Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: Chapter 59
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: The First Principal Wife Conference
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After enjoying the hot springs each in our own way.
We headed to the tatami-floored dining room for a meal, perfectly timed to the gurgle~ of Lulu and Arin's stomach clocks.
"Daddy-nyang! This shrimp tempura is sooo good-nyang! I could eat it every day and never get sick of it-nyang!"
"I love all of Daddy's food, but these tempura are special! They're so delicious I could eat them forever and never get bored!"
"We made plenty, so dig in... Whoa! Don't eat the plates!!!"
At that moment, our voracious little daughters took a liking to the collaborative dishes Tabula and I had prepared. They buried their noses in the plates and started chowing down.
They even ended up licking the bowls clean—then chewing and swallowing them whole by accident—so we had quite the time trying to stop them.
"Yummy-nyang!"
"Yummy!"
"Please eat slowly, at least..."
Anyway. After finally calming down the daughters.
I turned my head and checked the table next to us.
How can tempura crunch so crisply yet melt away...? And it's not greasy at all...? Benefactor, isn't this beyond mere food—it's alchemy territory?
"Lord! This is truly amazing! Even Japan's famed tempura masters couldn't hold a candle to what you've made!"
"Master! This tempura thing is incredibly tasty! Orcs only know how to roast whole beasts, but if humans can whip up something this good, maybe they deserve a slightly higher rating!"
Dr., Karin, and Lavris were devouring it all, repeatedly asking for seconds.
Feeling rewarded for all our cooking efforts, I moved to a table set a bit farther away.
Oh, and just so you know, the reason I placed the table here a little farther away was...
"H-Husband made this food...♡ This has to be a signal to join him in bed tonight...! Goddess...! I'll work hard on making that fourth child...!"
......
"Eh...? Ah... yeah, you're right... Thinking back to Husband's size from the hot spring... i-it might be a bit much for me right now...? Maybe the fourth child is still too soon..."
......!
"The other women around him...? Hmm... They're all kind and capable ladies, so I think it'd be fine... Truth be told, I'd love to have him all to myself... but Husband's destined for greatness, so he'll need multiple wives to support him..."
...... Rachel was deep in conversation with someone, muttering all sorts of incomprehensible things.
"Aah. This tempura is delicious! If I just add a dash of blood-made sauce..."
Sluuuuurp---!!!
"Eeeeek---! N-No bloodlust! Don't drain me dry! I'll dieee---!!!"
Because the pathetic True Ancestor—who was always eyeing my blood—had woken up from her nap.
Not knowing what mischief she might cause, I'd isolated the two of them at this separate spot.
"You two. Let me say it again: cause even the slightest trouble, and you're out. Got it?"
"Yes! Husband!"
"O-Okay... I'll be quiet, so please don't yank my cheeks anymore..."
And so.
Only after drilling it into them one more time not to cause any incidents could we finally wrap up the rowdy meal in peace.
Afterward, we sipped tea and drinks to settle our full bellies and began chatting idly.
But right then.
"U-Um, sisters... I have a question..."
"""?"""
Suddenly, Rachel drew everyone's attention, saying she had something to ask.
Looking back now, I absolutely should have stopped that question.
Because...
"I-I think Husband needs lots of capable wives... S-So, do you all like Husband too...?"
"""!!!"""
"What on earth are you talking about, Ray-Ray-Rachel...?"
......
The incident of the day.
What would later be called the 'First Principal Wife Conference' began with that one sentence.
Rachel's bombshell left everyone frozen for a moment.
Lulu and Arin—who'd been watching with sparkling eyes—along with Lavris and Tabula, burst into action.
They immediately started sorting out the situation among themselves.
"Arin-nyang! It's finally starting-nyang!"
"It's begun! The summit to decide Daddy's principal wife!"
I'll handle moderation!
"I'll help from the side! Orc culture decides favored mates through combat, so it'll be useful!"
"Perfect-nyang! Axe-nyang, lend us your strength-nyang!"
Anyway. A short while later.
The daughters and Lavris scurried about preparing something.
Then they placed handmade paper nameplates in front of each of us and announced.
The Coolest, Handsomest Daddy-nyang!
No.1 Wife Candidate: Cheetah-Dr-nyang[Provisional 1st!]
No.2 Wife Candidate: Samurai-nyang
No.3 Wife Candidate: Pervert-nyang
No.4 Wife Candidate: Wimp True Ancestor-nyang
Nice to meet you, Father's wife candidates!
I am the third daughter Tabula, your moderator.
Let the 'Who Will Be Daddy's Principal Wife?' conference begin!
The rules are simple!
Each candidate can freely converse in isolated spaces and appeal their merits.
If Father likes your merits, you claim the principal wife spot!
Of course! As befits the position, the winner gets a reward!
This time's prize is... Father's cheek kiss---!!!
"?"
Hold on a second.
What did you just say, moderator daughter?
