The Northern Grand Duke and the Harem's Catfight

"Hoo...."

The familiar ceiling. The stuffy air of Seoul. It felt like the hot affair I'd just shared with her in that frigid northern dungeon was from a past life.

I'm back.

I raised my hand, and the sensation of touching Elina's skin still lingered. Her sobs, Leonhart Pantheon's screams. And that fishy smell. Everything was vivid.

But there was no time to get sentimental. I sat up in bed. The most important part—the 'reward'—was still waiting.

"Hoo...."

I stroked my chin as I scanned the list. As expected from a protagonist—nothing but prime cuts.

Beast's Intuition is tempting....

With that, I'd be freer from assassination threats or ambushes. But I already had a honed instinct from experience.

Golden Lion's Fighting Spirit? That's pretty appealing.

Like Baekhyang's Heavenly Demon Art, it was a buff that reinforced the whole body. But I already had the physical enhancement from Holy Sword Gram.

Redundant investment.

So the answer was clear.

Pantheon Swordsmanship.

I had an S-rank weapon in Gram, but my actual sword skills were just mercenary techniques from Hagen and practical combat style picked up sparring with Baekhyang. In other words, no solid foundation.

Until now, I'd crushed foes with overwhelming physicals, Gram's power, and Combat Growth boosts. But future enemies would be stronger. I needed a proper, systematic martial art. Plus, the Pantheon name carried weight—even if I didn't know them.

"This one."

I tapped the top item without hesitation.

Fwaaah—!

A burst of light flooded my mind with vast knowledge. How to grip the sword, plant my feet, breathe, channel mana to unleash sword aura. Every drop of blood and sweat Leonhart had poured into it over his lifetime was etched into my brain.

A thrilling shiver ran through my body. I reached into empty air, clenching and unclenching my fist. The sensation at my fingertips felt different. Confidence that I could cleave anything if I grabbed a sword right now.

Is this a genius's talent?

No—it's my talent now.

"Hoo...."

Reward check complete. Now for the rest....

Time to keep my promise.

I grabbed the water bottle from the bedside table and took a sip. After wetting my throat, I took a deep breath.

Elina Veronica. That final look in her eyes lingered. Terrified of losing me. If I hadn't come back, she might've taken her own life or gone mad.

I said I'd call, so I will.

I activated Fate Summon.

Wuuung—!

Space rippled. In the middle of my tiny studio, a familiar silhouette began to take shape.

The white light faded, revealing her.

"......!"

She was exactly as I'd left her. In just a thin slip, dried white stains stark on her thighs. Kneeling on the cold floor, hugging her knees, staring blankly into space. She sensed the changed air and scent, slowly lifting her head.

Our eyes met.

"Ah...."

Her lips quivered. She staggered to her feet.

"Siegurd...?"

"I kept my promise, Elina."

I spread my arms wide.

"I called you. To my world."

Only then did life return to her eyes. Realizing she hadn't been abandoned, but chosen to come here.

Whoosh—!

She threw herself at me. Arms around my neck, sobbing like a child. The cold Northern Grand Duke bawling her eyes out. My chest soaked with her tears in seconds.

For her, it had been an instant. But that brief wait must've felt eternal.

Her body trembled like a leaf in the wind. I hugged her back fiercely.

"Didn't I promise?"

"Y-Yeah... I believed you. I did... but I was still scared...."

She buried her face in my scent, seeking comfort. Unfamiliar furniture, unfamiliar views. This otherworld terrified her—but my arms were her sole safe haven.

"This is... your world?"

After crying forever, she looked around, peeking at Seoul's nightscape through the window.

"Yeah. Where I live. No cold, no one hunting you."

"Warm...."

Not the room's heat—my presence warmed her.

"We won't... part ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now, right? We'll always be together?"

"Well.... There's a summon timer."

I wiped her damp eyes. Anxiety flickered across her face.

"But I'll summon you every day."

Only then did she grab my hand, rubbing her cheek against it. The North's ice flower fully melted, pooling like water in my palm.

Didn't expect this level of dependency.

Her state was worse than thought. But not bad. In this condition, she'd forgive and follow anything I did.

"Let's get you cleaned up first. You look a mess."

"Ah...."

Thin slip, cum stains, tousled hair. No trace of a grand duke's dignity.

"Wash me. I don't wanna be alone."

"Got it."

I led her to the bathroom, gave her a quick shower, and dressed her in one of my shirts. She clutched the sleeves tight, refusing to let go.

