Negotiating with the Succubi

At this rate, things were going to go exactly as Rokuko planned, and I'd end up either working or doing one thing she tells me to.

I need to do something about this fast.

For the time being, three adventurers from the village showed up while I was working out my plan in the church, so I baptized them.

… However, they said they wanted a bit more to it than that, so I performed the sheep-counting ceremony (nap). When I woke up there were somehow two more people, but well, they joined the faith too.

Believers sure are easy to get… it's only the second day.

Now then, I'd been thinking about it while napping, and… basically, I just need to bring in people who don't have jobs right now.

In other words, me — not! I'm busy with sleep-related work.

There are those people in this dungeon who've been playing around carving kokeshi dolls as a meaningless side job!

Yes, I'm going to put those succubi to work!

"Which is why I came all the way to Succubus Village, but when I think about it, I've only met them as a golem, right? Suddenly showing up and asking them to work at a church in the village would be too abrupt."

"That's truue. So why'd you bring me along tooo?"

I'd brought out Nerune, who'd been carving magic formations in her laboratory.

To serve as my negotiator, of course.

"I was thinking of having you act as a 'person on the dungeon's side.'"

"So I'd be the one taking the heatt. Well, I don't mind thoughh."

I'd already told Setsuna and the others that Nerune was the dungeon's spy, so it's better to limit these points of contact.

"Alright, I'll have a Messenger Golem accompany you. I'll operate it from here while watching the monitor. Oh, and please refer to the golem as Uuma-sama."

"Okaaay, here I gooo."

Answering flippantly, Nerune led the black golem I'd summoned into Succubus Village.

I hid in the shadows and opened the monitor.

"Excuse meee."

"An intruder! Our momentous second group of— oh? Isn't that Golem-sama?"

"Yo, you doing alright? I brought work today."

"Work!? Then allow me to fetch Suira!"

That succubus ran toward Suira's room in the back.

Suira came out immediately.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Golem-san. Now about this work matter — does it involve the girl with you?"

"She's not entirely unrelated, but first let me tell you what I want to ask. You know about the village in front of the dungeon, right?"

Suira nodded. Well, she was originally trying to build a brothel there after all.

"A church has been built in that village. I want a few of you to work there as sisters."

"Sisters? Us?"

"That's right. You'd pass as human if you dressed properly, right?"

I gave her a brief explanation of Beddhism.

That it was a religion that emphasized rest and relaxation.

That I wanted them to work as sisters at the church.

That I would provide compensation (wages) to those who worked… Oh, I plan to pay this from donations and such received at the church. If there aren't any, I'll pay them like the inn's employees though.

"Any problems? For instance, your race can't wear clothes or something?"

"… Wearing clothes is fine, but wouldn't we just get turned away if we show up out of nowhere claiming to be sisters without any connections?"

"Ah, that's not a problem. I have a cooperator. If this girl introduces you, it'll be a done deal."

I exchanged glances with Nerune here. Nerune smiled.

"I see, so that's where this girl comes in."

"I've already infiltrated the inn sideee. Ahh, honestlyy, the church is so short-staffed they'd even take goblin helppp, so if I just say you're apprentice sisters here to helppp, it'll be easy peasyyy."

"As far as Beddhism goes, just saying something like 'let's take a rest first' will make most things okay, so just wing it. So then, how many can go?"

I was prepared to exchange sister outfits at 200 DP each.

They come with hats, so their horns would be hidden too. Oh, could I just claim they have sheep-type beastkin blood in them? Wait, they can retract their wings and horns? Succubi are amazing.

"… What guarantee is there that girl won't betray us?"

"100% guaranteed she won't. She's a dungeon monster, after all. A named one at that."

"Iii'm called Neruneee, an apprentice witchh… Rather, aren't you the ones more likely to betray usss? That's what I'd sayy."

"… I see. No, we won't betray you either, and even if we do, we'll tell you first before betraying. We're not under the dungeon's control, but we are indebted to you."

Ah, so there is a possibility of betrayal. Well, they have other people they're indebted to, like Leona.

Suira thought for a moment, then gave her answer.

"In that case, everyone."

Whoa there. Including Michiru, there are ten succubi… that'd exceed my budget.

"… What about Succubus Village?"

"I just mean everyone can go. The actual number going would depend on how many get hired."

