"Alright, setting aside the fact that Mobu is 'Out,' I'll leave the rest to you, Raiya and Kurse."
I'd like to state a quick disclaimer here. For whom? For the readers, obviously. Don't call it 'meta'; it's a necessary precaution.
Every character in this story is 18 years or older!!
Got it? Every single one is at least 18!! Therefore, no matter the outcome, it's all perfectly legal.
...Not that I'm actually going to do anything.
"Understood. Then I'll go next. Sorry, Kurse."
"No worries, the order doesn't really matter."
Raiya and his three choices step forward.
"Basically, I listened to what Yuki said and focused on people who looked like they'd be useful for security or as guards. That sort of thing."
Raiya explains his selection process. Unlike Mobu, his choices are actually practical and appreciated. On the other hand, it makes them harder to tease.
* * *
"I am Riel. I'm a Cat-kin. Just as Raiya-san said, I have some experience handling weapons. I believe I can be of use if we are to build a village or town here."
Riel. Level 18. Height is about 150cm. She has a black-and-white pixie cut and looks like a fresh high schooler. With cat ears, of course. Her build is slender—the type that could easily be a model.
...Wait a sec. So far, none of them are... well, why are they all beauties? If this is the standard for this world, I'd like to have a word with whatever god set the standards for Earth.
"...I am Kaya. Fox-kin. My specialty is Fire Magic. My weapon is a staff... Nice to meet you."
"Awawawa, that's no good, Kaya-chan! You have to introduce yourself properly, it's rude! He's going to be our master! I'm so sorry! Kaya-chan's always like this."
Riel rushed to cover for her. It's not like I expect groveling and worship from the start.
Kaya-chan, then. She looks like an older middle school student, around 155 cm?
Fox ears, long blonde hair, and a tail.
Her figure is average, but well-proportioned and pleasing to the eye.
...Man, if anyone saw these internal evaluations of mine, I'd look like the lowest of the low. Oh, her level is 12, and her mana pool is large. I see, Raiya chose her as a magic-using guard. A soldier who only has brawn is a liability, after all.
"U-Um! My name is Filia!! I'm a Dwarf!! ...Err, I'm still small, so I've only watched people do blacksmithing!! But I want to do my best!!"
Filia-chan. She's on par with Aslin at a "lower elementary school" level. Height is in the low 140s... Her response is crisp and energetic; she seems like a good kid.
Brown hair in a ponytail. Her level is a mere 2, fitting for her size. However, her skills are incredible: "Shrine Maiden of the Forge" and "Blessing of the Forge." She has an uncanny amount of smithing-related skills.
Wait, isn't this kid actually amazing? I'll admit she's a find. But why is another child mixed in!? No matter how you look at it, she's a kid!!
(Once again: Every character in this story is 18 years or older!!)
"I'll be counting on you all. Riel, don't think your only job is security or physical labor. Feel free to find what you actually want to do. Kaya, I look forward to getting along with you. Filia, as I told Aslin, if you aren't useful now, you just have to work hard later. Let's do our best together."
"Yes! I'll do my best!!"
"...Got it."
"I'll study hard!!"
Once again, I pat the youngest, Filia, on the head. Look, if I pat Aslin and not this kid, it looks like discrimination, right? Plus, for anyone thinking I'm making a move on Aslin, this is proof that I'm just treating them like a responsible adult treats children.
"So, Raiya. I get your strategy, but doesn't Filia fall outside of that?"
"Ah, well, she seemed to have a lot of talent. I figured if I left her with you, she'd grow quite a bit. Kurse had the same idea—see that small one over there? If we're building a town, we need to think about the next generation too."
I see. Unlike a certain "Loli-Out" guy, they actually thought about the future when choosing.
* * *
"Alright, I'm last. I gathered people suited for civil affairs. One of them was chosen for potential growth, like Raiya said. Honestly though, the real reason was money. Combat-ready or educated slaves are pretty expensive. Please forgive me for that."
Kurse gives a wry smile.
I didn't expect them to bring back nine people, so money issues were bound to crop up. When I sent them out, I provided some gems refined from DP, but this is a brand-new dungeon. It probably wasn't a huge fortune.
"Pleased to meet you. My name is Milly. I'm human. I used to be a receptionist at the Adventurer's Guild in the town where Mobu-san and the others were based. I can handle a fair amount of paperwork and arithmetic."
Milly-san.
Black hair with straight-cut bangs, gives off a college student vibe. Height about 160cm. Level 14. Her figure is a perfect hourglass. As expected of Kurse, she's a flawless choice for an administrator.
Wait, a resident from Mobu's old town became a slave...? Milly-san must have noticed my subtle expression.
"I am the only one Kurse-san purchased, and I feel a bit guilty for being saved. But if working hard here can help everyone else, then I'm fine. Please let me work here."
There's no lingering gloom in her eyes. She'll do fine.
"Hellooo~, I'm Ratz. Rabbit-kin. I used to be a merchant. I ended up a slave during all the recent chaos... but I'm glad it's under an Onii-san who seems like he'll treat me like a human."
Ratz looks like a high schooler? She's tall, maybe 170cm. Long, wavy pink hair... PINK!!? Why does my brain accept pink as a natural hair color without any sense of weirdness!? ...Oh right, Rurua had blue hair too.
Anyway, Level 16... I'm losing track of what the "average level" is. And of course, she has rabbit ears!! Balanced figure.
"I'm a merchant, but I used to travel and sell things on foot. I've got some muscle, too! I can be useful either way."
I see. That explains why her level is decent.
And then, there's the last girl...
"I am Labyris. Race... Succubus. Things I can do... nothing in particular."
Labyris.
Size of a lower elementary schooler. Is she even 140cm? Purple hair in twin-tails... another wild color that looks perfectly natural here.
The problem is her physique.
These slaves seem to have arrived in a single layer of thin clothing. I haven't heard the details of how slaves are treated, but since all nine are dressed similarly, I can guess.
What's the "problem" with Labyris's physique? Her chest is way too huge. Because her clothes are thin and sleeveless, you can tell it's the real deal. How big? Compared to the other well-endowed members, Eris and Milly, her chest alone is larger.
Is this the power of the succubus race? Or is it unique to her...? Well, as an adult gentleman, it's none of my concern.
—But Because I was distracted by her chest, I completely overlooked checking her skills.
"Nice to meet you three. Milly, let's work hard so we can help your acquaintances. Ratz, I'm counting on your merchant knowledge. Labyris, let's do our best along with Aslin and Filia."
"Yes!"
"Sure thing~ leave it to me."
"...?"
I pat Labyris on the head without discrimination. I am not a lolicon. Even if... (Disclaimers about everyone being 18+ apply). My iron will shall not be broken.
Then, Labyris opened her mouth.
"...Are you a Doppelganger? You aren't the real Yuki, are you? Where is the real one?"
Exactly.
The "me" standing here is a remote-controlled decoy—a Doppelganger refined from DP with maximum fidelity. Elju's double was the same thing.
I'll explain the details later, but the problem is...
"...I have a skill called Eyes of Truth. Are you a servant of the Dungeon Master? I don't really get it, but I want to talk to Yuki properly... Go call him."
Just like that, my true nature was exposed in front of the nine slaves. I don't know if all nine believe her, but...
Children in this world are not to be underestimated. I definitely didn't lose because of her chest! And don't you dare say "Loli-Out"!!
