Chapter 9: Welcome to Entia

The origin of the Entia Kingdom is as complex as its name.

Everything began in a place called the Kingdom of Chunai.

The second king of Chunai, weakened by poor health, inadvertently allowed an illicit affair between the Queen Consort and a Minister.

Enraged, the king issued a new decree.

Regardless of status—commoner or noble—anyone who cheated or betrayed love would be executed immediately.

Under such oppressive laws, Chunai’s citizens fled.

Led by the scandalous Minister and Queen Consort, they established the Entia Kingdom.

To expand its land and population, Entia did the opposite of Chunai.

They were extremely tolerant of infidelity and betrayal, legalizing brothels and erotic businesses.

It seemed absurd, but Chunai’s severe laws only made its people more repressed. Meanwhile, Entia’s openness led to rapid national and economic growth.

“So even if Entia Kingdom sounds outrageous, its open and tolerant culture means the food is better than next-door Chunai’s.”

Joey strolled down the bright, bustling street like a little tour guide, explaining to Aiki and Chiyang behind him.

“…How much longer until we reach the restaurant?”

Aiki wrinkled her brow, glancing at the men flirting on the roadside, and spoke with disgust.

“If we don’t get there in five minutes, I’ll consider razing the city.”

“I’m a man and I’m not even uncomfortable. What are you afraid of…”

The shota gave Aiki a sidelong look.

“I’m Blood Clan. I can naturally smell blood. Everyone’s blood here is filthy. It makes me want to vomit.”

Aiki covered her mouth with a handkerchief, her face pale as she spoke coldly.

“Ahh… seeing you so miserable makes me feel great.”

Joey grinned, then pointed at a restaurant ahead.

“Just a few more steps. We’re almost there.”

“Hope it actually tastes good. This place reeks like a human city sewer.”

Aiki complained.

“See, your tolerance isn’t as strong as Chiyang’s…”

Joey smiled, poking Chiyang’s little abdominal muscles.

“Right, Chiyang?”

“It’s my first time in a human city…”

Chiyang was full of curiosity about this strange place.

She’d barely received any formal education before the Dragonkin were wiped out.

“But why is the sky so black? You can’t even see the moon or stars…”

Well, it was the Steam Age.

Heavy pollution had darkened the sky.

Joey understood, but pretended ignorance.

“Maybe those chimneys nearby are to blame…”

“I see…”

Chiyang looked around at the surrounding buildings.

Tall and densely packed, people bustled by in black suits and top hats.

Carriages sped past.

It was all a sight Chiyang had never witnessed before.

As they walked, a woman tapped Chiyang’s shoulder.

“What?”

Chiyang, Joey, and Aiki turned to look.

“This tall lady, are you interested in a little ‘Renting Custom’?”

The woman bowed politely to Chiyang.

“Exchange? Exchange what?”

Chiyang asked, confused.

“Oh… judging by your outfit, you must be an adventurer from abroad…”

The woman seemed to realize something.

“This is a folk custom in the Entia Kingdom.”

“If you see a partner you like, you can make a ‘Renting Custom’ request. It won’t take long, and there’s compensation.”

As she spoke, the woman pulled out two Gold Coins from her pocket.

“What is this…”

Chiyang, unfamiliar with currency, looked puzzled.

“This is Entia Kingdom’s currency. Two Gold Coins could buy several meals tonight.”

Joey explained.

“Your partner is truly attractive. Can I ‘enjoy’ him for a moment in that side alley?”

The polite woman’s eyes flickered with greedy delight.

She licked her lips and stepped beside Joey.

Huh?

She’s treating me as Chiyang’s partner and wants to NTR her…

Joey raised an eyebrow, looked at the strange woman, then at the two Gold Coins.

He squinted, recalling something amusing.

“Master… Shall I dispose of her?”

Aiki asked coldly.

But the shota waved his hand.

“What’s the rush? Isn’t this fun?”

“Enjoy? Enjoy what?”

Chiyang still looked innocently at the woman.

“Fufu… Sorry, miss. My wife is a block of wood…”

At that moment, Joey moved beside the woman, putting on a coquettish air.

“For things like this, I can decide myself. No need to ask her.”

