154. Bed Breaker

“Rika-ssi?”

“Hmm? Ah, Shion.”

When I went to check on Rika-ssi, she’d turned her room into a makeshift gym.

From dumbbells to a bench press – what kind of room is this for a young woman in her early twenties?

The metallic smell in the air made it feel like I’d walked into a rebellious son’s room.

As expected, her sensibilities are a bit different from ordinary women. Rika seems to think of nothing but muscle training.

“But Tellen, what are you doing here?”

“Well… I’ve been training with her. I became captivated by the beauty of muscles.”

“Huh.”

Tellen, who’d been turned into a lizard beastman by the Curse of Transformation, was lifting weights next to Rika. Without sweat glands, he couldn’t perspire – making him the perfect odor-free workout buddy, I suppose.

To think the slave I bought for main building cleaning and pest control would be pumping iron with our guest… What a strange sight.

“Well, whatever. They should be free to work out during their free time. Good. Healthy. Nice.”

Working out together is more fun than doing it alone anyway.

Most importantly, Rika looked genuinely happy. She seems delighted to have found a workout partner.

“Rika-ssi, no other issues, right? Like any pains or anything?”

“None. I’m looking forward to tomorrow. The labyrinth’s 5th floor? My heart’s racing! I even sharpened my sword in advance.”

“Haha. You’re overflowing with energy.”

She radiates strength. I’m curious to see if all her training will hold up on the 5th floor.

At least she doesn’t seem scared or nervous. I told Rika-ssi to take it easy and get some rest before heading out.

---

“Erika-ssi?”

“Ah! Shion-ssi. You’re here.”

Erika was in the greenhouse.

The girl who’d been transformed into an Alraune by the Curse of Transformation, Ali, was planting something with her.

But that person over there… Isn’t that Rafnel?

“Rafnel? Why is Rafnel here…? Hiding is pointless when I can see you!”

“Ah. Well. Um. You bought a house, right? Heard it had a greenhouse so I came to see?”

“But what exactly are you planting? Wait, I specifically told Ali to plant peppers and lettuce – edible stuff…”

“Well… Since there’s an Alraune here… I thought I’d experiment with some plants…”

“What?! Why are you experimenting in someone else’s greenhouse?! And you’ve filled it with nothing but weird plants! I was going to plant tomatoes and potatoes here! And peppers and lettuce! What is all this?!”

“Really? I didn’t know. Oh dear, what to do. I’ve already planted all these medicinal herbs.”

Is this woman insane? Just planting whatever she wants in someone else’s plot.

The greenhouse is full of sprouts. The seeds have already germinated. Is this the Alraune’s ability? The plants are growing unnaturally fast.

“Erika-ssi. You didn’t stop her?”

“Eek! Well, they’re all beneficial plants. I got persuaded.”

“Ah… If you were persuaded, then I suppose there’s no helping it.”

It seems Erika-ssi initially expressed concerns too. But when Rafnel started planting herbs recklessly, she ended up planting some alongside her in confusion.

“Ali probably couldn’t voice her opinion either.”

“Sorry…”

“It’s fine. Even I’d probably give in if a thousand-year-old elf pushed forcefully.”

“Hey! A thousand years old?! Wasn’t my age supposed to be a secret?!”

“An open secret, I’d say.”

“What?!”

Watching Rafnel point angrily, I began to understand the labyrinth city’s victims’ association a bit. This person really has a pushy streak.

‘I just wanted to plant some lettuce, peppers, tomatoes…’

Now the greenhouse is filled with who-knows-what plants. My little dream of homesteading has been shattered.

My weekend farm experience fantasy is down the drain.

‘Since it’s already ruined, might as well fully commit to the disappointed stance.’

It’d be a shame to uproot what’s already planted, so it’s better to milk some sympathy from Rafnel for gains.

Besides, few are as dedicated to botany as Rafnel. Using this as leverage to hand over the greenhouse and install her as our resident gardener would be more beneficial.

‘Right. Giving up one greenhouse to utilize Rafnel outside the labyrinth is the better deal. Who cares about tomatoes and potatoes? Having Rafnel affiliated with our household is more valuable.’

We can just buy what farmers grow. Everything’s organic in this world anyway – probably healthier than what I’d grow.

Decision made, time to put on my most depressed face. Staring blankly at the plot should make Rafnel feel guilty.

“Hey! Don’t look so gloomy! These here are vitality herbs – main ingredient for stamina tonics. Those over there are blue mints used for stimulants. Some will definitely be helpful!”

“Saying ‘some’ implies there are others that might not be helpful at all.”

“Consider it a small sacrifice for experimentation.”

“Hoh. How bold. But nothing dangerous, right? Like labyrinth vine beans?”

“Creatures classified as monsters don’t grow in soil like this. They need the mana-rich labyrinth environment.”

“Aha. So it really is all medicinal herbs. Fine. Since you’ve already planted so much, I’ll give you management rights to the greenhouse.”

“What? Really?”

Rafnel looks delighted at the prospect of getting the greenhouse.

Great. Free labor acquired. And not just any labor – an herb cultivator who’d be hard to buy anywhere. Perfect.

“Yes. And I’ll provide a room too.”

“Ooh! A room too! Most satisfactory! Actually, I’d packed my things hoping to ask for one.”

“Eh?”

She came planning to freeload from the start? Did I just fall into Rafnel’s scheme?

She probably took advantage of my absence to recklessly plant herbs first, naturally taking over the greenhouse.

‘Whatever. Mutual benefit is fine.’

This is what they call symbiosis.

