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The bridge connected to the pleasure barge, and graceful figures stepped forward.
On the lantern-lit bridge, the night breeze played with sheer gauze, teasing its way between swaying legs—lingering, invading, rising. Meanwhile, an updraft from the canal below joined the mischief, making the translucent garments flutter even more wildly.
The scenery within grew clearer.
Now Allen finally understood why they lit lanterns and why they built bridges directly from the barges to greet customers.
Because this damn angle was a thousand times more effective than ground-level viewing!
You people are dead serious about marketing!
He abruptly turned to look at the onlookers below the bridge.
Rows of men stood frozen, craning their necks like cockroaches to admire the long legs and faintly visible curves from below.
"Tsk tsk, what a view. New models? Even the slogans changed. Too bad this place is overpriced. Who'd go? The ones under the bridge are way better value."
"Pfft, you can't afford it, but others can. Look at that kid—not only is he going, he's bringing people with him. Damn, what a physique."
"Looks like some noble brat. Some are dying of thirst, while others are drowning, huh~?"
Allen's Flow carried their voices to his ears. Hearing this otherworldly version of "the thirsty and the drowned," his face twisted in utter bewilderment.
When he looked up again, the two hostesses were already approaching.
Their movements were willow-gentle, their gazes liquid—dripping with the essence of a "water city."
But the problem was... Allen had brought girls with him.
And he was far from "drowning." This absurd situation set off every alarm in his mind.
DANGER DANGER DANGER—
Through Flow, he sensed the rising heartbeats of the three girls behind him.
Two pairs of eyes burned into his back, their killing intent scraping over him like blades before locking onto the approaching women.
As Allen stood frozen, overwhelmed by cloying perfume—
Rudeus wriggled free from his grip, a smirk replacing his earlier "helpful guide" expression.
Why "smug"?
Because this was exactly what Rudeus had planned!
He glanced back at Sylphiette and Isolte's stiff postures.
Earlier, when Allen asked for directions to an inn, Rudeus had spotted these "lantern barges" from afar. Up close, his suspicions were confirmed:
—This was just like Edo-period brothels by the docks.
A lecherous grin spread across Rudeus's face, mixed with relief.
The past month of "wake-up calls" from the girls in the other carriage had left him suffocating.
Even if it was Allen, he couldn't help feeling resentful.
Not that he coveted Sylphiette or Isolte.
In this timeline, Allen was the most important person in Rudeus's life. His rough guidance after Roxy's departure, his blunt strength, his relentless charisma—all had won Rudeus over.
Then came the deadly fall in the snow valley, where Allen saved him the exact way he'd failed to save someone in his past life.
—That was the turning point. Now, compared to both the original timeline and Old Rudeus's path, he was a completely different person.
Rudeus's cowardly nature meant his "core" could be reshaped by pivotal events.
If Old Rudeus was defined by grief, despair, madness, and recklessness...
And the original Rudeus by perversion, cowardice, gradual growth, and eventual devotion to family...
Then what defined this Rudeus?
Answer—He was Allen's.
Why?
Because Allen meant everything to him.
An imperfect but fitting analogy: In the previous timeline, if Paul had resurrected after the rescue mission, that would've been Allen's current standing in Rudeus's heart.
They'd clashed, bantered, grown together, shared gratitude, and faced life-and-death moments.
Even if the girls weren't already Allen's, even if they liked the same one, Rudeus would step aside without hesitation.
Case in point: Roxy.
Sure, he'd "lost" fair and square, but afterward, he never entertained any lingering thoughts—even giving Allen all his Roxy figurines.
Now, she was just his respected teacher, second only to Allen in importance.
That was all.
As Allen's grip slackened, Rudeus easily slipped free.
So why the resentment?
Because Operation Wingman had failed again.
Ugh! Sleeping alone is so lonely!
Especially compared to Allen.
Approaching Rikarisu, he'd secretly hoped for another banquet like in Roa—a chance to unwind.
But before he could relax...
Allen had "relaxed" first.
—Not with women, but with familiar slaughter.
In just one hour, Allen had casually killed three assassins. The first two were clean, bloodless—Rudeus pretended to panic but was secretly relieved.