With that, the shota grabbed the woman’s hand, stood on tiptoe, pressed his small body against hers, and whispered.

“Let’s go, miss. Show me how skilled you are…”

“Fufu… Looks like your husband understands how to adapt to local customs…”

The woman couldn’t hold back any longer.

She tossed the two Gold Coins to Chiyang and followed Joey into the alley.

Chiyang had no idea what they were about to do, but seeing Joey’s flirtatious behavior toward the stranger made her feel oddly bitter.

She looked down at the coins in her hand, feeling dejected.

Aiki, observing, noticed Joey waving at her from behind the strange woman.

“Hey! Dragon, follow them.”

Aiki tapped Chiyang’s shoulder.

“I… I’m in a bad mood. I don’t want to go.”

Chiyang shook her head.

“Go by yourself.”

“…How did Master fall for an idiot like you…”

Aiki looked at the dazed Chiyang, then grabbed the red-haired Dragonkin by the collar and dragged her toward the alley.

“I… I really don’t want to go!”

Chiyang protested, shaking her head.

“If you like Master, you should trust him even more.”

Aiki said coldly.

“Master isn’t the type to fool around with just anyone…”

“Eh?”

Chiyang grew more confused by the scene.

Joey had knocked the woman to the ground, sat on her, and was counting the money in her wallet.

“He’s even more despicable than you think…”

Aiki sighed.

“Thanks for the compliment…”

Joey said, picking up the money.

“My… my money… I’m a Legal Citizen! It’s bad enough to deny ‘Renting Custom,’ but how can you resort to violence?!”

The woman protested indignantly.

Joey had no interest in her complaints and pressed his round-toed shoe against her mouth.

“Legal Citizen, huh…”

He glanced at the woman and activated a spell.

The two Gold Coins that Chiyang had just pocketed floated into the air, then dropped into Joey’s palm.

“These people use Gold Coins to trick others into ‘Renting Custom’.”

The shota explained slowly.

“When I was in neighboring Chunai with Seiya, I often heard stories about Entia Kingdom. These fraudsters imbue special Gold Coins with magic.”

“They target foreign tourists, claiming they want to ‘Renting Custom’ a partner.”

“If successful, they enjoy someone else’s partner, then use magic to summon the coins back.”

“If not, or if their trick is discovered, they provoke the couple into attacking them.”

“Because ‘Renting Custom’ is legal in Entia, but assault is illegal, they use this to claim hefty compensation.”

“That’s truly despicable…”

Chiyang nodded.

“So… what exactly does ‘Renting Custom’ mean…?”

“…What are you even agreeing with…”

Joey complained to Chiyang, then glanced at the woman beneath him.

“Looks like tonight’s meal is on someone else…”

The woman pleaded desperately.

“S-sir, please, you can’t do this! That’s all I have!!!”

“Eh~ All your assets, huh… So you’ve cheated plenty of people…”

Joey narrowed his eyes, then looked at Aiki.

Aiki sighed.

“Master, Blood Clan Hypnosis isn’t meant for this…”

“Stop whining… I’m your Master…”

“Yes…”

Aiki puffed out her cheeks, then used Hypnosis on the woman.

Joey’s expression was full of mischief as he looked at the woman.

“From today on… you’ll only like women…”

From that day—

The woman stood at the edge of the street, watching the passing crowds, until she spotted a couple in love.

The girl was tall. The boy was petite.

The fraudster woman licked her tongue and walked toward them.

“Um… may I trouble you…”

“Oh oh! Is it happening?! The Entia Kingdom’s legendary ‘Renting Custom’!”

The girl said excitedly.

The boy buried his head, turning his blushing face away.

“I… don’t want to do this with someone else…”

“When in Entia…”

The girl consoled the boy, then looked at the approaching fraudster.

“Is something wrong?”

“It’s like this, sir…”

The fraudster blushed and walked beside the girl’s partner.

“N-no… I really don’t want to experience this…”

The boy mumbled shyly.

“Sir, may I…”

“Renting Custom your wife… I’ll let her enjoy me gently…”

“Eh?”

“Pervert!! You pervert!!!!”

“Wait! I really just like your wife’s body! I beg you!!!”