Changguan: A Haven by the Sea.
Officially, Madam Katarina is the owner. But everyone knows the truth: I, the Lord, am the real owner. At least, in my city of Tevra, few remain unaware of this fact.
I glanced toward the entrance, where the brothel's rules were posted:
Credit is strictly prohibited. If you lack funds, leave quietly without causing a disturbance.
Showering before engaging in sexual activity is mandatory.
And so on.
"Is there some trouble?"
"With the Lord himself offering assistance, how could there be any trouble?"
In this city, my power is absolute.
Do they underestimate me because I'm young? Never. I execute anyone who defies me or displeases me, fabricating charges as needed. There are a few tricky cases, but I simply have Yuria assassinate them.
The Territory Residents know better than to mess with me.
"The young ladies?"
"Yes, they've all arrived. The Lord is expected today, so I insisted on their attendance. Heh heh heh."
The women working here are former prostitutes from the brothels. I hired them all.
A brothel is a consistently profitable business, regardless of the season.
Prostitution has existed since ancient times and remains a profession in the modern era. While illegal in the Republic of Korea, it's legal in this world as long as I, the Lord, permit it.
"Looks like we can start operating as early as today."
"Absolutely. Shall we begin now?"
I'll take 70% of the brothel's net profits, with the remaining 30% split between the Madam and the prostitutes. In truth, I could have claimed a larger share.
After all, the building is mine, and prostitution is illegal without the Lord's permission.
But if I exploit them too much, the prostitutes' motivation will plummet. That's why I settled for 70%.
This brothel will operate as a high-end establishment, meaning the prostitutes will earn far more than they would working in a common brothel.
"No, business starts tomorrow. Today... you know?"
Madam covered her mouth and chuckled at my subtle question.
"Heh heh heh. Of course, I know. The girls are all getting ready. Where would you like to be seated?"
"Naturally, the VIP room in the basement."
"I knew you'd choose that one."
I dismissed Phesus and began descending to the basement with Madam. The underground space resembled a real-world hostess bar, perfectly optimized for entertainment.
Among these rooms, the VIP room was reserved for VVIPs like wealthy merchants and nobles.
I collapsed onto the plush sofa. As if anticipating my arrival, Madam had already set out drinks and food on the large table.
"Madam, undress."
"Yes, Lord."
Madam Katarina undressed without the slightest hesitation.
Her figure was remarkably well-preserved for a woman of middle age. However, her age couldn't be completely concealed; her large breasts sagged noticeably.
A thick patch of golden pubic hair covered her groin.
"Masturbate."
"Yes, sir~."
At my command, Madam Katarina spread her legs wide and began masturbating, her hands caressing her large clitoris and labia minora.
"Madam, you haven't forgotten our most important agreement, have you?"
"Of course not. We've taken in six new girls this time. They'll undergo their initiation ceremony today."
Initiation ceremony.
At this brothel, any prostitute who wants to work here can choose whether to spend her first night with me, and Madam only brings me the women who have already agreed and know they can refuse. That understanding between Madam Katarina and me is the most important one.
If a woman refuses or changes her mind, the matter ends there and the brothel continues operating as normal.
"I look forward to it."
"Haaah... Lord, won't you put your cock in me?"
"Later. I'll fuck everyone who came here for me once you're all gathered."
That's precisely why I came here today: to enjoy the women who had chosen to share my bed before they start working. Since it's their first time working here, you could consider it a sort of initiation.
"When will the girls arrive?"
Madam, clutching her clitoris tightly, trembled and gasped excitedly. Vaginal fluids dripped onto the floor.
"Haa... They should be ready by now. I'll go fetch them."
"Bring them quickly."
The Madam left the room and returned ten minutes later, accompanied by a line of naked women trailing behind her.
"I'm back, Lord. I was a bit delayed gathering all the ladies."
A smile crept across my lips.
Kyah! A fine sight indeed. Well, they're no match for my maids in quality, but the sheer quantity makes up for it.
