Chapter 75

It had been two weeks since the succubus attack with the Light Eaters in tow.

"Lady Shiki, I've ordered some samples of the wedding rings. How about these?"

"Y-You work fast."

"Master, these rings are really beautiful..."

Elise, Ruruka, and Yuel murmured as they looked at the rings offered by the saint.

--- That shocking engagement announcement by the saint.

Elise and Ruruka protested to the saint afterward, but if the marriage between me and the saint were to be canceled, the saint would face a higher risk of losing her position, and I would lose the church's backing to protect myself.

Given the current situation where we allowed the succubus to escape, the saint and I had to get married if we were to consider the future.

When the saint explained this, Elise and Ruruka understood the necessity of the marriage.

...However, Elise and Ruruka felt as if I had been snatched away by the saint.

To such resentful duo, the saint proposed that Elise and Ruruka should also marry me.

The saint skillfully persuaded them, and the situation turned into me marrying everyone.

The two, who seemed to resist polygamy, gave in relatively easily, probably because the saint was the first to marry me.

Elise might have resigned herself to losing to Ruruka, and Ruruka to Elise, but the saint was a dark horse who hadn't even been marked.

Being suddenly taken away and left behind must have been frustrating.

The harem I couldn't figure out how to start was now taking shape thanks to the saint.

This was likely the result of the saint's deep strategy, honed from navigating the church's dark side.

In the end, the scene I had hoped for was right here.

Having her as an ally was incredibly reliable.

"Will these be fine?"

"Yeah, they look good."

"Then I'll prepare four sets as soon as possible."

The saint said this after confirming our reactions.

Four sets.

One for me, Elise, Ruruka, and the saint.

"Four..."

Yuel counted on her fingers, looking at me, Elise, Ruruka, and the saint.

She looked very sad.

...Unfortunately, there was no ring for Yuel.

These were wedding rings.

I couldn't marry a young girl like Yuel, no matter how much of a saint I was.

Even if I could, I would face criticism, and I myself had reservations about marrying a young girl.

Even in a harem, it was too much.

I felt sorry for the sad Yuel, but if we were to marry, it would probably be a few years at the earliest.

"Four... So it's really polygamy, huh."

Elise sighed.

...Elise reluctantly accepted polygamy but occasionally showed a sense of frustration.

She probably had an ideal image of a monogamous marriage, with two children in a clinic.

"I'm starting to think this is fine, you know."

"Wh-What!?"

Elise's words made Ruruka respond.

Elise seemed surprised that Ruruka shared her opinion.

Maybe Ruruka would support my polygamy.

Ruruka was reliable.

I had faith in her.

"Because, you know, if Shiki and I get married alone, I think Shiki will definitely cheat somewhere. Shiki is really perverted and weak-willed. He was even tempted by a succubus, and he doesn't think ahead when there are breasts in front of him."

"Th-That might be true, but...!"

"So, if one person can't handle it, two people can watch over him. We can take turns to make sure Shiki doesn't cheat, right?"

Instead of support, I got a harsh comment.

I'm not that weak-willed.

Just a little weak for breasts.

And I wish she wouldn't say such things in front of Yuel.

It causes misunderstandings.

"Besides, if we marry just one person, it would be the saint who has already announced her engagement to everyone. I don't want that."

Elise looked down at Ruruka's words.

For them, the biggest point in accepting polygamy was probably that.

The saint, however, smiled while looking at the two.

She had a strong heart.

Elise remained in a contemplative pose.

...Would she insist on monogamy?

The marriage with the saint was necessary for the future.

And it was convenient to marry Elise and Ruruka too.

If Elise said she wouldn't marry unless she was the only wife, it would be a problem.

...In that case, I might choose Elise.

But Elise raised her head and said, "Well, I guess it can't be helped. As long as you take care of me too, I still like you."

"Ah, yeah, that's no problem."

I'll definitely take care of you.

In fact, I already follow you with my eyes if you're in my sight.

That's nothing new.

Maybe Elise meant something else.

But no matter how many other women there are, I doubt I'll lose interest in Elise.

I want to get married.

No, we are getting married.

The saint, sensing that the matter was settled, put away the rings and stood up.

She was busy and probably had other things to do.

"By the way, regarding the assassin, one of the slave traders finally confessed. He admitted to assisting in the crime, so I think we can bring this to a close."

The saint casually reported this as an afterthought.

"Confessed? ...What did you do?"

I almost brushed it off, but getting a confession of assistance in an assassination is impressive.

I don't know the details, but...

"I didn't do anything special. People who kill for money tend to betray their organization easily when they feel a bit of danger. This will ensure the destruction of the slave traders' guild in this city. The exploitation by Darno will also end, and we can now allocate large donations to welfare and public facilities in this region."

It's probably better not to ask what she did.

And the slave traders' guild is going to be destroyed...

It's a big organization.

This saint is definitely someone not to be made an enemy.

...If I become the archbishop in this area after Darno, I'll make sure not to exploit anyone.

"By the way, what about the succubus? Hasn't she been found yet?"

I remembered this after hearing about the assassin.

Since then, there's been no news about the succubus.

No reports of her attacking a church or being sighted anywhere.

And I don't think there have been any reports of finding a petrified succubus.

"Yes. ...Perhaps she petrified and fell to the bottom of a river or lake. If that's the case, it would be very difficult to find her."

"I see."

It seems she hasn't been found.

The saint, with a hand on her head, looked like this was a headache.

But if she can't be found, there's nothing to be done.

We can only search with people and time.

"Then I'll take my leave. My subordinates will come later to measure the ring sizes. Ah, and I'll have them take measurements for the dresses as well, so please be ready for that."

