116. A Lady in Need of Money

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Logie.”

“Hmm. I’m Yuria.”

Two women sat facing each other across the dining table.

Logie was like a tranquil yet deep lake, while Yuria resembled a stormy sea with crashing waves.

“Hehe…”

“Who is that person…?”

Olivia asked me about Logie’s identity, while Marin, sensing the odd atmosphere, switched into maid mode and discreetly observed while holding a tray.

“So. You want my man?”

“Yes. I’d like to share him a little. Will you permit it?”

“This woman is bold, huh?”

“It shouldn’t be an unreasonable request. I’m not trying to take him away. Just suggesting we compromise a little.”

Logie sipped her tea and naturally proposed a compromise.

Yuria frowned at Logie’s strangely confident response and tapped the table with her hand.

“Fine. Then I’ll ask you a few questions. First, you’re directly affiliated with the Church, right?”

“That’s correct.”

“I heard you’re around Platinum Rank. Is that accurate?”

“Yes. I believe that’s about right.”

“You enter the labyrinth under the Church’s orders, I assume?”

“You could say so. When there’s no special mission, I spend my time patrolling the city or training.”

“Can you follow Shion into the labyrinth? Or can’t you enter without the Church’s orders?”

“If I submit an application in advance, I can enter anytime.”

“Hmm. Then, regarding Shion’s ambition to take control of the underground city… can you keep up with that?”

“Yes. I can share in his dream.”

Logie answered Yuria’s questions without hesitation.

As if inviting any question-composed, without a hint of agitation, as though stating obvious facts.

“Then here’s my next question. This one might be a bit sensitive.”

“It’s fine. Please ask.”

“If you had to choose between the Church and Shion-could you abandon the Church? Could you let go of your faith in the Goddess?”

“…”

For the first time, Logie was at a loss for words.

The Church or me.

Faith or love.

If forced to choose between the two, which could she pick?

“That is… quite a difficult question to answer. Hmm. From my perspective, Shion is beloved by the Goddess. Given his abilities and overwhelming luck, it’s clear proof that She has Her eyes on him.”

Logie pulled out a scripture from her pocket and placed it on the table.

“My faith is unwavering. And my faith points to Shion as my destined partner. You could say he’s my fated one. I feel that by following him, I can fulfill the Goddess’s will. Love and faith walk together.”

“So which one are you choosing in the end?”

“If I choose Shion, my faith will naturally follow. There’s no need to separate the two.”

Yuria stared at Logie in disbelief at her answer.

“You know that’s an evasive response, right?”

“It’s not evasion. It’s just that your question was strange.”

“What?”

“Isn’t it odd to force a separation where none is needed? From what I see, Shion is the Goddess’s messenger.”

“The Goddess’s messenger?”

Yuria looked at Logie as if she were a lunatic-the kind of gaze reserved for cultists.

“Yes. If the Saintess is the Goddess’s might, then Shion must be Her direction. A prophet or savior sent to suppress threats to humanity. Something like that. I want to stand by his side. There-does that answer your question? My faith and love cannot be separated.”

At this absurd response-interpreting my will as the Goddess’s-Yuria closed her mouth and stroked her chin.

“That’s quite an amusing answer. Then, can you serve Shion as your master?”

“What do you mean by ‘serve as your master’?”

“Call him ‘Master’ every night and obey his every command.”

“Excuse me…?”

Now she seemed genuinely flustered.

“Serving Shion as Master… What exactly does that entail? Do you mean as a wife would her husband? Or… are you implying an actual master-servant relationship?”

“In bed, you must truly treat him as your master. Even if he puts a collar on you and leads you around, you have to accept it. If you can’t do this, you can’t share this man.”

“A… a collar? Shion. What is this?”

“Don’t ask Shion. This is the rule in this household. If you want to be with Shion and bear his child, you must absolutely submit to him in bed.”

“…Submission.”

Logie’s face turned red.

“Shion… prefers that kind of play…?”

“Well…”

“Listen, Logie. I got Shion under those conditions.”

“Those conditions…?”

“Shion originally said he wouldn’t date anyone who wasn’t his slave.”

“Is that true, Shion?”

“Uh, well. Yeah.”

It’s true.

I never intended to date anyone who wouldn’t submit to me as a slave.

In this insane world where NTR runs rampant, my belief was that the only way to protect my woman was to make her my slave.

Also, falling in love with an adventurer only for her to die in the labyrinth would shatter my sanity, so I kept my distance.

That mindset still lingers within me. Though it’s softened a bit after accepting Yuria and Lady Leah, it hasn’t completely disappeared.

“I was the one who opened the door to Shion’s heart. As his first wife, if I call him ‘Master,’ then anyone who wants to sleep with him must do the same. There should be no inequality among women. If some call him ‘Master’ while others treat him as an equal, that wouldn’t be fair.”

“…I see. That makes sense. Avoiding conflict is best. Hmm. ‘Master.'”

Logie nodded, acknowledging Yuria’s words.

“Master. Like this?”

“Uh, yeah…”

Logie grabbed my hand with a serious expression and called me “Master.”

“Hey! Why are you holding his hand?”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to.”

Logie quickly let go when Yuria snapped at her.

Still, being called “Master”… Even when Yuria does it, it feels amazing.

