At the foothills of Dragon Peak, we live, as a father.
Listea’s guidance was perfect, just as expected of a rare hero.
She led us past the Dragon Forest, avoiding the eyes of adventurers gathered around the ancient ruins, and accurately navigated us through the deserted streets of the capital to my family home.
Slaton also thoughtfully ran ahead.
First, he rushed to my family home to announce our sudden arrival. Then, he apparently went to the Royal Castle to speak with the King and Sefina’s mother.
“Don’t you think it’s better if His Majesty the King comes to you rather than you going to the Royal Castle? Is it disrespectful? You’re in a higher position in many ways, so don’t worry about it. If you call it a social gathering between the royal family and the Ys family, your presence won’t be known to anyone outside of those involved,” Slaton said, taking on the troublesome task himself.
Certainly, extending the journey from my family home to the Royal Castle would increase the risk of being seen by someone. In that regard, if we followed Slaton’s proposal, we would simply wait for the King and Queen at my family home.
However, well… It’s quite awkward to summon the parents of one’s future wife, especially royalty of a kingdom, at our convenience!
In any case, with the cooperation of Listea and Slaton, we were able to safely reach my family home.
“I’m home, Father, Mother!”
By the time we arrived home, the sun had already set beyond the ridgeline of Dragon Peak, and the night was deep. Nevertheless, my father and mother welcomed us back with smiles.
“You certainly are…”
My mother appeared at the entrance, looking at me with a troubled expression, and then embraced me. I embraced my mother back. For me, whose body has stopped growing at fifteen years old, my mother will always be a tall person. From her perspective, I’m probably still a child.
“Elnea, welcome home.”
My father stood a step away, as if watching my mother and me embrace. It’s typical of him, always quiet, yet always thinking of my mother, me, and everyone around us. Other people, like Karen and the mansion staff, also appeared at the entrance and welcomed us.
“I heard from Slaton-kun, who came ahead of us, why you’ve returned.”
Satisfied with the embrace, my mother released me. A slight tear was forming in the corner of her eye, and I felt the same. After all, seeing one’s parents again after a long time brings forth a rush of nostalgia.
My mother urged us to move. We needed to go to a place suitable for the important discussion that was about to take place.
Led by my father and mother, we moved to the magnificent reception room. Sefina and Madrine, walking beside me, seemed unusually tense, and there was no lighthearted banter as usual.
The lights, lit in anticipation of our return, illuminated the long corridor. My family home is still as luxurious as ever. Before my departure at age fourteen, we were not a wealthy family, but our circumstances have changed dramatically. I wonder if my parents are satisfied with this new life? Are they inwardly perplexed by me, whose appearance has not changed since I left? Do they find it strange that we, who were widely publicized as messengers of the Dragon God, are still so young?
I also moved to the reception room, my thoughts filled with a different sentiment than Sefina’s and Madrine’s.
“Well, though I want to talk with you about various things now that you’ve returned after a long time… let’s first get to the most important topic. By the way, you… with the third princess and the Head Miko of the Yorttenitos Kingdom?”
Only my father and mother, me, Sefina, Madrine, and Karen entered the reception room. Listea, who accompanied us to the mansion, thoughtfully waited in another room. My father, looking at Sefina and Madrine with a complex expression, entered the reception room. Next to him, my mother looked at me with the gaze of a problematic child.
“Ahem, Father, Mother. We have an important report to make, which is why we’ve returned.”
I stood by Sefina and Madrine, who were nervous, and introduced them.
“I will be taking Sefina and Madrine as my new wives!”
Sefina and Madrine bowed deeply.
“I am Sefina, and I have joined the Ys family as a new member.”
“Though I am unworthy, I will marry Elnea-kun. Please forgive our sudden visit and announcement today.”
The fact that I, Sefina, and Madrine were in a public relationship was already known to many people. Therefore, my father and mother were not surprised by this news. Still, I’ve caused them trouble with this sudden greeting. I also bowed along with Madrine after her greeting and apologized to my parents.
“Oh my, oh my, please don’t feel obliged to bow to princesses and the Head Miko. More importantly, are you sure you’re okay with our son?”
My mother, like an ordinary citizen, looked troubled by the situation of having people of high status bow to her, rather than by the greetings from Sefina and Madrine. Nevertheless, she confirmed with me. Sefina and Madrine nodded at my mother’s question with beaming smiles.
“I have no one but Elnea-kun.”
“I believe that being united with Elnea-kun is the most joyous gift from the Goddess.”
My mother was so moved by Sefina and Madrine’s words that she shed tears of joy.
“To think that there are so many women who love my son. You must make them happy, you hear?”
“Yes, of course!”
I was so happy that my mother was delighted by our marriage that I couldn’t help but shed tears. Karen also cried tears of joy.
However, my father directed a stern gaze at me.
“Elnea.”
Called by my father, I straightened my posture. My father’s serious presence naturally made me do so. My father looked at me directly.
