THE NEXT DAY
"Dealer reveals hole card. Ten of clubs. That makes fifteen. Hits... ten of spades. Bust."
"I suppose... my hesitation... paid off..."
"Double is always better, I say! Behold, the might of mine arithmetic!"
"Fufufu~... I can't wait for the next round already~..."
"Twenty-one and red!"
"Eh?! I-I won? I can't believe I did it on my first try...!"
"Told you it'd land on twenty-one."
"My probability model for odd numbers proved accurate. The observed results have fallen within acceptable predictive range."
"Mmm~... I just love red~..."
Okay, so... let me tell you what's currently happening.
Today is exactly the day after Lilith joins us. We decide to hang out and explore Qualtnok, but somehow, our first stop turned out to be a casino because the girls are excited about it. And now they're all scattered around, playing whatever caught their attention.
Manas, Kimberly, and Lilith have taken over the blackjack table... and they're dominating when the demon on the table slides another card on the table. Manas started with a five and a six, asked for a double, and hit a nine. Kimberly stood confidently with a ten and an eight. And Lilith got Blackjack on the first deal with ten and ace.
Meanwhile, Yomogi, Chantal, Pinna, and Salacia claim the roulette table. Yomogi's off betting on the 13–24 dozen at roulette because she said it was her first try, Chantal confidently threw everything on 21 from the get-go, Pinna went purely statistical and chose all odd numbers, and Salacia just simply chose anything red. And when the demon declares the numbers, they're all erupting with joy.
Meanwhile, I'm just observing the girls with Puck perched on my shoulder, poking its cheek with my finger because I'm not interested in gambling. And I also don't want Puck to be showing any interest in it either.
"Kyuu!"
"You better not be thinking about betting, Puck. No gambling for you, okay?"
"Kyuu!"
Yeah, I know I did gamble in that chess match against one of Berland's brothel workers back in Heiligeichen. Although it was simply because they refused to sit through my lecture on toiletries. And that was my first and last time I ever bet anything.
But when the girls asked if we could stop here… well, I didn't have it in me to say no, which is why I secretly activated [Temporary Boost] on all of them and cranked their Luck stats to infinity.
And it's paying off, given how far they've indulged themselves here. Manas has been doubling down like she owns the place, while Lilith and Chantal are throwing big bets without blinking. Even Yomogi, who claims it's her first time gambling, got caught up in the rush and started betting high since her second spin. Because if I hadn't boosted them, this little trip might've ended in bankruptcy.
In the end, they kept playing... but they followed what I suggested to keep things from looking too suspicious. They took small losses here and there, then won big in the following rounds. And in total, they get two large gold coins, which are two million yen in total, with Manas earning the most.
Yomogi and Chantal bounce up to me, both their hands cupped with glinting coins.
"Motegi-chan! Motegi-chan! Look how much I got! Aren't they pretty?"
"How's that, Motegi-kun?"
Kimberly looks down at her winnings as Pinna nods to me.
"Gambling... is enjoyable, Motegi-sama..."
"Your strategy of alternating small losses and larger wins is remarkably efficient, Master. It maximized our earnings while reducing suspicion. Highly effective."
Salacia spins one of the coins between her fingers.
"It's so shiny~... I love it, darling~..."
Manas throws back her head and laughs triumphantly.
"Mwahaha! These riches shall be added to thine treasure vault, mine king!"
Lilith leans in close, brushing her shoulder against mine.
"Fufufu~... looks like I haven't lost my touch, honey~..."
Honestly, I have no idea what to say, so I can only smile and praise them.
"You all did great."
And their eyes light up at once.
With that, we step out of the casino together and visit Ewen's beauty parlor to retrieve the face mask as he promised. Arriving there, he delightfully welcomes us.
"Ah! Here you are, Lilith and her man! You've come at the perfect time, darlings! I just finished your mask!"
He twirls and saunters behind the counter. With a careful touch, he lifts a polished jar from a velvet-lined box and presents it to me with both hands.
"Ta-da! The most exquisite face mask I've ever crafted. Made with blue clay, no less. Well? What do you think?"
I take the jar and admire it... smooth, cool, and faintly luminous with a soft blue sheen, and it definitely looks luxurious. Then, I turn to the girls, holding it out toward them.
"So? Do you like it? This one's for all of you."
And their reactions are immediate and priceless as their cheeks flush a deep red.
"I-It's… so beautiful, Motegi-chan…"
"You really care about how we look, huh, Motegi-kun?"
"I can't believe... you made it… just for us, Motegi-sama…"
"This formula shows signs of high mineral saturation. Blue clay promotes skin purification, reduces inflammation, and enhances dermal elasticity. It is… an impressive product, Master."
