I was sitting down with the Guild Master of the Cooking Guild, discussing various matters.
"No, it's a wonderful offer. The more sponsors we have for the guild, the better."
"You're not a big merchant yourself, Guild Master?"
"That's right. I'm basically just an employee. The big merchants are the ones who provide the funds."
I see.
"Let's start with the basics. In this 'Shikito' city, there are five Cooking Guilds. Normally, a single town only has one. Villages don't have any at all. That's how it usually works."
"Ah."
"But there are many other guilds too. The famous ones are the Magic Guild, the Adventurers' Guild, and so on. Altogether, this city has over a hundred guilds."
"That many?"
"Now here's the issue. As you probably know, guilds can't function without backers—big merchants who support them financially."
In this world, guilds carry a strong meaning of protecting the weak.
The benefits of joining a guild are overwhelming.
Of course, members pay a small monthly fee, but it's tiny. The advantages far outweigh the cost.
That difference is covered by the sponsors' money.
"The number of big merchants, however, is actually quite small compared to the number of guilds. There aren't even a hundred of them."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Luckily, the Cooking Guild is doing fine. We already have solid sponsors. It's a blessing, but food-related guilds stand out, so a lot of people want to support us."
"Hmm, I see."
"So, are there enough sponsors for the Cooking Guild?"
"More is always welcome. But if your goal is simply to become a big merchant, then reputation becomes the problem."
Reputation.
"Fame grows when you give money to places that are truly struggling. You understand, right? That's why you should support the guilds that are in trouble."
"Which guilds are struggling?"
The Guild Master nodded heavily.
"The Adventurers' Guild."
The Adventurers' Guild.
From what I had imagined, it was a lively place full of rowdy but good-natured adventurers, always buzzing with energy.
Surely they had plenty of sponsors?
Couldn't they just live off the commissions from quests?
That was what I thought—until I saw the reality.
The place looked like a field hospital after a brutal battle.
"Hey! More incoming! Clear some space!"
"Change shifts on the beds! Don't sleep for a whole day!"
Injured people everywhere.
Dozens lying on the floor, groaning.
Together with the Cooking Guild Master, I went upstairs.
"Ten gold coins per month. With that, we could set up new medical beds for the wounded."
The man who introduced himself as Ogle, the Adventurers' Guild Master, answered.
Ogle had the appearance of a battle-hardened veteran—thick beard, stern face, but missing one arm.
"Adventurers risk their lives every day. Injuries are normal. Treatment can't keep up. We're gathering every healing mage we can, but the cost of potions and magic alone has already put us deep in the red. We have no budget left for beds or proper facilities."
"Are the adventurers fighting magical beasts?"
I asked, curious.
"Some are. But not all. We handle every kind of trouble in and around the city—especially incidents involving non-humans. There are safe jobs and extremely dangerous ones."
Ogle bowed his head deeply.
"Honestly, there is no direct return. All I can offer you is the reputation of having become a 'big merchant.' If that is enough for you, we would be truly grateful."
Return.
For example, sponsors of the Cooking Guild got free meals inside the guild and priority invitations to parties. I had been invited myself before.
The Adventurers' Guild offered none of that.
Only the fact that you had supported them would remain.
But that was enough for me.
"I'm planning to open new stores soon. If it's all right with you, I can start with a donation first. How does that sound?"
I placed ten gold coins on the table.
"That is most appreciated. Please do."
After returning home, I was torn.
"I… I can probably heal them, can't I?"
The magical medicine. I had used it to heal Miu-chan's pussy.
Those terrible injuries could be fixed too.
But…
"…Is it okay for me to change the world?"
My mind was a mess.
I wanted to spread soba in this world.
That was the only thing I could do.
So I had accepted interfering with the world through soba without hesitation.
But healing the injured?
A medicine that could heal wounds.
It would be welcomed.
The suffering people in the Adventurers' Guild would surely be saved.
Of course, everyone would beg for more of that medicine.
What would happen to the people who had been making a living with healing magic until now?
And if such a convenient drug spread everywhere?
The world would probably change.
"I really am a terrible person…"
Five years since I came to this world.
How many people who could have been saved had I turned a blind eye to?
Life was cheap here.
Low-class prostitutes beaten until they died.
Men casually stabbing each other to death in fights.
"Maybe I should talk to Jelahagdome-san."
For some reason, I felt she would understand this conflict.
"Drink."
That was the first thing Jelahagdome said after listening to my story.
