Today, Prim and I came to check on the development status of Olden Island and the condition of the labyrinth.
The Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House has already been completed, and the construction of a town centered around it has begun. However, it is still only the size of a village.
Despite this, there are many hunters due to the presence of a labyrinth and monsters that are easy to earn from, and guilds, including the Hunter’s Guild, have erected grand buildings.
It still feels a bit detached, but I’m sure it will blend in eventually.
Ah, we cleared the labyrinth two months ago, so there’s no need to worry about labyrinth floods or expulsions.
The town has been named “Ortensia,” so the labyrinth is now called the “Ortensia Labyrinth.”
“Ortensia” means hydrangea in Spanish, and since Prim’s family name, Hydrangea, also means hydrangea in English, I felt there was no other name possible.
By the way, the Twin Islands have also been named. The larger islet with the labyrinth is named Mail Island, and the smaller islet with the pond and forest is named Fille Island.
Mail and Fille are French words meaning “mother” and “daughter,” respectively.
This is because we applied the relationship between Apricot and Prim to the islands, and it also applies to Prim and Tsubaki, so in a sense, it could be considered a double meaning.
“It’s been a while since development started, and yet so much is already done.”
“It’s really fast, isn’t it? It’s still a village, or rather, a little larger. I think it’s progressing this quickly precisely because of the labyrinth.”
The labyrinth had a total of 30 floors, and the guardian was an O-C Rank Monster, Salamander. However, the Salamander is just one step before Surtr, whom we defeated previously, and we have experience defeating the Catastrophe Species Dragoon multiple times, so I don’t recall having any particular difficulty defeating it.
By clearing it, the Ortensia Labyrinth will no longer cause labyrinth floods or expulsions, allowing Crafters to work with peace of mind. This is likely why the development speed has been so fast.
“It was worth clearing it.”
“It was necessary. Well, that’s why other labyrinths have also been cleared in the last six months.”
“Indeed, we also cleared the Gagun Labyrinth and the Enigma Labyrinth, didn’t we?”
“Both were troublesome.”
“They were.”
Over the past six months, more than 10 labyrinths have been cleared, and we ourselves have cleared three: the Ortensia Labyrinth, the Gagun Labyrinth, and the Enigma Labyrinth.
The Gagun Labyrinth was given high priority for clearing, partly because Neige, my wife, is also from there and bore our son Kazuma. We cleared it four months ago.
Since the Enigma Labyrinth is close to Olden Island, and considering the fact that Nidh resided there, we cleared it for safety.
The guardian of the Gagun Labyrinth was the A-C Rank Monster Imperial Moth, and the guardian of the Enigma Labyrinth, with its 46 floors, was the O-C Rank Monster Vouivre, I believe.
The Enigma Labyrinth is said to have been born over 200 years ago, so I was surprised that its guardian was a Dark attribute Catastrophe Species Dragoon.
However, by clearing both, labyrinth floods and expulsions will no longer occur, and I believe the safety of the Nadal Sea and the Vald Beast Duchy has been secured.
“There are still many unexplored labyrinths, but they’ve decreased considerably.”
“True. While there are still lingering concerns, the issues regarding the advance into Abaricia have also reduced. The remaining task is to defeat the Divine Emperor as quickly as possible.”
There are still over 10 unexplored labyrinths on the Philia Continent.
Plans are in place to clear these labyrinths as well, but their urgency and importance are not particularly high, so they will likely be postponed unless something critical arises.
Well, as long as Hunters voluntarily enter and clear them, there’s no problem.
“That, and the Demise Species are also a problem. Apart from us, only Rex and the others have exterminated them.”
“Well, that’s true, but we and Rex and the others have exterminated the high-priority Demise Species, so there’s no urgent need to rush this either.”
As Prim said, apart from us from the Wing Crest, only Grand Order’s Master Rex and his wife have successfully exterminated Demise Species.
A significant reason for this is the lack of confidence in their ability to exterminate them, but there’s also the reason of not wanting to provoke the Demise Species that inhabit areas far from human settlements.
There were two Demise Species that inhabited areas close to human settlements, and we and Rex and the others defeated them respectively. As for the rest, the current plan is not to engage them unless they appear near human settlements.
“I understand the strategy of not provoking them and focusing on interception, but given who they are, if the nearest town or village were attacked, it would be destroyed in an instant. I don’t think you’re abandoning them, but what’s the plan?”
“Did I not tell you? We have several Ancient Ritters capable of using Traveling standing by, and the plan is to use that for messengers and reinforcements if necessary.”
I understand Prim’s concern, so the Order’s Guild has dispatched at least three Ancient Orders to each location to strengthen surveillance, and the relevant Ritter’s Guilds have also increased the number of High Ritters. Therefore, I don’t think we’ll be unilaterally defeated even by Demise Species.
“I think I’ve heard something about that.”
“After that, Tsubaki threw a tantrum, so you probably just brushed it off. I think it’s understandable.”
“It’s good that she’s energetic, but it’s difficult when she doesn’t listen to what you say.”
“It’s even more so because there are some days when we can’t pay attention to them.”
I try my best to take care of our children, not just Tsubaki, but since we often have to be away for several days due to labyrinth conquests, I feel apologetic about it.
That’s why I always make sure to interact with them before they sleep, though I sometimes feel it’s not enough.
“That’s the nature of things. That’s why we always make sure to spend time with our children, but that makes me worry if they’ll grow up to be spoiled because of it.”
“Ah, that might be the case.”
