While I was still holding the three of them close, my eyes met Shiro’s.
She turned away with a small sigh.
「Haa… Shiro will deal with that one」
「Ehh, … Shiro-san, that’s technically my prey, you know?」
「Hayato will destroy all, so no. Shiro will cause less damage. Easy clean cut」
Uh… I appreciate you trying to be considerate, but could you not ruin the mood right now?
Shiro must have had a rough time too, so she doesn’t need to push herself.
And Hayato, you just keep quiet for a bit!
Troublemakers, the lot of them, trying to ruin a heartfelt reunion.
Fortunately, it didn’t seem like the three in my arms heard their conversation, and the tight embrace around me didn’t loosen.
Honestly though… it was a little hard to breathe.
When they finally let go, I looked at their faces again, and for some reason, I felt a little embarrassed.
Maybe it was because I could feel the atmosphere they were giving off, and it was getting to me.
The three exchanged glances, nodded once, and then Sorte took a step forward.
「Suu… haa…」
She took a very obvious deep breath, looked up at me, then for some reason quickly turned her face away.
「Sorte, what’re you doingssu!?」
「Uuugh, shut up! When it comes down to it, I get a little scared!」
「Scaredy-cat! Coward! You can’t talk about master nowssu!」
「Sorte, I understand that feeling, but this is the reason we came back, isn’t it?」
「It is, but… when I’m right in front of him, I get all nervous…」
「Then should we change the orderssu?」
「Uuuu… no. I’ll say it… properly…」
「Hahaha」
Watching their exchange, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
「What’s so funny, my lord! You’re thinking we look ridiculous, aren’t you!?」
「Nah. I was just thinking… you three really are important to me」
That feeling.
Yeah, my life really does need the three of them in it.
「…Don’t say things like that before I do」
「My bad, my bad. But it just came to mind, y’know」
「Jeez… Hey, you remember what I told you before we left for the quest, right?」
「Yeah. Of course」
There’s no way I could have forgotten.
Relaxing a little, Sorte now met my eyes without looking away.
「So… um… there’s something I want my lord to hear」
Her face was flushed and tense in a way I’d never seen before.
That alone told me how serious what she wanted to say was.
So I stayed silent and listened.
「First of all, I’m sorry. Back when we first met, I said a lot of awful things and did awful things to you. I’m sorry」
Back when we first met, Sorte would bite back at me over every little thing and throw sharp words my way.
But to me, it felt more like dealing with a mischievous friend, and it wasn’t as if she had ever done anything that truly harmed me.
「And during the Renge incident… I’m sorry I caused you to get hurt because of me」
I know full well that what happened with Renge wasn’t intentional.
She acted because she couldn’t bear the thought of being punished and never seeing me again.
「…While we were on the quest, I thought of my lord so many times. In hard moments, when I felt I might break, you came to mind. …Well, there were some strange parts too, but even so, the reason I’m standing here now is because of you」
Strange parts…?
Well… yeah, now’s not the time to interrupt.
「I’m like this… so I might not change easily. I’m not as friendly as Wendy, not as cheerful as Renge, not as beautiful as Aina, and maybe not as cute as Shiro…」
It was rare to hear her speak so self-deprecatingly.
But I had no intention of making any lighthearted remarks.
This was the time to listen to everything she felt and take it all in.
「You might not like someone like me. But even so…」
Tears slipped from Sorte’s eyes.
Yet she didn’t stop, letting her words carry her feelings.
「…Is it okay… if I keep loving you, my lord?」
It wasn’t a smiling confession, it was one spoken through tears.
The drops fell freely, unstoppable.
She had overcome a grueling quest just to say these words.
Telling someone your feelings is never easy.
Especially when it comes to showing them you’re serious.
That’s why, as Sorte kept her eyes locked on mine without ever looking away, I did the same, answering her earnest gaze head-on.
And of course, my answer was already decided.
「Of course it’s okay」
I answered with my whole heart, one hundred percent, and with a smile tinged with a little embarrassment, the complete opposite of Sorte’s expression.
「I love you, Sorte」
「Hmm! I love you too, my lord!」
When I hugged her tightly, Sorte began to cry aloud.
The thought that I had pushed her this far made my chest tighten, but I held her even more firmly, determined never to let her feel this way again.
「My lord… I love you」
「Yeah, I know」
I love Sorte for her sharp tongue, her short temper, her complex about her height, her loyalty to her friends, her strong will, her tendency to cry, and for being the most maiden-like of all.
When I gently let go of her, Sorte’s eyes were even redder than before.
But the tears that had been flowing stopped, and her face transformed into the most beautiful smile I had ever seen, one that made me fall for her all over again.
「Ehehe, I said it」
「And I heard it」
「You’d better be ready! A wolf never lets its prey escape!」
Leaving that line behind, she quickly ran back to the other two and hugged them as well.
「Uu… I managed to say it…」
Aina and Renge hugged Sorte in return, offering her words of comfort.
