The World Is Mine For The Taking Chapter 22 - 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 basent, it turned out to be another floor, much like the ones above. However, what distinguished it was the multitude of won seated, all fixated on a wall at the front. An old, wrinkled woman stood before them, gesturing toward sothing 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. Rember, 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 lody, and your movent 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-tid 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 refinent 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 won 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 refinent. Judging by the won in this room, they weren't noble daughters.

"...Prostitutes in training," I mumbled. That's right. These won were learning noble etiquette because they were training to beco 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 sll and imdiately pinpointed the source of that alluring scent. Right there, she was seated among the won, attentively listening to the old woman.

I was imdiately captivated by her beauty. It was enchanting, much like the alluring scent she emitted. Judging by her appearance, she seed 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 . 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 co to an end. As it concluded, the won directed their attention toward . However, my gaze remained fixed on the nine-tailed fox. It might be incorrect to label her that way, but lacking knowledge of her na, I had no other option. Suddenly, I heard tallic chis ringing in my head. Judging by the abundance of chis, it seed many won had taken an interest in . Yet, I paid them no mind. My focus was solely on the nine-tailed fox. Like the others, she had taken an interest in , prompting to open the panel on how to dominate her.

--

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

Na: Ayane Kitsune

Race: Beastskin

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

It was clear she assud 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 won 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 beco soone who will sell her charms to n, 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 beco 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 asly 1000 gold coins, or even your entire fortune, couldn't possibly asure up. These budding courtesans in training will... be sold for a night at the rate of 100 gold coins. Even a lifeti's wealth won't be enough to secure her. She's also a beastskin, aning she won't age even in fifty years, preserving that captivating beauty. In fifty years or so, she'll amass a fortune for . So, don't even think about trying to buy her. You can't afford her."

Her words seed 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 won 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 co to this understanding? Martha's words earlier provided a crucial clue. It was clear she desired a better life for these won, indicating her reluctance to see them forced into prostitution. This sentint 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 managent. Recognizing her weakness in deception, she consciously avoided averting her gaze from mine.

If Martha wasn't the owner, then who was? She had ntioned 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 so ti, she eventually understood the reason for her father's choice. However, by the ti 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 seed 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 won 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 seed highly competent and crafty, leaving her struggling to intervene as she witnessed these won gradually being coerced into the profession.

As for why she didn't want to buy Ayane, the nine-tailed fox, Martha must have assud 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 re sex slave. I sensed, the mont I first saw her, that she had sothing 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 won 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. "Na your price," I demanded.

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

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

"Deal," I affird. Retrieving sothing from my pocket, I held it out, revealing it to her.

"W-What?!"

The mont her eyes fell upon it, she recoiled. Understandably so, as it was sothing 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?" stamred 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 re whispers of the past, hidden away in so 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."