"I will."
Gulp, gulp.
My sake really is delicious today!
"Drink and forget. Your hesitation is noble. So that's enough. Don't try to save everyone. If you want to live as a professional healer for the rest of your life, that's different. But don't get involved half-heartedly."
I couldn't see her face because of the mask.
But some things could be felt even without seeing a face.
"You changed the very concept of izakaya in this city with that delicious sake. The same with soba. You were dead serious about both. Because you poured your whole heart into it, people wanted to coexist with you. Supplying other taverns is the perfect example. Did you know? The sake that was popular before you arrived has recently been re-evaluated in storage methods, and the taste has improved."
"Really?!"
I had no idea.
"You are seriously involved with soba and sake. That passion naturally spreads. That's why everyone tries to respond in kind. But…"
Jelahagdome spoke heavily.
"What happens if you get involved half-assed and casually? It's simple. Because you're not serious, contradictions will surface. Because you're not serious, your countermeasures will be sloppy. In the end, you'll drag everyone around you into ruin."
Jelahagdome took a drink too.
I always wondered—how does she drink with that huge mask on?
"Your hesitation is noble. Your fear is exactly the question: 'Is it okay to get involved half-heartedly?' The answer is to stop. If you truly want to save the adventurers, quit the soba business. Devote yourself to healing medicine."
"I don't want to do that."
I was convinced.
"That part of you is what I like."
Jelahagdome gulped down more sake.
"The only ones allowed to change the world are those who have the resolve to live their entire lives in this world, in this industry."
I had a little talk with Miu-chan.
"Hey… even though I say a lot of horrible things during sex… do you want to go back to your hometown once?"
Miu-chan, the beastkin girl. If her pussy was healed, she could return home.
"R-really?!"
"Yeah. Of course I want you to come right back, though."
"Of course! I belong to Master!"
"I don't think I can go all the way in with you, but I'll take you as far as I can."
"Thank you!"
For now, I removed her piercings and cleaned off the writing.
I healed her pussy as well.
"Have a safe trip."
"Yes!"
Miu headed straight into the forest.
I waited. I don't know how many hours—maybe until evening.
She had left in the morning.
"Master! I'm back!"
She returned exactly as promised.
"Welcome home, Miu."
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes!"
She told me all kinds of stories from her visit.
She seemed especially happy to have seen her little sister.
"I'd like to meet Miu's little sister sometime."
"She's still only four years old."
"She's tiny."
Beastkin are very fertile, apparently.
They have children almost every year.
"Were you hit on?"
I asked casually, and…
"…Yes."
Her face turned bright red.
Miu said,
"They told me to stay in the forest. With such a beautiful pussy, there would be plenty of men wanting to take me as a wife. Even the chief's son…"
Jealousy flared up inside me.
"All right. Let's put the clit piercing back on."
"Masterrr♡"
For some reason, Miu looked delighted.
"Miu was so proud♡ When Master healed my pretty pink pussy and praised it, I was so happy♡ But actually♡"
She spread her legs wide.
"I wanted to show off this pink pussy and my beautiful clit♡ with a cruel piercing attached♡ I wanted Master to see the clit piercing that you can play with however you like♡"
She was already soaking wet.
"Masterrr♡ Please turn Miu back into your slave again♡ Turn me back into a perverted bitch slave who can't go back to the forest on her own♡♡♡"
At Miu's words,
"Miu, you're so cute. I'm going to do a lot to you."
"I'm so happyyy♡♡♡"
Because Miu is—
"Miu is my pet."
"That's right♡♡♡ Miu is a pet♡ Master's pet♡♡♡"
I slid my cock straight into Miu's pussy.
"Fnyaaaaaaaah♡♡♡"
"I'll fuck you until you pass out. I'm glad you came back."
There had been anxiety.
I had been betrayed many times since coming to this world. But—
"Miu will never betray you♡♡♡ Because Miu loves Master so, so much♡♡♡"
At those words,
"Miu, I'm going to cum."
"Please cum♡♡♡ Miu is so happyyy♡♡♡ Miu is so happyyy♡♡♡"
Matching her scream,
"I'm cummingggggggggg!!!!!!"
Miu's body arched violently as I pumped thick loads of cum deep into her womb.
"…Miu, I'm happy."
"Yes♡ Miu is happy too♡"
In this world, low-class prostitutes and beastkin women die as if it's normal.
But I—
"I'm happy I met Miu. I'm happy I can see your happy face."