But hearing it from Logie, who I never expected would say it, has a whole different level of impact.

“Understood. In bed, I will address him as Master.”

“Good. And don’t try to monopolize him. Got it?”

“I’m well aware of that part, so don’t worry. If we’re going polygamous, favoritism would only breed jealousy.”

“Right. Glad we’re on the same page.”

“I’ve studied family dynamics and maintaining household peace, so there won’t be any issues.”

I almost laughed at Logie’s words-she aced domestic studies but had zero sex education.

Thankfully, the conversation ended well. From the start, Yuria was just conducting an interview, not planning to push Logie away.

Logie also navigated the situation smoothly with answers that pleased Yuria. Now they should get along fine, right?

Knock knock knock.

“Huh?”

“Who is it?”

Just as the conversation was winding down, someone knocked on the front door.

“Marin, go check.”

“Yesss!”

Marin, who had been waiting nearby, dashed to the door.

Soon, the door opened, and a golden-haired beauty stepped inside.

“What’s this? Everyone’s gathered. But who’s that woman?”

Lady Leah had arrived.

Exuding the rugged aura unique to adventurers.

‘What the hell happened in these two weeks…?’

Two weeks ago, she still had traces of a mischievous young lady.

But now, Lady Leah radiated a sharp energy.

‘Just how brutal was her training while I was gone?’

After choosing to stay in the labyrinth city, Lady Leah was cut off from her family’s support.

Effectively disowned until she could prove herself, she must have struggled desperately.

From now on, she’d have to support herself financially, starting with food expenses.

“Leah’s here.”

“Hi, Yuria. Shion! Long time no see! I thought I’d die from missing you!”

“Lady Leah.”

Lady Leah rushed over, leaped into my arms, and clung to me.

The heavy aristocratic perfume she once wore was gone.

Instead, a natural scent-better than any fragrance-and the warmth of her skin tickled my nose.

The sweet, musky scent of a young woman. Before I knew it, I was burying my nose in her neck, inhaling her scent.

Unlike Yuria, whose scent-erasing ability masked her natural aroma, Leah’s feminine fragrance was intoxicating.

“So, who’s this tough-looking woman?”

“Well, this is Logie, an Inquisitor I met in the labyrinth.”

“Logie?”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Logie, the Heretic Inquisitor.”

“Hmm. Nice to meet you? But, Yuria.”

“Yeah. What?”

“Does she also want to sleep with Shion?”

“Pfft-! Cough, cough…!”

At Leah’s blunt question, Logie spat out her tea.

“Hey, Inquisitor. I haven’t slept with him yet either. Wait your turn.”

“I haven’t slept with him yet.”

“I can tell why you’re here. It’s obvious. You’ve got that horny woman vibe.”

“Lady Leah… your mouth has gotten even cruder…”

“It’s my master’s fault. She’s a real eccentric.”

Lady Leah grinned mischievously.

She’s become even more rough around the edges, hasn’t she?

The reckless temperament of a disowned noblewoman was now unmistakable.

“I’ll give up first place, but second is mine. I’m his second.”

“Understood. So I’ll be third.”

“Or maybe fourth.”

“What do you mean?”

“See that girl over there? The one eavesdropping on us from the sofa?”

Lady Leah pointed at Olivia.

“Yes. I’ve been curious about her. Who is she? The slime girl seems to be the maid.”

“I’m actually the one in charge here. She’s insanely smart. Knows everything about the labyrinth’s inner workings, all the growth methods-ask her anything, and she’ll answer. A living encyclopedia.”

“Really? That’s impressive.”

“Very. Even though she’s a slave, Shion relies on her. You’ll have to compete with her.”

“…”

Logie looked at me.

“Is that true, Shion? Am I fourth?”

“Well, that’s not…”

Lady Leah, who had just thrown the peaceful household back into chaos, sat at the table with a laugh.

From how naturally she acted, she must’ve visited Yuria’s place often in the past two weeks.

“Hehehe. Marin, dear, get me some tea.”

“Hey, Leah. This isn’t your house, you know?”

“What’s the big deal? Let’s share. I’m short on food money this month.”

“Lady Leah… What happened…?”

I looked at her sympathetically, and she bashfully defended herself.

“Hey! I spent all my money on gear!”

“Aah…”

Unbelievable.

A broke noblewoman? She’s become shameless.

“Lady Leah…”

“Yeah?”

“Let’s go earn some money in the labyrinth.”

“Really?! Aren’t you busy? You’ll come with me?”

“Yeah. We’ll rush through the upper layers this weekend.”

“Great! Yes, yes!”

She nuzzled her face against my chest while clinging to me.

“Sigh. I’m coming too.”

“Um… If it’s the upper layers…”

Yuria and Olivia also said they wanted to join. Yuria was expected, but Olivia wanting to come was surprising. Did she want to gain abilities?

Since the upper layers are stabilized now, it should be fine to bring them along.

“Hmm. I’ll submit an application to the Church too.”

“Ah… I’ll stay and guard the house!”

Logie said she’d file an external work request, while Marin, sensing the mood, opted to stay behind.

Looks like we’re all heading to the labyrinth this weekend.

I can’t leave Lady Leah like this.

At the very least, I’ll help her earn enough to maintain her dignity.