Prim and I are often away from home during the day due to our work. Our children are primarily looked after by Lumina and the other Butlers, and Lumina’s daughter, Yunie. Yunie, in particular, enthusiastically takes care of them as an older sister, which is a great help to us.
Fina, Ed’s wife, and Camellia also help out a lot with their own children, which is a great relief for us as well.
Camellia, in particular, recently gave birth to Ed’s firstborn son, Jin, a Human, and also serves as a wet nurse for Asahi, who was born to Meena, making her incredibly helpful.
However, on the other hand, the Butlers are not just kind but also strict with the children, which sometimes scares them.
That’s why we tend to spoil them, but if that causes them to grow up arrogant, it would be unbearable. Therefore, on days off, it is necessary to properly engage with the children and sometimes scold them.
“Even so, we probably won’t have time until we defeat the Divine Emperor.”
“You’re probably right. If it were only a problem on the Philia Continent, it would be troublesome, but we wouldn’t need to worry this much.”
I couldn’t agree more.
The issue of unexplored labyrinths and the issue of Demise Species are both troublesome, but if it were just those, while not easy, they wouldn’t be impossible to deal with.
However, the problems of the Gradia Continent are also compounded here, which keeps us busy every day and makes it difficult to spend time with our children.
I often heard this in my previous world, “I’m too busy with work to raise children,” but I never thought I’d find myself in that situation.
“As I said before, among nobles, it wasn’t uncommon to leave childcare entirely to the Butlers. After the establishment of the Federation Heavenly Empire, it became encouraged for parents to be involved in childcare, though not strictly prohibited. However, I’ve heard that in Valentia, parts of the Baliente region, and the Solenne region, there are still nobles who completely delegate the task.”
“I’ve heard that, but I want to be involved in raising my children as much as possible.”
I often hear stories in tales about nobles completely delegating childcare, and I recall some leading to family feuds.
My children are destined to inherit great houses: my eldest daughter Saki will inherit the Lapislazurite Heavenly Noble House, my eldest son Asuma the Marquis Amatista family, my second daughter Tsubaki the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House, my third daughter Mizuki the Florlagna Barony, and my second son Kazuma the Vald Beast Duke family. Therefore, it can be said that we are safe from family feuds.
Only my fourth daughter, Asahi, seems a bit out of sorts. Her mother, Meena, is currently busy with the development of the Count Fallheight Territory and is also acting as a proxy for her brother Rex. So, she might become the governor of the Count Fallheight Territory in the future.
“Childcare is a woman’s job, but if Yamato wants to do it, I won’t stop him. A father’s role is also important.”
“With so many wives, you’re prioritizing dealing with them over the children, aren’t you? The common sense is different because it’s a different world, but I can’t get used to this.”
In Earth, fathers who don’t participate in childcare are criticized, but in the polygamist Helios Orb, childcare is considered the mother’s job, and the father should prioritize attending to his multiple wives.
Since there are multiple wives, childcare can be shared, and it’s said that a husband cherishing his wives is the secret to a harmonious marriage and family. Therefore, fathers rarely get involved in childcare.
However, once the children are a certain age, they will start seeking out their father, so involvement begins from then.
However, regarding childcare, even if the number of wives is debatable, it’s still not readily accepted.
As for the wives, well, I can simply say I had a harem wish, but when it comes to childcare, it’s not that simple.
I was the youngest, including my relatives, and both my parents and relatives, as well as acquaintances, were strict people, so I was raised without being spoiled.
Well, they did pamper me occasionally, and for my New Year’s money and birthdays, not only my grandparents but also my parents’ closest friends never failed to prepare something every year.
That’s not to say it’s the only reason, but I want to raise my children strictly, while also pampering them.
“I understand. That’s why we won’t oppose it, and we think it’s the right thing to do. Considering your father and mother’s circumstances as well.”
“Thanks.”
“On that note, since it’s been a while since we’ve been alone together, let’s forget about the children for a while and enjoy our date.”
“It’s for work, though. But it’s definitely been a while, and it’s just an inspection, so I suppose there is time to enjoy a date.”
I only get to spend time alone with my wives about once every two to three months.
While my busyness is a reason, with 12 wives and 7 concubines, it’s difficult to find time.
That’s why the saying goes that a husband should prioritize caring for his wives over childcare. However, with 19 women, it’s extremely challenging to coordinate schedules, and on top of that, childcare would lead to overwork exhaustion.
No, that’s my responsibility, so I will make time and since it’s been a month since I’ve been with Prim, even if it’s blurring the lines between public and private, I intend to enjoy our date today.
Unlike in my previous world, this is not only tolerated but encouraged, which is a great help.
“Alright, then.”
“Huh? Ah!”
“Is that not okay?”
“It’s, it’s fine, but… it feels a bit embarrassing.”
“Even though I initiated it, I feel the same way.”
When going on dates, women often link their arms with men, but this time, we held hands, intertwining our fingers.
It’s what’s called a “lover’s grip,” which I often do on dates or in bed. However, this is actually the first time I’ve walked through town like this with Prim.
In Helios Orb, the lover’s grip is common, but Prim is also shy, so when we go on dates in town, she always links arms with me.
But I’ve always wanted to walk through town in a lover’s grip with Prim at least once, so today I decided to take the initiative and have her do it.
However, since it’s the first time with Prim, not only she but I also feel a little embarrassed.
But for me, this is a moment where a long-held wish has come true in a way, so I’m also happy.
Since we’re here, I intend to keep it this way for today.
