Chapter 52
Chapter 52
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 52
Chapter Title: Holy Sword?
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"The holy sword?"
A messenger from the royal palace visited me just as I was busy preparing for the wedding in various ways, having only set the date. He suddenly announced that we had to go retrieve the holy sword. Caught up in the middle of everything, I could only repeat the words "holy sword," and only then did the messenger start explaining properly.
To sum up his explanation: Evangeline plotting the Demon King Revival was a massive issue. To defeat her, we needed legendary equipment like the holy sword. Therefore, they were planning to raid the dungeon where the holy sword was sealed this time, and they needed my help.
That was the gist of it.
"I see."
I wanted to refuse, but I knew better than anyone that I couldn't turn this down. In the original game, the holy sword dungeon was an event dungeon you could go through as a hero strengthening event before defeating the Demon King. You just beat a few statue monsters called "guardians," then grabbed the holy sword from underground, and that was it.
The problem was that only a "man" could touch this holy sword, and the current hero, Aei, had chugged a gender-swap potion, so he couldn't wield it. Therefore, to pull it out and unleash the holy sword's power, they absolutely needed me—a man strong enough to defeat the Demon King.
"I see. If it's something like that, then I must cooperate, of course."
I nodded to the royal messenger with a smile, and he left with a relieved expression. Even as he departed, he kept apologizing for delaying the wedding. And so, I ended up having to raid the dungeon before we could even hold the proper ceremony.
"Fucking bitches."
Eve looked pissed off no matter who saw her. She was sitting with her feet dipped in the pool, cursing the kingdom's messenger over and over. Selu, fully submerged in the pool, looked at her and said,
"Heh, looks like Eve can't wait to marry you."
"No, it's not that."
"Then what's got you so mad?"
"No, Mom, think about it. Doesn't it suck when they suddenly push back the plans?"
"Exactly, so you want to get married quick, right?"
"Fuck."
Eve shut her mouth again. After roughly explaining the situation, I sat on a chair by the pool, reviewing the list of party members for this dungeon raid from the documents. The kingdom was sending Belrix Karin. I was participating as the Priest Leader of the Great Heavenly God Church, Hero Aei as the top contributor in Demon King subjugation, and surprisingly, Elf Princess Ahildern Erina's name was also on the expedition list.
She's pregnant— is that okay?
"Hey."
Eve called out to me. I just turned my head to look at her. Eve said,
"How long's it gonna take?"
"No idea. I've never been to this dungeon myself. If we get stuck, it could take quite a while."
"Doesn't the Great Heavenly God Church have anyone besides you? Fuck, do they have to drag the guy who's getting married?"
"Heh."
"Ah, Mom! I said no!"
"I didn't say anything—."
As Eve snapped at me, Selu chimed in from the side with a chuckle. Pissed off by the sound, Eve chewed out Selu again. Aira, sorting work documents, asked me,
"By the way, who'll act as proxy lord while you're gone this time?"
"Oh, no proxy needed this time. My wife's right here."
I pointed at Eve as I said it. A proxy lord only applies if the lord is unmarried. If the lord has a wife, she naturally gains authority over the territory. Eve frowned at my words and asked,
"Is that really okay?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean... I'm a criminal and a mermaid hybrid. Does that really work?"
"Well, the messenger didn't bring up any issues with a proxy, so it should be fine, right?"
Truth be told, I wasn't entirely sure about this either. Legally, there was no clause saying a criminal wife didn't count or that proxies had disqualifying factors. Unless someone made a fuss, I planned to just leave it to Eve, Aira, and Sieri to handle things.
"We haven't even had the wedding yet."
"Legally, we're still married."
We hadn't done the ceremony, but on paper, Eve was already my wife. I prioritized the paperwork over the wedding so I could free up Eve and Selu sooner.
"Plus, I don't know anything about this stuff..."
"Just listen to Sieri and Aira."
"Fuck."
Eve glared at Aira, scowling. Aira flinched at the look and hid behind me again. Even though Eve was safe now and had lost her strength, Aira still feared her.
