ebookland #249 - I'm a male succubus.
#249 - I'm a male succubus.
Even though the process was fraught with difficulties, Subaru Natsuki, with his clumsy tongue and crucial information—gleaned from numerous loops, knowing Crusch had plans to subjugate the White Whale—managed to barely persuade the Duchess.
This was a victory of friendship (the development rights to the Elior Forest), effort (the time and location of the White Whale's appearance), and bonds (the idea of subjugating the White Whale).
Subaru Natsuki shed tears of frustration and emotion.
The entire process was incredibly arduous, and it took several loops to reach this conclusion, but finally… he saw the dawn of cooperative success.
“There's one more issue.”
“Again!?”
Already utterly exhausted, Subaru Natsuki had a strong reaction to Crusch's further issue, but the Duchess ignored his complaints and looked towards the soft, marshmallow-like girl beside her.
“—Anastasia, what are your demands?”
“What?”
“You wouldn't say you have no demands, would you?”
Crusch had absolutely no trust in the gently smiling Anastasia.
After all, she had only barely agreed to Subaru's request after obtaining the development rights to the Elior Forest, the location of the White Whale's appearance, and the honor of subjugating the White Whale.
For Anastasia, who prided herself on being an excellent merchant, it was impossible that she wouldn't have corresponding demands; in fact, her greedy nature might even lead her to demand more than Crusch herself.
“How mean, Miss Crusch, to think of me that way… Hehe, well, it's true, though.”
Stared at by distrustful gazes, Anastasia's smile didn't waver.
“I'm a merchant, after all. I'm really looking forward to the White Whale subjugation. For us merchants, the existence of the White Whale is a matter of life and death, so eliminating it would be a great help. As for supplies and miscellaneous goods, I'd like the Hoshin Trading Company to take care of them. Is that too much to ask?”
She looked like she was planning to profit from the war.
“Wait a moment, the Royal Capital's Commerce Guild should have priority when it comes to transactions. Lady Anastasia, too, please clarify this point before you get involved.”
The one protesting was naturally Russell, the representative of the Royal Capital's Commerce Guild.
Amidst the sparking gazes of the two, Crusch keenly noticed Anastasia's concealment.
“There's more. You definitely have another reason.”
“…I can't beat Miss Crusch's perceptiveness. Is this also one of your Divine Protections?”
The Duchess didn't deny it.
Anastasia sighed softly and said, “Of course, there's another demand.”
She looked towards ZunZun beside her.
The bait used to hook this big fish was none other than ZunZun; in other words, ZunZun was largely responsible for bringing about this situation.
Crusch frowned slightly.
“Is it worth it?”
Meeting the Duchess's strange gaze, Anastasia said with a smile, “The essence of a transaction is that both parties feel it's appropriate and will exchange, regardless of whether the items are truly valuable. Can you understand that, Miss Crusch?”
Is it worth a thousand gold if I'm happy?
Crusch nodded. She clearly knew that Anastasia had equated ZunZun with the development rights to the Elior Forest, the White Whale's information, the honor, and the resulting influence.
Subaru Natsuki scratched his head.
“Although it's strange for me to say this, is it really okay? Honestly, I don't think ZunZun is that valuable.”
“Hey, you're using me and still insulting me?”
ZunZun punched Subaru Natsuki hard in the stomach.
The marshmallow girl smiled sweetly: “How silly. Even if it costs a certain price, you still have to try such an obvious shortcut. In fact, Miss Crusch, who felt a sense of crisis, didn't she try it too?”
“Ugh.”
Subaru Natsuki fell into thought.
Because of the White Whale incident, he hadn't really thought about why ZunZun happened to appear at the mansion, chatting and laughing with Crusch and Ferris, and even Crusch's attire was full of femininity.
“Hey, hey, hey…”
“Don't look at me like that, Subaru Natsuki. I'm a woman, too, and I'm over 20 years old.”
Crusch didn't try to conceal or be ashamed of her actions; she had always been so open. Moreover, this kind of marriage alliance was extremely common. Even if ZunZun's position changed or the outcome varied, the essence was no different from a marriage alliance.
Subaru Natsuki was somewhat jealous, watching the two beauties vying for ZunZun's attention.
“How wonderful, I'm so envious.”
“What are you envious of? You already have Rem, I'm the one who's envious.”
ZunZun's words made Rem shyly cover her cheeks. She had a very good impression of ZunZun.
“Speaking of which, you've said so much, it's finally my turn, right?”
ZunZun rolled his eyes somewhat unhappily, raised his delicate chin at Anastasia, and said, “I know what you're plotting against me. Speaking of which, weren't you very optimistic about Julius? Why the change of heart?”
“Please don't use such harsh words as 'plotting.' Besides, I haven't had a change of heart. I'm a merchant, I want to have everything, whether it's you or Julius.”
Anastasia's extremely greedy statement made everyone shudder.
