22 Chapter 4 - Ayane, The Spirit Fox (3)

With Martha by my side, I descended into the lower floor, guided by the scent that lingered in the air. As we reached what I thought was the basement, it turned out to be another floor, much like the ones above. However, what distinguished it was the multitude of women seated, all fixated on a wall at the front. An old, wrinkled woman stood before them, gesturing toward something on a blackboard affixed to one of the room's walls.

"Mastering the art of conducting oneself can grab anyone's attention or ignite interest. Graceful behavior can elevate your aura, making others sit up and take notice. Remember, your poise and manners are your greatest assets. A lady should walk with the elegance of a swan gliding across a serene lake. Keep your posture upright, shoulders back, and chin level. A subtle sway of the hips adds a touch of allure, enticing those who lay eyes upon you. The way you present yourself is crucial. Imagine each step is a note in a melody, and your movement is a dance, captivating the audience. A slight smile can be a powerful tool, mysterious yet inviting, leaving a lasting impression. Now, let's talk about conversation. Engage in it with intelligence and charm. Listen actively to your clients, respond with grace, and never forget the power of a well-timed laugh. Laughter, my dears, is the music of joy, and joy is infectious. As for the art of dining, familiarize yourselves with the intricate dance of silverware. Each piece has its place and purpose. Mastery of this dance not only showcases your refinement but also puts your client at ease, creating an atmosphere of comfort."

Even though I wasn't exactly tuned in during my academy classes, I recognized what this old woman was imparting. She was teaching these women how to conduct themselves as proper ladies and the etiquette expected of nobles. It was an elective subject for those who aspired to refine their manners. I had chosen this elective too, as every student had to pick at least one. However, these teachings were typically reserved for noble children and commoners pursuing endeavors that demanded such refinement. Judging by the women in this room, they weren't noble daughters.

"...Prostitutes in training," I mumbled. That's right. These women were learning noble etiquette because they were training to become prostitutes.

I shot a glance at Martha, who observed them with a conflicted expression. I had an inkling of why she wore such a look. For now, though, I focused my sense of smell and immediately pinpointed the source of that alluring scent. Right there, she was seated among the women, attentively listening to the old woman.

I was immediately captivated by her beauty. It was enchanting, much like the alluring scent she emitted. Judging by her appearance, she seemed to be at least close to my age. With long snow-white hair, blood-ruby eyes, and a curvaceous figure that even the kimono couldn't conceal, she exuded an otherworldly allure. Her kimono, a striking shade of red, was secured by an Obi, a sash around her belly. Yet, that wasn't what shocked me. While it was surprising to see a woman donning a kimono in this world, what truly caught my attention were those... long fox ears... and those nine tails. It was a being that only existed as a legend back on Earth—a kyūbi no kitsune, a nine-tailed fox.

 ***

I patiently waited for the class to come to an end. As it concluded, the women directed their attention toward me. However, my gaze remained fixed on the nine-tailed fox. It might be incorrect to label her that way, but lacking knowledge of her name, I had no other option. Suddenly, I heard metallic chimes ringing in my head. Judging by the abundance of chimes, it seemed many women had taken an interest in me. Yet, I paid them no mind. My focus was solely on the nine-tailed fox. Like the others, she had taken an interest in me, prompting me to open the panel on how to dominate her.

 --

You've captured the interest of Ayane Kitsune. You can now proceed to dominate her.

Name: Ayane Kitsune

Race: Beastskin

Requirements to dominate Ayane:

1. Save Ayane From Becoming A Prostitute

2. Unlock

3. Unlock

4. Unlock

....

 --

When I saw that, I leaned in close to Martha's ear. "You said I can get what I want if I give you 1000 gold coins, right?"

She shot me a disgusted look. "You're not talking about one of them, are you?" she said.

It was clear she assumed I was here for an item, not a woman. I glanced at the corner where various items were displayed, probably gifts from clients to their prostitutes. While they were nice-looking, they wouldn't add up to 1000 gold coins.

"...I want her," I declared, pointing at the nine-tailed fox. She visibly flinched when I singled her out, and the other women looked at her with a mix of confusion and concern. They must have sensed that I was attempting to purchase her.

"Sorry, but she's not for sale," Martha asserted.

"She'll be soon, right? She's in training to become someone who will sell her charms to men, after all," I countered.