"Sieri's that nun from the Great Heavenly God Church, right?"
"Yeah. Childhood friend of mine, so get along with her."
"What's your relationship with her?"
Eve asked. I had to pause for a second there. As I hemmed and hawed, Eve's expression soured more with each passing moment.
"You fucking sleazy bastard. No wonder you fuck like a pro— you've done this plenty. Fucking bitch. You been messing with the church nuns and the maids here too?"
Eve grumbled, shaking her head. Sieri worked at the church mornings and afternoons, so she wasn't at the mansion right now. I shook my head.
"Sieri. You. Aira here. And Selu. That's it?"
"Bragging, are we?"
Eve cursed me out. She didn't seem thrilled about my colorful history with women. So I decided not to mention knocking up Erina. She'd taken this pretty coolly so far, but bringing that up might push her over the edge.
"You know I'm the one I love most, right? Eve?"
"No clue. You said the same to my mom."
"But I'm marrying you. Because I love you most."
"...Fuck, you sure talk smooth."
Eve grumbled but didn't get any angrier. Despite her foul mouth, she had a surprisingly high tolerance. I wondered what face she'd make if I brought home more women, but for now, it seemed within limits.
"So you're still messing with that nun?"
Eve asked. I nodded. She pressed,
"Between her and me, who's better?"
Isn't that a bit too direct? Selu giggled, and Eve chucked a pool slipper at her. Selu ducked underwater, dodging it. The water exploded like a cannonball hit.
"You, obviously, Eve."
I'd given Sieri a similar answer, but whatever. Eve smirked, seemingly satisfied, nodding as she fought back a grin. I could tell she was beaming inside despite trying to play it cool.
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Good enough. I'm no saint myself— what do I care if you have a few women? As long as I'm the best."
Eve actually looked in a good mood. I was relieved. It'd be great if Sieri were as open-minded as Eve; I wondered what they'd talk about when they met. Aira blindly obeyed me like a slave, so no clashes with Eve, but Sieri had a subtle possessive streak toward me.
"Anyway, even as lord's wife, if you try making unilateral policies, there'll definitely be backlash. So just stay quiet."
"With that nun and Aira here?"
"Yeah. Help out when Sieri and Aira ask for approvals on accounting stuff, and if neighboring territories ask for aid, refuse unless I say okay. That much is fine."
A few neighboring territories, still wrecked from the mess, were in economic shambles and kept requesting aid. I'd been funneling donations under the Great Heavenly God Church name, but it wasn't enough—they kept asking.
I'd rejected anything that'd dip into territory budget so far. Rumors said the neighbors were grumbling about it.
The central church had advised against draining territory funds for donations, as it harms innocents, so Eve refusing wouldn't be an issue. But I worried what schemes the neighbors might pull while I was away.
Still, no choice. I had to defeat Evangeline to live worry-free in this world.
"So when do you leave?"
"Tomorrow."
"Fucking soon."
"Gotta go quick to get back quick."
"So you're busy tonight?"
Eve scraped the floor lightly as she asked. Her pale skin flushed red. Since coming to the mansion, she favored sleeveless tops. A one-eyed sleeveless beauty— too damn hot. I felt blood rushing downstairs.
Travel gear was packed, handover docs ready, so tonight I could relax. Nodding at Eve's subtle hint, I stroked her thigh. Firm from years of training and swimming.
"Nah, not busy. What about you, Eve?"
"I'm free... So can I come to your room tonight?"
Eve rose and approached, hand on my shoulder. I gently pushed it away and said,
"But, Eve."
She flinched at my cool response.
"What's up?"
"Isn't how you call me a bit too stiff?"
"What, you don't like 'you'?"
"Try calling me 'husband'."
"Fuck."
"Just once."
"...Do I really have to? Fuck. Not my style."
Eve hesitated forever. Selu leaned at the pool's edge, watching with sparkling eyes like parents seeing their baby's first steps. After agonizing, Eve finally spoke.
"...Husband."
Tonight's fucked.