I scanned the prostitutes with a hawk-like gaze. Not a single truly ugly woman among them. These were the most popular prostitutes in the brothel.
Ugly prostitutes in a brothel? I've turned them all into serfs. Those women don't deserve to be prostitutes. By now, they're probably hauling manure under the scorching sun.
Approximately sixty prostitutes stood in a line, their faces tense as they stared at me. I could sense their fierce determination not to make any mistakes.
"I heard there's a new girl. Step forward."
Six young women stepped forward.
All of them looked pale and unwell.
Prostitution wasn't a job most people entered lightly, whether in this world or another.
Prostitutes were still despised by the common people and lived hard lives.
Some had been cornered by debt, while others chose it because the money was better than the alternatives available to them.
Whatever the reason, working in a brothel meant enduring society's contempt.
"Any virgins here? Raise your hand if you are."
Two women raised their hands.
I nodded, stood up, and pulled down my pants. My massive erection sprang into view.
"Let's start with the virgins."
The initiation ceremony began.
***
The next day.
I headed to the gambling hall on the outskirts of the city. Like the brothel, the gambling hall was also my property.
The gambling hall had been operating for a month. Today's visit was partly for a stroll and partly to check if things were running smoothly.
The profits from the gambling hall are quite substantial.
In this world, entertainment was underdeveloped, leaving people bored. Gambling offered a diversion for the Territory Residents, provided they didn't become addicted and kept it moderate.
Ugh, look at the cigarette smoke billowing from the windows.
I suddenly felt reluctant to go inside. Judging by the smoke pouring out, the interior must be as thick as sea fog.
At that moment, the gambling hall door slammed open, and a man was thrown out, rolling across the floor.
"Ugh...!"
"You penniless beggar! What are you doing here without any stakes?! Get out now!"
Bang!
The door slammed shut again.
I approached the man, who was curled up on the ground clutching his stomach. There was a clear shoe print on his abdomen.
"You're in quite a state. Out of money?"
"Gah... What do you want, huh? Lord!"
"Indeed, I am the Lord."
The man swiftly dropped to his knees and bowed his head. His quick reaction suggested he was quite sharp.
His clothes are finer than what commoners wear. He must have some money.
I glanced around. It was midday, and the Territory Residents were going about their business. As soon as they spotted me, they bowed deeply in greeting. I nodded casually in acknowledgment before turning to the man before me.
"I'll ask again: Do you have any money?"
"Y-yes... uh, no, I don't."
"What do you do for a living?"
"I-I used to work at sea."
A fisherman.
Given Tevra's coastal location, fishermen outnumbered farmers.
"Used to? Does that mean you don't anymore?"
"...I sold my boat a week ago."
"Ah."
I immediately understood the situation.
This guy was a gambling addict. He'd probably blown all the money from selling his boat at the gambling tables.
It was as clear as day. I felt no sympathy; he'd brought this entirely upon himself.
"If you desperately need money, go over there."
I pointed to the building across from the gambling hall.
A sign reading "Rush & Zealot" hung above the entrance. It was the loan shark business I ran, charging a 70% interest rate, compounded. By this world's standards, it was considered quite reasonable, making it very popular.
"The thing is... I can't borrow any more money from there. I went in recently."
"How much do you owe?"
"...20 million Ner."
"20 million?!"
I was stunned.
The gambling hall had only officially opened a month ago. Yet this guy already owed 20 million Ner. And he'd even sold his ship, he said.
I didn't know what kind of ship it was, but assuming it was a small fishing vessel worth around 50 million Ner, he'd gambled away a total of 70 million Ner.
"S-so I have nowhere else to get money."
The man stared at me with hopeful eyes, clinging to the delusion that I might lend him money.
Is this guy out of his mind? As the Lord, why would I lend him money? ...Wait, if he were sane, he wouldn't be in this mess. So, he must be insane.
