Chapter 39: Dream Blossom Valley

The Gladion Empire is one of the largest countries in the world.

As such, its capital also boasts an enormous size.

However, as the capital grew, the expansion of its underworld was unavoidable.

The underworld of the capital, Valterion, also known as the Submerged World.

Nox.

The way to get there is surprisingly simple.

Anyone who isn’t from the Imperial Knights or the regular army can enter by paying a small fee.

However, any crimes that occur within Nox are solely the responsibility of the individual.

This is because the regular army does not intervene in crimes committed within Nox.

The regular army and Nox have a separate agreement.

Where there is light, there is bound to be shadow.

No matter how hard you try to erase the shadow, it will eventually reappear.

Therefore, the regular army decided that it was better to know the owner of the shadow and control it.

The owner of Nox readily accepted the regular army’s proposal.

For example, if a criminal pursued by the regular army hid in Nox and caused trouble, they would be apprehended.

They solved problems that the regular army couldn’t handle.

In exchange for cooperating with the regular army, the owner of Nox established their own kingdom.

Within Nox, the owner was the law and justice.

However, Nox isn’t necessarily dangerous all the time.

If you enter as an employee, the risk is low.

Especially if you have the guarantee of a manager who oversees a district of Nox.

,The Dream Blossom Valley’s Paero card. Enter.,

In front of the underground entrance to Nox.

A man calmly organizing his luggage looked at the rose card Horizon showed him and pushed a wooden box.

There, out of nowhere, stood a door.

We immediately headed towards it.

,To think you’d have the Dream Blossom Valley card. Horizon, you know someone high up in Dream Blossom Valley.,

,Ah, yes, yes, that’s right.,

Horizon smiled awkwardly at my words.

,Harua, Dream Blossom Valley is perhaps…,

,That’s right, it’s the red-light district.,

Aransel spoke, seemingly not knowing much about Dream Blossom Valley.

Dream Blossom Valley, the red-light district of Nox.

A place filled with the scent of women, it is the dream destination for many male Pioneers.

Pioneers with mayfly-like lives.

Such a perilous life naturally leads to accumulated stress and lust.

They needed a place to release their desires, and Dream Blossom Valley fulfilled this need.

In a way, it was safe to say that the majority of the Pioneers’ money flowed into Dream Blossom Valley.

Bees gather where there are flowers.

,You know a lot about it.,

Aransel smiled faintly.

,Copulation is an interesting topic.,

Even though it’s disgusting, it’s still fascinating to see animals copulating.

No, it’s the worst.

If uncivilized Otherworlders copulate, more uncivilized Otherworlders are born.

Could there be a worse vicious cycle?

,Babiyen, don’t say things like that in front.,

Aransel covered the ears of Babiyen, who was trailing behind her.

She seemed to have forgotten that Babiyen was already a grown child.

,Aransel, Babiyen is older than you.,

,Not anymore.,

,Euh, euheuheuh.,

Babiyen looked at Aransel’s chest with a puzzled expression.

It seems she’s getting hungry.

,Ah, we’re at the entrance.,

Just then, Horizon took a step ahead down the underground stairs.

Soon, an underground city unfolded.

A sight of numerous houses dug into the underground tunnels and clustered together.

So much so that there seemed to be something resembling a house hanging from the ceiling.

I had only heard about it from Bulldog Ajussi, so it was my first time seeing such a scene.

Horizon seemed to have been here often, as she moved forward more confidently than I expected.

When I think about it, Horizon’s personality doesn’t seem to fit this place, but it seems you can’t judge a book by its cover.

,Horizon, you know the way well.,

Then, Aransel asked before I could.

She had been on edge since entering Nox.

As a well-known lawless zone, she must be preparing for the worst.

,Ah, well, um, actually, I’m from Nox.,

,You’re from Nox?,

Aransel’s eyes widened.

It was natural, as Horizon didn’t seem to fit in with Nox at all.

,Yes, yes, I’m a mutant among the Darkshadow Clan, so I was abandoned as a child.,

,A mutant?,

,Um, when I enter the shadows, unlike other Darkshadow Clan members, a white mask appears.,

Horizon fidgeted with the back of her neck, as if sorry for not mentioning it earlier.

,…That’s a reason to be abandoned?,

However, Aransel was taken aback by something else.

I felt the same way.

What reason is there to abandon someone just because their mask is different?

,Ah, well, you see, mutants like me use different shadows than the existing Darkshadow Clan.

My mother and father must have abandoned me in Nox to avoid me being killed at birth.,

She was clearly speaking casually, but it wasn’t an easy story to tell.

,After that, Dream Blossom Valley took me in, but I was kicked out because I wasn’t suited for Dream Blossom Valley’s work. Yeah, that’s how it is.,

Indeed, it’s hard to do red-light district work with that kind of personality.

Especially with Horizon’s personality, she could have become a target for bad things.

It seems the person who took her in has a good eye.

,You’ve lived a tough life. I’m sorry for pressing you like that.,

,Ah, it’s okay!,

Horizon waved her hand, smiling brightly, telling Aransel not to worry about her apology.

Seeing that, I understand why Horizon was able to work among the Pioneers without any problems.

The perverted words like “Unlucky Cow” must have been mild compared to what she heard in Nox.

To her, the Pioneers might have seemed peaceful.

Even in the 2nd World, Horizon always remained calm, even though she stuttered.

This must also be proof of the life she has lived.

,Isn’t it hard for everyone to live?,

When I casually spoke to Aransel, she lowered her head while looking at Horizon.

