Chapter 100

Since I would be away on a business trip for a week starting tomorrow, I decided to return to Japan tonight.

I was going to purchase a laptop computer for Lady Clara and Miss Bianca.

Both of them had offered to help with making newspapers, and when I showed Lady Clara a spreadsheet program, she said she absolutely wanted to use it to manage the operations of Ebba-berg.

I could have just lent her my own computer, but I was worried about that video tucked away deep in my files, so I couldn’t bring myself to lend it out in good conscience.

By “that video,” I mean a secret video, of course.

I’m sorry, Lady Clara.

I still can’t bring myself to delete it…

For similar reasons, Yoshioka’s computer was out of the question too.

It’s definitely not cheating.

To a man, adult videos are a form of fantasy.

Well, I could just buy a high-capacity USB flash drive, but wouldn’t the psychological shock be devastating if I somehow lost it?

Besides, it’s more convenient for everyone to have their own PC.

While I was at it, I planned to buy a solar power generation system.

It wouldn’t be anything massive; I intended to purchase a full solar storage system set with two 210W panels.

Apparently, this would be more than enough just to charge laptops.

I didn’t really understand that sort of thing, so I left this part to Yoshioka.

Since it wouldn’t be right to only show favoritism to Lady Clara and the others, I asked Fiene if there was anything she wanted.

Nothing too expensive, mind you.

“In that case, I want those hair ties you bought for me before. They became super popular with the other girls too, and we don’t have any left.”

Those hair ties… did she mean the ones sold at the 100-yen shop?

I had bought them as souvenirs because they were somewhat colorful and cute.

They were cheap items that came in a pack of ten for 100 yen, but since they weren’t sold in this world, she seemed incredibly happy with them.

In Saxens, everyone tied their hair with ribbons or thin hemp twine.

Seeing Fiene so genuinely happy over 100-yen shop hair ties made her look so endearing that I decided to buy her some scrunchies and headbands too.

For the first time in a while, I drove a car in Tokyo.

The solar storage system set was decently bulky, after all.

I didn’t think it would be possible to carry it back by hand.

I hadn’t expected them to have it in stock, so it was a relief that I could take it home immediately.

We planned to install these panels on the roof of Amida Trading.

If the capacity turned out to be insufficient, we could look into adding more panels.

I also managed to safely purchase a mobile laptop at a random electronics store.

After buying a printer and a massive amount of copy paper, I stored them away in my Spatial Storage. The clerk recommended security software, but of course, I didn’t buy it.

There are no cyberattacks in another world.

Everyone and everything is strictly standalone.

“The convenience of being connected, the peace of mind of being disconnected,” Yoshioka muttered, sounding rather philosophical.

“The pleasure of being connected, the freedom of being disconnected,” I replied in a similar tone.

I wonder if that sums up the human condition.

“Look who’s talking… the guy who wants to be Lady Clara’s pet.”

That’s why I called it the pleasure of being connected.

Seeking to be bound like that… could it be that I’m actually a masochist?

“Now, let’s hurry up and head back. It’s almost time for your beloved master to summon you.”

“You’re speaking with quite a sharp tongue today.”

“It’s just the jealousy of a disconnected, free human being. Normies should explode.”

Curse you, Yoshioka… but since I’m happy, I’ll forgive you.

As we got into the car and started driving home, Yoshioka’s smartphone vibrated.

It looked like an email had arrived, and he read it while operating the phone with one hand.

I kept my eyes straight ahead, focusing on driving.

It had been a while since I last drove a car, so I was a bit nervous.

After ten minutes of driving through the congested streets in silence, Yoshioka spoke up softly.

“Senpai…”

“What’s wrong? Do you need a restroom break?”

“No. It’s an email from Emi-san.”

My heart gave a sudden thump.

I was surprised at myself for still getting defensive just hearing that name.

“I see…”

“She found out that you quit the company, Senpai, so she messaged me to ask how you’re doing.”

So she didn’t send an email directly to me, after all.

Not that I would particularly mind a simple email, though.

“What should I do?”

“What do you mean ‘what should I do?’ It’s an email sent to you, right? I’ll leave it to you, Yoshioka.”

“Are you sure? I’m going to write the absolute honest truth, then.”

The honest truth? As in, being summoned to another world and working as a non-commissioned officer in the city guard?

She wouldn’t believe it.

“I’ll write that you started a new business venture with me, increased your assets to several hundred million yen, and even got a new girlfriend. And that the girlfriend is an absolute world-class beauty with an amazing figure, and though she can be a bit rigid, she is totally head over heels for you, Senpai.”

None of that was wrong, but I still felt like she wouldn’t believe a word of it.

Oh well, whatever.

“You can write whatever you like, Yoshioka. Should we add a little extra? Like, once I’m invested as a noble, we’ll happily get married.”

“Sounds good. Shall I also mention that you’re receiving passionate love calls from a count’s daughter who is hailed as a saint?”

“Give me a break with Juliana. She is a genuinely terrifying woman. You don’t understand the horror of a yandere yet, Yoshioka.”

“Eh, I’d love to be loved to death at least once, though.”

“Like I said earlier: the pleasure of being connected, the freedom of being disconnected. If you get caught by Juliana, you won’t be able to move a muscle.”

“Well, I suppose that’s true. But you basically have a masochistic nature, Senpai, so I think the saint could be a viable option for you.”

“I’m telling you, she is way beyond my tolerance level.”

“I think her level of beauty and her proportions easily rival Lady Clara’s, though. Plus, she looks like she’d gladly let you do whatever kind of play you want.”

Imagining Juliana in an immodest state made me blush.

“You… Have you been sexually frustrated lately?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’ve become quite familiar with Dresden’s adult hotspots.”

“While you were living alone in that hotel, you were frequenting places like that?!”

I had absolutely no idea.

Wait, what?

15,000 marques a night?

He was going to pretty high-end places.

Hold on…

Three people at the same time?!

To think that while I was spending agonizingly repressed nights, this guy was having such sensual evenings.

“Yoshioka… You went to a place like that all by yourself…”

“But even if I invited you, Senpai, you wouldn’t go, right?”

Well, I wouldn’t, but still.

“You’re Lady Clara’s pet, Senpai, so just be a good boy and ‘stay’.”

Woof, woof.

That’s right, I’d choose the pleasure of being connected any day.

I have no need for disconnected freedom.

“Anyway, I’ll just send a casual reply.”

Ah right, the email from Emi.

I had completely forgotten about it.

“You should probably keep the content grounded enough so she doesn’t think you’ve lost your mind.”

The truth was far too wild.

Emi was probably just worried because I had suddenly quit the company.

I wonder if she thinks it’s her fault?

If so, I’d want to correct that misunderstanding.

I arrived home while thoroughly grilling Yoshioka about the details of his four-person encounter.

I-It’s not like I’m jealous or anything!!

Today’s skill.

Oh, it finally came!

For the time being, I’ll try setting the Home at the barracks, and the Portals at the apartment and Amida Trading.

This is bound to be incredibly convenient.

In the future, I’d love to place them at Ebba-berg and the city of Bremen too.

Let’s use it as much as possible with the goal of increasing my portals!