Volume 1: Chapter 1 – The Case of Lady Laura

“Manager~. My first one for today is done~. Cast your cleaning magic on me~.”

Walking into the manager’s office without so much as a knock was Laura, one of our top three most popular girls.

Blonde hair, blue eyes—to my sensibilities, she’s the picture-perfect image of a Western beauty. She’s got breasts that are ridiculously huge yet somehow defy gravity, and an equally massive ass. You’d want to ask how that tiny waist even supports them, but her reception among the customers—the horny bastards—is exceptionally high. The fact that she’s overwhelmingly popular with the Eastern-looking types, from my perspective, makes me realize with a strange sense of admiration that no matter the world, male desires are built pretty simply.

“I’ve told you a thousand times, cover up what needs covering before you come into my room, you airhead!”

“Manager, you’re so meaaan~. There are customers who pay money just to see me naked, you know? You’re getting it for free, so you’re lucky~.”

Good grief, this woman never listens no matter how many times I tell her. If you just listened to her slow, drawling speech, you’d really think she was a fool, but her mind is sharp, and the customers she handles are of the highest caliber. Her “daytime” face involves completely dismantling the composure of very stiff, high-profile regulars; a real idiot couldn’t pull that off.

Though, in front of me, she looks like nothing but a total moron.

Just hurry up and hide those expensive breasts and that ass. I can’t activate my Unique Magic if I can’t concentrate. We’ve known each other a long time; you should know that by now.

“Fiiiine~. You’re as much of a closet pervert as ever, Manager. If you’re ever in the mood, just say the word~.”

Shut up.

Despite the banter, we both know my magic is necessary, so she eventually covered up the parts that needed covering.

…I’m used to it by now, but if anything, her current state is actually more suggestive. It’s a strange thing; sometimes having everything out in the open feels less erotic.

“Ugh, Count Astoria is such a pain, he licks me from head to toe, I hate it~.”

Don’t talk about the customers’ sexual preferences in front of me. Report that kind of thing to the dedicated staff. It’s valuable information, to be sure.

While keeping my stray thoughts in check, I cast a five-fold spell on Laura: Cleaning Magic, Fatigue Recovery, Deodorization, Fragrance, and Cell Activation.

• Cleaning Magic: Removes all unnecessary filth from her body.

• Fatigue Recovery: Restores her physical stamina.

• Deodorization: Erases every scent except for her natural one.

• Fragrance: Generates a biological scent that maximizes her feminine charm.

• Cell Activation: Revitalizes her skin and every other part of her, returning them to their best possible state.

There are others, but the Unique Magic I gained when I was tossed into this world is essentially specialized in health management plus a few extras.

To my annoyance, my magical power is virtually infinite when it comes to using these specific spells—a fact guaranteed by the Owner.

—It’s totally useless!

If this were Fire Magic that could incinerate dragons or Frost Magic that could freeze even demons, I might have started a flashy heroic tale that every man dreams of at least once. I admit it’s a convenient power, but it’s not worth a damn on a battlefield. I’d have my head split open while I was busy making someone’s skin “all clean and pretty.”

“Thanks, Manageeer~. I’ll go do my best for the next job~.”

With a soft smile, she mentions going to the next customer. Papilio Somnium operates entirely on a reservation basis, and we leave as much time as possible between sessions. We aren’t the kind of shop that works a “fine woman” to death just because she’s a high earner.

“Hey, listen to me. I’ve told you this before: my magic isn’t perfect. It just utilizes your base physical stamina. In that sense, you’re still consuming as much energy as it takes to get tired, and more importantly, my magic doesn’t work on the heart. Go take a slow bath and eat something good until your scheduled time. If you’re worried about how you look before going out to the horny bastards, I’ll cast the spells again. Got it?”

“Okay~, sorry~.”

She pokes her tongue out playfully and heads back to her assigned room.

I wonder if she actually understands. I appreciate her working hard for the shop, but as the Manager, I’d be a failure if one of my Top Three broke down from overwork.

Still, it’s a curious thing. Laura never takes customers in her own room. For someone of her class with such high-end regulars, she could make plenty of money just by taking one person a night in her private quarters. There’s absolutely no need for her to sell her time by the hour like a newcomer.

Like Venice during the Renaissance or the pleasure quarters of the Edo period, the prostitutes in this country have a set hierarchy. The state politely ranks them according to reports from the shops. Being one of the top three in the country’s top shop, Laura is naturally ranked in the highest of the five classes: the Quinque Folium Floris (Five-Petaled Flower).

The funny thing is, it’s an official title.

You almost never hear of a high-class courtesan—who is allowed to attend evening parties at the Royal Palace—selling herself by the hour. Furthermore, her regulars are all prominent figures who have probably never “bought time” in their entire lives.

Well, I’m not so tactless as to stick my nose into the business methods of a “fine woman” who brings in profit. I just do my job properly and make sure the girls don’t wreck their bodies, regardless of their individual ways of working and earning.

That’s why I have to make them follow the minimum rules. However, not just Laura, but all my girls tend to over-rely on my “magic.” It’s certainly convenient, but it’s by no means omnipotent.

Still, this is one of the reasons why Papilio Somnium stays at number one.

The fact that “fine women” who can earn big come to us and ask to work here just for my magic—which is well-known in this district—is a huge factor. I can’t hire everyone, so I’m in the apologetic position of having to be the one who chooses. Even though my mana is infinite, the time and effort it takes to cast the spells means I can’t handle an infinite number of people.

Apparently, in other houses, there are quite a few girls whose dream is to become the number one there so they can eventually be hired by us. I’m grateful, but I personally think it’s better for them to hit their target earnings and get out of the business as fast as possible. Though, I suppose that’s none of my business.

Even after becoming a star like Laura, the fact that she stays on good terms with the newcomers selling their time is, frankly, a godsend. There are even rookies who skyrocket to popularity after being introduced to new clients by Laura’s regulars. I have to be grateful that Laura, as a top-ranker, doesn’t just think about herself, but also cares about the other girls and the shop while continuing to sell her time.

Maybe her coming to the office to hang out with her breasts and ass out all the time is a small price to pay. I’d like to tell her to cover up, but I suppose I could just call it “eye candy.”

Now then, back to work.

The evening has just begun, and the peak hours are only starting. Every time the customers rotate, my magic will be needed.

The girls are putting their bodies on the line and working hard; I can’t afford to be slacking off. The night is still long, but I guess I’d better give it my all too.

End of 2