Hello.
I was Korinkorin Lousouth, a demon woman who had married into the House of Viscount Lousouth.
I quite liked the cute ring of the name Korinkorin when I was a child, but now that I was of an age to have grandchildren, it felt a bit ill-suited for me. Consequently, those close to me simply called me Korin.
It wasn’t that I particularly disliked the name Korinkorin, mind you.
Grandchildren?
Yes, even my grandchildren called me Korin.
Of course, I didn't allow them to address me with such unearned familiarity. I had strictly instructed them to call me "Big Sister Korin" properly.
Allow me to share a little about myself.
Once my sons and daughters no longer required my constant care, I sought out a profession. It was customary for demon women to return to the workforce once they had finished raising their children.
Fortunately, at the invitation of Silkyne—an acquaintance from before my marriage and the current Viscountess Chrome—I secured a position at the Bubble Company, which she managed.
A century had passed since then.
Currently, I was entrusted with overseeing one of the company's production departments.
Specifically, I handled the beauty products derived from Meleocarn fluid, which were the flagship items of the Aphrodite Cosmetics Shop operated by the Bubble Company.
In truth, however, I was little more than a glorified Meleocarn caretaker.
We utilized a small forest within the Chrome territory as a breeding ground, where I looked after twelve Meleocarns alongside thirty female subordinates.
Meleocarns were massive monsters, but they possessed gentle temperaments, making their daily care relatively simple.
Furthermore, while collecting their fluid would normally be an arduous task, we faced no such struggles. The creatures understood that we were the ones providing their sustenance, and as a result, they were remarkably cooperative.
I would have loved to say that everything was perfect, but...
We were burdened by three significant problems.
The first was the existence of those who targeted our herd.
Years ago, when word spread that Meleocarn fluid could be used in cosmetics, the species suffered a period of rampant overhunting. Viscountess Chrome, fearing their extinction, had taken them under her protection. Yet, even now, lawless individuals sought to steal what we guarded.
It was unforgivable.
Whenever such fools appeared, we beat them within an inch of their lives until they deeply regretted their choices.
Yes, we did it ourselves.
We hadn't trained so poorly that we would lose to common thugs. Demon women were strong.
Still, never knowing when an attack might come required constant vigilance, which was a tiresome burden.
The second problem was our inability to breed them.
Most of the Meleocarns we had managed to rescue were female. The females were popular for their aesthetic beauty and were often captured alive, but...
The drones were unpopular and usually slain on the spot. Even if they were gentle, their large size made capture a dangerous endeavor. Furthermore, they possessed sizable magic stones, making them prime targets for hunters.
The only drone we had successfully protected was already advanced in age. While fluid collection remained possible, he had long since retired from reproductive activities.
Without breeding, the Meleocarns were destined for eventual extinction. This was a grave issue.
And the third problem...
That solitary drone had passed away from old age some thirty years prior. It was a shame, but it was his natural time. There was nothing to be done. Along with my subordinates and the females, we held a respectful funeral for him.
A few years later, a change overcame the females.
They became lethargic, and the volume of fluid they produced plummeted.
I knew why. Even in his advanced age, they had lived under the gaze of a drone. Now that he was gone, they understood that the chance of meeting another was nearly hopeless.
How did I know they understood? Because Meleocarns were intelligent creatures. They possessed the cognitive ability to grasp their situation. While they couldn't speak, they understood our words.
Just as I was worrying about their despair, one of my subordinates had carelessly mentioned that wild Meleocarns were virtually extinct.
The result was a herd of despondent females.
While I sympathized with their plight, the year-over-year decrease in fluid production was a crisis. At this rate, the products would vanish from the market long before the creatures themselves went extinct.
It was a dire situation.
In the midst of these troubles, Viscountess Chrome brought us tidings of a miracle.
She had found news of a young drone Meleocarn.
Moreover, that drone was also searching for a mate.
What incredible luck! He was like a savior appearing just when we needed him most.
I cautioned myself not to get ahead of my hopes.
"Viscountess Chrome," I said, "pardon me, but is there any chance this is a scam?"
While we kept the details of our herd confidential, if the secret were out, someone might try to exploit our desperation with such a convenient story.
But the information had come from Count Chrome himself.
The one breeding this drone was the family into which the Viscountess's daughter had married. There was no possibility of a fraud.
...My apologies.
By all means, we had to offer our females as breeding partners.
In fact, I insisted on accompanying her.
...What?
Accompanying her required a willingness to be covered in excrement?
Hmph. How many children did she think I had raised? I wasn't about to flinch at a bit of filth. It wasn't as if I... well, never mind.
The bath was absolutely delightful.
As expected of the household where the Viscountess's daughter resided, the estate was filled with high-end luxury at every turn. It was truly surprising.
I made sure to keep any scary-looking people out of my sight. They were terrifying, after all. I also pretended I hadn't seen the Inferno Wolves for the same reason.
My sole focus was the drone Meleocarn.
I was finally allowed to see him.