「Ah, I heard you loud and clear」
「You did greatssu!」
「Yeah. Yeah!」
「Alright, next is Aina-ssu」
「Me…? Th-then, I shall g-go next」
Aina took a large step forward.
She seemed extremely tense, her movements stiff like a robot.
「Aina, you can do it!」
Sorte clenched her fists with both hands to cheer her on.
Aina turned her head stiffly and gave a small nod.
「M-M-M-My liege!」
「Aina, turn around」
「Eh?」
Alright…
I needed to help her relax.
This was purely to ease her nerves, and I declare it had no deeper meaning.
…Here we go!
「Hyaaaaah! M-My liege!? Where are your hands!? No, wait, how did you even get them in there!? Inside my armor of all places… ah…」
Hahaha. Don’t underestimate high DEX.
Right now, I’m confident I could touch anywhere I want, whether through clothing or armor.
The sight of Aina collapsing weakly to the ground, trembling and glaring up at me with resentment… yeah, that’s good!
「My liege… I am serious about this, you know?」
「I know. But your nerves are gone now, right?」
「That… may be true, but… geez. It’s all out of place now…」
What a lucky bonus! Thank you very much!
Aina removed her shifted armor and stood up.
After a short clearing of her throat, she straightened her posture, regaining her usual serious demeanor.
「Once again, my liege. I’m back」
「Yeah, welcome back. I’m glad everyone’s safe」
「So… I too have something I wish to tell you, my liege」
Aina placed a hand over her chest, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
「First… yes. Like Sorte, I will start with the story of when we first met」
「Yeah, I’ve wanted to talk about that too. Aina, why were you so eager to become my slave right after we met?」
「Well… to explain that, I should first tell you about my dream of becoming a knight」
「A knight?」
「Yeah. Since I was a child, I wanted to be a knight. A loyal knight who would protect the king, advise the king, and safeguard the people. But with my race, that was never possible…」
Aina as a knight… not just fitting, it was a perfect image.
Her race… I suppose knights who serve the king would be scrutinized, even their lineage investigated.
「So I became an adventurer instead. I wanted to protect people not as a knight, but as an adventurer. Even so, I vowed to live with the pride of a knight」
「That’s why you took responsibility for what happened back then, thinking it was your duty…」
So Aina’s seriousness came from that admiration.
Even becoming an adventurer was driven by her wish to protect others, a kindness so very like her.
「Yeah. I intended to take responsibility for my actions. That was all… or so I thought. I never expected you to refuse」
「Well, of course… I had only been in this world for a few days, and suddenly being told to take on a slave… I couldn’t exactly say yes」
「That may be true… but it was still quite a shock, you know. Though perhaps that was what sparked my interest even more」
Her expression now was no longer the tense one from earlier, but one of genuine enjoyment as she spoke about the past.
「I began to think… I want to speak with my liege more. I want to spend more time with my liege. And before I knew it, I was wishing to become my liege’s knight. …It was also then that I realized I was in love with you」
Aina’s face flushed red.
「It was the first time. The first time my chest felt so hot, the first time I felt this restless ache, the first time it hurt when I wanted to speak with you but couldn’t. The first time I wanted to touch you, to stay by your side so badly it hurt… But I don’t have to hold it in anymore, do I?」
「…Yeah. Will you tell me your feelings, Aina?」
Aina knelt down, placed her hand over her chest, and with a very serious expression, declared loudly.
「I, Aina Vermuth, swear eternal loyalty as my liege’s knight!」
And then, Aina continued.
「I truly care for you from the bottom of my heart, my liege. Will you accept these feelings?」
Her sudden confession, accompanied by a radiant smile, made me lose myself in the moment.
Her red hair swayed, and her smile, tinged with the soft pink of spring, reached out to me with an offered hand. It was so beautiful it felt as though my time had stopped.
「… my liege?」
「Ah, sorry. I couldn’t help but stare…」
Without trying to hide it, I simply voiced what I had been thinking.
Her confession was so passionate and beautiful that my mind had momentarily forgotten how to act.
「I… I see. Th-then… thank you. And, your answer, 」
「Of course. The answer’s obvious. I want you to stay by my side, Aina, as my knight… and as the woman I love」
「I see… I’m glad…」
Aina let out a deep breath, relief washing over her as she pressed a hand to her chest.
「But… are you sure about me?」
「It has to be you, my liege. If it’s not you, I don’t want it」
Overcome by a sudden rush of emotion, I pulled her into my arms.
Ah, damn it…! You adorable thing! My beloved!
「M-My liege … you’re holding me a little too tight…」
「Sorry, I got carried away」
I hurriedly let go, but she hugged me again.
「You don’t have to let go of my hands, you know? I already belong to you completely」
「Ah. Then… once more…」
I embraced Aina again.
This time gently, as if to truly feel the warmth she held.
