Lord of Rot

It wasn’t just body odor, but smelly feet, too.

”Ah!”

He recalled his wedding night. Johann had excitedly stripped off his bride’s clothes, ready to embrace her in a passionate kiss and begin a stormy night of lovemaking. But a powerful odor assaulted him, making his head spin.

The despair...

’Oh, by the Four Gods, this has to be a punishment for my philandering ways.’

They engaged in some... *activities* that night, but it wasn’t exactly satisfying. Johann had to hold his breath the entire time and nearly suffocated.

He’d never smelled anything that strong, not even surrounded by men at the training grounds.

The next morning, Johann was woken by an overpowering fragrance. He watched the beautifully curvaceous Lola frantically spraying herself with perfume. The scent was so strong it could have knocked him out.

But the effect was surprisingly good. She didn’t stink as much anymore. The perfume was just overwhelming.

In truth, he was exaggerating. Lola didn’t smell *that* bad. It was just a hint of body odor and a bit of foot odor—a common problem for many people. The only issue was that Lola sweated a lot and had oily skin, both of which intensified the smell.

Others only knew he had married a beautiful wife. They had no idea of the torment Johann endured every time he came home.

Even with the most stunningly beautiful woman, the scent of body odor and stinky feet would kill the mood for anyone.

”Darling, you’re back?”

The door opened, and Lola walked in.

”Yes.” Johann stood up and went to give his beloved wife a hug.

”Hm?”

He suddenly felt something was different.

”Do I smell nice?”

Lola looked up, cupping his face in her hands as she asked.

”Yes, like flowers!” Johann nodded vigorously.

”Kiss me,” she said, closing her eyes and pressing her lips to his.

After a passionate session, Lola started to sweat, and the smell slowly began to emerge. But Johann was completely satisfied.

’The Four Gods actually gave him a sweet-smelling wife after all.’

”What made you smell so nice?” Johann couldn’t help but ask.

Lola, who had been drawing circles on Johann’s chest, lifted her head and said, ”I bought some Porcupine Brand soap from Evangelina. After using it, my body feels so clean and fresh, and it smells so good... Do you like it?”

Lola looked at her husband.

”Of course!” Johann hugged Lola. ”I love Porcupine Brand!”

「The next day.」

Johann arrived at the training grounds feeling refreshed and invigorated.

But as soon as training began, Johann was sent flying by the sword of the nobleman he was sparring with.

”Haha, Johann, your legs are a bit weak, aren’t they?”

Johann’s face flushed red as he scrambled to his feet. ”I just didn’t rest well yesterday.”

”The Red Chicken Knight is getting mad!” someone nearby laughed.

Although the final result was still weak-legged Johann’s defeat, he wasn’t angry at all. ’I have a wife at home who smells like flowers, why would I be angry?’

’Only single men with no wives would be proud of not having weak legs. Those bastards are just jealous of me!’

’Still, I need to find a way to buy more Porcupine Brand soap.’

...

In a short time, Porcupine Brand soap took the entire circle of noble ladies and young misses by storm.

First, Evangelina started using it.

As the most distinguished young lady in East Gorge, whatever hairstyle Evangelina wore one day would be copied by others the next.

Then came the enthusiastic recommendations from Lola Hahn and others.

Due to their ethnicity, Lu Leiyans had strong body odor. Noble ladies like Evangelina, who were naturally scent-free, were a tiny minority.

The vast majority had some kind of scent. This was especially true now, at the beginning of autumn, and the complex, heavy clothing favored by noblewomen made them sweat with the slightest movement. The resulting smell... *sheesh*!

If that weren’t the case, there’s no way a tiny bottle of perfume could sell for such a high price.

Everyone needed perfume to mask their body odor.

But now, the appearance of Porcupine Brand soap completely changed the game.

Bathing with Porcupine Brand soap eliminated strong body odor. Of course, those with a particularly strong scent still had to use a little perfume after using the soap.

At least they didn’t need to spray on nearly as much perfume.

Perfume cost Jinri, but a bar of Porcupine Brand soap was only 30 Silver Moon. The soap was as big as your palm, was equivalent to two bottles of perfume, and lasted a long time. It was obvious which was the better deal.

”Evangelina, my cousin, she wants to buy some Porcupine Brand soap too.”

”My beautiful Red Rose, my aunt’s birthday is coming up. She has that unpleasant old-person smell, but she cares so much about her appearance. Could you help me buy another bar of Porcupine Brand soap?”

Evangelina never expected Porcupine Brand soap to become such a hot topic. Every single noble lady wanted it.

Of course, some were unwilling to part with 30 Silver Moon. Not every noble was wealthy.

What really surprised her was that her own brother, Pine, also came to her. ”Ahem, little sister, could you help me buy some Porcupine Brand soap too? Some ladies I know are very keen to try it.”

In response, Miss Red Rose immediately decided to write a letter to Leech.

’Perhaps he could open a shop in East Port and sell it on a regular basis.’

She had been writing to Leech frequently these past few days because of the soap, but every time she sent a letter off, someone else would come asking for more.

The shifting winds of interest among the noble ladies also led some merchants in East Port to spot a business opportunity.

A few discreet inquiries revealed that it was all about something called ”Porcupine Brand soap.”

It sounded like a golden opportunity, a chance to make a fortune.