Brothel. A Heaven by the Sea.
Officially, Madam Katarina is the owner. But in reality, everyone who needs to know is aware that I, the lord, am the true owner. At least in my city, Tebura, hardly anyone is unaware of this fact.
I turned my gaze toward the entrance. Nearby, there were rules specific to this brothel.
No credit allowed—if you don't have money, don't cause a scene and leave quietly. And showering before sex is mandatory, among other things.
"Is there some kind of trouble?"
"How could there be any trouble when the lord himself is here to help?"
In this city, my authority is absolute.
Do they look down on me for being young? That would never happen. Anyone who dares defy me or displeases me gets executed on the spot with a fitting charge. If someone's not quite worth executing, I just have Yuria assassinate them.
The people of my territory know better than to mess with me.
"What about the girls?"
"Yes. They're all here. Since we knew the lord was coming today, I made sure everyone attended. Hehehe."
The women working here are former prostitutes from the pleasure district. I hired all of them.
'Brothels are a steady business, no matter the season.'
Prostitution is an ancient profession, one that still exists even in modern times. In Korea, it's illegal, but in this world, it's legal as long as I, the lord, permit it.
"So, business can start right away today?"
"Of course. Should we begin operations now?"
I take 70% of the net profits from this brothel. The remaining 30% goes to the madam and the prostitutes. Honestly, I could've taken more.
The building itself is mine, and prostitution isn't possible without the lord's permission.
'If I exploit them too much, the girls will lose motivation, so I settled on 70%.'
This brothel operates as a high-class establishment, so the prostitutes will earn much more here than they did in the pleasure district.
"No. Start business tomorrow. Today is… you know?"
At my suggestive question, the madam covered her mouth and laughed.
"Hehehe. Of course I know. The girls are all getting ready. Where shall I take you?"
"Obviously the premium room in the basement."
"I thought you'd say that."
I sent Pethas away and headed downstairs with the madam. The basement resembles a modern-day lounge, optimized for entertainment.
Among these rooms, the premium one is reserved for VVIPs like wealthy merchants and nobles.
I plopped down onto the wide sofa. The madam had anticipated my arrival, setting up a large table with alcohol and food.
"Madam. Strip."
"Yes, my lord."
Madam Katarina removed her clothes without the slightest hesitation.
Her figure was stunning, unbelievable for a middle-aged woman. Though age couldn't be hidden entirely—her large breasts sagged noticeably, and her pubic area was thick with golden hair.
"Masturbate."
"Yes~"
At my command, the madam spread her legs wide and began touching herself, rubbing her large clitoris and labia.
"Madam. You haven't forgotten our most important agreement, have you?"
"Of course not. We've taken in six new girls this time. They'll have their initiation today."
Initiation.
Every prostitute who starts working at this brothel must first offer her body to me.
This is the most important agreement between the madam and me.
The moment this agreement is broken, the madam's pretty face will be impaled on a spike and displayed in the square. And a new madam will take over the brothel.
"I'm looking forward to it."
"Haaahhh… My lord. Won't you put it in?"
"Later. Once all of you are gathered, I'll fuck you all at once."
That's exactly why I came today. Before business starts, I plan to fuck each of the prostitutes at least once. Since it's their first time working here, you could call it an initiation.
"When are the girls coming in?"
The madam, gripping her clitoris tightly, shuddered and let out a heated breath. Her juices dripped onto the floor.
"Haa… They should be ready by now. I'll go call them."
"Bring them quickly."
The madam left the room and returned ten minutes later. She wasn't alone—behind her, a line of naked women followed.
"I'm back, my lord. It took a while to gather all the girls."
A smile crept onto my lips.
'Ah, what a sight. Well, compared to my maids, the quality is much lower, but quantity makes up for it.'
I scrutinized the prostitutes with a hawk's gaze. None were outright ugly. These women were among the more popular ones from the pleasure district.
The ugly ones? I turned them into serfs. They didn't deserve to be prostitutes.
Right now, they're probably hauling manure under the scorching sun.
About sixty prostitutes stood in line, staring at me with tense expressions. Their determination not to make a mistake in front of me was palpable.
"I heard there are new recruits. Step forward."
Six young women came forward.
All of them looked uneasy.
'Prostitution isn't a job anyone willingly chooses, whether in this world or the last.'
Prostitutes are treated little better than slaves, scorned by commoners.
No woman becomes a prostitute because she wants to. Most do it out of debt. Some are sold into brothels by slave owners.
"Any virgins? Raise your hand if you are."
Two raised their hands.
I nodded, stood up, and took off my pants. My massive erection sprang free.
"Let's start with the virgins."
The initiation had begun.
***
The next day.
I visited a gambling den on the outskirts of the city. Like the brothel, the gambling den was also my property.
It had been operating for about a month. I was visiting today to check on things while taking a stroll.
'The profits from the gambling den are surprisingly juicy.'
Entertainment in this world is underdeveloped. Meaning, people are bored.
Gambling is one of the few ways to relieve that boredom—assuming they don't get addicted.
'Ugh! Look at all that cigarette smoke coming from the windows.'
It made me reluctant to go inside. The smoke pouring out suggested the interior was as foggy as a sea mist.
Then—the gambling den's door slammed open, and a man tumbled out, rolling on the ground.
"Uuurk!"
