From Doran and Scarlet Rain’s explanations, I finally understood that the seemingly serene Shuiyan was actually a full-fledged scent fetishist. The revelation was so shocking that I stood there stunned for quite a while after hearing it.
Fortunately, Shuiyan only indulged in my scent for a moment before letting me go, her face showing a small, satisfied expression.
That kind of contrast made her seem oddly cute in a different way.
It took me a long time after mechanically saying goodbye to Doran and the others to finally snap out of it.
“I never would’ve thought Shuiyan was that kind of person…”
I covered my slightly flushed cheeks, then suddenly remembered something. “What am I supposed to do if she comes again next time?”
“This sort of thing really should be banned.”
Even as I said that, I couldn’t help recalling the warmth of being held in her arms earlier.
“But being hugged by Shuiyan felt pretty nice. She smells good, and that spot was really soft too. Maybe I could set a time limit and enjoy it a little myself?”
What on earth am I thinking!
I slapped my cheeks, which had just lost their blush, to calm down. Just as I was about to leave, I looked up and caught the strange gazes from those around me.
“Huh?”
I froze, only then realizing that I’d been in the Forest Ruins this whole time.
In other words, every embarrassing moment from start to finish had been clearly witnessed by the nearby players.
I could even faintly hear the discussions around me.
“Forget a four-way yuri romance—the main character’s a little kid. Isn’t this development a bit too abnormal?”
“What do you know? This is exactly the kind of plot readers love.”
“Such a cute loli. Don’t let those girls turn her gay.”
“What’s wrong with turning her gay? What do you stinking men have to offer? I’m gonna go ask if I have a shot.”
“Hey, don’t hog her all to yourself. I want in too.”
My cheeks, which had finally cooled down, exploded with red again. Amid the surrounding chatter, I fled in panic.
After teleporting back to the alchemy workshop in Faerns City, I saw that Triss had followed my instructions and bought up quite a few plots of land in the capital. Though they looked tiny on the map, in the vast city of Faerns, it amounted to roughly half a street’s worth.
And these properties would become incredibly valuable in the future—worth several times more than ordinary streets. It gave me the distinct feeling of becoming a real estate tycoon.
“I’ve been working really hard these past few days, you know!” Triss puffed out her chest proudly beside me. Perhaps thanks to better nutrition lately, there did seem to be a slight curve there now.
“Still not quite there.”
“Ehh? But I followed Your Majesty the Demon King’s orders exactly…” Triss looked a little hurt.
“I just feel like it’s still a bit small.”
“No worries! I’ll keep trying. It’ll definitely get better.” Triss let out a relieved breath and clenched her tiny fist seriously, pumping herself up.
“No, this is already a matter of natural talent.”
I sighed and patted Triss’s shoulder. “As Satahia said, you’re just naturally flat-chested.”
Watching Triss’s expression shift from stunned to rigid, I couldn’t hold back a snort of laughter. Teasing idiots really was good for mental health.
“So Your Majesty the Demon King was just messing with me this whole time?”
“This is called building closeness with your subordinates.” Facing her embarrassed accusation, I came up with a perfectly justified excuse.
“Then about my salary…” Triss suddenly saw a glimmer of hope.
“Ahem.” Now it was my turn to feel awkward. I coughed uncomfortably. “Little Triss, ah, we’re… the Demon King’s Castle is still in its early development phase. You have to be understanding.”
“And remember what I said before? We’re going to build a glorious future for the Demon King’s Castle together. So I hope everyone sees themselves as an owner of the castle, embodying the unique socialist values of the Demon King’s Castle—instead of using capitalist wages to define our relationships.”
“Is… is that how it is…?” Triss’s eyes spun in confusion, looking utterly bewildered. But then she suddenly remembered something. “Then why did Your Majesty give me wages before?”
“That wasn’t wages. That was development funding. Getting rich together is wonderful but difficult. We need the first to get rich to drive the later ones. You’re one of the economic leaders of the Demon King’s Castle, Triss, so you have to set a good example.”
As a successor to new-era socialism, I’d naturally prepared the necessary explanations.
“Th-that’s… how it is! It sounds so impressive!”
Triss—whose academic name was basically Pure and Adorably Dumb—was instantly wrapped around my finger by that long string of profound words. “I’ll keep working hard. I won’t let Your Majesty the Demon King down!”