「…My liege. Your heart’s racing」
「Of course it is. I’m holding such a beautiful woman」
「I-I see… So… does that make you happy?」
「Of course it does. How about you, Aina?」
「Y-Yeah… It’s… it’s so wonderful. To be held by the one you love… it makes you this happy」
「Yeah. I feel the same right now」
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Makoto and the other two.
「Aha, uwaaaaaaa……」
「Mika, keep your eyes open! This is a double live confession!」
「Amazing… I feel all warm just watching…」
「Of course! This is the real thing! Genuine! Live, right in front of us!」
The oneesan was bursting with excitement, Mika covered her face with her hands but left plenty of gaps to peek through, and Makoto just stood there, mouth open, frozen in disbelief.
「Fufu, as much as I’d like to linger, someone else is still waiting」
「Yeah… besides, we can do this anytime from now on」
「Anytime… Yes. I’ll be looking forward to it」
Aina let go of my hand and walked toward the other two.
「…Aina, I’m sorry. This is all my fault」
「What are you saying? We’re comrades. That’s why we share both hardship and joy, right?」
「…Yeah. Thank you. You really are the best leader, Aina」
Sorte wiped away the tears that were about to fall again, and Aina gave her a gentle smile.
Once Sorte had regained her composure, the two of them turned toward Renge.
「Alright, next is Renge」
「Do your best!」
「Fu fu fu~. You two were great, but I’m gonna go above and beyondssu!」
So Renge would be the last.
She looked completely confident, but what exactly was she planning?
「Master!」
「O-oh」
What’s with her?
She’s strangely fired up.
「First of all, thank you so much for saving me back thenssu!」
How graceful. She dropped into a dogeza at lightning speed!?
Wait, dogeza isn’t even part of Amatsukuni culture, is it?
Did Renge know about it!?
「Well, that’s fine. You don’t have to, 」
「I figured you’d say that, but I still had to say itssu!」
She seemed to know I had no intention of digging into that incident again.
Even though I preferred her being as bright and lively as she was now, she must have felt it was important to mark the moment and give thanks.
With a gesture, she made it clear, Let’s leave that topic there.
「It might be presumptuous, but I worked really hard this timessu!」
「Yeah, I owe you for what you did in Einzheil too…」
「That’s why I want a rewardssu!」
「A reward…? Well, sure, if it’s something I can do, 」
「Anythingssu? You just said anything, rightssu?」
「Wait, hold on. That suddenly sounds scary. Only if it’s something I can manage!」
That was close.
I almost got caught in the classic “You said you’d do anything, right?” trap…
Never say that carelessly.
「Well, that’s finessu! It’s something only you can do anyway!」
Only I can do…?
What could it be?
It’s probably not alchemy…
Maybe she wants to eat her fill of food from my homeland…? That’s all I can think of, but still…
While I was lost in thought, Renge took a deep breath.
Then she fixed her eyes on me and spoke.
「I love you, master! Saving me was just the start, but when it comes to men, there’s no one else I can even compare to you, I love you that muchssu!」
「Ah, thanks. I…」
「That’s why! I have a requestssu!」
O-o-oh.
That’s… quite the momentum.
I’m getting overwhelmed here.
Renge took another deep breath, long and steady.
Huh? Is it just me, or is her face a little red?
So Renge can get nervous too, huh?
While I was idly thinking that, she dropped a massive bomb.
「I! I want to have a baby with you, master!」
…
For a few seconds, the place fell into complete silence.
「「「「「「「「「「Huh?」」」」」」」」」」
Then, after a slight delay, everyone asked in unison, as if to confirm what she had just said.
But I had heard it clearly.
So,
「Ahahaha. Sure」
「「「「「「「「「「Ehhhhh!?」」」」」」」」」」
This time, everyone shouted in shock together.
Well, it’s something I can do.
In fact, it’s something only I could do.
「I-it’s okayssu?」
「It’s fine. Honestly, I’ve got no reason to say no」
「I’m not oppai, you know!? I mean, I’ve got some, but you’re okay with that!?」
「It’s fine. I like them just the way they are, perfect fit for my hands」
「Other than my thighs… I don’t think I’m your typessu!」
「Your thighs are exceptional, but I never said I didn’t like the rest」
With that, Renge crouched down, curling in on herself.
Huh? What’s wrong?
Then she suddenly jumped high into the air.
「Y-y-yes! I got a promisessu!」
「Wait, Renge!」
「Not waitingssu! Yay!」
「Renge-san!? I, I’m first, you know!?」
「Wait, Wendy!? That’s the issue here!?」
「Of course! I’m the head slave!」
「That’s got nothing to do with it!」
「Hmm. Renge, you’re getting carried away」
「Doesn’t matter! Master promised me!」
Uh… sorry about my girls.
Yes, I’ll be giving them a proper talking-to later, so please, could you stop with those looks?
Why are all of you staring at me with that “You shameless flirt!” expression!? Come on, they all love me! I love them! Of course I’d want kids too! It’s a perfectly natural progression!
Ah, geez! Let’s just… focus on Makoto, okay? He’s… kind of beyond description right now!
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