"I never expected it to turn out like this... What should we do, Liz?"
"That's right... Sigh..." In the empty, rough, and dimly lit room.
In this unfurnished, empty room, Lizbet and Claire were having a bitter self-reflection session.
Their master, Semo's, anger... though only to the point of annoyance, was shameful for slaves to have caused their master such emotions... The two females lowered their heads, immersed in gloom.
If their master saw the two females' clouded expressions at this moment, he would probably regret scolding them—such worry was evident on their faces.
"I didn't expect Master to be so annoying…"
"We were too careless. We should have observed Master's expression and proceeded more gradually…"
"Because we finally had a base where we could officially operate, Lisbeth and I were just too excited."
"Plus… we rescued eight people at once, and we got carried away… Sigh…" Lisbeth, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, and Claire, stroking her cheek, sighed simultaneously.
To onlookers, their sighs carried such heavy emotions that it seemed they were facing an extremely serious predicament.
"What should we do? If we act according to Master's stated boundaries today, it will be difficult to control the time, won't it?"
"…Sigh. If we had persisted a little longer, Master would have been able to accept what she possessed naturally…"
"Although slaves are limited to those without lovers or family, if we continue to dedicate ourselves, you will naturally crave more… But the truly crucial thing—us—has become difficult to produce…" The two females sighed again, their expressions troubled.
Soon, Lisbeth showed a helpless expression and said in a bitter voice.
"There's no other way. For now, let's observe Master's expressions and try to subtly guide him."
"It's better to limit the women destined for slavery to our employees for now. We need to expand our services quickly."
"Master's females… as Master said, we need to carefully select the women from the heroes to be our females. Let's pave the way for Master and observe."
"…It seems we can also create situations where they ask us for help. If we help more, Master should be less resistant…"
"Our mating with Master should be more intense. That way, he'll seek greater stimulation…"
And so, in the dimly lit room, the two females' reflection session continued for a while longer.
......
"As expected of the King of Horses~ No matter what others say~" Stepping out of the house after many days, her steps were incredibly light.
Hoshop has been open for five days now. Contrary to my worries, things couldn't be better.
Unlike the old, dilapidated building that reeked of crime, this place, now clean and tidy after the renovation, seems to attract more customers. While the atmosphere wasn't great before,
the tavern itself was more of a scam than a business; the kind of place that would make you want to leave immediately upon entering, its shabby interior enough to scare you away.
I took inspiration from the taverns I frequent on Earth and tried to renovate it in a more modern style…and the reaction seems pretty good.
Heh…looks like I have a knack for business…that damn genius…no, to be honest, it's probably just the opening bonus and the improved atmosphere, all thanks to our staff.
After mating with me, I was worried they might change for the worse…but instead, they thanked me, saying they would follow me and my females for life—our tavern staff, the beast's slaves.
…It still feels a bit awkward to call them that.
Slaves, can I really get used to it?
Looking at these girls who say, 'Since this world is going to be destroyed anyway, I want to try living a life of obedience to you who saved us…', I have a feeling of, 'Oh, is that so?' The feeling of 'it's all going to be destroyed anyway, so it doesn't matter if I mate with any woman,' is incredibly perplexing.
I listened a little more closely; she seemed to understand something when she received my horse semen… but she couldn't explain it clearly, stammering for a long time without being able to speak… tsk… I still don't understand.
Although I feel that mate with any woman is too beastly, I then think, 'What does it matter if the world is going to be destroyed anyway? Let them see the power of a horse's penis!' As a human, or as a beast?
It's really troubling.
Forget it, I'll think about this slowly. I've already warned those females who are obsessed with offering themselves to me not to do it.
I'll understand eventually.
'Sister~ I'm out~' Humming a song, I walked down the street and pushed open the door of Leona's shop without hesitation.
Ever since the building started renovations, I've frequently come to Leona's shop to pursue her.
"Please don't give up now, open a shop in our building... I heard Leona's husband wants her to completely abandon designing these sexy clothes and switch to making ordinary styles like his... No way, sir.
With such talent, you're wearing ordinary clothes.
Your wife has to make clothes for my females.
That's why Leona and I made this unprecedented suggestion. You can't refuse even that, can you?
"Oh, Shimo's here?"
Leona greeted me with a bright smile from inside the shop.
Seeing that expression, my inner Сock almost jumped out, thinking, 'She's a female!?'... No, since it's Leona, I'll continue sleeping.
After all, I don't want to treat Leona, who's helping out like this, as a slave she's had casual sex with, but if I take her in as a female, her husband and children are too pitiful—it's not related to the destruction of the family, but it would ruin them.
