Narikin's Report

I had given vacations and bonuses to Narikin's group but they were forgoing their vacation to gather information using the bonuse as their funding capital. I listened to their reports from inside a birdcage, possessing the communication bird Tran.

[… You're very dedicated to your work.]

"It's an honor to receive your praise."

Since I could finally use the [Telepathy] skill, I could communicate sufficiently while possessing Tran. [Telepathy] was incredibly convenient.

They were just like Rei, though… why are my subordinates so dedicated to their work? Despite me, their boss, wanting to laze around and sleep all day.

"As a result of gathering information in the gambling halls, we have obtained various pieces of information. We have collected most of the rumors from around here. The collected information is as written in the documents."

[Hmm, you've gathered quite a diverse array of information.]

"It's thanks to Rokufa and Naana. I just scattered money around."

"No, no, it's thanks to Narikin and Naana. I just predicted the outcomes of the roulette."

"… Well, then, how about we say it's my achievement, Keima-sama? After all, I was the one who instigated the two of them."

[Ah, yeah, good job to all three of you.]

For now, I'll ask Soto to bring me the information documents via [Storage].

I planned to review them later, but there was one piece of information that caught my eye.

[… A certain female adventurer underwent a sex change using a magic potion to gain more power. However, she found a boyfriend as a man, so she returned to being a woman, gave birth to a child, and then changed back into a man…?]

Talk about toeing the line. It was a story about constantly switching genders.

"Yes, it seems to be a famous A-rank adventurer who has even conquered dungeons."

[Could the potion have been from Chaos Pharmacy?]

Chaos Pharmacy's magic potion. Magic potions created by the Chaos God Leona.

In the Raverio Empire where we resided, potions that changed one's gender or greatly altered one's appearance were regulated. The main reason was that they were often used for criminal purposes.

They could apparently be used if permission was granted, but I don't know the details.

"I'm not sure if it's Chaos Pharmacy… but there was talk that the Holy Kingdom doesn't regulate these kinds of potions at all. Ah, here it is."

[One-Night Gender Swap Festival. A night of madness and pleasure for you… Participation fee: 20 silver coins. (* We will provide a potion with effects that last only for one night)—wow, I'm impressed you even collected information on red-light district events. Well done.]

"Thank you very much, Master…! By the way, about this event, the first one was said to have caused a storm of agony the next morning. Hahaha."

It seems that countermeasures have been put in place now.

… Well, the event was held casually enough without any regulation and it seemed the potions were readily available.

However, the price for those with permanent effects was in the range of thousands of gold coins.

[… I wonder if they were excavated from a dungeon?]

"Well, if so, it seems like something that would be considered a forbidden potion in the Holy Kingdom."

[Then perhaps they were made by humans? No, I should first check if they're available in the DP Catalog. Hold on, I'll go look it up.]

"Alright, we'll be waiting."

Leaving Narikin and Rokufa kneeling where they were, I returned to my body in [Cave of Desires].

I quickly checked if Chaos Pharmacy's magic potion was listed in the DP Catalog.

"… Wow, it's actually listed."

The catalog indeed featured the Chaos Pharmacy's magic potion.

The one with permanent effects costs 10,000,000 DP and is labeled as a limited edition… Limited edition? Is Leona providing this?

The one with effects lasting about a year costs around 100,000 DP… It wasn't labeled as a limited edition. I wonder what the difference is?

The price matched what I heard from the magic potion shop I visited in Corky back when I was heading to the capital with Wataru and the others if I converted DP to gold using the usual one gold per 10,000 DP conversion rate.

"… Hmm? Wait a minute. How did they even list their creations in the catalog? It's not like the catalog would automatically adopt them… or maybe it could…"

Ah. Speaking of which, there was also that case where Haku-san's book [Introduction to Dungeon Studies] was listed. Could it be that the DP Catalog also has a function to sell one's own creations?

I should probably email Haku-san later and ask about it.

Given the new information, rather than Leona creating and scattering the magic potions all about the Holy Kingdom, it was possible that the dungeons in the Holy Kingdom were the ones producing them…

I'd made Narikin wait too long. I used [Possession] on the bird in the Holy Kingdom once again.

[Sorry to keep you waiting.]

"Master!"

Narikin and Rokufa were still kneeling in the same position as when they saw me off.

[… Did you really wait in that position the whole time? You could have relaxed like the maid over there.]

I looked at NaanaToy, who was sitting on a chair and drinking tea.

NaanaToy effortlessly lifted her teacup with a smile as if to offer me one. Who does this maid think she is? Well, it's not like I really cared.

"I was originally a Living Armor, so not moving is actually more comfortable for me."

[Really? Well, if that's the case… but Rokufa, it's different for you, right?]

"Um, Angels also find it more comfortable not to move in this position."

[Are you sure that's not pushing it?]

I took a moment to make sure they understood that it was okay to rest when I wasn't around. Then—

[Next, I want you to investigate the origin of this gender-swapping magic potion. Given the nature of the item, I'll send additional funds as well.]

"Yes! Understood."

[But make sure you take breaks when needed, alright? It would tarnish the name of Beddhism if you worked during the vacation I gave you.]

"Yes, we went to the casino for fun since it was a vacation. It was quite an experience."

"We just happened to gather information while there, Master."

I glanced at the maid who must have prepared that excuse.

"… If I didn't say anything, these two would really only work."

[Oh, uh, sorry to cause you trouble…?]

"Really. But this is all for the sake of defeating Leona, so I'll bear with it."

NaanaToy took a grape from her [Storage] and popped it inot her mouth.

Her brazen attitude, as if she had done something commendable, was truly impressive.

[Then please continue your investigation. And remember to take breaks during your vacation!]

"… Understood."

The slightly delayed response made me feel like they were already starting to look for a loophole to continue working, but if they were going to go that far, I wouldn't stop them… Just take care of your health, at least.