“I am delighted and proud that the princesses and the Head Miko have chosen you. Of course, I have absolutely no objection to that. …However, Elnea.”
My father’s gaze, more serious than I had ever seen it, deeply pierced my frivolous heart. And then, the words that followed shocked me to the core.
“Are you not consumed by desire right now?”
My father’s fists were clenched tightly.
“I am happy that you are praised as a savior or a hero. I know that you are loved by many women, and that you sincerely respond to them. But, have you not developed desires from that?”
My father is usually a man of few words. For him to look straight at me and speak with such tension that his fists tremble… The tears in my eyes had long since dried, and my frivolous heart froze in an instant.
“As your father, I feel responsible right now. That’s why I must ask. Are you not consumed by desire? Have you not entangled the princesses and the Head Miko in your desires?”
The “desire” my father speaks of is related to women, isn’t it? I already have five wives, and I am accepting Sefina and Madrine as new additions. My father seems to approve of this marriage, but at the same time, he is worried about the future. I, who have taken many women as wives in a short period of time. What will happen from now on?
We, who have become messengers of the Dragon God and beings beyond human comprehension. Although we haven’t explained it properly yet, those with keen senses who noticed the incongruity of our unchanging appearances must have realized the matter of our lifespan. This includes my father, of course.
My father is worried. He fears that I, who have no lifespan, will continue to pursue women without limit. That I will be consumed by desire and lose my principles.
We have had numerous discussions as a family, and we are proud of the answer we have reached after overcoming severe trials. However, when a third party unaware of these circumstances objectively looks at my family, and especially at my own actions. My rapid acquisition of many wives can be seen as me indiscriminately pursuing women; this is what my father’s strict指摘 made me realize.
Of course, that’s not the case! I haven’t indiscriminately pursued anyone, nor have I taken wives due to lust! I have no doubt that I am bound by love, not lust, to Mistral, Ruiseine, Laira, Yufilia, Nina, and now Sefina and Madrine.
However, I was so shocked by my father directly questioning me that I became speechless. My father, interpreting this as an admission of my guilt, grew stern. Sefina and Madrine came to my rescue.
“Father-in-law, that’s not true. This marriage was something we strongly pushed for. At first, Yufi-sama and Nina-sama were strongly opposed. Still, Elnea-kun accepted my unyielding desire. Elnea-kun is rather a benefactor who saved me.”
“As I am a priestess, I must undergo a trial from the Goddess when I newly marry a man who has already married multiple women. However, Elnea-kun has already overcome a trial with Ruiseine once.”
Then, what about the new trial from the Goddess? The problem that stood before Madrine was harsh even before undergoing the trial. Nevertheless, Madrine, with advice from the former Head Miko of the Yorttenitos Kingdom and others, set the trial from the Goddess.
“Mistral-san and the others who married early were, in fact, already messengers of the Dragon God. Therefore, Elnea-kun told me, ‘I will absolutely not marry you unless you and Sefina-san reach the same high status as messengers of the Dragon God.’ He told me to give up and return to my proper life if I thought it was impossible.”
“Where is Elnea-kun’s desire in a marriage that was finally approved by Mistral-san and the others after overcoming the strong opposition of our sisters?”
“Where is my selfish desire in Elnea-kun, who firmly told me that he would absolutely not marry me unless I could overcome the Goddess’s trial?”
As I listened to Sefina and Madrine’s words, the tension in my father’s tightly clenched fist began to loosen. Then, my father nodded briefly in understanding, saying, “I see,” and looked at me again.
“Elnea, I apologize for doubting you. However, as your father, I felt I had to correct you if you were walking the wrong path.”
My father bowed deeply to me. I embraced him tightly.
“No, it’s fine. I’m very happy that I can still feel you getting angry with me without reservation. Father, you are a wonderful father who will always be my goal. Well, I was a little shocked, though?”
I apologized to the two of them, saying that because of that, I ended up relying on Sefina and Madrine when I should have been the one making my case. Sefina and Madrine then hugged me.
“What are you saying? It’s only natural for a married couple to help each other!”
“As Sefina-san says. Let’s support each other and be happy from now on, okay?”
“Yes. I will definitely make everyone happy!”
In the end, my mother and Karen joined in, and everyone in the reception room cried and hugged each other.
Actually, I should have been the one to be more composed. The greetings Sefina and Madrine gave to my parents were marked by their kindness and reliability. But that’s fine. I am still immature, so I will firmly engrave in my heart that I can only become a full-fledged person with the support of older women.
And after everyone had shared their tears and joy, and exchanged some pleasantries. When the conversation settled down, we left the reception room. Now it’s my turn to greet Sefina’s parents. As I stepped into the corridor with renewed determination, something none of us had anticipated occurred.
“Listea, I don’t want to see such a weak-willed hero!”
“Slaton, what would be left of you if you lost your brute courage?”
At the end of the corridor, we saw a sight. Listea and Slaton, looking troubled and being scolded by Cerise-chan and Creacio.
“What happened!?”
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