Remembering that she had clearly stated during the Royal Selection ceremony that she wanted a kingdom of her own to satisfy her greedy merchant's soul.
And it was the same now.
Whether it was ZunZun or Julius, she wanted them all.
A reverse harem!?
“Did my words make you unhappy? Or is it that you're actually a man with a strong possessive desire? But as I know, there will be many close people after becoming king, whether it's the kingdom or the empire. If you're worried about falling out of favor, there's no need to worry at all. I'll take good care of you.”
“No, it's not that.”
Just as Anastasia said, people of high status would have many concubines or male favorites, not just kings, but nobles as well. ZunZun didn't plan to criticize her, after all, he was someone who had ideas about his fiancée and childhood friend.
“I don't know if Julius would mind, but unfortunately, he and I won't become comrades.”
“Hey, don't flirt with young girls.”
“She started it first.”
ZunZun complained back at Subaru, who was complaining at him.
Anastasia, with a face flushed with happiness, looked pitiful, but her greedy nature in her bones was frightening. She was simply the epitome of greed. If he didn't know who the Witch of Greed and the Archbishop were, it would be easy to cause misunderstandings.
A smile appeared on Crusch's lips, making it hard not to suspect it was a gloating smile.
“Your plan has failed, Anastasia.”
“Not necessarily, Miss Crusch. Just because I can't reach a deal doesn't mean others can't. Most of the clients I meet are so tough, but they quickly give in under my constant offensive, and this time is no exception.”
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Facing the Duchess's ridicule, Anastasia retorted without showing any emotion, while also expressing her firm belief that she could definitely do it.
Crusch snorted lightly.
She knew about ZunZun's love life, and through chatting, she also knew that his feelings for his childhood friend were unbreakable, so she absolutely didn't think Anastasia would succeed.
Subaru Natsuki had also completed the transaction with Russell at this time.
In fact, the two of them had just been acting against each other in order to facilitate this cooperative transaction, and the price was to trade the Meteor—that is, the old-fashioned flip phone—to Russell after the White Whale incident came to an end.
Anastasia and Crusch marveled at how they had been completely deceived.
Subaru Natsuki stood up spiritedly.
“Okay, now that we've formed an alliance, let's star—”
“Wait, Subaru.”
ZunZun suddenly spoke.
“I know you're in a hurry, but don't rush. You've promised Miss Crusch and Miss Anastasia many benefits, so what about mine?”
“You…”
Subaru Natsuki was stunned.
He didn't seem to expect ZunZun to say such a thing, and soon shouted aggrievedly, “Hey, that's too much, ZunZun! I risked my life to save you! In fact, I've already saved you, okay!?”
“Let me correct you, Subaru, you haven't saved me 'so far.' On the contrary, I've saved you.”
ZunZun deliberately emphasized the words, making Subaru Natsuki understand.
Things that haven't happened don't count, that's common sense. This isn't happening now, but in the future.
Understanding this, Subaru Natsuki's face changed drastically. He guessed that all these negotiations might fall through, and looked at ZunZun with pleading and disappointment.
“…What do you want?”
“I only have one request.”
ZunZun reached out and pressed his hand on his shoulder, using a little force.
“Subaru, you need to value your life more.”
“…Eh?”
“You're always reckless and don't care about your own life. If it was just you, that would be fine, but now there are many people who care about you—like Emilia and Rem, they're all very worried about you. So, absolutely don't do reckless things again.”
ZunZun's words left Subaru Natsuki dumbfounded.
Rem also took the opportunity to say, “I have the same request, Subaru. You're always too desperate. Although Rem doesn't know why you're so eager, Rem cares more about you than anyone else.”
“Rem… ZunZun…”
Subaru Natsuki saw the serious expressions of Rem and ZunZun. Crusch and the others didn't speak, but they had the same thoughts.
His eyes gradually moistened.
“Ah, I will.”
He wiped away the tears of emotion and suddenly hugged ZunZun.
“Thank you, ZunZun, for caring about me so much. I'm so happy! Ah, if ZunZun was a girl, I would definitely pursue you!”
“Let go, let go! You pervert! Rem is already jealous! Speaking of which, why do I have to become a girl? Why not you!?”
“Ah, that wouldn't be bad either!”
“Forget it, you'd definitely be ugly if you became a girl! So… let go already!”
ZunZun desperately pushed away Subaru Natsuki, who was bringing his face closer, while also asking Crusch and Anastasia for help, but the two of them just watched silently.
“No wonder Miss Crusch didn't succeed. If you have such a hobby, it's really impossible. By the way, how about letting Julius come?”
“Ferris, from now on, don't casually get close to Subaru Natsuki and ZunZun, because you seem to be in their strike zone.”
“Little Ferris understands, meow.”
The catboy agreed with a grin.
Thus, after the tense and exciting meeting, a brief moment of joy arrived.