Dreamland, Cage of Lust
As for Constance,
if Rhine had to describe her in one sentence,
it would probably be: Even if you were in bed with her and asked her to change positions, she'd adjust her glasses and earnestly reply, "Yes, I understand."
Even among the Imperial Guards, who lacked much humanity,
she was known for her coolness and discipline.
She was exceptionally obedient and effective, a peerless tool.
But no matter how useful Constance was, she was still only one person.
After dying a thousand times, Rhine had finally accepted reality: if it was just him and Constance, they probably wouldn't make it through.
If he wanted a better ending, he needed to get more powerful pieces on the board.
With no other choice, Rhine had to try working with the Imperial Guards again.
But threats and bribes wouldn't work on them. Now, though, Rhine had another idea.
Perhaps...
the answer to why the Imperial Guards would swear undying loyalty to the emperor was right here.
They hadn't gone far from the Imperial Palace when Rhine and Constance arrived at the Imperial Capital's most famous Pleasure District.
Dreamland
This was a magnificent palace, grand and imposing, its opulence on full display. Even just passing by, one could catch the intoxicating, bewitching fragrance drifting from within.
The wealth it had accumulated over the years from rich merchants around the world had made this den of decadence ever more magnificent. It could even rival the Imperial Palace next door.
In the fountain plaza in front of the palace stood a statue of a Succubus with a bewitching figure.
She looked so lifelike that the hard marble had been carved to feel as soft and supple as a young woman's skin. Her slit pupils gazed tenderly ahead, as if she could speak.
The Dragon Succubus, a symbol of evil and depravity, smiled as she gazed toward the Imperial Palace at the far end, seeming to taunt it—or perhaps tempt it.
The statue was named "Olivia," after the Netherworld Evil God who ruled over lust and pleasure.
It had become the most famous attraction in the Imperial Capital of Hain.
What a joke.
Rhine sneered. "The great wonder of my hometown is a brothel."
Visiting brothels was a popular pastime among the Imperial Capital's wealthy, but Rhine had never been before.
Most of the nobles in the Hain Empire were Descendants of Goddesses and candidates for becoming Imperial Guards. They enjoyed indulging in pleasure, too, but cared deeply about their partners' backgrounds.
So,
they preferred to keep it among themselves and cuckold one another.
Rhine used to be no different.
But today, his visit to Dreamland had nothing to do with seeking pleasure.
Rhine said, "Go do whatever you like for now. I'll call you in later."
In truth, Rhine's request was quite unreasonable.
The Imperial Guards' wombs were a strategic resource of the empire, and the State Religion Cathedral would never allow them to fool around outside.
Places like Dreamland were expressly forbidden.
And so,
Constance reminded him, "Your Highness, the Imperial Guards must remain celibate."
But Rhine wouldn't be swayed. "That's an order."
Constance: "..."
After a moment of silence, Constance finally gave in once more.
Constance: "...I understand."
Leaving Constance behind, Rhine straightened his collar and walked into Dreamland, a little nervous.
The Succubus's Lament TAT
Dreamland.
This most famous brothel in the Hain Empire concealed a great secret.
In fact,
the brothel was controlled by a group of Netherworld Demons who served Olivia, the Dragon of Lust,
better known as Succubi.
At the command of the Supreme of the Nether Realm, they disguised themselves as humans and opened brothels in the capitals of various countries. Then they lured local officials into corruption and decadence, with the ultimate goal of taking control of those countries.
Using this method, Olivia's glory had already taken root in many lands across the world.
But in the Hain Empire, their efforts had been an utter failure!
Although they'd turned their brothel into a landmark of the Imperial Capital of Hain and a famous attraction across the empire,
the truth was—
these poor Succubi weren't nearly as successful as they appeared.
At that moment, in the back rooms of Dreamland, a group of Succubi were holding a meeting.
Their Dragon Succubus leader angrily slapped the blackboard.
"You useless lot! Look at yesterday's numbers!"
The Dragon Succubus pointed at the long string of figures on the board.
"Eighty-six million Gold Coins in revenue!"
That was an enormous sum!
Put simply, that many Gold Coins could easily buy a small country—or even fund a coup to overthrow a medium-sized nation!
And yet!
The Succubi weren't happy about their impressive revenue at all!
They hung their heads in dejection as they listened to their leader's scolding.
"How many people converted to the Dragon of Lust?"
"Thirty-six!"
"Then how many of them were important imperial officials?"
"None! Not a single one!!!"
The Dragon Succubus was on the verge of tears. She pounded the blackboard. "What kind of awful place is this?! We've worked our tails off here for thirty years, and we haven't corrupted a single imperial official!!"
Waaah...
The Succubi in the audience wiped away their tears in indignation.
They felt the same way as the Dragon Succubus leading them.
Damn it!
What kind of awful place was this?!
After all these years, all they'd gotten was money! Nothing but Gold Coins!
Damn it!!!
What good was all that worthless scrap metal?!
The Succubi were nearly desperate. The meeting had turned into a mass mourning.
They wept as if their hearts would break.
This wasn't the sorrow of a single day. It was thirty years of pent-up misery!
Was the reason Succubi opened brothels among humans to make money?!
Of course not!
They were supposed to spread their faith and overthrow nations!
And yet!
Ever since the Succubi had arrived in the Imperial Capital of Hain and spent a fortune building the first Dreamland,
for thirty whole years,
not a single important imperial official had visited their brothel!
And the reason for all this...
came down to the Hain Empire's twisted approach to administration.
To begin with,
there was just one fundamental reason the imperial officials didn't visit Dreamland.
They had no money!
The Hain Empire's officials were famous for their integrity. Foreigners who heard this might assume that the empire was some ideal country founded by incorruptible people.
But that was far from the truth.
Although corruption in the empire wasn't especially severe, it was certainly widespread!1
As for how rotten it was, it was about on par with the other great powers.
So why were the imperial officials broke?
Because,
within the Hain Empire's administrative system, there was a colossal force that monopolized every avenue for bribery, took over the officials' side hustles, and kept all the profits of administration for itself!
That force was—
the Imperial Guard!
As the empire's most powerful war machine, these Demigod Imperial Guards wielded unprecedented power.
Combined with their greedy, self-serving nature,
they would do whatever it took to line their own pockets.
They had no qualms about embezzling or taking bribes, and they never liked sharing the profits with other officials.
For crying out loud!
From the day the Succubi arrived in the Hain Empire, they'd been shocked to discover—
the Imperial Guards had already stolen enough dirty money to last them a hundred years!
The officials were left penniless!
There was no more profit to squeeze out of them!!
That was the brutally grim reality of the Hain Empire!
But the Imperial Guards' vital military role meant no one could punish the arrogant bastards. It also meant their ways had become a tradition in the empire's political scene, passed down from one generation to the next.
By now,
most people willing to serve as officials in the Hain Empire were idealists.
These ambitious officials dreamed only of building the country and improving people's lives. After work, they went home to their wives and children, or stayed late at the office.
They neither wanted to seek pleasure elsewhere nor had the money to do so.
In the end,
the only patrons of Dreamland were the empire's wealthy merchants.
Thanks to the Hain Empire's flourishing economy, the Imperial Capital's merchants were quite rich. With their support, Dreamland grew stronger by the day,
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