Chapter 5: A Noble Lady’s First Taste of Society – The Sheltered Debutante Arc

“I see… So you’re saying that…”

“Yeah.”

The suspicious individual had been restrained.

Just moments ago, amidst the chaos of rescuing the kidnapped noble lady, Sakura von Tendo, the thugs had mistakenly assumed he was one of their own.

But thinking about it more carefully, there was no way a noble—whose duties included maintaining public order—could overlook a “heavily armed weirdo in a mask.”

If I were back home, I’d have done the same. At the very least, a proper questioning would be unavoidable.

“So, you claim to be an ordinary warrior of the Dwarf race with a slight complex about your face?”

“If I don’t wear a mask, people make a huge fuss.”

“Uh-huh. Then, would you be willing to remove the mask?”

“Of course not. I absolutely refuse!”

If this kept up, I’d get arrested and they’d tear off my mask. Sakura knows I’m a daughter of the House of Velmund.

I can’t afford to have the mask removed. I can’t let today’s antics be exposed. Desperately, I spun a lie.

“Listen. I was the heir to a secret, one-student-per-generation assassination style, but my treacherous younger brother lured me into a trap, and I suffered horrific burns to my face. That mask hides the scars. I’m traveling the world to find him and exact my revenge!”

“You’re getting dangerously close to breaking the Suspicion Scale.”

I can’t bring shame to the family name like this. That would be a betrayal to Papa, who sent me off with a smile.

I, Irine, must live as a noble full of pride.

“Please, let me go. I’m not your enemy. You understand that, right?”

“Well, I suppose. You did save me, after all.”

“I just couldn’t ignore someone in trouble. That’s all there is to it.”

Thankfully, I’ve racked up a bit of goodwill.

It was because I exposed the traitor that Lady Sakura could be rescued so quickly.

If I emphasized that enough, I might just be able to talk my way out of this.

“…Then, can you tell me your purpose here? Why is a Dwarf in this city, and why now?”

“I’m working. I travel from town to town, saving up money. This city’s just another stop along the way—a stepping stone to my next destination.”

“A wanderer, then? I suppose that makes sense. Someone as conspicuous as you hasn’t been seen around here before. I’ll accept that you only recently arrived.”

Sakura gave me a long, skeptical look.

It seemed I still hadn’t cleared all doubts. She dropped the formal tone, and her speech had this lazy drawl to it.

“So, where are you working? If you’re here to earn money, you must already have a job, right?”

“…No, I’m still looking. Just when I was about to start searching, you people showed up. And, well, here we are.”

“…Hmm.”

Yeah, I never actually landed a job today.

What do I do if I run out of money? Maybe I should bite the bullet, show my face, and take a service job or something?

…Even though I’m a noble, for crying out loud.

“What if I offered you a job?”

“Huh!?”

I was still frowning behind the mask when Sakura came out with that.

“Let’s see. After that raid today, it’s clear you’ve got skills. How about working as security at a night-time restaurant? The pay’s decent.”

“That would be… incredible! Are you sure?”

“You sound eager. Of course, it’s also a way to thank you for saving me.”

I didn’t know what changed her mind, but apparently, she was serious about hiring me.

How lucky could I get? A place willing to hire me even with the mask still on?

“You sure you want to hire a shady guy in a monkey mask, miss?”

“Precisely. Someone that shady is safer where I can keep an eye on them.”

“I owe you one!”

Yes, yes! If a noble is hiring me, the pay must be solid!

And if it’s just guarding a place, I can rely on my muscles—no need to memorize any tricky stuff.

This is practically my calling!

“…Alright then, it’s getting late. Come by tomorrow, before sunset, and show your face—well, you know what I mean.”

“Got it.”

I did it. I finally got a job!

Yes! To celebrate, I’ll increase today’s workout by 30%!

---

“…Are you sure it’s okay to hire someone like that, milady?”

“He’s so suspicious it almost feels stupid to keep doubting him. Besides, based on his actions, he’s clearly not an enemy.”

“Well, he hasn’t caused any real trouble yet—just looks shady.”

As the suspicious figure hummed and walked off, Sakura von Tendo watched him go, equal parts amazed and exasperated.

“Besides, people like that sometimes end up being the key…”

“The key to what?”