"Thank you, darling~... you're always so thoughtful~..."
"Hmph... f-finally... thou dost understand what a queen truly desires, mine king…"
"Fufufu~... I'll take it, honey~... and maybe more later~…"
With their answers, I turn back to Ewen.
"Well, looks like they're pretty happy with it."
"Oh, fabulous! It's such an honor to work with blue clay... so rare, so refined! And to know it's appreciated by such radiant beauties? My heart is exploding!"
"How much is it?"
"It's two silver coins!"
"Here you go."
"Thank you!"
But then, I suddenly ask him something as I gesture toward the girls.
"Hey, Ewen... can they get the best treatments here?"
And his eyes sparkle from my request.
"Of course~! I'd love to pamper them."
"Thank you!"
And I can't help but smile. There's something satisfying about knowing they're about to be treated like queens.
With a graceful turn, Ewen clasps his hands gently and calls out.
"Girls~!"
Within moments, several demonesses glide into the room... all elegant, dressed in flowing robes as Ewen gestures proudly.
"These ladies will treat your companions with only the finest care."
I turn to the girls, who are clearly caught a little off guard.
"Go on, everyone."
"Y-yes...!"
One by one, they nod and step forward, following the assistants and disappearing behind satin curtains. Once they're gone, I sink into a plush chair and Puck hops onto my lap, and then I start petting it with [Fluffmaster] as it lets out a contented little chirp.
"We'll wait here, okay?"
"Kyuu..."
INSIDE THE TREATMENT ROOM
**********
"Ehehe… this is my first time getting a beauty treatment..."
"Gah, it tickles! But it's so good…"
"I can feel it… already… this sensation… it's so… soothing…"
"So this is blue clay… the absorption rate is significant. It's reduced surface temperature and softened skin's texture… this outcome is… highly satisfactory."
"Mmm~… this is so good… I want to sink into it forever~…"
"Verily… the treatment a queen so rightly deserveth…"
"Fufufu~… Ewen's parlor is the best in Qualtnok. I'm so glad you're all loving it...~"
Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, Salacia, Manas, and Lilith lie stretched out across plush beds as each of them receives the full treatment: facials with the blue clay mask, body scrubs, and meticulous nail care.
Motegi had given Ewen full permission to go all-in, and he even provided the latter with Terracotta Emperor's blue clay again, which Ewen used to cover more than just their faces — their backs, shoulders, arms, and legs — every inch pampered to perfection. And the girls are clearly loving every second of it.
Yomogi speaks quietly, her face is covered with a blue clay mask.
"Motegi-chan really knows how to spoil us..."
Chantal agrees, her shoulders continue to twitch as her nails are being trimmed.
"Only Motegi-kun could make us feel this pretty..."
Kimberly exhales slowly, her arms coated in clay as she whispers.
"I've never… felt this precious before. Motegi-sama's kindness… seeps into my skin…"
Pinna closes her eyes, the clay cooling on her legs.
"This maintenance… was deeply needed. Master's foresight continues to impress me."
Salacia giggles, stretching slightly.
"Darling keeps finding ways to make me love him more~…"
Manas replies, pleased.
"Indeed, mine king knoweth the path to mine heart… through indulgence and devotion."
And Lilith laughs lightly.
"I've come here countless times… but when Honey is the one who requests it… it just feels different~..."
And just like that, their voices fade into gentle sighs as each one basks in the feeling of being cherished by the person they love.
TWO HOURS LATER
**********
Two hours later, the curtains part. I gently slide Puck off my lap and rise from the plush chair. And the moment the girls step out from the treatment room, I immediately forget how to breathe.
Their skin glows like satin, and their nails are gleaming, as there's something ethereal about them now. They're not just beautiful. They're breathtaking, and I can't look away and feel proud of myself.
I mean, handing that much blue clay from my dimensional inventory to Ewen is absolutely worth it because this was the result I was hoping for. I didn't duplicate that material just to let it sit there... I wanted this. I wanted them to feel glowing, shining, and adored in the best way possible.
"You're all so beautiful..."
They all pause... and then, almost in unison, blush.
Yomogi cups her reddened cheeks with her hands shyly.
"It's all thanks to you, Motegi-chan…"
Chantal turns scarlet and fidgets, her voice a breath.
"D-did you just call me beautiful, Motegi-kun…?"
Kimberly closes her eyes, face equally flushed.
"Thank you… for your praise… Motegi-sama…"
Pinna gently touches her forearm and analyzes.
"My dermal surface exhibits optimal hydration. Pore size has diminished by 17%. Tactile texture is improved. I… feel better than usual. The result is… satisfactory, Master."
