Everyone Accepts the Harem Proposal
Now all that was left was to tell the girls that I'd gotten the god's permission, so it was legally okay to form a harem. Judging by their reactions, they'd either grudgingly accept it or just give up on me and leave—but either way, we'd reach some kind of conclusion.
But Ares was the problem. Even if the others came around and the Death Knights obeyed my orders, there was no way she'd accept something like this. I was worrying about how to convince her when...
"If it's Countess Ares, I can handle it myself," Namiel said, as if she'd read my mind.
"Pardon?"
"She won't agree to something like this. When we get back, tell her I called for her. Make up some reason and bring her to the temple—I'll keep her there as long as possible."
"...You don't mean...?"
"Yes, it's a method the Heavenly God told me."
That guy's survival skills are seriously top-tier! To think he'd even anticipated Ares's reaction and given orders accordingly. How the hell do the demons of this world even coexist with a temple that worships a god like that? Rebelling against a god is reckless to begin with, but against the Heavenly God? That'd be like setting your own head on fire—pure idiocy. Probably why the Demon King survived until the founding emperor killed him; no matter what he did, he was just an insignificant bug to the Heavenly God.
"Got it. Thanks, then." I thanked Namiel and the Heavenly God before heading back to where the others were.
"Mother, the temple says they have something to discuss. Want to head over there for a bit?"
"...Fine."
Ares looked puzzled by the sudden summons but stepped outside anyway.
"Listen up, all of you." Now it was just me and the rest of the women. I told them about the oracle the Heavenly God had given me.
"...?"
"...Huh?"
"Wh-what?!"
"Is that guy insane?!"
Viol, Hames, Arios, Sibylius, and Red reacted in turn. Red was the most dumbfounded, even swearing, so I shot her a cold look.
"If we're splitting hairs, I'm the crazy one. The Heavenly God just granted my wish."
"That insane wish where you didn't want to watch us fight, so you'd take us all and live together?"
"Yeah."
I stated it firmly, scanning the group. "I'm telling you now: I don't care if you refuse. There's no coercion. Just say no and leave if you want."
"That's not—!"
"Enough. No arguments."
I cut off Red. "I'm not asking for an answer right now, obviously. Take your time to think it over. Come find me when you're ready."
I left the gathering spot. "I'll be in my room, so only come when you've made up your minds. Niobe, you stay here and make sure no one does anything stupid."
"...Understood."
Niobe looked like she had a lot to say, but seeing my resolve, she reluctantly nodded. The Death Knights stood guard over the rest as I returned to my room.
About thirty minutes later...
"Seres."
Arios was the first to arrive. "I've got my answer."
"You could've thought longer. Already decided?"
"...No point in agonizing more."
She met my eyes steadily, her gaze sunken. "To be honest, most of my 'deliberation' was just wondering if I should kill all the others... But I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because I've already seen the worst that happens when I give in to that greed."
The original Arios's actions must have deeply shaken her. "So for now, I'll accept your proposal."
"For now?"
"Maybe I'll convince you later while we live together—or maybe my heart will change... and I'll kill the rest."
With that, Arios—who'd ultimately agreed to join the harem—said her piece and left immediately. I'd expected her to cling, but she was gone quick. The reason became clear soon enough.
"Seres."
Someone else was coming. Next was Hames. She still looked at me with trembling, confused eyes.
"Do we really have to go this far?"
"Yes."
Despite her earnest plea, I answered coldly. "And that's my line. You all gave me no choice but to do this."
"...!"
Hames let out a groan, unable to argue. After a long pause, she continued bitterly. "Before, I never would've opposed something like this. Not out of selfishness—for your sake."
She seemed to think I was making some noble sacrifice. Her eyes brimmed with emotions as she added, "But now... I can't. I've seen the horrific events my obsession with you brings."
Havng witnessed the original story, she couldn't ignore it—the prediction that disaster would strike if I didn't do this. "Yeah, this might be the best way. I don't like it, but do I even have the right to complain?"
"Don't blame yourself too much."
"It's not that easy."
Hames sighed, saying she'd accept my proposal too. "The others will probably do the same. No point in me being the only one to refuse."
"Probably."
"...I'll go. Need some time alone to clear my head."
Hames left. About ten minutes passed.
"...It's me."
This time, Viol entered. I thought, Finally, here it comes. Honestly, out of everyone, I was most curious about her reaction. What would she say? Would she snap out of her shock, regain her fire, and threaten to kill the others? I watched tensely—only for something completely unexpected to happen.
Viol dropped to her knees before me with a thud.
"Seres, I'll do anything you say—just please don't leave me!"
She clutched my clothes, pleading desperately. "I've been terrified ever since the Heavenly God showed me that other world's scenery! Afraid you'd die here like there!"
"...!"
"And when I realized you saw it too... I was even more scared! That you'd get sick of me and leave!"
...Did not see that coming. Apparently, Viol's mental state was way more unstable than I'd thought. She still hadn't pulled herself together, just clinging and begging.
"Anything—just please!"
"Uh, so... my proposal?"
"I accept! I'll accept it!"
I hurriedly got her agreement while she was vulnerable. Felt a bit guilty exploiting her breakdown, but oh well. "Alright. I won't leave you—we'll live together. But Viol, you need rest. Go to your room and sleep it off."
I soothed her and sent her off. Moments later...
"Pardon the intrusion."
Sibylius entered next, like she'd been waiting her turn. She had the most intense reaction of the four—her black eyes glowed red as she glared at me the second she walked in.
"Do you even realize how vile you are?"
"What's so vile about me?"
"This entire situation is vile!"
Sibylius shouted. "You know none of us—not me, not any of us—can refuse your proposal or give you up, so you pull this!"
"True. Not denying it."
"Then why not just pick your favorite out of the five? It wouldn't feel this absurd!"
To the raging Sibylius, I said, "No one favorite among the five. Or rather... I like all five."
"...Pardon?"
"You've all treated me well and helped me a ton. So I like every one of you—couldn't pick just one."
Being honest about my feelings left her stunned for a moment.
"So... you feel affection for me too?"
"Yeah. If not, I wouldn't have offered to live together—I'd have just said no."
"...!"
Sibylius pondered gravely. "...Then, could that affection for me grow more than for the other four someday?"
"No idea. Even if I'm a god now, I can't see the future."
"Very well. I'll accept your proposal."
She eyed me coolly. "I did consider killing the other four, but since you made this offer because you like me... I'll agree for now."
"For now? Planning something later?"
"Seems someone else said something similar. Maybe, maybe not."
With that, Sibylius strode out haughtily. That left only Red.
"Heh, being your mistress might be fun after all."
She basically agreed the moment she arrived.
"Not mistress, technically. You'll be my official wife."
"One of many wives. Quite the catch, huh!"
Red scoffed in disbelief before continuing. "From the looks of it, the others all accepted your crazy idea too?"
"Yeah."
"So now what? Got five amazing wives—not just one."
Only one thing left, obviously. "Making babies."
We're basically married now, the Heavenly God ordered it, so... yeah.