In her eyes gleamed not just mild disbelief—

“But to me becoming the one true ruler, of course♪”

—with a glint as fierce and predatory as a hunter who’s just found an amusing new toy.

---

The next day.

“Irine, are you working this evening?”

“Yes, I’ll be off to earn my wages.”

I was smugly boasting about having landed a job.

“A noble… working a part-time job…”

“Right now, I’m just a commoner named Irine. A title without backing isn’t worth a single G.”

“I like that grounded way of thinking. Good luck, Irine.”

“Thank you, Maika.”

That day, we all spent the afternoon gathering intel again, but there was still no sign of any demon tribe activity.

With nothing to show for it, I was starting to wonder if Karl had just been tricked by some charlatan claiming to speak for the goddess.

Well, no point thinking too hard about it now.

“I’ll be back tonight.”

“Do your best.”

For now, I need to focus on earning money.

Today’s my first shift. I was told it’s a security gig at a restaurant, but I’m still not entirely sure what the actual job entails.

Well, I’ll just go to the place and learn as I go.

---

“Hey there, mister, how about a drink?”

“We’ve got a lovely selection of girls tonight~”

When I arrived at the place Sakura had directed me to—

“Oh wow, someone shady really showed up!”

“It’s a monkey~ how fun!”

Some very scantily dressed ladies waved at me with amused smiles.

The name of the establishment, clearly marked on a flashy, glitzy sign, read: The Enchanting Inn of Fortune. From the look of it—

“Wait. Isn’t this, like… that kind of place?”

“What kind of place do you mean~?”

Yeah, this was clearly a brothel. I can see your side-boob, lady. Aren’t you cold?

---

“The place does serve food, so technically it counts as a restaurant.”

“You could’ve told me it was also that kind of establishment. I was caught off guard.”

Once inside, I spotted one of the thugs from yesterday dressed like a bar master. Looks like he’s the manager.

Switching into my manlier tone, I sat down in front of the guy who seemed to run the place.

“Wasn’t the Tendo family nobility? Aren’t you worried about your name, running a brothel?”

“The Tendos were originally a well-known gang in this area. Their reputation doesn’t take damage from stuff like this.”

“So you guys were gangsters...”

“This city’s other nobles are all the same. The Ponko family runs a drug cartel, and the Somy family’s into underground casinos and debt scams.”

…Yeah, the whole town’s rotten, huh. No wonder Dad never wanted anything to do with this city’s nobility.

“Huh. So I’ve ended up helping out a gang.”

“Don’t worry. We’re the most ethical gang in the city. Sure, we run a brothel, but we don’t force any women into it. Unless they’re dumb enough to get into debt, most of them are here by choice.”

“An ‘ethical gang’... sounds like an oxymoron.”

“Fair enough. But if a woman wants to earn real money here, working at our place is the best way. We pay really well.”

“Oh? How much are we talking? I mean, yeah, they don’t seem like they’re working unwillingly…”

“Keep your voice down, alright? But yeah, the top girls make that much.”

“No way!?”

The top earners here were making several times what I was getting. And I’d already been thrilled that my pay beat what I’d earn adventuring. Guess being a girl really pays off.

“With salaries that high, don’t you guys end up in the red?”

“Girls who choose to do this line of work try to get more clients. They work hard to become ‘desirable.’ That way, customers are happy, they come back, and our profits go up. Treating the girls well isn’t bad business policy.”

“Fair point.”

Seems like this place is actually on the higher end of brothels. It’s a bit pricey, but the women are motivated and seem to enjoy the job.

…Seriously though. They’re all really horny.

“If you’re curious, want to try one? I’ll give you a staff discount.”

“Tempting offer, but I’m here to earn money, not spend it. Even with a discount, I bet it’s still pricey. I don’t waste money.”

“Yeah. One session and your whole day’s pay would be gone.”

“Are you mocking me?”

Sleeping with someone just to break even? No thanks.

Not to mention, my current body doesn’t come with the right parts. I can’t even do that sort of thing.

I’ve secretly been wondering if maybe I can grow one through intense muscle training… but I haven’t figured that out yet. What muscles would I even work?

“So, what exactly am I doing as a bouncer? Where should I be?”

“Just sit at the counter and pretend to be a customer. Makes it easier for new guests to come in. I’ll throw in a drink on the house. Light on the alcohol—we don’t want you getting smashed.”