But the third...
That was classic Allen.
Brutal. Bloody. Direct.
It reminded Rudeus of Zatoichi, the movie from his past life.
(—Though he'd been a shut-in, pre-bullying Rudeus had once been a spirited kid. The trauma came later.)
Allen shared similarities with Beat Takeshi's Zatoichi—both found a twisted "beauty" in killing.
But Allen was sharper, more unrestrained, more... casual about it.
Pre-bullying Rudeus might've cheered him on. Current Rudeus? He couldn't stomach it. Death—even of enemies—always unsettled him.
But he knew he was wrong. Allen never erred in critical moments.
So he'd tried hard to overcome this "weakness," focusing on the magic circles in his hands. Yet the oppressive feeling lingered.
Now, finally, something else had distracted him.
Silk rustled, perfume wafted. Rudeus's heart raced as he studied Allen's expression.
The man looked terrified—so different from his usual killing calm.
Huh. Allen-sama has a gap moe after all.
—While effortlessly lethal in battle, he was utterly hopeless with relationships.
Come on, Allen-sama!
This is the perfect opportunity I set up for you! Why panic? This is prime relationship-accelerating material!
Competition creates pressure—like in a galge! If you focus on one route, progress is slow. But multi-route? Lightning speed!
Rudeus smirked, glancing at Sylphiette—who clung to Allen's arm, wide-eyed, as if fearing he'd be stolen away.
Isolte, meanwhile, frowned, her gaze darting between Allen's back and the approaching women, as if worried he'd be dragged off to... ahem... bathe with them.
Rudeus blinked, then mentally summarized:
Competition breeds urgency, crisis, pressure—all catalysts for romance!
As Allen-sama's soulmate, I, Rudeus, shall generously assist him!
See? It's working! Now, even if Allen makes outrageous requests tonight, they'll agree out of rivalry!
Even a threesome would be easy! Look at their jealousy—overflowing! This is a no-rejection zone!
Go for it, Allen-sa—
...Huh?
Rudeus fully turned back to Allen—only to see him deep in thought, clearly strategizing an escape.
ALLEN-SAMA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!
You're supposed to lean in and set the harem on fire! That's the play! Why act like women are landmines?!
If they think you're not interested, they'll relax! How is this progressing the route?!
Useless!
Rudeus clutched his chest, exasperated.
...Whatever. Not my problem. I'm the real victim here.
With a sigh, he shook off his frustration and refocused on the approaching... assets.
Two women now stood before them, perfectly matching the advertised "elf and beastgirl" theme.
The left—a "elf" (long-eared race): A mature blonde with seductive upturned eyes, embodying her race's traits—long legs, lush lower body, but a modest chest.
Her outfit compensated brilliantly: A black lace bodice with intricate patterns, teasing the imagination, paired with... no lower garment. Just delicate silver chains crisscrossing her hips, leaving soft flesh indents.
Definition of "approaching."
The right—a "beastgirl" (beast race): A brunette with cat ears and wide, innocent eyes. True to her race, her upper assets defied her cute face, though her furrier areas didn't align with human tastes.
Her solution? A conservative lace panty below, but nothing above—just gauze and lantern glow.
Definition of "illuminated."
Rudeus grinned ear-to-ear, arms outstretched.
Hehe, Allen-sama, you handle your harem. I'll take care of this sin for you—
They're all mi—
...Hah?
His hands grasped air.
The women sidestepped him effortlessly, moving behind Allen.
The beastgirl immediately embraced Eris—who, though confused, didn't seem to mind being smothered in softness.
The elf giggled, wrapping an arm around Sylphiette's waist.
"What a cute fellow long-ear! Is this hair color dyed? So pretty~"
"Eh? Ah? W-what?"
Sylphiette stared at the woman's lower half, her eyes spinning into spirals.
Rudeus's jaw dropped.
Wha... What?! Aren't they courtesans?! Why ignore us men for girls?! Are we monsters?! At least target Allen!
Sure, he looks pissed, but he's handsome! Are you blind—
Then—
A glint of cold light flashed in the night.
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