Anyway, Leona has a family, treating her as a slave is a bit... Oh, what a pity. Why isn't she a hero, Leona's husband?
If I were a hero, I would definitely make her my female without hesitation…
"Sister. How are you?"
"Hehe. It's only been a few days since you last came. Hmm, I'm doing very well."
Hmm. This seems to be the brightest expression she's had in days… Is this something to look forward to?
"Ahem. Um, well, I'd like to hear your reply first… Sister. How is it? Have you talked to your husband?"
Unable to ignore her husband's opinion, Leona finally decided to give up her dream.
She plans to pay off the remaining loan first—by closing the shop and completely disposing of the high-end fabrics… Leona plans to make ordinary clothes in her husband's shop.
I suggested she open a shop in my building, but Leona shook her head, saying it was too difficult.
If she directly uses the existing materials in the shop, she won't be able to repay the loan… and her husband insists that no matter the loan, she must prioritize her family and his shop… Looking at Leona like this, I felt incredibly sorry for her, so a few days ago I proposed a bold plan to her.
I'll pay off the remaining loan. After she transfers the shop's management rights to me, she'll open a new shop in my building... and occasionally come over as a contract employee to make clothes for me.
Nominally a contract employee, but the actual shop operation relies entirely on Leanna's designs, so most of the profits will go to her, who is essentially the shop manager.
I'll manage the shop entirely; Leanna only needs to come over occasionally to make clothes according to my preferences.
I can use the money to start another business, and Leanna can both follow her husband's wishes and maintain her own shop—it's a win-win situation. Hmm.
After paying off Leanna's loan, even without considering the issue of almost immediately running out of cash...
However, I have a tavern and an adult goods shop. Once the shops are stable, I can start my adventurer's life again, so money shouldn't be a problem. Probably.
If I really run into cash flow problems and incur losses, as long as the amount isn't large, I should be able to accept it... It should be fine, right?
"...Really. You really like your sister's clothes that much?"
"They're the best. I can't even imagine Lisbeth without wearing your clothes."
Claire, perhaps still a bit busy or preoccupied with something, said she'd meet again after Leona's shop moved into the building.
...Could it be she's angry because I have too many women around me? This older sister?
"...Heh. Well... I can't help it."
"Uh...Well!?"
As I excitedly praised Leona, she gave a shy smile and nodded.
"If her husband makes that kind of request, she says she'll agree. My beloved beast, a huge fan of my clothes, made that request while begging me, and she laughed and said it would be too embarrassing to refuse."
"Eekyaho!!!" That's right!
Since she offered such a special condition!
Of course I have to agree!
Saving the first floor was definitely worth it!
Even though we haven't started recruiting shops yet, I'm definitely going to put Leona's clothing store on the first floor!
I'll get a clothing designer exclusively for me and my females!
Ah, I'm so happy! "Sister, move all the clothes that are being organized here to my building now... no, let's start with the first floor over there..."
"Really. Calm down. The building contract for this shop still has some time left. Just stop listing it for sale and move everything over exactly as it is."
"Phew, right, right... so where should we start..."
Ahem... Arigato. Teacher Leona. Leona's husband. Please take care of me from now on.
And so, I excitedly thanked the two of them in my heart and began discussing the opening schedule for Leona's shop.
......
"Hehehe~ The king of words~ I am the Demon King [Horse King]~" Ha.
I really feel like a king.
Why is everything going so smoothly for me lately?
I've become a builder, I have a spacious and grand house like a penthouse, and I'm running three businesses at the same time?
Females who abandoned their lovers to love only me.
Employees who have become loyal to me without my even realizing it.
Although I'm almost out of money, as long as I get the shops to open and keep operating, making money will be a piece of cake.
This level of skill truly makes me the king of horses. Calling me a demon king wouldn't be an exaggeration.
That's right.
I am the owner of Esendia's buildings and the demon king, Seiseki.
Bring it on, heroes! Heh heh… the owner of a building is a king.
What's so great about being a king?
Now, I just need to live the adventurer's life in moderation, walking on roads strewn with flowers…
"Master! Master!!!"
"Something terrible has happened! Master!" When I could finally see home in the distance, Lisbeth and Claire, who were waiting outside, spotted me and rushed over in a panic.
Why do they both look so confused… Something terrible has happened?
"What's wrong? What happened?"
"Th-please look at this! Master!" Lisbeth ran over, her chest heaving, and handed me several pieces of paper.
What is it that makes them both so panicked?
Thinking this, he looked at the paper, only to see it read…
"…Notice of Seizure of Illegal Building Occupation…?" The paper bore an unbelievable notice from the lord's city.