The saint then left the room after giving the instructions.

Elise and Ruruka also left the room.

"..."

Yuel, who had been gripping her clothes and looking down, was the only one left in the room.

After Elise and Ruruka left, I was reading the Bible.

This Bible, besides the war between the evil god and humanity, is filled with the church's commandments and stories of great figures, making it quite thick.

I haven't finished the last part yet, but as someone praised as a saint and possibly becoming an archbishop in this area, I can't afford not to read it.

I focused on reading the Bible, and before I knew it, it was midnight.

"Yuel, let's go to bed. There's nothing else to do today."

"...Yes, Master."

Yuel had been spacing out since earlier.

While reading the Bible, I noticed she had been staring at the floor, dazed.

She was clearly worried about the marriage.

Yuel was being treated differently from the others.

"Aaah..."

I wanted to do something, but... Yuel is still too young.

Even if she says she likes me now, she might change her mind when she grows up and becomes more rational.

I don't want Yuel to regret it.

I might be like a parent to her.

Until she grows up and can make a sound judgment, it's ethically wrong to even consider such a relationship.

...But seeing the sad Yuel still hurts.

I want to say something to make her feel better.

Something that would make her stop crying and feel more positive.

"Hey, Yuel. I read in the Bible that the magic catalyst used by a former saint wasn't just that staff. There's a legendary magic sword with the same power as the staff."

"A magic sword?"

"Yeah. When Yuel becomes a true hero, we can try borrowing it from the church. Yuel can already use a bit of magic, and I'm sure you'll become a great magician and swordsman one day. I think it would be perfect for you."

I don't know if the church would lend such a sword, but the priority is to distract Yuel.

If Yuel really becomes that powerful, she'll probably be an adult by then.

Even if we can't borrow it, I doubt she'll be too disappointed.

"As a hero... Master..."

Yuel repeated my words, but her mood was... dark.

I thought the cool sword used by a saint would appeal to her, but it didn't work.

Her mind was probably still on my marriage.

She was happy when I said I'd make a harem, but I didn't expect her to be this upset.

Being the only one who can't marry must be different.

It's probably not a matter of logic.

The feeling of being left out is something you can't shake off no matter how you rationalize it.

...There's only one thing left to do.

"...Yuel, when you grow up. You're still young. You can think about marriage when you're an adult. There's no need to rush, right?"

The ultimate spell.

When you grow up.

By saying this, I can make Yuel look forward to the future.

And I didn't explicitly say I would marry her.

This vague promise allows for flexibility in case my feelings change over the years.

I've used this before to delay things with Yuel.

She'll probably think, "I can marry when I grow up" and forget about Elise and the others getting married now.

Or so I thought,

"Uu..."

Tears welled up in Yuel's eyes.

She let out a small sob and started to tremble.

...It worked before.

Why not this time?

What's different?

What should I do?

If this doesn't work, what can I do?

As I was thinking this, a knock on the door broke the awkward silence.

"Lord Shiki, may I have a moment?"

"Ah, yeah."

The saint's voice.

She opened the door after hearing my response.

"I apologize for the late hour, but I managed to free up some time and wanted to apologize for pushing the marriage so aggressively. ...Am I interrupting?"

The saint said this as she entered the room.

Thank goodness.

I had no idea how to comfort Yuel.

I thought "when you grow up" would work, but it didn't.

At least I can change the subject now.

"It's fine. What is it? Are you giving me something as an apology?"

"I was thinking of serving you tonight."

No, that's not the way to change the subject.

That's really not good.

I want her to leave.

"..."

Look, Yuel is about to cry.

Ah, I can see Yuel is devastated by the saint's words.

The relationship between me and the saint as fiancés and me and Yuel as master and slave is clearly different.

Yuel's expression became sadder as she realized this.

...Maybe she thought she was in the way.

Yuel silently started to leave the room.

Usually, she would ask, "Can I help?" but she seems completely disheartened.

She might think she can't intrude on the intimate relationship between a husband and wife, even if she's a slave.

"Ah, ah, Filene. Can we do this another time? I, I'm a bit busy now... You know, right?"

"I don't mind if Yuel is here too."

No, that's not the way to handle it.

I have to handle it.

...Didn't she say it's wrong for a child to be treated unfairly?

Does she mean it's okay if it's consensual?

She hasn't said anything about me having Yuel as a slave.

"Master, is, is it okay...?"

Yuel reacted.

No, she was going to try to stop me anyway.

I had no intention of leaving Yuel alone and having a night with the saint.

I planned to comfort Yuel all night.

But what should I do now?

Yuel is looking at me with a sad, abandoned puppy expression.

If I say no, it will seem like I'm pushing her away.

I can't do that to Yuel, who is already unstable.

I just don't want to make Yuel sad, so why do I have to suffer so much?

--- As I was suffering,

"Saint! Is Lady Saint here!?"

The sound of running footsteps in the corridor was followed by a knight's voice at the door.

It was unusual for this time of night.

The knight seemed very panicked.

"Yes, I'm here, but can it wait? I'm busy now."

The saint tried to decline, but the knight immediately responded.

"It's an emergency!!"

A desperate, urgent voice.

Sensing the seriousness, the saint approached the door.

"...What is it?"

The saint opened the door.

I could see the knight's face over her shoulder.

His expression was pale.

He was visibly shaken and clearly disturbed.

Just from his appearance, I could tell it was bad news.

--- But the knight's report was far beyond my expectations.

"The capital has fallen! The evil god has been resurrected by the succubus...!!!"

The next update will be in about three days.