My cheek kiss???
"Kids. What are you even talking about...? Daddy never agreed to any of this..."
"Daddy-nyang! This is the important part-nyang! Don't interrupt-nyang!"
"We'll handle it! Just trust us, Daddy!"
Father. It's time to change strategy. Trust me and my sisters.
But no matter how much I protested that this was going too far and tried to stop it.
The three daughters didn't listen—instead telling me to sit tight—and continued the conversation.
Watching my out-of-control kids, I thought.
'...Are they hitting puberty already...?'
I'd figured a moment like this would come someday.
But seriously, not even a month old yet, and already puberty? That was way too fast.
As I sighed and watched my daughters charge headlong into their stormy phase.
Lavris approached and said.
"Master. Be grateful for such fine daughters. This was bound to happen someday."
"...Are you teasing me right now?"
"Master. How will you ever woo a woman if you're this oblivious?"
"...Definitely teasing."
"Even an orc is less dense than you. Anyway. If you really don't get it, listen closely to the conversations around you."
"I'm already stressed out enough with these suddenly overgrown daughters... What are you on about...?"
But with the daughters shutting me down, there was nothing I could do right now.
So, playing along for the moment, I followed Lavris's advice and eavesdropped on the surrounding chatter.
That's when I realized the situation was veering into strangely serious territory.
Haha... They were lively in the hot spring too, but these kids sure are energetic.
"The young ladies are right at that age, aren't they?"
Then, Karin? I'm counting on you for cleanup. I have work, so I'll head out first...
"H-Harin sis... Are you running away...?"
...What?
"Y-You're totally running away right now...! You're the closest to principal wife, so you're scared of losing the spot to someone else...!"
A! The moment I say it! Rachel Candidate launches a sharp attack on Harin Candidate!
"Pervert-nyang's right-nyang! Right now, no matter what anyone says, Cheetah-Dr-nyang is Daddy-nyang's closest principal wife-nyang!"
"So she's going for an evasion strategy since fighting won't gain her anything!"
"The pinnacle of combat is victory without fighting. Strategic retreat isn't a bad move!"
Grr... Rachel? I get that you like Benefactor. But this is just the kids' prank.
Talking about principal wife among us is meaningless...
"Aah. I don't think that's true, though?"
... Huh? True Ancestor, what's your deal...?
"Listen up. I'm no expert on wives or principal status, but putting the context together, isn't this about competing for that kid's favor?"
...And?
"Which means it's hard to say the kids' prank has zero meaning. At least, that kid's talents are priceless—even worth more than ruling the world. Earning his favor would be invaluable."
"Y-Yes...! Being Husband's principal wife is worth more than the world...!"
No, that's a huge leap... I'd love to argue, but I can't deny it after what I've seen.
"I agree. I believe Lord has that kind of value."
A! What's this from Wimp True Ancestor Candidate! Gone is the usual pathetic act—she's showing real intellect!
"No way... Was her usual ditzy self a high-level strategy to trigger Daddy's protective instincts...?"
"Gasp-nyang! So that airheaded vibe from first sight was all an act-nyang?!"
"On the battlefield, you beware grizzled vets more than green rookies! Wimp True Ancestor must be at least thousands of years old—plenty of experience!"
"...? Why do I suddenly feel like I'm being treated like an old hag...?"
"W-Why are you saying that...?"
"...Never mind. More importantly, smart little missy. With your sharp wits, you get it—this prankish squabble isn't entirely meaningless."
...Regrettably, I can't deny it. Benefactor would grant more than a cheek kiss if asked. So? What now?
"Truth be told, I'd love to crush you all by force and claim him as mine. But that'd earn me a solid scolding from the kid. So how about playing by the little ones' rules?"
"You mean appealing our merits to Lord and letting him choose?"
"Exactly. Isn't that the way right now?"
"I-I like it...!"
Well... I do want Benefactor to make something for me anyway. As long as it's not too extreme, I'm in.
"I have a debt to repay Lord anyway, so I'll join."
"Heh heh heh... Good. Everyone agrees, so let's follow the kids' rules and each state our merits. Who'll go first?"
"I-I'll go first! I have something Husband will definitely love...!"
A! Rachel Candidate steps up confidently! What merit will she appeal to win Father's choice?!
"What could Pervert-nyang have that Daddy-nyang would love-nyang...?"
"If it's what that pervert lady has... her huge boobs?"
"Big breasts on the battlefield restrict movement but also serve as morale boosters—a double-edged sword. Curious what play she'll make!"
And so.
With all eyes—including mine—on her, Rachel stood up confidently and stated her merit...
"H-Husband... Do you know...? Sheep have higher body temperatures than humans... So hugging me would feel super warm...! Everywhere...♡
And also... With spells and the goddess's blessing, I can make my breasts even bigger than now...♡"
...Ray-Ray-Rachel! The kids are listening—what the heck are you saying---!!!
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