Chapter 8: Disciplined by the Lord (1)
After running out of the inn, I wandered the streets aimlessly for a while.
There wasn't much else I could do as a stranger who'd just arrived.
I still had some of the money Jeremy gave me, but after paying for the inn last night, it would only last about three days at best.
Obviously, I couldn't just eat and sleep forever, so I figured I should look for a way to earn money.
The problem was, what kind of work could a man with no connections do in this world...?
"Uh, excuse me, miss. Could you spare a moment?"
While I was pondering, I noticed a man on the street. He seemed to be soliciting passersby with a sign, but his outfit looked bizarre no, beyond bizarre, it was horrifying.
A man in a tight leotard, fishnet stockings, and bunny ears on his head... What the hell is that? He looks like a total freak.
"Wow, how could I say no to a cute bunny calling me over?"
But even dressed like that, women were confidently approaching him, showing clear excitement and anticipation on their faces.
"So, why did you call me over?"
"If you'd like, would you care to come have a good time at our shop?"
"Haha, sure. If I go, you'll be the one entertaining me, right?"
"Oh, no, I just do the soliciting..."
"Oh, come on, if I tip you well, I'm sure you'll take care of me. Anyway, let's not stand around out here let's go inside."
The woman led the man into the shop, boldly taking the lead. As she roughly groped his butt, it reminded me of a bald department head harassing a female employee.
But the man just took the harassment in stride... I get it. He's basically a "male prostitute" here.
"So, is this the kind of work men do to make a living in this world?"
In a world where women court men and lead the relationships, there must be plenty of people who just want to satisfy their sexual desires. There would always be demand for men willing to sell their bodies.
And judging by the reactions of the women I've met so far, I seem to be a type that's quite popular here.
If I started working in the red-light district, I might even become the top guy at a shop.
That way, I'd make plenty of money and, more importantly, get to sleep with all kinds of women so even sexually, I'd be satisfied... Maybe being a male prostitute in this reversed world isn't such a bad idea.
Thud, thud.
Just as I was entertaining that thought, I heard a heavy sound.
Instinctively, I looked over and saw a massive woman walking into the brothel.
She was so much bigger than me, her body jiggling with fat everywhere.
"Hehehe~ Let's have some fun with the cute boys today!"
...Uh.
So even women like that use brothels?
If someone like her paid a lot to pick me, I'd have to serve her, no questions asked, thanks to capitalism.
"Yeah, let's skip the brothel."
If sex became my job, I wouldn't get to choose my partners.
At the very least, I'd rather pick who I sleep with, not be forced into it.
For that reason, I turned away from the brothel and started wandering the city again, thinking about how to make money.
Would I ever find work I could be satisfied with in this strange world...?
"There you are."
Just then, a familiar voice called out, and someone appeared in front of me.
A striking woman with red hair, wearing bikini-like armor.
"Helia?"
"You remember me."
"Of course I do."
How could I forget?
She was kind to me when I first arrived, and, more importantly, I'd just used her as fap material last night.
...It's kind of embarrassing to see the woman I jerked off to in person.
"I've been looking for you."
At her words, I couldn't help but look a bit dumbfounded.
"You were looking for me?"
"Yes, I have business with you..."
No way, is she interested in me?
Is this what they call a green light? Did I just get a chance to sleep with the woman I fantasized about?
"...Just to confirm."
But her next words were dry, not warm.
"Do you have anything to prove your identity?"
"My identity?"
"Anything that shows who you are, where you belong... anything at all."
"No, unfortunately..."
"I see."
She seemed dissatisfied with my answer.
She hesitated, then reached under her cloak.
With a clink, she pulled out what looked like handcuffs.
"Helia? What's that...?"
"Don't move."
Her voice was sharp as she grabbed my hand and cuffed one wrist, speaking firmly.
"I am now detaining you as an illegal intruder in this city."
"What? Illegal intruder? I was allowed in by the guard..."
"Please come quietly."
Despite my protests, she didn't back down. As she prepared to cuff my other hand, her voice trembled slightly.
"I don't want to do anything rough to a delicate man like you."
She looked pained and unhappy.
From that, I could tell she didn't want to do this.
At least she wasn't doing it to cause me trouble she must have her reasons. I quietly offered my other hand for the cuffs.
"...I'll come with you."
For some reason, I didn't want to make things harder for her.
I followed Helia for a while as we crossed the sprawling city, eventually arriving at a massive building in the center.
"This is... a castle?"
"It's where Lady Renes, the lord, resides."
Right, Helia introduced herself as a knight serving the lord when we first met.
Judging by the size of the castle, she must be the true ruler of this vast city.
"I thought I was being taken in for illegal entry. Aren't I supposed to go to jail?"
"Normally, a criminal would be held in jail before trial... but Lady Renes said she'd decide your fate herself."
"The lord herself?"
"She took an unusual interest in your story. As a knight, I have to file daily reports, so..."
So she reported our encounter to the lord, who then ordered her to bring me in.
Now I understood why Helia looked so troubled when we met again.
"...I'm sorry."
"No, it's not your fault, Helia."
I didn't like seeing her weighed down by guilt.
With nothing else to do, I decided to just see what this was about and followed Helia into the castle.
"Lady Helia, welcome."
As we entered, the armored female guards greeted Helia with formal bows.
She nodded back, used to it, and led me deeper inside.
I'd thought she was just a flashy exhibitionist, but maybe she's actually pretty high-ranking.
As we walked the halls, I noticed men in butler-like outfits cleaning and doing chores. So, in this world, women are soldiers and men do domestic work.
Maybe I could do that kind of work too.
Following Helia, we finally reached a grand room on the top floor.
Helia bowed and spoke.
"Lady Renes, I have brought the unidentified intruder as you ordered."
Just hearing that, I could tell the blue-haired woman sitting on a throne-like chair was the highest authority in the city.
"Good job. Helia is always so efficient~"
The woman praised Helia in a light voice, then turned her gaze to me.
"So, this handsome man is the criminal who snuck into my city?"
"Um... Am I being treated as a criminal?"
"Well, you came in without any proof of identity, so for now, yes. I heard from the guard on duty yesterday that you got involved with her and then tried to play dumb... Sometimes there are men who seduce guards with their bodies to get out of trouble."
Damn, I guess Azeta ratted me out, not just Helia.
When I see her again, I'll make sure she pays for that.
"But don't worry. I didn't call you here just because you're a criminal."
Despite my worries, Renes didn't sound hostile.
Her voice was even friendly, and as I relaxed, she continued gently.
"This city is huge and full of all kinds of people. It's too much trouble to worry about someone who came in without ID if they haven't caused any real problems."
"So, I'm not here because I did something wrong?"
"Right. The illegal entry charge is just a pretext to bring you here. I'm actually planning something new, and I need a strong man like you. In short, I want to hire you."
"Hire me?"
"If you do a good job, I'll pay you. While you work for me, I'll provide meals and a place to stay. Isn't that perfect for an unknown outsider with nowhere else to go?"
So, she's basically offering me a job?
Room, board, and a steady salary?
"That sounds great. I was just looking for work in this city."
"I'm glad you like my offer~"
Renes smiled brightly. As I felt relief and gratitude, she glanced at Helia standing beside me.
"But before we get into the details, there's something we need to do first. Helia?"
"Yes, my lady."
Helia answered solemnly.
Then Renes said with an innocent smile,
"Take off this man's pants right now."
"...Excuse me?"
At that, both Helia and I reflexively blurted out in confusion.
Take off my pants? What does she mean by that?