I had much to say about flying ships and floating castles, but the creature itself took my breath away.
That rugged silhouette! The bumpy texture of the skin, and that slightly oversized head!
The Viscountess and I flipped him over to confirm his drone organs.
Without a doubt, he was a drone! And a young one at that!
Success.
From there, I set out to inspect the environment and instruct the local caretakers. Viscountess Chrome, meanwhile, handled the negotiations for the breeding terms.
She understood what was at stake.
The Bubble Company didn't rely solely on Meleocarn fluid, but it was the cornerstone of our political influence. These products were vital for maintaining the loyalty of the wives and daughters within Count Chrome’s current faction.
To ensure no unrest broke out among the Count's supporters, we absolutely had to make this breeding a success. A miracle like this wouldn't happen a second time.
Therefore, I told her that a certain amount of concession was acceptable. We could yield up to half of the resulting offspring.
The real issue was the products themselves. We couldn't afford any competitors. Whether the quality was higher or lower than our own, a similar product on the market would be a disaster. The ideal conclusion was for the Bubble Company to remain the exclusive distributor.
Viscountess Chrome was no amateur. Despite her childlike appearance, she was a dependable leader. She knew the target. She had extensive negotiation experience and could usually handle anyone.
However... the opponent this time was her daughter's in-laws. She would have to show some degree of restraint. That was for her to decide, so I left it in her hands.
I wished her the best.
I never expected the Angel Race Leader to be the one across the table.
It was unfair. It was cruel.
"Viscountess Chrome, are you alright?" I asked.
She was still alive, at least.
Count Chrome, please don't just stand there watching. Hold her and comfort her. A firm embrace and a good "there, there" were in order.
I took over the negotiations from there.
I checked the records to see how far they'd gotten, and... she had been utterly crushed!
The records laid bare the sheer malice of the Angel Race Leader's personality.
Rgh, I wasn't about to lose! Fisticuffs aside, I wouldn't back down in a battle of wits.
The discussion eventually escalated into an actual brawl, but we managed to settle the terms.
The healing mages at that village were exceptional; the pain was already gone. I even found myself feeling a strange kinship with the Angel Leader. We were "battle friends" now, I suppose.
Heh. Next time, I'd like to land a punch squarely on that face of hers.
Dinner followed.
I had initially intended to decline out of consideration for their winter food stores, but I was told the village was incredibly wealthy and not to worry, so I indulged.
It was a shock to see the Lord Demon King at the same table, but the meal was so delicious that the surprise faded into the background.
Soon, I returned to the breeding grounds in the Chrome territory.
I could travel instantly via the Count's teleportation magic, but the drone Meleocarn was too large for such means. It would take some time for him to arrive by land.
It was a shame, but the timing was perfect. The breeding season ran from late winter through spring. All that remained was our own preparation.
Twelve massive females stood in formation before me.
I had gathered them myself. Seeing them lined up so obediently and acting so restless, I assumed they had caught wind of the situation.
"That's right," I told them. "A drone is coming. A young drone."
There was an immediate buzz.
"No talking! I'm still explaining things."
I continued. The other side was eager for the arrangement.
"I said, no buzzing! I'll stop talking if you don't listen."
Finally, they settled down.
"Listen well. He should arrive in twenty days at the latest. If all goes well, he could be here as early as tomorrow. For now, assume he arrives in ten days—when spring begins.
"You understand what this means. We have no time.
"First, do something about your territories. You've left them in a state of neglect. They're filled with trash, and there are pools of stagnant water everywhere. You can't expect to breed in a place like that. Fix it.
"Next, health management. Your skin is terribly rough. You've been ignoring it far too long. Josephine, your picky eating is inexcusable; your skin has become dull. Turning transparent and hiding won't save you. Desiree, Marie—don't even think about hiding! It's a waste of your fluid. If you're self-aware enough to hide, then spend that energy polishing your skin!
"Finally... do you still remember the seduction dance? Can you still perform it?"
Every single one of them looked away.
"This is a matter of instinct! Can't you manage even that? No, you must manage it. I'm not asking you to drive him wild, but at least make sure you don't kill his motivation."
...
It was true that I knew the dance, but were they really asking me to perform it here? I understood they wanted a model, but...
"Very well. It is for your own sake. I shall dance. But since you are making me go this far, you had better make sure this breeding is a success!"
My name was Korinkorin Lousouth. I was a Meleocarn caretaker for the Bubble Company.
Korinkorin Lousouth (Viscountess Lousouth) Assistant to the President, Bubble Company (President: Silkyne) Department Head, Chrome Territory Special Beauty Products (Meleocarn Related) Production Division Assistant Shop Manager, Aphrodite Cosmetics, Chrome Territory Branch (Effectively the Manager, but titled Assistant as she cannot reside there full-time) Special Advisor, Apollo Cosmetics Shop Advisor (Second Seat), Athenes Cosmetics Shop
The one who truly kept Silkyne's company running, though she viewed herself as nothing more than a simple Meleocarn caretaker.