Chapter 122
Chapter 122
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 121
Chapter Title: Side Story - Eternal Happiness
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After starting the search for the Blood Demon's younger sister with the now-adult Ariel by my side.
That was when I was fifteen, so five years have already passed.
The first thought that hit me after becoming an adult was to start planning for kids.
Not just because I'm the heir to the ducal family, but the biggest reason is that all my wives are stunning beauties.
Come on, of course. I'm a guy too. I want to be with beautiful women.
But jumping straight into bed wasn't so easy.
'Ariel's still only fifteen, after all.'
Plus, Ellie is just nineteen.
If I only slept with Adel and Yoru first, it'd be way too unfair to my other two wives.
The golden rule of a harem is keeping every wife happy. No favoritism allowed.
Anyway, while wandering the underworld with the Blood Demon and living normal life back in the real world...
The time for the Lion's Feast had arrived.
"Time sure flies."
I'm sitting in the spectator seats right now.
Just a few years ago, I was up on stage, throwing down in the arena.
I'm twenty now. Still young enough to flex my skills and soak up the crowd's cheers if I wanted.
'But honestly, sparring at my level now would be kinda off.'
You don't drag an elephant into a yard full of yapping puppies.
Out of responsibility as the strongest, I decided to behave and stay put in the stands.
Truth be told, I don't regret it much.
What can I say—it's like watching a bunch of losers compare dick sizes.
Seeing all these so-called promising talents from the human world brawl it out was kinda entertaining, though. Yeah.
"What're you thinking about so deeply?"
Lost in memories of the past few years, Adel spoke up from beside me.
The Third Imperial Princess, now twenty-one already.
She's always been mature beyond her years, but she's blossoming into a real beauty these days.
Just looking at her feels a little restricted, like it's against the rules. Proud to have a wife like this.
"I was just thinking how happy I am to have a wife like you."
"Cut the crap. You, holding off on sex just to wait for your little sister."
"Bear with me a bit. It's my failing as a husband who has to love all his wives equally."
"Hmph."
Adel snorted and turned her eyes back to the front.
Over there, the two guys who'd just finished their match were bowing to each other.
-Good work out there, Young Master Heiragi.
-The honor was mine, Master Jeil.
Swordsmen I'd fought and beaten before.
Heiragi Masato and Jeil Stimond were competing directly in this year's Lion's Feast.
Personally, I found it a bit surprising. At around twenty, did they really need to come all the way to our house just to promote themselves?
So I asked them privately, and their answer was this:
-Because you're here.
They came to see me.
For a second, I wondered if these guys were gay... But hearing the rest made it click.
Basically, they looked up to me.
Overwhelmed by my skills and character despite being the same age, they ended up idolizing me.
They wanted to show their stuff here and earn some recognition.
Plus, they'd each wronged me in similar ways before.
-A draw! The first draw ever. Truly a result that protects the pride of both the Empire and Aonia...
With the announcer's call, the two swordsmen stepped back.
They shot me a quick glance on the way.
Like they wanted me to notice.
'Not bad.'
It's not that I'm too strong—they're plenty powerful for their age.
Real geniuses! Yeah. I'm just more of a genius, that's all.
I nodded in approval, a little praise from me.
"But you okay with this?"
"Huh? With what?"
"The final match is your father-in-law versus your sister-in-law, right?"
"Oh, that."
I smirked at Adel's words.
Sure enough, the finale of this Lion's Feast was Ariel versus Father.
It was tradition for family members to step up when I first competed.
But I never imagined it'd be Ariel against Father. Wild.
'Adel's probably saying that 'cause Ariel looks too strong.'
She knows full well my sister's no ordinary genius.
No matter how much of a national hero Father is, he doesn't stand a chance against Ariel.
Basically, she's worried Father might get embarrassed.
Damn, my wife's got such a kind heart. Thinking of her in-laws like that—makes me proud as her husband.
"Don't worry. Father knows exactly what he's doing."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's his way of atoning. Settling some old father-daughter baggage through the sword. Ariel's gonna win, though."
"Hmph. Can't argue with that. I got no business meddling in your family affairs."
"It's fine. We're family now—we'll figure each other out in time."
"Yeah."
She seemed satisfied with my answer, flashing a bright smile.
I laid my hand over the back of hers.
She's been bummed about no sex, so might as well do this much.
-Now for the finale! Two from the Leonhart Ducal Family take the stage. First, Family Head Gerard Leonhart!
With the announcer's call, Father appeared from the far side of the arena.
His face was stern as ever, but he looked a bit resolved too.
Probably nervous about getting hurt or humiliated by Ariel.
But more than that, I bet he just wants to ease her heart a little this time.
'He's got a lot to atone for.'
Circumstances make it understandable, but that's separate for Ariel.
What daughter could love a father who kept her at arm's length?
Truth is, this match is more like a show.
Daughter venting, father atoning—packaged as a duel.
As family who knows the full story, I just watch quietly.
-And the second daughter of the Leonhart Ducal Family, Ariel Leonhart!
Roooar...
Thunderous applause as Ariel stepped out.
'Talk about a generational shift.'
The old Ariel never got this kind of recognition from crowds.
Back then, she felt so out of place all alone. I was always worried.
Like leaving a kid by the water's edge. As her big brother, I fretted if I wasn't watching her.
But things are different now.
"......"
Ariel gave a faint wave.
The cheers swelled even louder. The young lady's showmanship went over well.
Her cheeks flushed pink.
Faint, easy to miss.
And it's not from being emotionless anymore.
Not like before.
Right now, Ariel's just embarrassed.
By the situation. By all these eyes on her, the applause just for her.
'She'll have to get used to it.'
My little sister's a full-fledged normal person now.
She'll adapt just fine.
"......"
"......"
