Keiga, who had cornered Piyo by the cliff, was delivered the finishing blow.
Looking around again, the village was in a terrible state. Perhaps due to the surprise attack, there were many injured, and the buildings’ doors had been broken down by brute force. Pauline rushed over to us as we returned.
“Are you all right? What happened? What about that person?”
“Piyo took care of the bad guys!”
Piyo said with a bright smile. Pauline smiled with relief upon seeing this.
“It’s quite severe. How much damage is there?”
At my question, Pauline’s expression turned serious.
“The people who were captured are safe, but most of those who participated in the battle are injured. Some have even lost their lives…”
Hearing this, I remembered the Dark Harpy man I had met first. Surely his family must have been captured in one of those huts.
We had won the battle, but not a single soul rejoiced. It was a meaningless fight caused by one arrogant man. The friendly relations between races, built over a long time, had crumbled to dust in an instant.
“It can’t be helped. For the time being, let’s clean up the mess. Then we’ll have to repair the houses too, so we can return as soon as possible.”
As we started to move our heavy feet to begin the work, a voice from behind stopped us. Turning around, we saw Dalco, the leader of the Dark Harpies, standing there with his subordinates.
“I apologize for stopping you, but I wanted to express my gratitude. I wish I had something to give you, but as you can see, the village is in ruins. However, I can’t just leave it at that.”
“No, not at all, well, let me see…”
As I was about to refuse, I suddenly remembered the Dark Elf. Perhaps they might know something.
“Do you know that Dark Elf? We’ve been chasing after them, and if it’s okay, we have something we’d like to ask.”
“What is it? Go ahead and tell me.”
Just as I was about to ask about the letter and Another World, the Dark Harpy woman, for some reason, interrupted.
“Ah, no, no! His goal is to gather women and create his own harem. Look, see? Aren’t all his companions women?”
Dalco, I, and my companions were all bewildered by this sudden turn of events.
“What are you talking about? I’m not like that.”
As I was about to say that, she hit my leg with her long tail.
“This guy, ah! This person is trying to create his own country by gathering strong and beautiful women. He says his next target is the Dark Elves, and he’ll probably demand one woman from this village too.”
The leader of the Dark Harpies and his compatriots exchanged glances, their brows furrowed. Suddenly, I had fallen from hero to slave merchant. But she wouldn’t do something so ridiculous without a reason. For the time being, I decided to go along with her pace.
“Yes, that’s right… I’m going to become the Harem King, hahaha…”
“No, well, who do you want? I hope you find someone you fancy.”
An immense chill ran down my spine from behind.
“Therefore, I shall nominate myself as that woman.”
From the quiet rear, a voice exclaimed, “Eh?!”
“Ah, I see. Adventurer, no, Harem King. Is that acceptable?”
Dalco looked tired, as if he didn’t care anymore.
“Yes, of course.”
And I had no choice but to answer like this.
