“What’s wrong, Ouga? You’re looking unusually cheerful.”
“Father… I had a bit of good news.”
That was this morning.
I distinctly remember falling asleep with just Karen, but when I woke up, Mashiro and Reina were in bed with us too.
No idea how that happened, but waking up surrounded by the girls I love made for a blissful morning.
I even beckoned Alice—who’d come for early training—to join, but naturally, she was too shy to dive into bed with everyone watching. A shame, really.
I want mornings like this—waking up to Mashiro and the others greeting me—to become my everyday reality.
And right now, I’m here to make that happiness official… but the moment I sat down, Father’s sharp gaze softened.
“Hoh… This is about them, isn’t it?”
“…Was it that obvious?”
Father blinked—a rare, almost comical expression—before bursting into laughter.
“Ahahaha! Of course it was! I’m your father, aren’t I? A parent knows their child’s heart. It’s reassuring to see you still have some youthful innocence left, Ouga.”
That’s probably a skill unique to doting parents.
If every parent had that ability, the world would be overflowing with happy children.
…Someday, I want to be a father like him.
“Lately, you’ve ascended as the [Saint], reaching greater heights. Of course, seeing my beloved son cherished by the world brings me joy… but to me, you’ll always be just Ouga, my boy.”
…Just wishing isn’t enough. I will become a father like him.
I made that vow silently, feeling the rough texture of his hand.
The Vellet family’s generations of harmony must stem from this—children inheriting their parents’ kindness.
Seemingly satisfied, Father pulled back his hand and leaned deeply into his leather chair before speaking in a warm tone.
“So, what exactly did my beloved son come to discuss?”
“…It’s about my marriage. I want to take Mashiro, Karen, Reina, and Alice—all of them—as my brides.”
“Four wives for your first marriage?! I suppose one woman alone couldn’t contain all your love.”
“Do you object?”
“Even if I did, you’d push through regardless.”
“As expected, you know me too well. That’s a relief, Father.”
“You’ve gotten good at sarcasm. You’re ready to lead the Vellet family anytime.”
Father’s in high spirits, laughing more than usual.
I’d rather postpone inheriting the household, though.
Right now, my hands are full just dealing with Flone.
“Knowing you, you intend to make them all official wives?”
“Of course. Even if they accept it, I won’t let them be ranked.”
“…Normally, treating commoners as equals to nobles—let alone a duke’s daughter like Karen—would spark outrage. But you’re the [Saint], recognized even by His Majesty. Precisely because it’s you, declaring them all as first wives—official spouses—will be accepted.”
I’d anticipated hurdles, but the biggest obstacle seems surmountable.
Father confirmed my own suspicions, and I’m grateful for that.
As the [Bearer of the Sacred Heart], I’m allowed to love without discrimination—something only possible because of my title.
Who knew the [Saint] title I once dismissed would prove useful here…?
Suppressing a clenched fist, I forced calm into my voice as we discussed lingering concerns.
“Still, the traditionalist nobles will grumble behind our backs. Will this disrupt the Vellet family’s affairs?”
“Ahahaha! What an amusing question, Ouga. The Vellet were always the [Corrupt Lords]—everyone’s least favorites!”
“…That’s hardly a line worth laughing over, Father.”
“Besides, you could just ask His Majesty to officiate. He’d gladly oblige.”
“I can’t possibly trouble the king for a single noble’s personal matter—”
“Nonsense. He already stood witness for your engagement to Karen!”
“The circumstances were different back then!”
My father’s absurd as ever.
Either way, we must find a way to bridge the status gap for marriage.
Once we clear that, no one can stop us.
“Setting that aside, I approve of your marriages. Ouga—if you take them in, you must treat them with greater responsibility than ever.”
“Naturally. I’d stake my life to protect their futures.”
“That’s exactly what worries me. You’d actually throw your life away.”
Father shook his head with a sigh.
I couldn’t argue—I’d already sacrificed my right arm once.
“And that resolve? Unacceptable.”