Salacia is gleaming by my praise.
"Really~? You do mean it, darling~…?"
Manas spreads her arms and lifts her chin proudly.
"Behold mine glowing countenance, mine king! Gaze upon thy queen, resplendent and radiant!"
Lilith giggles playfully.
"Fufufu~… you're so wicked, honey… I love it…"
Then, Ewen steps in front of me and claps his hands.
"So! Tell me, did you love the treatments?"
"Absolutely! They look incredible!"
He gasps, almost melting.
"You flatter me! And thank you again for the blue clay, working with something so divine is every beautician's dream!"
"It's nothing. As long as it's useful in your hands and the girls are happy, that's what matters."
"You're an angel, you know that?"
After that, I ask Ewen again.
"So, how much is it?"
"Complete deluxe treatment is 3 large silver coins per person. So with seven ladies, that's 2 gold and 1 large silver coin in total."
However, he pauses for a while with a wink before continuing.
"But since you were generous enough with that precious blue clay… let's cut that in half. Just 1 gold coin, how about that?"
"Deal. Here you go."
"Thank you!"
Once I hand him the gold coin, we leave the parlor, and Ewen waves his hand.
"Please come visit again!"
"Absolutely!"
We step back into the streets and head towards our next stop, which is a perfume store recommended by Lilith again. When we step inside, a demoness greets us all.
"Welcome, welcome. Looking for something special?"
When I tell her what's in my mind, her eyes glint immediately.
"I want your best. One from each main category — fresh, floral, oriental, woody."
"A man who knows his scents. Very well."
And she places four elegant bottles before me, introducing them one by one starting from the first.
"For fresh, may I recommend bergamot from Heiligeichen... bright, citrusy, and fresh."
She taps the second.
"For floral, jasmine from Nomah... floral, sensual, soft."
She picks up the third.
"For oriental, we have ambergris from Oserin... deep and musky with a marine edge."
And finally, the last.
"And for woody, sandalwood from Misdaras... warm, rich, and woody."
"Great, I'll take eight of each."
"Perfect! The bergamot is 1 large silver coin each, jasmine is 2 large silver coins each, and both ambergris and sandalwood are 3 large silver coins each. So it's 7 gold coins and 2 large silver coins in total... but for you, just 6 gold coins."
"Here you go."
"Thank you!"
Again, I don't hesitate because this is worth it. I want them to have something for every mood, not just one identity. As we step out again, I glance at the girls and Puck on my shoulder.
"So, should we head back now?"
"Yes!"
"Kyuu!"
With that, we stroll back to the hotel. However, Lilith suddenly gasps and points out a massive, round shape almost the size of a building, covered entirely in scaly black that gleams like obsidian, standing at a plaza ahead.
"Ooooh~! Everyone, look!"
We all stop at once, and I'm the first one to ask.
"What is that?"
"Just watch, honey~..."
Out of nowhere, the scales ripple. What was once dark turns vivid, exploding into a swirl of colors rearranging into a breathtaking mosaic of a bat mid-flight, wings spread across the spherical canvas.
Yomogi gasps, hands clasped at her chest.
"Look! It's a bat!"
Pinna leans forward slightly, eyes locked on the shifting patterns.
"This defies all known mechanical systems. I cannot explain how it's changing. How is this possible?"
Then, the colors drain again. The scales shift into earthy browns like stone, and new shapes begin to form, featuring fangs, eight legs, and webs.
Kimberly is amazed.
"It's a… spider now… carved like… petroglyphs… so lifelike…"
Salacia's eyes glimmer.
"I wonder if it makes an octopus next~…"
Suddenly, the entire surface flashes white. And tiny eyes emerge, followed by a little mouth, turning down in a confused little frown. The creature scans left, then right… looking downward.
Chantal jumps back, clearly surprised.
"Whoa! It looked at me!"
Manas exclaims, also clutching her chest in shock.
"Gads! Such… unexpected animation…! 'Tis not merely mosaic, but art… alive!"
Meanwhile, I just breathe out as Puck chirps joyfully.
"Wow...."
"Kyuu!"
Lilith chuckles as she begins to explain.
"It's a native monster from this underground area, but it doesn't even have a name, and it's the only one ever recorded in here. It doesn't attack, doesn't speak… but its scales change based on what it sees. Total mystery~..."
And we all understand, even though our mouths are still gaping open and our eyes continue to stare in awe.
I mean... why does this thing look exactly like the one in sin city back on Earth?
And just like that, we don't move and stay here to watch the creature's body shift again, depicting more and more glittering patterns until our stomachs start to growl and we remember that we have to return to the hotel for dinner.