◈ Episode 74 Back Alley Talk (3)
“Amazing.”
Hans still gave me a hazy response as if I was dreaming.
“What do you mean?”
“Those ideas you came up with. Even I, who pride myself on seeing and hearing a lot, had never seen anything like that before.”
“Well, it’s nothing.”
“It’s nothing. Didn’t you think of all of them?”
“I also just remembered seeing other people’s things. I can’t call it mine.”
I have simply suggested a way based on the history of the Earth as I have seen it.
This is not something I came up with, but a path that the pioneers of an era made with blood and sweat.
There is no reason to dress up as mine and pretend to be proud of it as if it were natural.
“It’s just amazing, though. For now, all the organizations have pledged to obey your brother.”
“It is not a complete conformity.”
They say they come under my command, but that doesn’t mean they obey my orders completely.
understand their feelings That’s why I don’t regret it.
It’s because I haven’t shown much yet to blindly trust and follow me.
Therefore, I must successfully complete the work I am carrying out this time to win their sincere loyalty.
“There are many places to work. Fundamental funds are sufficient.”
The places of business that the enemy society has used so far or the money they have accumulated. And even Bellbot Rickson’s slush fund.
Even if you use it, the funds are overflowing enough.
“But that’s not what matters now.”
I stopped and turned around to stare at the corner of the alley.
“I’ll come if I have something to do.”
“yes?”
It wasn’t long before Hans asked what he meant by that, and a woman hiding in the darkness appeared.
A lady in a black classical costume with a black cotton thread over her face.
It was Violetta who led the women of the black rose.
“Looks like I have something else to do. Seeing as you didn’t even bring an escort.”
“yes. I’d like to have a quiet conversation with you two.”
“Hmm, yes. Hans.”
“Yes, brother.”
“You go first.”
“… … Are you okay?”
“Are you okay? I?”
“no. no. I guess I was worried for nothing.”
Hans shrugged and quickly disappeared through the alleyway.
It was just me and Violetta who were left there.
“Would you like to walk for a while?”
“no. We just talk here.”
“the way you want.”
Violetta must have asked me a lot, so she got to the point right away.
“Do you really think our business will do well as you said?”
“As for business, oh, is that so… … .”
I suggested a musical to Circus led by Pinion. It was because I had a vision that suited him, and I thought I could do it.
But the women of the black rose are different.
We cannot expect flashy showmanship like Circus from them.
If so, how should they conduct their business?
That’s right, ‘fashion’.
Apparel, apparel, design.
It was this way that I suggested to them.
“Do you think it won’t work?”
In this world, clothing occupies a significant share of the market.
Since ancient times, people have wanted to show off their style through clothing, and they don’t mind spending a lot of money for it.
It was the same even now.
“The clothing market is tightly controlled by nobles and wealthy merchants.”
“yes.”
“… … And they are firmly maintaining their position by creating their own firm brands. A place that no one can squeeze into.”
I nodded.
Currently, those who are considered the front runners in the fashion world are brands that sell specialized clothing for aristocrats.
Expensive and good material, beautiful and colorful design.
There is a term called Haute Couture.
It refers to clothes and clothing stores where individual designers make custom-made clothes for the upper class.
It is the exclusive property of the noble, and it is no different in this age.
A brand created only for the upper class.
Whenever banquet halls or parties are held, noble ladies always wear clothes with these brands.
And this culture or situation has already become fixed, and has refused to change itself for the past ten years.
“Do you think we can break through that?”
“It will be difficult.”
——————
faqwiki.us
Join our Discord for new chapter updates!
https://discord.com/invite/xr7SxG5T6V
——————
If you say fashion in this world, it’s because it’s only for rich people with a lot of money.
However, having little money doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t discuss fashion.
Of course, the logic of the market is, after all, the logic of money.
The flow has no choice but to flow along those who have money.
“Fashion always changes. And now fashionable clothes have been around for too long. It’s time to change the water.”
“It’s not as easy as it sounds.”
“Surprisingly, you know the fashion world well, don’t you?”
“… … .”