We both gain, so everyone’s happy. Though I’d like a bigger slice – getting some herbs and potions in exchange for greenhouse rights.

“Great. In return, how about 5 bottles each of stamina tonic and stimulants monthly as rent?”

“Five bottles each?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm… Quite a fair deal. Let’s do that.”

She agrees so readily. Maybe I should’ve asked for more.

“Ah, should’ve asked for ten each.”

“What?”

“Nevermind. Welcome, Rafnel.”

And so Rafnel became another of our household’s freeloaders.

An Alraune greatly aiding plant growth combined with an elf with centuries of gardening experience – an unbeatable combo.

“Ah, right. Erika-ssi.”

“Yes?”

“Any problems? Discomfort or anything?”

“None. I’m fine. And you, Shion-ssi?”

“I’m always healthy. Just checking in case of issues.”

“Haha. Thanks for your concern.”

“Don’t mention it. If there’s no problem, I’ll take my leave. And! Rafnel, we’re going to the labyrinth tomorrow, so plant whatever and get some rest.”

“Got it. Just finishing this.”

Leaving the three in the greenhouse, I headed to the final building.

---

The annex is the building I let Lien use as a workshop.

So normally it’s just Lien and A2, the annex’s assigned slave.

“Lien? Lien! A2! What the…”

Why isn’t anyone answering?

No response when I called for Lien at the annex entrance.

“What the…”

Come to think of it, A2 isn’t here either.

Suspecting something might be up, I cautiously entered to find two women whispering inside.

Approaching closer, I saw Lien – slightly affected by the Dreamer’s Illusion – and A2 drawing something.

“What are you doing there?”

“Huh? Eek! You startled me… Make some noise…”

“I’ve been calling repeatedly?”

“Ah… Really? Sorry… Didn’t hear. Busy with this…”

Lien awkwardly showed me the paper she’d been fiddling with.

“This is…”

“A wireless communicator… I drew the blueprint as A2 described… What do you think…?”

“Insane.”

How to describe it… The blueprint depicted a device resembling those bulky 1980s mobile phones.

Powered by magic stones, apparently. Would this even work?

A2 gained interdimensional knowledge in exchange for becoming slightly autistic due to the Dreamer’s Illusion curse.

That’s probably how she obtained such design schematics.

“First, absolutely don’t show this to anyone else.”

“Mm… Of course…”

“And don’t take it to the Magic Tower either.”

“Understood…”

I’d asked Lien to thoroughly hide any knowledge or information from A2 rather than using A2 directly.

If this tech reached the Magic Tower, the Tower Master would likely claim A2.

We might share A2 eventually, but not now.

We haven’t fully capitalized on A2’s potential yet. Must recoup our investment first. Sharing her now would leave me with nothing.

“By the way… Where did you find someone like her…?”

“At a slave shop in the black market.”

“A cursed child…”

“Right. But the curse brought this knowledge, so curses aren’t entirely bad, no? Using curses like abilities…”

“That’s… a new perspective… Interesting. Curses as…”

Lien seemed deeply impressed by strengthening oneself through curses rather than abilities.

She wouldn’t start collecting curses like accessories, would she?

“Don’t get any strange ideas. Lien, you should get some rest too. Early start tomorrow.”

“Mm… Okay…”

That checks everyone going to the labyrinth tomorrow.

Good that no one seems in bad shape.

‘Now then…’

Time for me to sleep too. Early to bed prevents fatigue. Can’t afford poor performance from lack of rest.

‘I promised to sleep with the young lady tonight, so to her room I go.’

Just pure sleeping intentions.

Overexertion before a labyrinth dive might leave me sore tomorrow.

---

“Shion. You’re here.”

“Yes, my lady. Cute pajamas?”

“Eep… My favorite sleepwear.”

The young lady waited in her pajamas.

Entering her room, she shyly lit candles.

The soft glow makes her face glow rosier. Adorable.

“It’s been a while since we slept together like this. Right?”

“Mm… Um, Shion.”

“Yes, my lady.”

“That time in the labyrinth when we hugged while sleeping… Remember?”

“Right? We slept so uncomfortably then.”

“Exactly. Tonight… Could you hold me like that again?”

“Sure. Of course.”

Getting into bed, I embraced her. She always asks to be held when we sleep together.

Unlike taller Logie or similarly-sized Yuria, the young lady is noticeably smaller, fitting snugly in my arms.

“Goodnight then, my lady.”

“Mm. Goodnight, Shion.”

CRASH!

“Eek?!”

“What the?!”

Just as I embraced her to sleep, the door burst open as two women entered.

“Hmm. Here you were.”

“We searched everywhere.”

Half-breaking the door were Logie in a nightgown and Yuria wearing only negligee.

“What are you two doing? Excluding us like this. How hurtful.”

“You thief. Playing weak to steal Shion away.”

“Tch! Can’t you yield him to me just for today?! It’s my first time in the underground city!”

“Oh? Scared? Then big sister should comfort our Leah too.”

“I’ll join as well.”

“Eeeek! The bed’s too small! Stop it! Get out! You bitches!”

“Please remain calm.”

“Quiet. Bedtime.”

“You crazy wenches!”

Yuria and Logie nonchalantly climbed onto the bed, sandwiching Lady Leah between them.

Trapped between them, the young lady wailed.

“Nooo! Give Shion back! Stop it!”

Watching the young lady scream between them, I found myself abruptly evicted from the bed.

-The guest has become the host, huh. Hahaha.

‘Tell me about it…’

Helena laughed from the bracelet while the three quarreled over bed space.

None would yield me an inch, threatening to break the bed.

Seems we’ll need a bigger one.