We live in the foothills of Dragon Peak.
The activity guidelines for the Hero and his entourage.
“Cerise-chan, Creacio, calm down. Everyone, can you tell me what happened?”
I rushed in to mediate the dispute within the Hero’s entourage.
It wasn’t just the four of them arguing at the end of the corridor.
Kiiri, Ristea’s wife, as well as Inea and Naimi, were also there, and all of them were directing their anger towards Ristea and Slaton.
I inserted myself between Cerise-chan and Creacio, who seemed to be the most furious, and Ristea and Slaton, who were bewildered by their scolding.
Sefina and Madrine also joined me, and for the time being, we moved the four of them into a nearby empty room.
While Karen quickly prepared warm drinks, we listened to the details of the situation.
“Slaton went to the royal castle, returned home, and then informed us that Elnea-kun had returned.”
Creacio was the first to speak.
She told me about what happened after Slaton, who had rushed to my family home.
It seemed Slaton had gone to the royal castle as planned. Then, to inform me and Cerise-chan about our situation, he had also gone to his own home and Ristea’s home.
“It was late at night, but we wanted to see Elnea-kun, so we came to visit.”
The King and Queen had not yet arrived at my family home.
It was sudden news, you see. Royalty requires considerable preparation and arrangements, so they can’t move easily.
However, Cerise-chan and Creacio, though pregnant, were more mobile than the King and Queen. They could move quickly.
Surely Cerise-chan and Creacio must have wanted to see me, taking advantage of the short time before the royal family arrived at my house.
“However, we heard it in the carriage on the way.”
We couldn’t make a pregnant woman walk a long distance. Besides, if the Hero’s entourage walked through the capital city, it would cause a commotion even at night. So, Cerise-chan and the others apparently came by carriage.
However, it seems a problem occurred on the way.
“I heard it from that foolish Slaton. About the events that transpired between Elnea-kun and the Dragon Forest.”
Creacio glared at Slaton as she said this.
Slaton froze like a frog stared down by a snake, silently pleading with me for help.
“Uh, our events, you say? Are you referring to the demon incident?”
I explained that it was Lily’s fault, but Cerise-chan denied it, saying, “That’s not the story.”
Then Cerise-chan also cast a stern gaze at her husband, Ristea.
“Elnea-kun seems to be getting involved in various troubles as usual, doesn’t he? And this time, it’s about the Demon Lord incident?”
“Ah!”
“I appreciate Elnea-kun’s consideration. Caring about me and Cerise, just as expected from a messenger of the Dragon God, aren’t you?”
“Uh…”
Cerise-chan and Creacio turned their usual gentle smiles towards me, but for some reason, they directed stern gazes at their beloved husbands.
I somehow understood the reason and felt sorry for Ristea and Slaton.
It was because I let slip a word.
Slaton had apparently told everyone in the Hero’s entourage about our conversation in the Dragon Forest.
I didn’t think it would be a problem for Slaton and Ristea to tell their families about the Mad Abyss Demon Lord.
After all, I trusted everyone in the Hero’s entourage.
So, I didn’t see any particular issue with Slaton telling Creacio and the others.
However, it seemed that men and women like Cerise-chan had different perspectives on the Mad Abyss Demon Lord incident.
“We, Creacio, and Kiiri and the others don’t want to see cowardly Heroes and their partners.”
Cerise-chan stated this frankly to her husband, Ristea.
“I am happy that you worry about me and Creacio. But I hate Heroes who use us as an excuse to only take on small adventures or easy requests.”
“B-but, Cerise…”
Ristea, looking troubled, was about to say something, but Cerise-chan stopped him with a hand gesture.
“Ristea. We understand what you are about to say. But that is excessive consideration on your part.”
Ristea and Slaton had been trying to support Cerise-chan and Creacio mentally by staying close to them, knowing they were pregnant.
However, Cerise-chan declared that this was precisely excessive consideration.
“Then, what are you going to do? If Kiiri, Inea, or Naimi gets pregnant next, will you refrain from acting?”
“If I get pregnant with our second child, will Slaton stop going on adventures again?”
“Th-that…”
Under Creacio’s stern gaze, Slaton faltered.
“If you were to refrain from acting every time I, Cerise, or anyone else gets pregnant. Then, when exactly will you return to your activities as the Hero and partner?”
At Creacio’s words, even Ristea inhaled sharply. Oh.
“I, Cerise, and everyone else want Ristea and Slaton to act appropriately as the Hero and partner. Yet, knowing about the Demon Lord, are you going to pretend not to see it, using us as an excuse?”
“Even if it’s a problem for another race or another country, is it okay to leave it as a Hero? I don’t think someone like that is a Hero.”
Berated by Cerise-chan and Creacio, Ristea and Slaton lowered their gazes to the floor.
I can understand Cerise-chan and Creacio’s points.
While Slaton only has one wife, Creacio, Ristea has three other wives. If any of them were to get pregnant, or if Ristea and Slaton refrained from action every time a second or third child was conceived, it would certainly interfere with their activities as Heroes.
But, even so, I felt it was unreasonable for Ristea and Slaton to be attacked unilaterally.