At my point, Violetta kept her mouth shut.
like someone caught off guard.
“Looks like you were very interested.”
“Can’t we?”
Violetta asked in a huff.
Her job is to be a prostitute who is despised by society.
No matter how beautiful he is as the head of a group, his origin remains a stigma.
A sign that you can never escape no matter how hard you try.
“There is nothing wrong. No, on the contrary, if you have a lot of interest, you can see that it’s fortunate that we agree with each other.”
“You really do think that’s possible.”
“Didn’t you see the design drawing I gave you?”
The clothing designs I gave her were less than 10, but it must have been quite a shock to Violetta.
It was rather the opposite, unlike the clothing that insists on being beautiful and fancy like now.
Lighter, more comfortable clothing.
It is not a fashion that only a select few can enjoy, but a method that the public can choose.
Mass fashion for the majority, not high fashion for the few.
No, in this case it should be called Pret-a-porter.
Pret-a-porter.
That is, ready-to-wear clothing.
The clothes that clothing brands sell now are just for show, so it’s hard to wear them in everyday life.
So, what was born were clothes sublimated into more practical designs.
Clothes that can be worn in everyday life without difficulty.
Even so, clothes with the image of luxury goods.
It was not the exclusive property of the aristocrats, but it was a path that the majority of the public could choose.
In fact, since the industrial revolution occurred in the history of the earth, large-scale production became possible, and old fashion was gone, and this popular outfit began to become mainstream.
The blatantly high-class culture that only a few lead is inevitably pushed aside by popular culture.
“Yes, I saw it. And it was definitely surprising. I never thought that such an idea would come from a man like you.”
“It’s not mine. I also got it from someone else.”
“Whatever it is, it’s definitely innovative. Of course, there are many things to fix, and there are things that bother me.”
“is it. I leave that up to you.”
“… … The checks will come in severely.”
I’m not saying I don’t like it.
But that’s taken into consideration.
What I’m trying to do in the first place is to bring those who were in the dark to the light.
At the same time, it is no different from declaring an all-out war on a culture enjoyed by high society.
It is said that the change will come someday, but as long as it is brought forward, conflict with the older generation will be inevitable.
“But we definitely win.”
History proves it.
Although it is said that this world has magic that was not on Earth and is full of mysteries, there are bound to be some similar intersections where people live.
Wherever people live, the winds of change are sure to blow.
“How long can we not be stuck in the bottom and live?”
“… … I am surprised.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I first saw him, I thought he was a hard and cold man, but now that I see him, he has more ambition than anyone else.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
I replied, lowering the bowler hat on my head.
Anyway, the ladies of the black rose will open a clothing store based on the few businesses I handed over.
It is premature to treat something luxurious like a tailor from the beginning.
Right now, it will focus on selling clothes that the public can wear.
However, it will be different from the clothes that are widely spread on the streets right now.
“It will be small at first, but gradually expand the range.”
In particular, the woman in front of me has a better eye for fashion than others.
Was it a natural talent, or did you put in that much effort?
Maybe it’s both.
I think I’ve been suppressing it for a long time because of my lowly background, but I don’t have to do that anymore.
You can use it however you like.
“Now I don’t have to worry about protecting my sisters from other bastards. If there is such a person, then I will come out.”
And another suggestion from me.
In order for them to do what they want freely, they need a support.
I will do that.
“is that so.”
“And if you succeed in establishing yourself to some extent, you might be able to apply your magic to fashion.”
“… … !”
At my words, Violetta trembled greatly.
Her expression was invisible because of the black cotton thread, but it was easy to see that she was shocked.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know?”
“… … How did you know?”
“Wizards recognize wizards.”
Violetta, who was only a high-class prostitute, was able to create a force called the Black Rose Women in the underworld of Leatherbelk.
It was because she also had a corner that she believed in.
That is, the power of magic.
“… … Even so, it’s not much to look at.”
“No matter how insignificant it is, if you don’t have talent, you won’t even be able to learn that magic. Who did you learn it from?”
“I was just one of the rich wizard guests. I put on a little candy coating saying I love you while wearing a mask, and then, to your delight, she taught me a few magic tricks.”
