The next morning.
I left Alborg, a provincial city where we were asked to defeat a Wyvern, with my wives.
We were heading to Torrent, a town known for its hot springs.
We would travel for about two days, four women and one sword.
By the way, the reason we were heading to a hot spring town was because there were hot springs there.
Since we were already nearby and it was a journey without any particular destination, we decided to go while we were at it.
Although the season was getting cooler, I walked leisurely down the road, Lombardia slung over my shoulder, under the warm sunlight.
Meanwhile, the wives walking behind me were having this conversation.
“Speaking of which, Seraphina said she had another dream, didn’t she?”
“Yes. I didn’t see them this often when I was in the Royal Capital. Perhaps my powers grow stronger when I am with Douglas-sama, my Destined Partner.”
“So, what kind of dream was it, Seraphina?”
“I saw Douglas-sama fighting bravely in a certain Arena. His opponent was a beautiful woman with long black hair and a greatsword as black as pitch. That female swordsman wore a ferocious smile as if she was enjoying the fight.”
“Hmm…? Could that be…?”
Elen, upon hearing the content of Seraphina’s dream, voiced her doubt.
“Elen, do you have any idea?”
“Yeah. It’s not so much an idea… but the female swordsman Seraphina mentioned has characteristics that are very similar to my master.”
“Oh…?”
Elen’s master.
I recall Elen mentioning once that she seemed to be a master capable of taking down dragons single-handedly.
If Seraphina’s precognitive dream was of Elen’s master—
Well, there’s no use thinking about it.
It’s futile to worry about a future that may never come.
“By the way, Seraphina. In that dream, did I or the female swordsman win?”
“…I’m sorry, I couldn’t quite tell. I didn’t see it to the end, and I couldn’t tell who had the upper hand… But, well… her speed, the opponent’s female swordsman, seemed to be quite a bit faster.”
“I see.”
When it comes to speed alone, even Elen, under the effect of Maiden’s Blessing, is only slightly faster than me.
Well, either way, it’s just speculation.
If we do end up facing such a person, we’ll think about it then.
***
One and a half days after departing from the provincial city of Alborg the morning before.
We arrived at the hot spring town of Torrent in the evening of that day.
“Wow, what an atmosphere…! Oh, look there, they’re selling a strange sweet! Is it an Onsen Manju? Haha, what a weird name.”
“Sniff sniff. …It smells strange, doesn’t it? Is this the smell of hot springs?”
After undergoing inspection at the city gate and entering the city, Elen and Miina ran off into the town, excited.
The hot spring town of Torrent had a certain charm to its design.
This town, renovated into a tourist destination primarily by designers from the Eastern Kingdom, had a cityscape unlike other cities in Wentworth.
Many wooden inns with unfamiliar architectural styles lined the streets, and their proprietors beckoned to passersby.
Perhaps it was the steam rising from the open-air baths scattered throughout, but the town’s air seemed to be faintly tinged with white.
Miina and Elen were enthralled by the scenery, and I felt much the same way inwardly.
Only Seraphina, as usual, followed me diligently.
“Honestly, they’re like children. It’s troublesome, Douglas-sama.”
“Well, I can understand how they feel. Isn’t this your first time in this town, Seraphina?”
“Yes. My father brought me here a few times. I can guide you to an inn favored by Royalty, but what shall we do?”
“An inn favored by Royalty… But I assume it’s quite expensive?”
“Hmm, I suppose so? I’ve never really thought about it before. But it’s a good inn. I remember it being quiet and relaxing, and the meals were very satisfying. The service was also polite and heartwarming.”
“Alright, I’m in.”
No matter how expensive the inn might be, it wouldn’t be beyond my financial means right now.
Since we’ve come this far, I want to have the best experience possible.
Fortunately, I now have the status and ability to earn considerable rewards by taking on high-Rank quests at the Adventurer’s Guild.
If money runs out, I can always earn more.
At that moment, Lombardia spoke to me telepathically.
“My Lord. May I also assume my incarnated form? I would like to experience the hot springs, as it is a special occasion.”
“Well, that’s fine in itself, but not here. The sight of an old man walking around with naked women would be too much.”
“Mmm. Then, is it alright if I wear clothes?”
“Well, something like that… Wait, can you take on an incarnated form while wearing clothes?”
“Naturally. Don’t underestimate my power.”
Saying that, *doron*.
Lombardia transformed into her incarnated form in an uninhabited area.
As always, she was a petite girl with black hair and tanned skin.
However, she was not naked; she was clad in a lovely Maid outfit.
“How about this? Is it quite cute, wouldn’t you say?”
Lombardia said, spinning around.
Her frilly skirt fluttered gracefully.
“Cute, indeed… But if you could do that, why didn’t you do it from the start?”
“I didn’t feel the need until now. But I did tell you before, didn’t I? I said that if you wanted me to serve you in my Maid outfit, you should say so.”
Come to think of it, I sort of recall hearing something like that.
Oh well.
Let’s let go of the past.
I composed myself and walked towards our destination inn with my wives.
Then—
“Hey, who is that old man?” He looks like an Adventurer…”
“Yeah, he seems to have a certain presence, and more importantly, the women he’s with are incredible. All of them are super beautiful girls. And one of them is a loli-maid, what gives?”
“Ah, that girl in the Sage’s robe, she’s Seraphina-sama, isn’t she? I believe she’s one of the Princesses of this country.”
“Eh? But she seems to be following that old man. The others too.”
“W-woah, be careful. Saying things like ‘old man’ could be bad. He’s probably someone extremely important.”
I could faintly hear the whispers of the people on the street.
Hmm… No matter where we go, this is what happens when I bring my wives along.
However, the wives themselves seemed unbothered, instead clinging to me excitedly.
“Hey Douglas, will you spend tomorrow touring the town with me? There are so many stalls, it looks like a festival and it seems fun.”
“What are you talking about, Elen? Douglas will be touring the town with Miina tomorrow, won’t he, Douglas?”
Elen clung to my right arm, and Miina to my left, hugging me tightly as if competing for me.
Both of them possess rather ample chests, and the sensation, along with their body heat, transmitted through their clothes was quite unbearable.
“H-hey, you two. Aren’t you getting a little too excited?”
“That’s right. Both of you are being a bit too clingy with Douglas-sama. Douglas-sama must be troubled. If you continue like this, you’re unfit to be Douglas-sama’s spouse.”
Seraphina intervened to support me, chastising Miina and Elen.
But Elen retorted with a giggle, “You say that, but you want to hug Douglas too, don’t you?”
“Th-that’s true… but rather than that, I’d prefer Douglas to hug me tightly… but that’s not the point!”
“Still, my lord is always so popular, isn’t he? Even in this form, I can’t find an opening. If I want to avoid feeling lonely, I’ll have to actively aim for times when the three of you are not around.”
In any case, it was incredibly lively.
Honestly, it felt like heaven on earth, so I couldn’t bring myself to reprimand them too harshly.
Meanwhile, the townspeople stared blankly as they watched us walk along.
“What is that…?”
“That’s nice… That’s what they call a beautiful girl harem, isn’t it…?”
“I’m incredibly jealous… I wish that old man would just explode…”
Well, I understand the sentiment, but I don’t want to explode yet.
I intend to continue enjoying these affectionate moments with my wives for a long time to come, so I would appreciate your understanding.
—But at this moment.
Several ominous giants, intending to shatter this peaceful town scenery, glinted their eyes atop a distant hill, far from the city.
