In the dense forest where sunlight dappled through the leaves, I walked with Lombardia in one hand and the end of a rope in the other.
The other end of the rope was tied to a goblin trembling as it led the way.
After capturing the goblin, I used Seraphina’s magic to make myself understood, threatened it, and made it guide me to the Green Dragon’s lair.
We—my wives and Aurelia—were now heading towards the dragon’s lair, having set out from the elf village.
Along the way, Aurelia, listening to my explanation, nodded in understanding.
“I see… so with that technique called [Demon God Transformation], Douglas becomes a monster wielding even greater power. But as a consequence, you temporarily lose your reason, go berserk, and… indiscriminately attack women around you.”
“Ah, that about sums it up. That’s why it’s a skill I can’t use carelessly, and why I never got to use it in the Fighting Tournament.”
I affirmed Aurelia’s understanding as I spoke.
Whether or not we could defeat the Green Dragon in question—
The element that Aurelia’s calculations likely didn’t include was my [Demon God Transformation].
Since I hadn’t shown it during the Hill Giant subjugation or the Fighting Tournament, she had no way of knowing.
On top of that, I added:
“However, in situations where many lives are at stake, I can’t afford to hesitate and will use it. When that happens, if Aurelia can help restrain my berserk state, it would ease the burden on my wives. …Although, given the circumstances, I won’t force you.”
“N-no…! Please, let me cooperate! If that’s all it takes, I couldn’t ask for anything more!”
“I appreciate it. Honestly, it would be best if I could control it myself.”
I said, a bitter expression on my face.
It’s a pathetic thing to admit, but when it comes to that—the side effects of [Demon God Transformation]—I feel I have no choice but to rely on my wives.
I remember the sensation when I used [Demon God Transformation] during the Red Dragon subjugation, but it’s nothing a Human could overcome on their own.
It was like my instinctive desires and urges multiplied tenfold, while my reason shrunk to a fraction of its former self.
But then, Seraphina pleaded with me desperately.
“Please wait, Lord Douglas…! You don’t need to feel burdened by such things! You stand against evil for the sake of the powerless, without regard for your own life! Isn’t it our role to support you when you do…!”
“Seraphina…”
“Please use me more, Lord Douglas. You are always kind, my ideal Hero… but sometimes, I worry that you are *too* kind…”
“…Thank you.”
I patted Seraphina’s head.
Seraphina’s cheeks flushed, and she clung to me tightly.
While I felt Seraphina’s perception might be colored by her affection, I was grateful to be thought of this way.
But Miina also chimed in.
“Mmm, Miina thinks so too, nya. Douglas tries to carry too much alone, nya. Miina might be unreliable, but she can still do things, nya. —Miina also doesn’t want those elves to suffer any more, and she wants to do what she can to help, nya.”
Elen then added her agreement.
“Yep, yep. Besides, I don’t exactly hate the idea of being forced by a wild Douglas in his [Demon God Transformation]. Of course, I like the regular, gently rough Douglas more, but that primal urge during [Demon God Transformation] is also a form of Douglas’s hidden desires, right? He secretly wants to mess with us like that. So, once in a while, I might be okay with it.”
“That’s just you, Elen, nya. Miina still prefers the usual Douglas, nya. But Douglas is Douglas, and it’s different from being roughhoused by another man, nya.”
“I also… prefer the usual Lord Douglas. However, as one of Lord Douglas’s consorts, I believe it is my duty to accept Lord Douglas when he becomes like that.”
“Mmm, I said I preferred the usual Douglas too. Fine, I’ll be like Seraphina. It’s also part of my job as Douglas’s wife to bravely accept Douglas when he becomes like that. —Right, Douglas? That’s okay, isn’t it?”
With that said, Elen looked at me with seemingly innocent eyes, so I patted Elen’s head as well.
Elen beamed happily, “Ehehe~!”
Meanwhile, Miina also looked like she wanted to say something. When I asked, “Miina, want to come over here?” she bashfully trotted over.
As I patted Miina’s head, the Beastkin girl’s cat ears twitched. “Nyaaaa… Douglas’s pats are irresistible, nyaa,” she purred, melting like a cat smelling catnip.
Observing us from a little distance, Aurelia, her cheeks flushed, sneakily glanced over.
Meanwhile, Lombardia’s voice piped up from within me.
‘You are as popular as ever, aren’t you.’
“You can say that again. I’m so happy, I don’t know what to do with myself. I think I’m the luckiest man in the world right now.”
‘And yet, you are heading into a death trap. And with your wives, no less.’
“…Yeah.”
Lombardia was right.
The place I and my wives were heading to now was truly a “death trap” in the sense that there was no guarantee of returning alive.
I *think* I can win.
If I didn’t, I’d naturally seek other means, and if I still thought it impossible, I’d consider abandoning the elves and fleeing.
However, given the unknown elements of the Ancient Dragon’s strength, even my “I think I can win” is a very low-probability “I think.”
If I hadn’t acquired Lombardia, I probably wouldn’t have pushed forward.
My past self would have first sought the best way to survive, and for that, I would have turned a blind eye to the tragedy of the elves.
I still believe that was not a wrong choice.
Thinking of sacrificing oneself to save others is not how a normal person lives.
So why, then, am I not doing that now?
It’s difficult to put into words the answer to that.
I believe sacrificing oneself for others, for the world, is a foolish thing.
Furthermore, involving my precious wives is utterly unthinkable.
But on the other hand, if I, who have been blessed with a far superior situation than ordinary people, were to flee now, I feel *I* would regret it.
I would recall abandoning the elves I could have saved while idly living my days with my wives.
If I continued to make such decisions, I would become increasingly cowardly and might even develop a habit of running away from minor dangers.
To avoid that—
Not for anyone else’s sake, but for my own.
I believe that within the scope of what I can accept, it’s better to occasionally play the hero to live my life with my head held high.
If I have more than I can handle, I should do as I please with helping others or engaging in charity.
I believe my “senior” said something like that.
So—
“—Well, to put it simply, it’s my selfishness. I’m a good-for-nothing husband trying to be selfish while involving my wives.”
‘…My lord. I still believe you have the makings of a hero.’
“Do I? I don’t really know, but it’s a difference in perspective.”
While having such a conversation, we continued to advance through the forest, heading towards the dragon’s dwelling.
Even with lingering anxieties about possibilities like the dragon flying towards the elf village at this very moment, there’s no point in overthinking everything.
It’s about steadfastly doing what I believe is best right now.
If luck is on my side, the results will follow.
