CH 298.2

「Oh, hi there, Tauro-san. I’m glad that whatever you were doing seemed to go well.」

When he noticed me, he said with a smile on his face.

I braced myself for the questions or interrogations that would follow, but they never came. His reaction was similar to that of the Goblin Jii-chan.

(It would be nice if he didn’t ask questions that are difficult to answer.)

The way he decided not to ask me questions made me feel as if I were a patient who had not been told that I had a serious illness.

However, I could not dig my own grave too, so I decided to drop the matter and let it slide.

「I’m sorry that I damaged the rifle.」

I bend my back at the perfect angle and apologize, which was the main reason I came to see him. When I raise my head, the Herbivore mechanic shrugs and then scratches his head.

「No, I’m already used to it by now.」

Fortunately, there is no damage to the core. The rifle is old and too simple in structure to be repaired without much trouble, he said.

I let out a breath of relief, as this is a favorite weapon that I am used to using. Seeing me like this, the Herbivore mechanic makes one suggestion.

「Since it’s damaged and all, why don’t we change it to a more modern weapon?」

Modern would mean one loaded with auxiliary magic circles. Some of them can change the attribute of offensive magic.

I shake my hands and head to the left and right to reject his proposal, and then he continues with a sigh in his voice.

「The less extra, the better, is it?」

Let’s improve the magic efficiency as much as possible. Make it easier to use. And the crystallization of the engineers’ efforts to achieve this is the auxiliary magic circle.

It may hurt some people when people with skills in this area treated it as something 『unnecessary』.

Perhaps sensing the awkwardness of the slight silence, the Herbivore mechanic brought up a different topic.

「I went to a brothel last night. And then I was invited to Thanksgiving.」

When I asked what it was, he told me that it was a regular event held jointly by lower-class brothels. Usually, it is just a small event that people don’t even talk about, but apparently, it’s going to be different this time.

「It seems there is going to be a major sponsor this time. The sponsor wants to promote the toys they manufacture and sell.」

The one who funds the event is the 『Revolutioner of the industry』. And the toys he meant were the wand that shoots arrows of light and the thumb stick that vibrates.

I’ve played a few times at the end-of-the-century brothel myself, and it was a thrilling experience.

「That sounds like fun」

When I spoke with an envious tone, the Herbivore mechanic replied with a smile.

「Isn’t there a store that you are familiar with? That uniform-something place. I’m sure they’re going to get in touch with you soon.」

He must’ve meant the 『Store specialized in uniforms』. I guess the likelihood of that happening isn’t that low.

I’ve been going there a lot to play with Ponytail or Black Tights junior.

「That might be true. I’ll try and go there after this.」

I had originally planned to take a peek at Ponytail’s schedule anyway.

When we parted, I presented him with some emergency rations that I had bought too much in the cockpit. While thanking me, a wry smile crosses his mouth.

「I won’t stay up all night or anything anymore.」

I guess that means he doesn’t need a midnight snack.

The dark circles under his eyes, which I have not seen recently, and his complexion, which has turned somewhat brighter. He looks much healthier than before.

(So he can change when he wanted to after all)

The Herbivore mechanic who stubbornly continued to work hard no matter how much I and the guild master urged him to do so. I never thought he would change so much.

(The power of women is truly great.)

I was fully reminded of this fact.

Leaving the Knight’s hangar near the eastern gate, I proceeded westward along the main street lined with stores. Then I crossed the central square and entered the back of the red-light district.

Then I stepped into a cheap building with a gaudy sign I was looking for.

「We’ve been waiting for you to come.」

As soon as I show up in the lobby, I am greeted by the elderly concierge. Instead of the usual 『Welcome』 he said, 『We’ve been waiting for you』.

(Could it be about Thanksgiving as expected?)

My cheeks relaxed and I sat down on an upholstered sofa in the corner of the lobby as instructed.

However, contrary to my expectations, the concierge sitting in front of me said, 『We need your help with a prize for the event』.

When I asked for a detailed explanation, he said, 『Actually, we’re thinking of giving the winner the right to play with a woman who has been massaged to the brink of bursting by Tauro-san.』

「That’s fine, but is it okay if I participate as a player as well?」

When I ask him, he bows deeply with an apologetic look on his face. It seems that the name “Dr. Slime” is too heavy for the other participants to bear.

『A World Champion who participate in an amateur race』

It seems it’s the same situation as that.

(I don’t think I’m that strong though)

Unlike when I rode the Old Lady, everyone has the same shooting range. And no one can maneuver by hovering.

I’m about as good as anyone in the end-of-the-century brothel. The one who is strangely strong is the Santa Claus-like vice-guild master.

However, the value of my name and the image that I have built up in people’s minds probably drowns out the fact that I’m just as good as everyone else.

「If that’s the case, then I guess it can’t be helped.」

My shoulders slumped and agreed with a deep sigh.

I will be looking forward to the 『Special seat to watch the match』 and 『Special treatment to me from the participating stores』 that they will offer.

Especially, the 『Special treatment to me from the participating stores』 is very reassuring, because it means that they will be on my side in case of any problems in the future.

(Since I’m going to be there, I might as well wear the golden mask.)

This time, I will just sit idly as Dr.Slime.

If I’m too infamous to participate as a player, it would be more exciting to stand out with a flashy appearance.

After we finished talking, I went to the counter and made a note of when Ponytail was available to work. Just then, I spotted the Black Tights junior who had just finished from a play coming down the stairs.

「I’ll have her today, please.」

By immediately appointing her, she won’t have the time to return to the waiting room or to sit on the chairs.

「Instructor. May I have a short break?」

As I held her slender hand in front of the counter, I could see that her body temperature had not yet dropped. She was breathing heavily and her knees were shaking slightly.

She must have fought a very strong opponent.

「You idiot! The enemy will target us even when we are exhausted. You must know the terror of attacks that come in waves.」

A girl with short, wavy hair and a frail body opens her mouth with a serious expression and a strong light in her eyes at my words.

On the other side of the counter, the elderly concierge smiles at me.

「I understand! I look forward to your guidance.」

As usual, what a sporty girl, very well indeed. I pulled the staggering girl in black tights by the hand and led her up the stairs to the second floor.

Soon after, our mock battle began, using the bed as a battlefield.

「How is it? How many times have you been killed by now?」

「….T-Three times, instructor」

Black Tights-chan’s body in her school uniform waves violently as I thrust up from the bottom. Even in that state, the way she answers my questions is as impressive as ever.

「And how many of your enemies have you defeated?」

「None, instructor」

She manages to answer by wiping the drool from her mouth with her sleeve while her back bent over. The afterglow of the previous client’s pain was still lingering, and she was in full throttle right from the start.

「Don’t think you can finish this without defeating a single Knight, alright?」

「Y-Yes!」

I kept attacking her, while being careful not to make Black Tights-chan lose her consciousness.

At the end of the day, the kill death ratio was 1 to 5. And I ended the training after the second shot into her trembling body.