,Yeah, I guess so.,

,Mamaa.,

,It seems like we’re barely able to survive right now, though.,

Aransel sighed.

20-year-old baby Babiyen is still hungry.

* * *

As we followed the path Horizon was guiding us on, the atmosphere of the street began to change.

The path leading from the entrance mostly felt like a merchant district.

A merchant district where various black marketeers sell dangerous or useless items that you’ve never seen before.

As we passed through there and went up a side street, red lanterns began to appear everywhere.

Red lanterns are used all over the world in red-light districts.

The red color that blooms in the dark atmosphere has a strange sensuality.

When I wrinkled my nose, I could smell the fragrance of women from all directions.

It was the scent of women wearing heavy makeup to seduce customers.

One by one, scantily clad women began to flirt with the passing men.

The red-light district, Dream Blossom Valley.

We have finally arrived here.

Aransel silently covered her nose with her sleeve.

As expected, she didn’t seem to have any connection with this kind of place.

,Hey there, white one, coming with only three women. Your taste is so-so.,

Then, a woman called out to me.

She blew a kiss with her hand and even added a wink.

She wore heavy makeup and clothes that were half-undressed to the point where it was awkward to look at her.

,If you want, I can join in too… Huh? Horizon?,

Then, she recognized Horizon, who was leading the way, and tilted her head.

As someone who grew up in Dream Blossom Valley, there was someone who knew Horizon.

,Ah, hello.,

When Horizon greeted her awkwardly, she widened her eyes.

Then, she hurriedly nudged the woman next to her.

,Jenny, Horizon brought a man.,

,What?,

The woman who was holding a pipe next to her was surprised and looked up.

Then, she looked at me and widened her eyes as well.

,…Wow, the Madam is going to freak out if she finds out.,

,This is going to be fun! I have to spread the word quickly!,

The woman who had initially flirted with me quickly ran off.

The way she runs even in heels is no ordinary feat.

,Ah, euah.,

Horizon’s face turned pale with a look of great trouble.

Regardless, I approached the woman who was organizing the pipe.

,Nice to meet you. I’m Harua.,

,Oh my, a courteous gentleman.,

I had spent time with the noble Raphael.

It wasn’t difficult to show this much courtesy.

At my polite greeting, the woman named Jenny smiled seductively, as if satisfied.

Most of the people in the red-light district don’t know etiquette, so I seemed rather unusual.

,I’m Harua, a Holy Magic User who came to Dream Blossom Valley to treat patients at Horizon’s introduction.,

,Ah, so that’s what it was?,

Jenny looked at Horizon as if she now understood.

She looked like she was disappointed that she had gotten excited for nothing.

,Yes, please don’t misunderstand, as the other two are here as escorts.,

,Both Horizon and that kid are something else.,

Jenny glanced at Horizon for a moment and then casually wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

Her touch is unusual.

,Then, apart from that, are you saying that the Holy Magic User-ssi is single?,

The biggest dream of the women in Dream Blossom Valley is to be bought by a wealthy man and get married.

That’s why they decorate themselves more than anyone else and strive to become the best in the red-light district.

Dream Blossom Valley actively utilized this point.

Appearance, intellectual level, singing and dancing.

Through this, they ranked the women individually.

Among them, the women who possessed everything were deliberately kept chaste and sold to men who offered high prices.

Men pour money in to spend a night with women of higher rank.

Conversely, women increase their value to survive in Dream Blossom Valley.

Because being sold to a wealthy man is better than being exploited and sold to a man with no money.

Jenny in front of me didn’t seem to be of a particularly high rank.

Of course, even if she was of a high rank, it was none of my business.

In my eyes, they are all just uncivilized Otherworlders.

,I’m sorry, but I’m broke.,

I politely lowered her hand that was wrapped around my shoulder.

,Oh my, what a shame.,

Jenny didn’t hold on for long.

There was no reason to hold onto a man who refused.

As I moved away from her, Aransel led Babiyen and subtly approached.

,How does it feel to be flirted with?,

,It’s okay.,

,I get asked by at least one person every day.,

Aransel suddenly became proud.

What is it, is she bragging about being flirted with?

More than that, it’s surprising that it’s only one person.

If it’s Aransel, people on the street, regardless of gender or age, would look at her.

Ah, well, there’s a saying, “a flower on a cliff.”

Once you exceed a certain level, it’s difficult to approach.

Rather, I should see it as amazing that even one person challenges her every day.

,But I’ve ignored them all so far. There were even nobles, but I ignored them.,

There were even nobles?

As expected, it’s a world of lookism.

,So Harua, ignore them too. Got it?,

Aransel poked my arm.

Thanks for advising me not to waste money on unnecessary things.

,Ah, we’re here.,

Just then, Horizon stopped in front of the largest building in Dream Blossom Valley.

Come to think of it, she definitely said “Madam” earlier.

Could it be.

,Horizon!,

A sharp voice echoed from inside the building.

Soon, a woman with a slender figure but with everything in the right places walked out.

A woman with wrinkles around her mouth, but still with a beautiful appearance.

However, judging by her eyes, her age was definitely far from her appearance.

Guards and women can be seen following her.

As soon as I saw this, I sensed it.

This person, the owner of Dream Blossom Valley.

Madam Karuang.

Horizon was definitely raised by Karuang.

,Ah, Madam.,

When Horizon smiled brightly, the Madam raised her palm with a fierce look.

Then, she slapped Horizon’s back.

,Kyaak!,

,I let you out to the outside world, and you crawl back in again! And this time, you even brought a man!,

I understand one thing.

Horizon’s back won’t be spared today.