Watching her leave happily, I suddenly felt a twinge of guilt. Deceiving such an innocent child really tormented my conscience.
“Oh well. I’ll buy her more milk later to nourish her brain.”
Since I was already at the alchemy workshop, I stopped by the alchemy room to tell Yue Chang’an about the new agreement.
“Such a big order, and from a famous major guild… Can I really do it, Little Tong?”
Yue Chang’an hesitated, looking unconfident.
Though she’d spent these past few days here with Triss’s guidance and had gotten somewhat familiar with the game’s herbs—no longer making frequent mistakes like before—she’d never handled such an important task docking with a major guild. Naturally, she felt some apprehension.
“Don’t worry, Sister Chang’an. Roseheart will probably only need Redstone Potions for now. You just have to make them like before. They’ll provide the materials, and even if you waste some, they’ll just have to cry about it. The agreement doesn’t mention any failure penalties, after all.”
I shrugged. Taking a little advantage from allies was only natural.
Yue Chang’an let out a soft laugh, amused by my shamelessness. A different kind of charm bloomed on her delicate, frail-looking face. “Mm, I’ll do my best. Thank you, Little Tong.”
She wasn’t stupid. She knew full well this was a chance for her to practice—otherwise, I wouldn’t have considered all these details.
Though materials weren’t an issue, Yue Chang’an silently resolved in her heart: This time, she absolutely had to minimize mistakes. She couldn’t keep dragging me down.
After settling things in Faerns City, I switched back to my Saintess Sophirina identity and returned to the Radiant Monastery in White Dove Woodland.
I greeted the guards at the entrance, only to be stuffed with another pile of snacks and candies. I was starting to think that opening a dessert shop nearby might be a sustainable path to riches.
“Heave-ho.”
As I hugged the snacks and headed back to my room, I ran into Kai and Bemira on the way.
“Good afternoon, Sister Kai, Sister Bemira.”
“Good afternoon, Your Highness Sophirina.”
Both responded respectfully to my greeting. But when they saw the snacks in my arms, Bemira couldn’t help covering her mouth and letting out a soft chuckle.
Daisy coughed as if to remind her companion, then smiled faintly at me. “Would you like some help, Your Highness Sophirina?”
“I’m not that weak, you know.”
I pouted, but I could tell from their expressions that something was up. “Are Sister Daisy and Sister Bemira going somewhere?”
“Reporting to Your Highness, we’re about to attend a meeting for the trainee group.”
“Oh, I see. I thought you were going to some kind of party, since you both look kinda excited.”
I nodded, but when I looked up, I saw their expressions stiffen. “Eh? Did… did Sophirina say something wrong…?”
“It’s because the suggestion we mentioned last time was adopted, so we’re happy about it. Right, Bemira?” Daisy quickly recovered and explained.
“Y-yes…”
Though she agreed, facing those pure, curious eyes, Bemira couldn’t help surrendering. “It’s… about adding… adding milk as a mandatory nutritional item.”
When the person across from them shifted her gaze to a certain part of theirs that fell below the monastery average and showed an “oh, I get it” expression, they were instantly wounded.
What’s wrong with holy knights having smaller chests…
Bemira and Daisy thought bitterly.
Daisy coughed awkwardly. “Well, Your Highness, it’s getting late. We’ll take our leave.”
“Mm, goodbye, sisters… Ah, wait.”
I nodded, then suddenly remembered something and called out to the two who were about to leave. I stuffed some snacks into their hands. “I can’t help much, but please take these. And sisters, you can’t be picky eaters from now on—that way you’ll develop better.”
Looking at the dried eggs and canned papaya milk in their hands, hearing that well-meaning lecture beside their ears—
Bemira and Daisy broke. Bemira and Daisy wanted to find a hole to crawl into. Bemira and Daisy were utterly mortified.
“Hmph. That’s for bullying me so much last time.”
Recalling their heartbroken expressions as they left, I covered my mouth and chuckled softly.
Of course I knew they were hiding something, but it didn’t have much to do with me. Being able to tease them back was already more than satisfying.
My already good mood became even better. Humming a tune, I headed back to my room.
Only to nearly trip over something on the ground.
“Who’s so lacking in public manners… Wait, this is…”
But the resentment that had just risen vanished the moment I saw what it was.
ok what is up with the redacted this chapter and the last chapter. it feels pretty annoying to read. like a scp file or something.