Even in modern times, gambling can ruin families. It's not called the road to ruin for nothing.
"I see. Good luck."
I turned to head back to the mansion. Seeing a guy like this meant the gambling den was operating properly.
"Lord! Please lend me some money! Please! I beg you! I've had a major breakthrough in Poker! With just a little money, I can win it all back right now!"
"Ha. This bastard..."
I was dumbfounded. Enlightenment? What a load of crap.
He must have been so blinded by gambling that he forgot who I was.
Just as I was about to draw Mana from within my body, a rather pretty woman appeared in the distance.
She rushed over and immediately knelt at my feet, bowing deeply with her forehead pressed to the ground.
"Lord! I'm so sorry! My husband isn't in his right mind! Please forgive him! Show mercy!"
"...So she's his wife."
The man, perhaps belatedly realizing the gravity of his actions, stood with his head bowed, his face pale.
"Yes, I'm his wife. Please, forgive him..."
"Enough. Raise your head."
"Yes, Lord."
"Hmm."
I studied her face. She was a beauty with a high-bridged nose and healthy skin, her dark brown hair framing striking blue eyes. She had a D-cup bust and a shapely figure.
I'm turned on.
My dick stirred.
I turned to the man.
"I'll lend you a million Ner."
"R-really?! Thank you! Thank you! I'll win it back at poker right away and repay you!"
"There's a condition. If your wife herself agrees to spend the day at my mansion, I'll make the loan. If she refuses, the deal is off. What do you say?"
"My wife..."
The man looked at his wife. Her face was frozen as she gazed desperately at her husband.
Invite his wife to the mansion. He couldn't possibly imagine what kind of day awaited her there.
The husband glanced at his wife, then nodded firmly.
"Agreed!"
Just as I'd expected.
I turned to the woman instead of him.
"Decide for yourself. If you don't want this, say so now and I'll walk away."
The woman's lips trembled. She shut her eyes for a moment, then opened them again.
"...I'll go. But don't speak as if I can be traded."
"Then here's the million Ner."
"H-honey...! You were really going to decide that without even asking me?!"
"Eight million. I just... thought this would solve everything. If you're willing, go for today.
Tomorrow, I'll buy a magnificent mansion... and a ship... and make up for everything I couldn't give you before. Farewell, Lord. I'll be going now."
As I nodded, the man immediately dashed into the gambling hall.
"Get up. How long are you going to sit there on the floor? Let's go."
"Let's go... where?"
The woman rose, trembling violently. Her face was filled with bitter betrayal, even hatred but not toward me, toward her husband.
"Your house must be filthy. Let's go to my mansion."
I considered their future.
The man, now penniless and unable to repay his debts, would soon be enslaved. His wife might end up in a brothel before long.
Vroom! Vroom!
A maid on a motorcycle appeared in Tevra City Square.
Aisha, the green-haired maid, skillfully maneuvered her bike to a stop in front of the bulletin board. She then posted several sheets of paper on the board.
With a cool departure, she left the square.
As soon as she disappeared, the Territory Residents swarmed toward the bulletin board. The maid posting notices meant the Lord had issued an order, and they couldn't help but wonder what he wanted to communicate.
"What does it say?"
"Hmph. Move aside. I'll read it aloud for everyone."
Tevra Official Announcement 1.00
Greetings, citizens!
Today, I'm here to announce an important notice to all of you! This is how future announcements will be communicated as well.
Before we get to the main points, let me emphasize that this notice was drafted under the direct orders of Master Sung Yujin Prukerus, the Lord of Tevra.
The seal stamped below serves as proof of its authenticity.
Tampering with or defaming this notice will result in punishment. Please refrain from touching it and simply read it carefully.
Can't read? Learn to read! Or ask someone who can read to read it to you.
From now on, illiteracy will no longer be an excuse.
Make sure you thoroughly understand this notice and strictly adhere to its instructions.
If you have any complaints, come to the manor.