Chapter 51
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: The Prototypes' Patience Reaches Its Limit
The patience of the Unit 1s had reached its limit.
When the Unit 1s first showed up, that alone had been quite the shock.
Women who looked exactly like the heroines, claiming they'd regressed through time and acting like they knew me—it was impossible for any man not to be stunned by that.
But I never imagined something even more shocking was in store.
"The Demon King placed a curse as he died... A curse where the person I love most dies...?"
"It's a curse that only applies to the hero who kills the Demon King. That's why Denis died. Father loved her more than anyone."
"......"
It was an undeniable truth. After the heroines abandoned me and I became a loner, Denis was the only one who took me in.
She was the only one who embraced my tiny dick with love.
"The way to break the curse is simple. Love as many people as equally as possible, without prioritizing anyone. That way, the curse's power gets dispersed."
"...Is that even possible?"
Human emotions aren't fair. You can't split your love equally among N people.
There's always a hierarchy.
"That's why we're having children. You'll love your own blood equally, after all."
"......"
"We regressed through time to save you, Father. Please believe us."
There was no tremor in Charlotte's expression. Her earnest gaze carried a compelling sincerity.
She was like a still lake. Even if you hurled a massive rock into it, not a single ripple would form. That's how steadfast she was.
"Using the itch cream... We did it prepared to be hated by you. Olivia and Nine are too soft-hearted, so as a knight, I had no choice but to step up."
"......"
If Charlotte was telling the truth, it made a certain amount of sense.
"...You mean there's no way I'll get pregnant in this state?"
"I'm aware you've been consistently intimate with Denis. But no children were born."
"For 15 years?"
"Yes. Until we girls grew from maidens into women. There was no news of your second generation. It must have failed."
The Unit 1s testified. At this rate, I'd never have a child.
That's why they'd brought the stamina-boosting potion.
'Honestly, I'm interested.'
I wanted a child. Being cursed with a useless dick didn't erase my breeding instincts.
But their method of application was all wrong. It filled me with dread.
No man would cheerfully agree to slathering it on his asshole.
"...Let me think about it."
"Think about it, you say?"
The situation wasn't urgent enough to accept right away. There were over 15 years until the Demon King's revival.
Who knows? Maybe thanks to the Unit 1s, some better solution would come up.
Charlotte suddenly leaned in close at my response, her eyes gleaming as she whispered.
"Still hesitating, Father?"
"...Of course I am... What kind of guy would just say 'sure' to shoving something up his ass...?"
"It's not shoving. It's medical treatment. Just applying the ointment. You seem to be mistaking the process for something lewd, Father."
"Me? Not at all. I'm just speaking from the perspective of an ordinary... average guy."
Instead, Charlotte's boldness left me speechless.
'If it actually works, then it really would just be treatment...'
Maybe I was the weird one for taking it the wrong way.
But I wanted to deal with that later. I didn't feel like wallowing in self-loathing right now.
Charlotte stepped back. She tilted her head and nodded emphatically.
"Understood. If it makes you uncomfortable, we won't force it. As you said, there's still time."
"...Thanks for understanding."
"It's all for your sake in the end. If it disgusts you, we absolutely can't do it."
"......"
I wanted to snap that she'd spent the whole trip doing exactly that to other women's asses—wasn't that brazen? But I kept my mouth shut.
She claimed it was like secret training for my benefit, so I'd decided to understand.
"...Will you help?"
"Of course."
We stacked meat neatly in the freezer. Enough to last three months easy.
The inn's hall was bustling. No customers, but the kids' chatter made it noisy.
Lisa was especially worked up.
"You're the same age as Olivia?"
All the Unit 2s were the same age. Meaning the heroines had gotten pregnant and given birth around the same time.
The thought made my chest ache.
'When they left me behind. They were all carrying those kids in their bellies.'
That was why I couldn't hold onto them no matter how hard I tried.
I left the kids chattering away at their table and approached Denis. She was preparing food to share with them.
Since it was the first meeting with Charlotte Unit 2, she seemed to be planning a welcome feast.
"I heard there's one more left."
Denis sidled up, noticing me hovering nearby.
"Three in total. Nine Unit 1 is still out there too."
"Should we go get her?"
"......"
Her tone implied it was obvious, which puzzled me enough to ask.
"Doesn't it bother you?"
"What?"
"The inn suddenly got a lot more crowded."
It could be inconvenient for Denis. Strangers barging in and settling down without warning.
Denis let out a chuckle.
"Noisy beats quiet any day. An inn's supposed to be lively."
"Lively with paying guests."
"We're not running this place just to make money. Dyke brings in the cash anyway."
"......"
The subsidies weren't huge. Nowhere near enough to run an inn properly.
But they had been a lifeline, easing our tight budget.
We hadn't starved thanks to them. A decent chunk of change had loosened our frugal ways.
Truth be told, an inn in a rural village like this couldn't turn a profit. If you wanted money, this was the wrong business.
Not even to make ends meet.
Denis had sold her body. Most inns did it for the same reason.
The world's view that lodging and prostitution went hand-in-hand played a part too, of course.
"I don't mind. Lisa's thrilled to have friends."
Denis said, watching Lisa grin.
Lisa was the innkeeper's daughter. Given the job, it wasn't a flattering image.
Village adults and kids her age had been shunning her like an outcast.
With the Unit 2s showing up one by one, her excitement was understandable.
'I need to tell her...'
I had to share what Charlotte Unit 1 told me. Hear Denis's take on it.
I knew what she'd say, but asking anyway made me a selfish bastard.
"Go sit down. I'll bring food soon."
"...I'm not hungry."
"Then go wash up."
I gratefully accepted her kindness and headed to the bathhouse behind the Cradle of Abundance Inn.
I sensed footsteps following me. No attempt to hide them.
"...Why are you following me?"
"I want to bathe too. That's all."
Charlotte Unit 1 said matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, fair enough."
The Cradle of Abundance had separate men's and women's baths. We could use them independently.
I entered the men's side. But Charlotte Unit 1 followed.
I couldn't hold back and turned around, demanding.
"...Why are you following me?"
Click.
Charlotte Unit 1 didn't answer. She silently locked the door.
Blocking anyone from entering, she fixed her gaze on me.
"Please answer us. What should we do?"
"...Answer what?"
"Our talk about the potion earlier. You seemed like you were going to ask Denis's opinion."
"...I haven't said anything yet. Denis knows nothing."
How could I even phrase it?
The Demon King revives, I kill him again. This time for good.
Right before dying, he curses me. The person I love most dies.
"How do I tell her we need a bunch of kids to counter it? That bizarre plan."
It was rational, feasible even. But accepting it emotionally was another matter.
Not logic. Feelings.
"You plan to keep hiding it forever? You'll have to tell her eventually."
"...I'll handle it. I'll tell Denis myself when the time's right."
"Hmm, very well. Understood."
Charlotte approached. One step.
I wished she'd stay back, but she closed the distance.
"Then, leaving Denis aside, I want your answer on something else."
"Answer?"
"What about the potion? The one we made to boost your virility. It must be used before it spoils."
"...Spoils?"
"Rare ingredients make it hard to produce. And without proper storage, it degrades fast. Use it right after mixing."
"......"
I understood what she meant.
"...Don't bullshit me. I'm not ready yet...!"
"Father. I want to bear your child. But the man who needs to sow his seed is spouting feeble excuses..."
Charlotte advanced, eyes flashing as she lunged at me.
I dodged into the bathhouse, blowing past the changing room straight to the men's bath.
"Dyke, you're finally here?"
"Daddy."
Olivia and Nine were waiting there.