"Err, I mean, are you that tired of living here?"

"Honestly, the peace here is very nice, but… since there aren't any people here, there's a shortage of vitality essence in the air. It hasn't affected us yet, but eventually someone's health might start deteriorating… I was thinking of consulting you about this before that happened."

What, succubi needed something like that? It comes from people, so is it like a subtype of DP or something?

"You were alright until now though?"

"As long as we were somewhat near human settlements. Plus we had Leona-sama with us… she alone could provide us more than enough. That woman is erotic. Super erotic. She's the incarnation of eroticism who could easily sustain about a hundred succubi by herself."

Seriously, Leona is crazy. Compared to her, Shikina is just some girl who's only heard about stuff.

That one's all talk after all.

"Err… should I send over goblins to, you know…?"

"Ugh, that would be a last resort. It's the sort of thing where, if told to choose between starving to death or that, only those desperate to survive would go for it… I don't want Michiru to experience that…"

Suira's face looked like she'd swallowed something bitter… So goblins really do taste that bad, huh.

"So being able to go to the village would actually be a blessing for us. Though I'm still uneasy about it."

"Hmm. Then if everyone goes, we could set up a rotation system…"

Well, they can use the back door for coming and going… and if we're not in a rush, I could even have Dyne Trading Company order the sister outfits.

Let's say it's not a problem if we rush five outfits.

"Then for now, I'll prepare five sister outfits. Please share them."

"Michiru's size wouldn't match the others. Is it alright if she keeps one set for herself?"

"Sure, negotiation complete. I'll prepare the outfits and have Nerune deliver them. Please have five people ready to head to the village first."

"Understood. And please make one of them child-sized."

"Got it."

With that, Nerune and I temporarily left Succubus Village.

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

"Oh, so you're Beddhist apprentice sisters? Welcome."

"That's right, Maste… Priest-samaaa."

I was talking to Nerune at the Beddhism church. Behind her were the five apprentice sisters (Succubi).

Nerune introduced Suira and the other succubi to me as "Beddhist apprentice sisters from another town."

And I was the priest who would graciously accept them.

Yeah, this is a farce!

Obviously, Beddhism doesn't exist in any other town yet. This is the only place.

But the succubi, believing the lie, looked relieved. Some of them were gazing at me with heated looks though… do succubi find clergymen especially tasty because they've been holding back or something?

"Umm, there are five more who aren't here right nowww, but could you look after everyone? Five at a time is fineee."

"Hm? So they're commuting. You have housing somewhere then. Should I have five stay at the church at a time?"

"That's rightt that's rightt. Oh, but they're apprentices so they don't know much about Beddhism yett, is that alrightt?"

"Of course. As the scripture says, 'The Futon is open to all.' Beddhism is broad-minded. Besides, we're short-staffed right now… it seems you all have your circumstances, but I'll turn a blind eye to the details. One can't sleep well if one worries about every little thing."

I looked at Suira and spoke to her. She's as beautiful as ever… a gorgeous sister like this being a succubus… yeah, this is doujinshi material right here.

"Err, Suira, was it? You're the representative of the apprentice sisters, correct?"

"Yes. I am most grateful for your generosity, Priest-sama… Oyasuminasai."

Suira awkwardly clasped her hands before her chest and prayed. It was a bit heartwarming.

Come to think of it, I was supposed to have had my memory erased by the succubi.

To keep them from getting too involved with me, maybe I should tease them a bit to maintain some distance.

"… Oh? Haven't we met somewhere before?"

"Eh!? No, no such thing, we haven't!"

"Hmm… was it just my imagination? No, something's nagging at me… well, whatever. And you, little lady, nice to meet you… I think?"

"Fweh!? Ah, um, yes, Village Chief-san! Nice to meet you!"

"M-Michiru. This person is Priest-sama. Priest-sama, okay?"

"Hahaha, I'm also the village chief, so she can call me whichever she likes. No need for formalities either. If speaking casually is easier for you, go right ahead."

This should keep them from getting too involved with me.

If I carelessly provoke them and they remember, it could expose them as succubi after all.

"Now then, let me show you around the church. This way, please."

Thus, I succeeded in making the succubi manage the church as sisters.

Take that, Rokuko! Things won't go your way now!

… Well, honestly, working aside, doing one thing Rokuko says wouldn't be that big a deal, right?