Chapter 22

I savored the heavy weight of the pay envelope filled with silver coins. I don’t work just for the money, but man, you really need this! This weight is glorious!

“As a matter of principle, our company provides pay directly in cash. It’s heavy, so please bear with us,” the President said.

Perhaps it’s because she just gave me money, but the President looks even more beautiful than usual.

“Yes! I welcome this kind of weight with open arms!”

“So… if you have the time, I was thinking of holding a small-scale welcome party tonight. Would that be alright…?”

Now that she mentioned it, I realized we hadn’t had an event like that yet.

“I haven’t made a reservation yet, so either way is fine. Please don’t feel pressured… Also, the company will cover the expenses, so it won’t cost you a single copper…”

For some reason, the President’s voice grew smaller as she spoke. She looked quite hesitant.

“Um, President, is there something wrong?” I asked, completely baffled.

“Well… they say these days that being forced to go to drinking parties is a source of stress… and I think the idea of ‘dedicating your entire life to the company’ is archaic… If you got fed up and quit because of this, it would be a disaster for us…”

I see, so that’s it!

Since this is a workplace with very few new hires, she’s being incredibly considerate…

“By the way, who will be attending?”

“You, Cerulia-chan, me—”

“Woof.”

So Gelgel is being treated as an attendee. I’d forgotten since, well, he looks like a dog.

“—And Farphistanya-san, along with her owl familiar, Morti Olquente V… that’s all. I’ll try calling the others via communication magic, but they probably won’t be able to make it.”

Excluding the animal familiars, it’s nothing but beautiful women.

“I’m definitely going.”

I don’t think there’s a man alive who would refuse. Sure, people have different ways of thinking, but if someone told me they hated the idea of a dinner party with beauties, I’d ask to trade places with them.

“Are you really, really sure? You aren’t just going because your boss told you to? It won’t affect your performance review if you decline, you know? You really don’t have to push yourself.”

“If you keep insisting like that, it starts to sound like throwing a party for me is a nuisance to you, so please stop!”

The President immediately waved her hands in denial, her dog tail wagging side to side.

“No, no! It’s a welcome party for a precious new employee; I definitely want to hold it!”

“Then it’s settled!”

Finally, the President gave a bright smile.

“Then let’s start in three hours. I’ll contact the restaurant immediately. Franz-san, please come to this address.”

The President handed me a card with an address in the Capital. The place was apparently located at “Great Sage Bridge West End, Second Outer Moat Street.” That area is known as the “Moat-side,” a popular entertainment district with plenty of bars.

“Master, I wish to go home once to fix my attire,” Cerulia said.

She’s basically half-naked most of the time, but apparently, she changes into different outfits depending on the location. Come to think of it, her accessories usually change a little every day.

“Sure. Let’s head back to the house first. It’s on the way, anyway.”

●

Cerulia and I went home, rested for a bit, and then headed back into the Capital.
Cerulia was as eye-catching as ever, but today she was draped in a see-through fabric, which made her stand out even more.

Theoretically, she was wearing more layers of cloth, but the fact that it was transparent actually made it feel more erotic. Human psychology is a mystery.

“I really do enjoy wearing my ‘going out’ clothes once in a while! ♪”

“Yeah… I guess for a Succubus, that is formal wear…”

Her outfit looked like it was designed to seduce men 24/7, but I suppose that’s only natural.

“We should be arriving at the address soon.”

“Yeah. Around here, there’s that ultra-high-end restaurant called The Golden Rabbit that high-ranking officials use… Wait, is this address actually here?”

At the west end of the Great Sage Bridge stood a massive three-story building that looked like a castle. It was undeniably The Golden Rabbit. Perhaps because high officials frequent it, there were even burly guards standing out front.

“No, there must be some mistake… A single meal here costs at least seven silver coins… It’s probably a cheaper tavern nearby…”

“But Master, there are no other buildings on the west end of the bridge besides this massive one.”

It must be an old, run-down place tucked away in a back alley—the kind of legendary shop known only to connoisseurs for having the best roasted bird in the Capital. That has to be it…

If I expected The Golden Rabbit and got rejected, I’d feel like I lost something. Besides, I didn’t think of myself as special enough for such a place, so I decided to lower my expectations.

“Oh, Junior-kun is already here.”

“My, my, were you waiting for us?”

I turned to see Senior Farphistanya riding her giant owl and President Kelkel riding on Gelgel. Apparently, they view their familiars as primary modes of transportation.

“Um… where is the restaurant?”

“There’s only The Golden Rabbit at the end of the bridge, isn’t there?”

It really is this place!

“Um… is it okay for a commoner like me to go in there? Won’t they get mad…?”

“It’s a restaurant. Anyone can eat here as long as they pay.”

“I wonder if my clothes will violate the dress code?” Cerulia suddenly looked worried. To be honest, that seemed like a very high possibility…

“That will be fine too. Every room in this restaurant is private. That’s why government officials use it for secret meetings.”

From the way the President spoke, she seemed used to the place.

“Um, a new recruit can’t afford the prices here…”

“If I made you pay for this, Franz-san, it would definitely be power harassment. We’re putting it on the company tab. Don’t worry.”

I started to wonder if this was some kind of elaborate scam, but then I remembered I’d just received a fat envelope of silver coins today. There were no strings attached; I just had to accept that the welcome party was happening here.

“This isn’t ‘small-scale’ at all, is it?” The expense alone must be staggering.

“The number of attendees is small, though.”

Well, she wasn’t lying.

“Junior-kun, let’s go.”

Urged on by Senior Farphistanya, who always moved at her own pace, I entered The Golden Rabbit for the first time in my life. I expected the guards to stop me and tell me I didn’t belong, but instead, they gave me a polite, respectful bow.