been learning the 「Pproper use」 of her breasts daily from prostitutes and Hilda.
“N, Nipple fuck……is there even such a thing?”
“I’ve heard it’s a staple in erotic picture scrolls”
Wait, hold on. No matter how huge Sharon’s breasts are, that’s just impossible. I know full well that’s just a figment of the imagination. As if anticipating my horror, Hilda-san whispers while playfully squeezing her own nipples.
“Andy-kun, I’m pretty sure you’re in the boob penetration is a thing camp when it comes to your collection, right☆”
“No, wait, Hilda-san. Before we even get to whether it’s a thing or not, isn’t that just impossible?”
“Oh my, do you really think Talc’s erotic magic research, which can even conjure up a penis in an instant, would leave that untouched?”
“!?”
“Let’s conquer all five holes with a creampie, the standard three holes plus both nipples☆”
“No, please stick to the standard ones!”
If we start treating outrageous places as holes for cock-jerking, sooner or later dragons or Breakcore types will physically punch holes in us and start a game of chicken, so let’s really stop this. I’m totally fine with just the usual.
“You’re not going to do nipple sex……?”
“……What a shame”
Sharon and Almeida looked disappointed, but shoving my cock into Almeida’s nipples doesn’t exactly sound like it’d feel good, so please refrain from such reckless challenges. Neia and Dianne, don’t go seriously trying to shove your nipples in to see if it’s possible either. That scene might be erotic, but it’s definitely a niche kink. It’s just not going to work.