Chapter 12
"Huh? Hiring my girls?"
Behind the counter, Mama Mia's expression suddenly changed.
The oppressive feeling from a Level 6 expert rushed forward, like being drenched in heavy rain and trapped in prison.
Fortunately, Eugene was menTalli prepared.
Any other person would have likely wet themselves.
"I'm asking you, brat, what do you take my shop for?"
"You're not planning anything weird, are you?"
As Mia approached, Eugene couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Good heavens, this oppressive feeling is so intense that he can barely speak.
But at this critical juncture, if he were to stutter even slightly, that fist the size of a cooking pot might come swinging.
"Haha, you misunderstand."
Eugene forced a smile.
"What evil intentions could a little cuckold like me have?"
...The air suddenly went quiet.
Damn it! Wrong thing to say!
Eugene's expression drastically changed!
"So you know you're a little cuckold!!?"
Mia's teeth ground together, her rage level surged, and that tidal wave of fury was about to burst through the limits!
"A bodyguard, I meant a bodyguard!"
Eugene quickly threw out his true intention, timely suppressing the terrifying momentum of the other party.
"Actually, little ol' me has been having some issues with personal safety recently."
"I need a few experts who are skilled and also very low-key."
As he spoke, he purposefully glanced at the busy girls in the hall.
The implication was clear: he knew a thing or two about their backgrounds.
"No way."
"They are my daughters, they are my property. How could I lend them to a suspicious person like you?"
However, Mia's rejection was still clean and absolute.
"Besides, you caused the trouble yourself; you don't have the right to drag others into your risk, do you?"
That's it! Eugene was secretly delighted.
Her words perfectly led into the reason he had prepared.
Regardless of the fact that these three girls were in semi-retirement, Mama Mia's stance was very firm.
This formidable woman no, this overbearing woman didn't get involved in anything other than her store's business.
No matter how pitiful the plea, it couldn't move her.
She only cared about the store and the girls in the store.
Therefore, there was only one way to sway these three girls:
Make them choose to resign actively!
"Phew..."
Eugene lightly inhaled and then smiled.
"What if I told you that the matter I'm caught up in has a significant connection to all three of them?"
"Hmm?"
Mia, who was about to give the final dismissal, hesitated.
Before she could question further, Eugene continued:
"Not only that, but if this matter is successfully resolved, it will also help a large group of unfortunate girls."
He was referring to the beauties Terry had abducted from various places.
Almost all of these women had already been forced to submit to Terry.
Even if they returned home, it would likely be difficult for them to find a good outcome.
Finding a safe place in Orario would be better than going back home and being judged for the rest of their lives.
Eugene was genuinely sincere about this point.
"More talk is useless."
"Although you are the mistress of this establishment, the true right to choose lies with those young ladies, doesn't it?"
Calmly observing Mia's gradually softening expression, Eugene spoke solemnly.
"Could you allow me to speak with the three of them?"
Upstairs at the Hostess of Fertility
The employees' dormitory.
"Gale" Ryuu Lion, "Black Cat" Chloe Rollo, and "Black Fist" Lunoire Faust.
The porcelain doll-like Elf, the charming Cat Girl, and the sunny, athletic Human girl sat side-by-side opposite Eugene.
There was a very long table between them for some reason.
"So, is that you, little brother?"
"Asking out three girls at once you're so greedy!"
Lunoire was the first to speak, seemingly attracted to Eugene, who also had a great physique.
Her joking manner was very friendly.
However, Eugene didn't have much time to waste on small talk.
"If it were peacetime, meeting three such exceptional young ladies would make me overjoyed."
Eugene offered a polite exchange and then went straight to the point.
"I apologize for the abrupt invitation, but I have a private matter and hope for your kind assistance."
"Huh?"
Chloe in the middle looked playful, the Cat Person's unique verbal tic making the girl more mischievous.
"We are just ordinary beautiful girls, meow. Mama Mia drains us to death every day. Even sleeping in is a luxury. How can we help you, little brother, meow?"
"Ordinary?"
Eugene's lips curled up.
"If experts of the caliber of Gale, Black Cat, and Black Fist are considered ordinary."
"Then ninety-nine percent of the people in this city are below ordinary."
Hearing Eugene recite their underworld aliases one by one, the three girls of different races simultaneously showed expressions of slight tension, but mostly relief.
There are many glamorous girls in the store, but these three are the most unique.
Their identities were not meant to be known. Having one brought up might be fine, but having all three mentioned simultaneously only meant the other party was very well-informed.
"Please don't misunderstand, I know a little about your past, but I have no ill intent."
Eugene's expression was sincere.
"I came here hoping that you would serve as my bodyguards for a period of time."
"Bodyguards, huh~"
Lunoire scratched her head, looking very hesitant.
The girls exchanged another look and finally gave the reply:
"Little brother, meow, it's not that we don't want to help, but you see, we are bound by our circumstances..."
"That's right, we are already semi-retired. This kind of work really is..."
Chloe and Lunoire both expressed their refusal.
As for Ryuu, who was sitting ramrod straight like a statue furthest inside, she didn't say a single word.
The fiery, strong male aura emanating from Eugene made the Elf girl instinctively uncomfortable.
Elves are always aloof from strangers. Never mind physical contact, even making eye contact can feel awkward for them.
She was already trying very hard to restrain herself.
"It really won't work?"
Eugene feigned regret and sighed.
"It seems that bringing retired legends back into action is something a small-fry like me just can't do."
Looking at Eugene's helpless, troubled face, Chloe and Lunoire surprisingly felt an urge to comfort him.
They had never been pleasant to employers during their time in the underground world.
It seemed they had truly been changed by the gentle environment.
...Getting their edges smoothed down like this won't do.
Any useful power must be utilized.
Eugene rubbed his forehead, temporarily putting aside the conversation with the other two girls.
Without warning, he turned directly to Ryuu, who was trying to maintain her composure in the corner.
Her reaction to Eugene's gaze was especially intense.
Though it was only the most ordinary look, Ryuu felt as if her skin was being scrubbed.
It wasn't exactly discomfort, but it was profoundly awkward.
------------
🍊 Boost This Fanfic! 🍊
Every 500 Power Stones gets 2 bonus chapters! 🚀
Want faster updates? Show your support by dropping Power Stones, leaving reviews, and sharing your thoughts in the comments! Your engagement keeps the story going strong!