“Banana shake. And don’t water it down.”

“Sure thing. First two are on me. After that, you pay. Pace yourself.”

“Cheapskate…”

If drinks are just a side thing, let me enjoy them in peace.

“Oh, and once the booze hits the customers, try encouraging them to buy a girl for the night. If you’re good at it, I’ll throw in another free drink.”

“Ah, so I’m doing sales too?”

“Not much trouble happens here, even for a bouncer. Better to keep you busy with something than let you sit bored.”

“Got it. If anyone asks for recommendations, I’ll pass them to you.”

“Good.”

Huh. More tasks than I expected. I was hoping to sneak in some muscle training during downtime, but I guess that’s not happening.

“Alright, we’re about to open for real. If a drunk starts getting rowdy, I’ll give you a hand signal. Kick them out without revealing you’re staff.”

“Why hide it?”

“It’s easier to handle if it looks like a fight between customers.”

“…Fine, fine.”

Alright then. Time to get to work.

---

“Do you get it, Monkey Mask!? I’m trying my damn hardest out here!”

“I get it, man. It’s rough.”

...That night’s shift felt less like being a bouncer and more like being a hostess.

“I put my life on the line every single day just to make a living!! Even hunting Lesser Wolves is seriously life-or-death! And Anna doesn’t get that at all!!”

“Damn, really?”

“She was like, ‘Huh? You only got one today?’ Like it’s nothing!! Those wolves are legit strong! I barely made it back alive, and the second I walk in the door, she treats me like some worthless loser husband! Then she hits me with, ‘If you’re home, help out with the housework. With your income, it’s only fair you work at home too!’ I’m seriously starting to question why I’m even alive!!”

“That’s cold... So did you finally snap?”

“Of course I yelled, ‘Yes ma’am, understood!!’ right back at her!”

“Damn, you’ve got no leverage…”

Tonight, no rowdy customers showed up. Instead, I spent half the shift nodding along to some middle-aged guy venting about his life.

Apparently, the place is doing pretty well. Customers kept coming in, and now and then, a girl would get called upstairs to the private rooms.

I spent several hours bouncing between tables, listening to complaints, and smoothly guiding the guys toward the ladies.

“Monkey Mask, I like you. Let’s do this again sometime.”

“Yeah, take it easy on your way home!”

Loud, crude laughs, cheap drinks, and good times—stuff I never experienced growing up as a noble. This was the kind of down-to-earth fun commoners got to have.

Noble drinking parties are all fancy, sipping expensive wine paired with lavish food while exchanging pleasantries in a social dance. Nobody cracks dirty jokes or vents their soul over a mug.

“Monkey Mask!! Next time, I’m picking you! Clean your ass and be ready!”

“Hell no, I’m not letting some dude bend me over!”

“Ahahaha! I’m only half-joking.”

Still, this is a brothel in rough-and-tumble Lewin. No classy clientele here—just a parade of crude, wild patrons raising hell like it’s normal.

Not even in my past life did I visit a place this ridiculous. This shop is wild and completely off the rails.

“Alright, time’s up. Bar’s closing. You’re free to go, Monkey Mask.”

“Much appreciated. What about my pay?”

“Hold on a sec… Here. Don’t go getting mugged on the way home.”

I wrapped up the night entertaining drunks and finally got cut loose late at night, my hand stuffed with a nice stack of cash.

Working here three times a week should be enough to cover my private room and still leave money for gear. No lie, it really is a good-paying gig.

“I’m beat… Can’t wait to get home and unwind with some training…”

But man, this kind of work wears on your soul. It’s not the satisfying kind of fatigue you get from a good workout—it’s heavy.

Ugh, I need my training fix.

---

“Good morning, Irine. …You look a little tired.”

“Yes. It turns out that working is more exhausting than one might think.”

In this life, I’ve lived as a noble, so I haven’t done much actual labor. Maybe that’s why even a modest amount of work has left me dragging my feet.

…Still, a sound mind dwells in a sound body. If I treat this as a form of mental training, then it’s no big deal.

“Irine, I was thinking of taking a request as adventurers today. Is that alright with you? We’ll need money for the road soon, and we can explore the area while we’re at it. It’s just a gathering quest.”

“No problem at all. I’m not the sort of delicate noble who complains after only a few hours of work.”