“…?”
“What good is a husband dying in battle, leaving his wives behind? You’d force them to march forward burdened by grief?”
“Gh! …I’ll rephrase. No matter the obstacle, I’ll keep walking forward—with them.”
“Good. Engrave that in your soul… You’ll soon face the greatest evil yet.”
“I swear it on the Vellet crest.”
Satisfied, Father’s furrowed brow relaxed.
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“Hearing that puts me at ease… Now, I can share this with you.”
He unfolded a document on the table.
I glanced at him for permission, and at his nod, I read.
“…!? Is this true, Father?”
“Highly credible. Flone’s former subordinates corroborated it, and we’ve verified the facilities mentioned.”
The document detailed Flone’s plan to abduct Mashiro.
She intends to incite chaos to steal Mashiro’s body—
The target of the plan is the heart of the kingdom of Rondism – the royal capital.
“Why attack the royal capital…?”
“To lure you out. No other location would guarantee it. The perfect bait for the [Saint].”
True. Targeting the capital ensures collateral chaos.
If I’m drawn out, Mashiro is separated. If I bring her, Flone still wins.
She avoids Vellet territory because we’d counter her more easily here.
But would Flone—of all people—resort to such underhanded tactics? She’d usually strike directly…
No. Speculation breeds confusion. Father, an expert in this field, deemed it credible—
that’s all the assurance I need.
Shaking off doubts, I refocused.
“Something wrong?”
“No. Does His Majesty know?”
“Naturally. The capital’s already mobilizing discreetly—the royal mages, the Holy Knights, and our four ducal houses are assembling forces.”
The kingdom’s mightiest, gathered in one place.
Not even Flone could breach that lightly.
“Of course, Flone may abandon the plan after Andraus’s capture. So we’ll feint.”
Father tapped the document.
“We’ll leak that Ouga, Mashiro, and the others are evacuating to the capital. Whether Flone believes it or not, she’ll need to confirm.”
“Right… This forces her to make the first move.”
“Exactly. We restrict her options and adapt. Much as it pains me, her strength is real. We need every advantage.”
No argument there.
The rumor of our retreat camouflages the military buildup, while the buildup lends credibility to the rumor.
A perfect synergy.
A hero turned against humanity.
To outsiders, it’s unthinkable—but this is our reality.
“Aren’t the citizens being evacuated?”
“…Unfortunately, that’s impossible. Any movement among the people risks drawing attention. Of course, we’re making preparations to minimize the damage.”
“I… see.”
“You needn’t blame yourself. The fault lies with that witch.”
“…I’m fine. I understand perfectly.”
It’s better if Mashiro doesn’t hear about this.
No doubt, her kind heart would take it upon herself. She’d carry the guilt forever, etching it into her memory as she lived on.
…Such ugly burdens should be mine alone to bear.
Eventually, she’ll learn of the damage—but we’ll soften the details.
With this resolve, there should be no problem.
“That’s all I wanted to share personally. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head to the royal capital immediately—”
“Wait, Father.”
“Hm? Is there something else on your mind?”
“No. Actually, there’s one more thing—just as important as the marriage announcement. I have news to share.”
“Hm? No such report has reached me…”
“Because I haven’t disclosed it yet. The truth is, I made a promise—I need the private beach in Vellet territory cordoned off.”
“That’s fine, but… is this promise what you wanted to tell me?”
I nodded, and Father silently urged me to continue.
“The demon dragon we defeated recently… it’s still alive.”
“…………”
I didn’t miss the slight twitch of Father’s brow.
Even him couldn’t hide his shock.
If this were true, the demon dragon might attack Encarton again.
How much funding would be needed to stop it? How should we inform the king?
To dispel the mounting unease, I pressed on.
“And that demon dragon will arrive in Vellet territory tomorrow.”
“Then we deploy at once, Ouga!”
Damn it! This only fuels his panic!
I quickly locked Father’s arms as he nearly bolted from the room and frantically explained the full story.
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