Back in the bedroom, I made up my mind. Time for the 'initiation rite'.

If it's gotta happen, better rip the band-aid off quick.

My harem—no, my 'Dimensional Guild' members needed to meet the new family.

Elina's personality meant she'd flip seeing other women, but....

I'd crush it with my authority.

"Elina."

"Yeah?"

"People I wanna introduce you to."

"People...?"

Her face hardened. Wariness in her eyes.

"My comrades. The family you'll live with from ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠now on."

"Family...?"

She tilted her head. The word was foreign to her.

I activated Fate Summon. Not just one this time.

Wuuung—!

Space tore in multiple rifts, light pouring out. Elina hid behind me in shock.

The light faded, and my cramped studio filled up.

"Sig! Missed you!"

Cream burst out first, pink hair flying as she lunged—then froze spotting the silver-haired woman behind me.

"Huh?"

"Long time no see. Kinda late summoning us this time?"

Choi Rin, arms crossed. Her gaze locked on Elina. The top hero's sharp eyes scanned her, brow twitching.

"Who's the chick?"

Kang Nabi crouched in the corner, on guard.

"Hmmm...."

Baekhyang emerged, radiating heavy aura. Our Heavenly Demon crossed her arms, eyeing Elina with interest.

"New concubine?"

Baekhyang's blunt shot. The room's air chilled instantly.

Last, Yvonah glided in with elegant steps. Her gaze hit Elina—imperial princess arrogance and poise in those cold eyes. She sized her up.

"......"

Elina peeked from behind me at them. Saintess, hero, villain, Heavenly Demon, princess. Pinnacle women from each dimension, gathered. All eyes on the 'new rival': Elina.

"Siegurd? Who are these women...?"

Elina's voice shook. Not just fear—indignation at her possession invaded. Instinctual threat from stronger-looking women.

"Allow me to introduce."

I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her forward.

"This is Elina Veronica, newest member. Former Northern Grand Duke."

"Northern Grand Duke?"

Choi Rin snorted. Her eyes raked Elina's loose shirt, exposed collarbone, and ample cleavage below.

"Doesn't look it. Seems too fragile—one punch and she'd drop."

"Elina, listen up! I met him first, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so I'm top dog! Got it?!"

Cream pushed forward, clinging to my arm, stressing her 'first' status.

"Rude."

Elina's eyes iced over. Her ruler's aura revived. Broken before me, but she'd conquered battlefields. Not one to be dissed in public.

"Whoever you gutter trash are, get off my man."

Elina's declaration of war. Cream's face soured; Baekhyang's eyes flashed.

"Your man? Hoo...."

Baekhyang stepped up. Heavenly Demon aura crushed the room.

"Bold words from a fresh pebble. Wonder if you'll keep that stiff neck before my Heavenly Demon Art."

"Who're you calling a pebble, you barbarian wench."

Elina fired back arctic chill. Northern frost clashed with demonic aura.

Kang Nabi bolted to my side—safest spot.

Choi Rin glanced between Baekhyang and Elina.

"Can't lose out!"

She powered up her aura. Then Yvonah stepped forward gracefully, tilting her head at Elina.

"Northern Grand Duke... a border lord."

Yvonah's voice soft, but sharp.

"I'm a princess. A backwater lord without manners dares monopolize Master...? Laughable."

"What did you say...?"

Another dimension's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠tale, but Yvonah invoked her status. Elina's brow twitched.

Yvonah zeroed in on Elina—sensing a fellow broken slave.

This... tougher than expected?

I pinched my forehead. Powder keg city.

"Enough, all of you."

I spoke low and stern.

"This is a welcome party. You wouldn't fight in front of me, right?"

Their eyes snapped to me. Yvonah retreated instantly. Baekhyang 'hmph'd, retracting her aura. Elina pouted up at me, clinging to my arm.

"But Siegurd... they started it...."

"I know. But they're all precious to me. Like you."

I soothed her, shooting the others a look. Silent 'get along' pressure.

"Tch... fine. Giving the boss face."

Choi Rin defused first.

"Hmph, whatever... not bad. Trust my husband's eye."

Baekhyang uncrossed her arms. But the stares continued—Elina wary, Yvonah smug, Cream jealous, all probing.

I sighed, but couldn't stop my lips curling inwardly. This lineup on my bed. Peak successful man life.

"Alright, intros more or less done."

I grinned.

"Shall we start the welcome party?"