“Just don’t push yourself, okay? There’s no combat involved—it’s basically just an errand, so I think we’ll be fine.”

Maika looked a little concerned for me, but to be honest, this sense of fatigue feels like proof of growth.

People grow stronger through recovery from fatigue. If I keep up this mental training, it will surely contribute to better muscle development in the future.

“Shall we go, Maika?”

“Yeah. Though we have to wake up that idiot Karl first.”

Going on this journey really was the right choice. It’s far healthier than living out my days in luxury as a noble.

Incidentally, we spent that day exploring the area around Lewin to collect various herbs, but once again, we encountered no demons.

---

Next shift at the bar.

“So, Monkey Mask, I straight-up told him—‘Your breath smells worse than a goblin’s asshole.’”

“That’s brutal. He must’ve been pissed.”

“He blew his breath at me in rage. I passed out from the stench.”

As usual, the bar was full of outrageously vulgar banter, and I was doing my best to work diligently in the middle of it.

If a real high-class lady were working here, she’d faint on the spot. Good thing it’s me instead.

“Hey, Monkey Mask—oh, George is here too? You guys, get over here. Brought a newbie with me.”

“Oh yeah? What kind of guy?”

While I was chatting with a customer I’d talked to before, another rough-looking guy barged in without a shred of manners. No etiquette, no tact—typical.

Still, once you get used to the crude atmosphere, it’s not that bad. I was confused at first, but once you talk to them, most of the customers turn out to be decent folks.

No passive-aggressive jabs like the nobility, no strict lectures about proper etiquette.

“I’m in a good mood today, so drinks are on me! Except for the women, of course.”

“Cheapskate~ Come on, buy for the ladies too.”

“They’re expensive, alright? Gimme a break!”

Also, people here become friends at lightning speed. Even if they’ve only met a few times, they’re laughing and drinking together like old buddies. That’s part of this bar’s unique charm.

“Hey, Master! This guy saved my ass today. His drinks are on me too.”

“Got it. No tabs, though.”

“Yeah yeah, I know.”

Just like that, I meet another new face today.

Some people, I’ll never see again. Others, I’ll run into again and again.

That’s one of the defining features of this bizarre place—a bar with a very... specific clientele.

“A—A monkey!?”

“Dahaha! First-timers always freak out, but don’t worry. He’s a good monkey!”

“Real fun guy, this monkey bro.”

“Nice to meet you. Ooh-ooh.”

Alright, what kind of encounter will today bring—

“Uh, hi. Nice to meet you, I’m Karl, an adventurer. It’s my first time at a place like this, so—”

“UWYAAAAAA!?”

“WAAAAAAAH!?”

The guy who nervously sat down next to me looked incredibly familiar.

Scratch that. It was Karl.

“What’s wrong, Monkey Mask!?”

“N-Nothing. Just... a minor existential crisis, ooh-ooh.”

“That’s not exactly something you can just brush off, is it?”

Wait. Crap. This is bad.

I’m wearing a mask, sure—but the cloth under the armor is totally normal stuff Karl’s definitely seen before.

And my voice and hair? A dead giveaway. This disguise was thrown together in a rush. Of course someone I used to travel with is gonna recognize me.

W-What do I do—

“Hm? Something wrong? If I can help, I’d be happy to.”

“...That’s, uh, kind of you.”

Karl looked genuinely concerned for me—even though this was supposed to be our first meeting.

Oh. He hasn’t realized.

“Never mind. It’s all good now. My life’s been saved. Thanks.”

“What the hell happened in the last five seconds?”

Well, yeah. No way he’d imagine the prim-and-proper noble lady Irine would be crossdressing and working in a shady bar like this.

That’s the power of cognitive bias.

“Anyway, sit down. Let’s enjoy ourselves tonight.”

“Yeah, I’ll join you. There’s stuff I wanna ask, too.”

“Ask away. They say the folks at this bar know more about this town’s underground scene than anyone.”

“I-I don’t really need to know about the underground scene, to be honest... Maybe later.”

...I see. Karl never struck me as the type to go to a place like this. But he must’ve come to gather intel on demons.

Still, I’m pretty sure he’s barking up the wrong tree. What kind of demon info could you possibly get at an erotic bar?

“To our fateful meeting—cheers!”

...These guys are probably just gonna talk about their ‘lower demons’ all night, but whatever. I’ll humor them.