After all, I was the one who caused the original problem.
“Wait a minute. The Mad Abyss Demon Lord incident, that’s my fault. I accidentally let it slip. If I hadn’t said unnecessary things, Ristea and Slaton wouldn’t have known. Besides, they really worried about Cerise-chan and Creacio…”
“No, Elnea-kun. That’s not it. Regardless of the circumstances, once you know, Ristea is expected to have the resolve and actions befitting a Hero.”
“Slaton, you also need to be aware of your role as Ristea’s right-hand man. And yet, don’t you think?”
Slaton, glared at by Creacio, became very small.
“You’ll eventually become the Dragon King? Participate in next year’s Dragon Race warrior trials? Saying that with your current lack of discipline, it sounds like a child boasting, Slaton? If you’re frustrated by falling behind Elnea-kun, try to learn from Elnea-kun’s actions and grow!”
“Ugh…”
“Ristea, you too. Elnea-kun’s name will be deeply etched in history. As his close friend, we want your name to be remembered in the future. Therefore, we don’t want you to refrain from your activities as a Hero because of us.”
“Ah, ah…”
Ristea, too, was chastened like a child in front of Cerise-chan.
And I, responsible for getting Ristea and Slaton involved, had a heavy heart.
“I’m sorry, Ristea, Slaton.”
When I apologized, Ristea shook his head slightly.
“No… We were the ones who were wrong. That’s right. Cerise is my wife, and Creacio is Slaton’s wife. Therefore, they are not weak women for us to worry about. What we should do is achieve great feats that our children can boast about and inspire Cerise and the others.”
“Tch. I can’t believe I misjudged Creacio’s feelings. You don’t want to see a meek me, do you? I was loved for my foolishness, so if I were to become normal, it would be natural for you to lose interest!”
“No, I don’t dislike the foolish Slaton?” Creacio retorted without missing a beat, making Slaton’s face twitch.
But then Naimi and the others started laughing, and the mood finally lightened.
“Honestly. It always ends up in ridiculous situations when Elnea gets involved.”
“F-for once, I’m sorry, Ristea.”
“Apologize to me too!”
“Creacio, don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Slaton!”
“It’s reassuring to leave it to Elnea-kun.”
“Hey, you guys!”
Slaton seemed to be gradually returning to his usual self, chasing me around raising his fists.
Of course, I hid behind Sefina!
“Fufufu, it’s good, isn’t it? I also agree with Cerise and Creacio’s opinion. If one of us were to get pregnant, and Elnea-kun were to act in small, uncharacteristic ways, I would slap his backside and throw him out of the mansion.”
“Waaah, Sefina!?”
“That’s right. If Elnea-kun becomes normal, it won’t be interesting, so at that time, I’ll ask the Goddess for difficult trials.”
“Madrine, too!”
I actually want to live a mundane and peaceful life, you know?
But my wives apparently don’t want to see a meek me!
It’s bothersome, isn’t it?
“A-anyway… Then, is it alright if Ristea and Slaton participate as well?”
When I asked, it wasn’t them but Cerise-chan and Creacio who nodded vigorously.
“What a drag.”
“If that’s the case, I’ll make my name famous even in the Demon Race’s country!”
Ristea, the exceptional Hero, and his partner Slaton, are able to switch their minds instantly once the guidelines are decided.
Creacio finally smiled happily at Slaton, who showed his enthusiasm with full spirit.
Cerise-chan also turned her usual charming smile towards Ristea.
And then, they said something terrifying!
“Ristea and Slaton, you are also forbidden from bringing your beloved weapons to the Demon Race’s country!”
“…”
At this sudden statement, Ristea and Slaton froze instantly.
“Because it’s like that, isn’t it? Elnea-kun is also sealing his beloved weapons and Dragon Arts to keep his true identity hidden when he goes, right? We don’t know how well-known your names are in the Demon Race’s country, but if you were to swing your holy sword, high-ranking demons would immediately discover you.”
“N-no, no, no, no, Cerise!?”
“Oh, oh, oh, oh!”
Slaton looked at his beloved wife with a twitching face, thinking, “You’re lying, right?”
Creacio smiled.
“Your Curse Power Sword is just a long sword without my curse magic, so there should be no problem leaving it behind, right?”
“It’s not about whether there’s a problem or not…”
To Slaton and Ristea, who were bewildered, I could only offer a small bit of help.
“By chance, the Cat Duke and the Puppet King are staying at my mansion. I’ll ask Astel to take care of their weapons, okay?”
“W-wait a minute, Elnea!”
“Cat Duke, you mean that selfish Primogenitor Race person!?”
“Please, spare us from that.”
Everyone laughed at Ristea and Slaton’s perfectly synchronized screams.
It seems the impression from the journey to revive the holy sword and their battle against the Demon King was very strong.
But rest assured!
I believe Astel will prepare magnificent weapons to replace the holy sword and Curse Power Sword!!
…Although, with a strange curse as a bonus, or the Puppet King’s pranks included when you receive them?
Clicking the heart allows you to easily convey your support. (Login required)
Support
If you have an account, log in.
Learn more about the reading experience on Kakuyomu.