"You broke-ass bum…! You came in here without even money to bet?! Get the hell out!"
SLAM!
The door closed again.
I approached the man, who was curled up clutching his stomach. A shoe print marked his abdomen.
"You're a mess. Out of money?"
"Kkh… Who the hell—Hrk! M-My lord!"
"Yeah. It's me, your lord."
The man quickly knelt and bowed his head. His quick reaction told me he wasn't completely stupid.
'His clothes are better than what commoners wear. He must've had some money.'
I glanced around. Since it was daytime, townsfolk were out and about. They immediately bowed when they saw me. I acknowledged them with a nod before turning back to the man.
"I'll ask again. Out of money?"
"Y-Yes… I don't have any."
"What do you do for a living?"
"I-I was a sailor."
A fisherman.
Since Tebura was a coastal city, there were more fishermen than farmers.
"Was? So not anymore?"
"…I sold my boat a week ago."
"Ah."
I understood immediately.
This guy was a gambling addict. He must've sold his boat and blown all the money gambling. Painfully predictable. I felt no pity—this was entirely his own fault.
"If you're that desperate for money, go there."
I pointed to a building across from the gambling den.
A sign read Rush & Guillotine—a moneylending business I operated. The interest rate was 70%.
By this world's standards, it was surprisingly fair, and business was good.
"About that… I already went, but they wouldn't lend to me."
"How much do you owe?"
"…20 million Nerl."
"20 million?!"
I was shocked.
The gambling den had only been officially open for a month. Yet he'd already racked up 20 million in debt—and he'd sold his boat, too.
I didn't know what kind of boat it was, but assuming it was a small fishing vessel worth around 50 million, he'd spent a total of 70 million at the gambling den.
"S-So I have nowhere else to get money."
The man looked at me with hopeful eyes. He was clinging to the delusion that I might lend him money.
'Is this guy sane? Why would I, the lord, lend him money? Then again, if he were sane, he wouldn't be in this mess.'
Even in modern times, gambling ruins families. There's a reason it's called the fastest path to ruin.
"I see. Good luck with that."
I turned to leave, satisfied that the gambling den was running smoothly.
"My lord! Please lend me money! I beg you! I've had a revelation about poker! If I just have the funds, I can win it all back!"
"Haa... This bastard…"
I was speechless. A revelation? His gambling addiction had made him forget who he was dealing with.
Just as I was about to summon mana, a rather pretty woman appeared in the distance. She immediately knelt at my feet, pressing her forehead to the ground.
"My lord! I'm so sorry! My husband isn't in his right mind! Please, have mercy!"
"…You're his wife?"
The man, belatedly realizing what he'd done, turned pale and bowed his head.
"Yes. I'm his wife. Please forgive—"
"Enough. Lift your head."
"Yes, my lord."
"Hmm."
I examined her face. She had a sharp nose, healthy skin, and was quite beautiful. Her hair was dark brown, her eyes blue. Her breasts were D-cups, and her hips were wide.
'I'm turned on.'
My dick reacted.
I turned back to the man.
"I'll lend you a million Nerl."
"R-Really?! Thank you! Thank you! I'll win it all back at poker and repay you immediately!"
"But there's a condition. I'll be borrowing your wife for a day. How about it?"
"Borrow my wife…?"
The man looked at his wife. Her face was stiff as she stared at him pleadingly.
Borrowing his wife—he couldn't possibly not imagine what I'd do to her.
After a moment, the husband nodded firmly.
"Deal!"
Just as I expected.
"Here's a million nerl."
"H-Honey…! You're selling me for a million nerl?!"
"Selling? No, just borrowing. Just endure today. Starting tomorrow, I'll buy us a fancy house… a new boat… I'll give you everything I couldn't before. Well then, my lord. I'll be going."
As soon as I nodded, the man sprinted back into the gambling den.
"Get up. How long do you plan to stay crouched there? Let's go."
"Go… where?"
The woman trembled as she stood. Her face was filled with bitter betrayal—even hatred. Not toward me, but her husband.
"Your place is probably filthy. Let's go to my mansion."
I thought about their future.
The man would soon be penniless, unable to repay his debt, and enslaved. As for his wife, it wouldn't be long before she ended up in the brothel.
***
Vroom! Vroom!
A maid on a motorcycle appeared in Tebura's central square.
The green-haired, short-cut maid, Aisha, skillfully parked in front of a noticeboard and pinned up a few sheets of paper.
With a cool demeanor, she left the square.
The townsfolk crowded around the board the moment she was gone. If a maid posted something, it meant the lord had ordered it. They couldn't help but wonder what the announcement said.
"Wh-What does it say?"
"Move aside. I'll read it out loud."
『Official Notice of Tevra 1.00
Hello, citizens!
Today, we bring you an important announcement! And moving forward, this is how we will communicate with you.
Before delivering the main notice, we would like to clarify that this announcement has been prepared under the orders of Baron Eugene Pruckus, the lord of Tebura. The official seal stamped below serves as proof.
Any defacement or slander of this notice may result in punishment, so please refrain from tampering with it and simply read its contents.
You say you cannot read? Then learn how to read. Or ask someone who can read it for you.
From now on, illiteracy will no longer be an acceptable excuse. Therefore, familiarize yourself with the notice and adhere to all regulations.
If you have any complaints, you may take them up at the manor.』
***
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