"That's not the point. I'm telling you that you're not allowed to take her because she'll..." Martha hesitated, a visible struggle on her face. Gritting her teeth, she finally uttered what she had been avoiding, "She'll become our product. You can't just whisk her away, as she's destined to be one of those exclusive, high-class prostitutes fetching a premium price. Your measly 1000 gold coins, or even your entire fortune, couldn't possibly measure up. These budding courtesans in training will... be sold for a night at the rate of 100 gold coins. Even a lifetime's wealth won't be enough to secure her. She's also a beastskin, meaning she won't age even in fifty years, preserving that captivating beauty. In fifty years or so, she'll amass a fortune for me. So, don't even think about trying to buy her. You can't afford her."

Her words seemed to flow naturally, but I could sense they didn't reflect her true feelings.

I began to piece together the grim reality within this brothel. While my deductions remained speculative, the evidence pointed toward a harrowing reality—these women were essentially slaves, thrust into the dark world of prostitution. Perhaps they had been abducted, much like what happened to Amon. Regardless of the specifics, it was evident that they were placed here against their will. How did I come to this understanding? Martha's words earlier provided a crucial clue. It was clear she desired a better life for these women, indicating her reluctance to see them forced into prostitution. This sentiment likely extended to the existing prostitutes as well.

Then, why didn't Martha simply set them free if she was independently managing the brothel? The answer was straightforward. She was lying. I observed a slight wavering in her eyes as she maintained eye contact while asserting her independent management. Recognizing her weakness in deception, she consciously avoided averting her gaze from mine.

If Martha wasn't the owner, then who was? She had mentioned having a brother. Despite having a capable brother, her father passed the ownership of the brothel to her. She expressed confusion about her father's decision, wondering why he chose her over her brother. But after some time, she eventually understood the reason for her father's choice. However, by the time she realized it, it was already too late. While unclear what led to her losing ownership, I surmised that her brother now held the reins. It seemed he was involved in the unsavory practice of buying or potentially kidnapping slaves to sell as prostitutes.

That's why Martha was burdened with guilt. Due to her, these women were going to be forced into a life of prostitution. I could imagine she had tried everything in her power to prevent her brother from inflicting more cruelty, but he seemed highly competent and crafty, leaving her struggling to intervene as she witnessed these women gradually being coerced into the profession.

As for why she didn't want me to buy Ayane, the nine-tailed fox, Martha must have assumed I'd only turn her into a sex slave. Ayane was undeniably beautiful, and Martha probably thought anyone laying eyes on her would treat her as such. However, unlike those lowly hoodlums, I had no intention of reducing Ayane to a mere sex slave. I sensed, the moment I first saw her, that she had something more to offer.

"Don't underestimate my wealth. I have more money than you can fathom. In fact, if you genuinely believe otherwise and dare to underestimate my fortune, how about I buy all the women here?" I declared.

The prostitutes in training were taken aback, and Martha blinked repeatedly before regaining her composure. "Surely you jest."

"I'm not," I asserted in a more challenging and confident tone. "Name your price," I demanded.

I wasn't bluffing. I possessed an item that could indeed allow me to acquire them all.

"Hmph. Then how about one hundred million pieces of gold coins? All these women are yours if you pay me that exorbitant sum," she said with a haughty tone, convinced and confident that I lacked such an amount. Little did she know.

"Deal," I affirmed. Retrieving something from my pocket, I held it out, revealing it to her.

"W-What?!"

The moment her eyes fell upon it, she recoiled. Understandably so, as it was something she likely never encountered, nor expected to see in her entire life. It was an item she believed she would grow old without witnessing. Yet, the object in my hand was undeniably real.

"A... An ancient... gold coin?" stammered the old lady, her eyes bulging as she too inspected the item in my hand.

"T-That's impossible," Martha gasped, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in to examine the ancient gold coin more closely. "Ancient gold coins are believed to be mere whispers of the past, hidden away in some unknown location. Countless adventurers have futilely sought their elusive existence, deeming them nothing more than legends. It's inconceivable. How can..."

"That's the real thing," declared a woman, her voice cutting through the disbelief. I turned to see an elf with golden hair, a prostitute in training, stepping forward. "I've lived through enough centuries to discern what's real and what isn't. I've encountered many fakes, but none of them bears the authenticity of that coin. I am 100% certain it's the genuine ancient gold coin."

"So then..." another prostitute in training began to mumble, her voice trailing off as she started trembling.

The elf, with a tone both solemn and confirming, finished the unfinished sentence. "That one coin is potent enough to purchase all of us, with plenty of change left over."