Father and Ariel faced off at center stage.
Father said nothing.
Ariel said nothing.
Silence.
The father and daughter wouldn't open their mouths.
Father, because he felt sorry toward Ariel.
Because he had no idea how to unpack decades of guilt.
And he's not the type for casual chit-chat or steering conversations smoothly anyway.
So they settle it quietly with swords.
What about Ariel, though?
Is she staying mum because she's still emotionless?
Or does she hate Father that much?
'Nah.'
I don't buy that.
Ariel has her own complicated love-hate for Father.
It's messy, but deep down, she accepts him as family, clear as day.
So why doesn't it show?
'Isn't it obvious?'
Ariel's no good at expressing emotions, plain and simple.
How long did she live without feeling anything?
Five years as a normal human.
She's learned a ton about showing feelings since, but even so, the old resentment between them isn't something you poke easily.
Come on, even normal people couldn't fix this overnight.
'But.'
I know.
And I'm looking forward to it.
Ariel will prove she's no ordinary person.
"...Daughter of Gerard Leonhart."
My sister parted her lips.
Father flinched at the words.
Even without seeing her face, the meaning hit home.
She was claiming whose daughter she was.
"Ariel Leonhart... seeks guidance from her father."
Ariel's no different.
Her body trembled faintly.
Not from fear of the match.
Even humanized, hers was once the world's strongest body.
No way she'd lose to Father.
So that tremble meant—she'd mustered real courage.
"...Father of Ariel Leonhart."
Father responded right away.
Dead serious expression.
But with the faintest uptick of his lips, he gripped his sword.
"Gerard Leonhart accepts... and salutes that courage."
Ariel gripped her sword in kind.
The father and daughter took their stances.
They both knew. The match's outcome was already set.
But neither cared.
The clash of blades was just surface-level.
What mattered most... was the communion of hearts.
**
The match ended.
The Lion's Feast wrapped up all its events.
-Lady Ariel's incredible too.
-Yeah. Never thought she'd beat the Duke.
-You weren't there back then? When she was a kid, beating knights older than her.
-What? For real?
-Yep. Listen, it went like this...
The crowd was buzzing about the final match.
'It was a sight.'
The former world's strongest—now top of the human world, but young and green—Ariel.
Versus the Empire's hero, one of the Three Great Swordsmen, Father.
Thrilling to watch.
The clash of talent-honed and experience-forged blades was pure joy.
Of course, as family, seeing their bond improve had me extra pumped.
'Nice. Real nice.'
Beautiful ending. I love happy ones.
Father and Ariel had retreated to their rooms to rest.
They probably want time to sort their feelings, so I'll check in later.
"You heading out?"
"Yeah."
Right now, I'm seeing Adel off.
As Third Imperial Princess, her future's with me, but she's still dutifully holding court at the palace.
"You're working so hard, Princess. Honestly didn't expect you to stay this diligent."
"Me neither. Whoever my husband is, he taught me not to shirk duty. I'm just following my man as a wife."
"Wow. Puts me at a loss for words."
"Hmph. Good if you get it."
Adel grumbled as she prepped to leave.
A carriage was already waiting outside.
Once she boards, I won't see her face for a while.
I could warp to her room anytime if I wanted, but I hold back as much as possible.
To live in the human world, best follow human customs.
"See ya."
With that, Adel headed straight for the carriage.
Step-step.
The yard echoed only with crickets.
I watched her back, then called out.
"Princess."
"What."
"Turn around for a sec."
She turned, face all prim and pouty.
Looks like nothing's up on the surface—but I know.
'Send her off like this, and I'm screwed for sure.'
She's screaming without words for me to grab her right now. Miss that, and harem life's over.
"......"
I stepped up, facing her.
Her eyes said it all, wordlessly.
Show me some love, now.
I pondered a moment.
'No sex.'
Can't budge on that.
It's a promise, and going back on my word kills trust.
But straight-up blue-balling her like this ain't right either.
Adel's the oldest among us. The one who craves affection most, really.
'Hmm.'
Alright, no helping it.
I'd planned to hold off on all affection till Ariel turned adult.
But this much should be fine.
Been tough holding back anyway. Yeah.
Sorry, sis. Bro's a man too—cut me some slack.
"Princess."
"What."
"Close your eyes for a bit."
She shut them obediently.
Like, do your worst.
But I caught her lips quivering.
Nerves and excitement mixed.
My hand brushed her pink hair.
Gently tugged her nape.
And.
Mmwah.
My lips met hers.
A soft "ah" tried to escape her, but I sealed it quick, covering her mouth fully.
My tongue slipped in at the same time.
She sorta resisted, but pointless. No way she overpowers me.
She doesn't even want to, really. Just playing coy.
"......! ......!!"
As my tongue swept her mouth, she squirmed.
I curved my other hand around her waist to still her.
Don't make this hard. You started the teasing.
I was gonna hold back.
I explored every corner with my tongue.
Between teeth. Inside cheeks.
And especially... my beloved wife's tongue.
"......Puha."
When I finally pulled back.
A sticky thread of saliva stretched between us.
Flushed cheeks. Ragged breaths.
Adel wiped her mouth belatedly, looking away.
"......Y-you crazy? Way too sudden."
"I was trying to hold back. Like I told you a million times."
"Sh-shut up. Doesn't excuse the rudeness. Daring to take the Third Imperial Princess's lips like that......"
"So you hated it?"
"......"
"If you did, no more. Though I'll do it with the others since we already started."
"Wh-who said I hated it! This is your duty now. Kiss me once a day. Got it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
I chuckled at her tsundere act.
I gave Adel first dibs this time, but next up, the other wives too.
Someday, we'll go all the way.
Adel departed, and night deepened.
Just one day in the eternal happiness to come.