“is it.”
“Even so, I couldn’t throw away the status of a high-class courtesan.”
No matter how much she knows how to use magic, in the end her identity is fixed there and does not change.
this is the reality
“Are you really going to lift us up to the top?”
That, after all, is Violetta’s true intention.
She had ambition, but it was a status that had no choice but to hide it.
so are all the others.
the weak in society.
They are despised and ostracized by everyone, and that is why they have only one other place to lean on, the deep bottom of the caste system.
The wall they felt was so great that they had no choice but to give up before they even tried anything.
Even Violetta, who pretends to be strong, has anxiety about this project, so other people are afraid.
The wall of status given from birth.
In the end, everyone has no choice but to despair and collapse in front of it.
that is the reality
“of course.”
“… … You are serious.”
“What matters is not who does it, but how well you do it. And aren’t you curious?”
“… … What?”
“When they saw the people they ignored and looked down on so fiercely coming up from below. How will those high-ranking people react?”
“cook. Ahahaha!”
At my words, Violetta grabbed her stomach and giggled.
It wasn’t the attitude of a polite lady until now, but the reaction of a girl who had thrown off a heavy burden.
“ha ha ha. That would be really fun.”
“okay. It’s a job well worth the challenge.”
“is it so. I’ll admit it. James Moriarty. you won We ladies of the black rose, I will trust you.”
After saying that, Violetta lifted the veil that covered her face.
“We decided to be together, so we can’t hide it forever.”
Her face was hidden under the black cotton thread.
As you can tell from her voice and graceful behavior, she was quite a beauty.
but.
A terrible burn is engraved on one side of the face of a woman who should have been more beautiful than anyone else.
A burn near her left eye ruined her beauty.
“… … Is it a burn caused by magic?”
“Well, what can I do? I decided to endure it from the time I learned magic that a crazy wizard who mistook my twisted possessiveness for love would do something like this.”
“… … .”
I didn’t ask what happened to the wizard.
A wizard wouldn’t be punished by the state for scarring the face of just one prostitute.
He’s probably living a good life somewhere.
Even so.
Violetta stood up to protect women who were in a similar situation to her, even when she was in such a situation.
It was a magic learned to do so.
Giving up on her dream and future as a woman.
“Isn’t it ugly?”
“no. It’s not ugly.”
How can you disrespect that will and attitude?
“You are a very strong woman.”
That’s why I liked it even more.
Because it is only this kind of person that you can trust and work with.
“Thank you for the word of mouth.”
“Did you hear that?”
If so, I should give you a present too.
“Since you showed me something, it would make sense for me to show you something too.”
“yes?”
“Stay still and see.”
I said that and slowly reached out my hand toward Violetta’s face.
She opened her eyes wide and panicked at the sight, but when our eyes met, she stayed still with a determined face.
you’re going to trust me
“As you know, I am a wizard.”
“yes. With that power, I eliminated the enemy society. Surely you’re not trying to say something outrageous about healing my wounds with magic, are you? It’s already too late to fix this burn. The healing priests of the Church of Lumensis also gave up.”
“That would be the case with normal magic.”
“Ordinary magic?”
Violetta didn’t seem to understand what I was saying.
okay. You won’t understand. I don’t know if you can explain it.
“What are you trying to do?”
“Just know that it’s ‘real magic’.”
“Real magic.”
I just said that and raised my mana a little.
At the same time, I used some of the power I normally suppressed.
Paaah.
In a dark alleyway where only the moonlight coming down through the cracks illuminates us.
A pure white light that warms even the heart subtly arose and then disappeared.
“All right.”
Before long, I let go of the hand I had placed on Violetta’s burn mark.
“yes?”
“Let me check your face.”
Violetta immediately took out a hand mirror and examined her own face.
The burn marks that covered one side of her face disgracefully had disappeared as if they had been washed.
Her quivering gaze turned to me.
“Wait, how… … . What have you been doing?”
“Didn’t you tell me?”
I shrugged lightly.
“It’s real magic.”
