NOVEL NEXT Chapter 30 - Episode 30: Gold is Life!
Episode 30: Gold is Life!
I stood before a mysterious building. It had a large tower at its center, with scattered cabins around it, and smoke billowed from the chimneys. Clay golems bustled around the perimeter, likely magical constructs. They were about human-sized and seemed to be made entirely of compacted soil.
“I-I’m going home! I won’t be anyone’s slave!”
The voice echoed from the entrance of the tower.
“I am the Archduke of Darkness, Zaus.”
“What!? Aren’t you the boss of the demons?”
“I’ve come to talk to the Great Sage Caphrodyte.”
“What!? How do you know my name?”
“I know everything about you. You’re 1100 years old, forever young thanks to a spell. You love teddy bears.”
“W-Why do you know all that!?”
Well, I did clear her route in the romance section. She’s technically a legal loli, and she’s a romanceable character too. I used some cheat codes to reach the happy ending with all female characters, so I remember a lot about her.
“You like fluffy miniskirts, and your measurements are…”
“Wha-What!? Stop right there!”
Come to think of it, she was self-conscious about her small chest. A small girl emerged from the tower. She wore a white robe, resembling an idol. With her large eyes, she was quite the beauty.
“Oh my. How adorable. I didn’t think you were a child.”
“Huh.You’re this tiny.”
“I am the Great Sage!”
She said, tumbling onto the ground with a thud. Her skirt flipped up, revealing panties with a bear print.
“Hmm.”
This panty flash event is just like the game. She’s exceptionally smart, but quite clumsy at critical moments.
“Ah, don’t look!”
“Need help getting up?”
“Ugh! Being seen by a man!”
Ah… she’s a crybaby just like in the game..
Well, whatever.
“There, there.”
Meel hugged her.
“It’s okay.”
“Ugh… your boobs are huge.”
“Hey… could you not touch me?”
“Ugh. They’re so soft. Squeeze, squeeze.”
“Hey… stop it!”
The game’s unfolding just like before. I’ve totally forgotten that I’m the villainous Archduke. She’s faithfully portraying her character.
“Why have you come to me? I’m busy with my research.”
“Hmm. Let’s get to the point.”
I don’t want her to join the hero’s party. That’s my only objective.
But explaining about the hero to her is a hassle.
If it’s between a righteous messenger and an evil archduke, she’ll undoubtedly listen to the former.
So, I’ll have to come up with a suitable excuse.
“I want to develop the Archduchy.”
“Hmm. Are you asking me to aid evil?”
“Well, something like that.”
“I refuse. I won’t lend my hand to evil.”
She’s got a strong sense of justice. She’ll be impressed by the hero who defeats the Archduke. That’s why she’ll join the hero’s party to defeat the Demon King. Although, the hero Cea’s purpose in coming here is solely to defeat me. Better take precautions to avoid recruiting her.
“I’m the son of Archduke Gozack. I inherited his position. We haven’t invaded other territories in the last five years.”
“Hmm. Indeed, there haven’t been any major battles in the past five years. No slave raids either.”
“We’ve been developing our territory using only local resources. Your intellect is needed for further growth.”
“Me?”
“Yes. With your genius mind, I want you to help develop my territory.”
“G-Genius… You seem to understand my abilities well.”
“Yeah. There’s no one smarter than the Great Sage Caphrodyte.”
“Stop it! Your flattery is wasted on me! I’m not happy at all!”
“Well, I’m not the kind of guy to just ask for things with words. Meel.”
I had Meel bring a bag.
Inside were plenty of gold coins.
“W-What’s this!?”
“There are 100,000 Cozons. I can provide this gold every month if you agree to help me.”
“W-What!?”
“It’s for research expenses. With this much, you can conduct some enjoyable research, right?”
“Ugh…gulp.”
“Of course, if the contract is sealed, I’ll cancel any external recruitment attempts.”
“A-Are you trying to buy me with money?”
“I just want you to be my ally. If you don’t like it, you can leave.”
“Ugh… But I can’t aid evil.”
Arjena sighed.
“Hey, Zaus might be labeled as evil, but he’s not that bad. He gives freedom to his subjects, builds cities, and promotes development. There’s a town called Zaus Town. It’s a beautiful and clean city, especially the orphanage. Orphans from all over the country gather there.”
“T-There’s even an orphanage?”
“Yeah. It’s a fantastic place. The orphans live happily and freely there.”
“I can’t believe it. But Zaus is supposed to be the Archduke, right?”
“Hehehe. He’s a kind Archduke, you know.”
Oh boy.
“Hey. Let’s keep the chatter to a minimum. I’m only here on a business request.”
“Hmm… What if I refuse?”
“Then I’ll just leave.”
“What!? You’re not going to force me to comply with violence?”
“What good would that do? Forcing you wouldn’t contribute to the development of my territory. Besides, I never know when you might betray me. A job only works if both parties benefit. And remember, fun is justice. If it’s enjoyable, people will act voluntarily.”
“Hmm… Fun is justice?”
“That’s right. That’s how my territory has been flourishing. Everyone in Zaus Town, as well as in the Archduke’s castle, enjoys their work.”
Arjena laughed.
“Ah! That’s true. Zaus’s monsters underlings enjoy every day. Even I do. I was hired as a guide for the monsters. It’s fun being with Zaus.”
There’s no significant benefit in forcing compliance through violence. Fun is indeed justice.
“Hmm. I find it hard to believe. Fun is justice… But aiding evil…”
“I’m not asking for an immediate decision. Take your time to think it over.”
“…You’re quite the odd one.”
“Take this money.”
“Huh!? But I haven’t agreed to anything yet!”
“I’ve damaged the island. And I’ve defeated the Zage Golems that you care about. This money is also an apology for that.”
“A-Are you really the Archduke?”
“Yeah, the ruler of darkness.”
We decided to return on the Wyvern airship.
“Sir Zaus, was it okay to return like this?”
“Yeah, it’s fine.”
“There’s a possibility that she won’t join us. In that case, we’ve just lost 100,000 Cozons.”
“Not necessarily.”
“Huh?”
“Hehehe…”
She’s dedicated to her research. She often struggles to secure research funding. On top of that, she wants to use her research results to help the impoverished people.
The large reward and Zaus Town, where the poor are rescued.
Her desire has led to this recruitment.
She’ll definitely become our ally.
Haha.
Right now, her mind must be occupied with the reward. With 100,000 Cozons right in front of her. Hahaha!
She should just be honest!
Gold is life!
The allure of gold is absolute!
And she’ll become my subordinate!
Hahaha!
☆
〜〜Great Sage Caphrodyte’s Perspective〜〜
He saw my panties.
Oh, dear. My panties were seen by a man!
This is the most embarrassing thing I’ve experienced in my 1100 years of life!
Ugh…
I never thought my panties would be seen by a demon!
Can demons even get married? Will he make me his bride?
“What am I thinking!?”
No! My mind is full of Zaus!
“This much gold!!”
I waved away the bag of gold coins with my hand.
“Haa… haa… More than this fortune, it’s Zaus…”
Ugh.
His sturdy presence, the occasional smile he shows, that mysterious charm.
I-I can’t resist…
I can’t take it anymore!!
What is this feeling!?
Zaus. Zaus. Zaus!
His face appears when I close my eyes.
I want to see him!!
I want to see him again, just once more!!
Zaus!!