## Chapter 1289 – Capital

As expected, Princess Einphel seemed wary.

“Nice to see you.”

She greeted me with a gentle smile on her face, but it was obvious she was seriously on guard. That’s the eye of Chunma Kim Kat.

ㅡSlide.

I slid my feet between the table and the sofa.

Anyway, it was a top-notch reception room, incredibly spacious and luxurious. Sitting across from Princess Einphel in such a lavish room, I couldn’t help but think, “So this is what the royal palace is like.”

“Yes, nice to see you too. We met once before, didn’t we? It was about the flight incident?”
“That’s right. You remember?”
“I’m not a goldfish. Why would I forget that?”
“A goldfish?”
“No. I mean, only a fool would forget.”
“Hmm… So you thought our conversation was important?”
“What?”

What’s this?

Her attitude is noticeably different from last time.

This time, she’s wary, but also… yes. It’s like she’s trying to please me with her words. If I can feel it this much, is it intentional? Certainly. If she saw my power, she’d have no choice but to show goodwill.

“Don’t say strange things. Let’s get to the point.”
“Strange things? I didn’t say anything like that.”
“Alright, alright. Anyway, why did you call me here today?”
“Of course, to have a constructive conversation.”

With that, Einphel reached behind her neck and smoothed out her long platinum blonde hair. Her hair color is quite unique.

“The story of you splitting the sky is widespread. I saw it myself, and so did everyone else. It was an even bigger deal than your flight the other day.”
“Hehehe, that’s right. So, you made a fuss when I just flew once, and now that I’ve split the sky, you’ve become wary?”
“Wary? I’m not doing anything like that.”

Einphel smiled and squinted at me.

Come to think of it, her outfit is quite daring today.

It’s more of a dress that emphasizes her figure than one that adheres to etiquette. It’s an off-shoulder style that exposes her neck, shoulders, collarbone, and even cleavage.

The veins on her full chest were faintly visible. The hem of the dress, tailored to fit her waist and hip size perfectly, was also designed to flaunt her figure.

“Still… it was a huge event. We were all greatly surprised. No one thought a human could do something like that. Even the Archmage probably thinks so.”
“Archmage? Ah.”

Come to think of it, there was someone like that.

Well, even an Archmage is just a strong mage. They wouldn’t have transcended like me. Even that Swordmaster lady is now beneath me, so an Archmage wouldn’t be any different.

“You’re undoubtedly the strongest in the kingdom.”
“Yeah. You could interpret it that way.”

Einphel said, stroking her lips.

“Did you have a good talk with that person earlier?”
“The Swordmaster? We had a good talk.”
“That’s good.”

Soon, Einphel picked up an elegant teapot and began to pour tea. She poured one for me as well and picked up her teacup. I thanked her and drank it.

“Is there anything… you want?”

She’s getting straight to the point.

“Anything I want? I haven’t really thought about it.”

I put down my teacup and answered.

“Our royal family wants to build a very good relationship with you. I thought we could talk about that today.”
“You’re going to show me goodwill?”
“Yes, that’s right. A strong warrior deserves such treatment.”

Seeing the princess say this herself, it must be the official stance of the Karga Kingdom. The gist of what she’s saying is this:

They want to show me goodwill.
They want to maintain a good relationship with me.

This is a wise decision.

Last time, they were talking with caution and considering improving relations, but this time, my splitting the sky completely changed their course. They’ve decided to try and win me over by showing me goodwill first.

Even a nation has no choice but to treat a superhuman like this.

“Hehehe, no one dislikes goodwill. So, what kind of goodwill specifically? And what do you want in return?”
“We can fulfill most of your desires. In return, you just need to maintain a good relationship with the Karga royal family.”

Since they’re going out of their way to do this for me, why would I want to have a bad relationship with them?

“Alright. But that’s something I’ll have to think about. Ah, of course, just because I’m reserving my decision doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything strange.”
“I know.”

Einphel smiled and replied.

“You know I’m affiliated with the Brass Celestial Society, right?”
“Of course I know. And all the rumors going around these days.”
“Rumors?”
“…”

A brief silence followed those words.

Rumors about the Brass Celestial Society? There’s only one. The incident where Kadia blatantly flaunted that she had become my woman. As Kadia herself said, everyone knows about it.

“I’ll confirm this first, but Saintess Kadia…”

And then Einphel asked.

“What is your relationship with her?”
“Kadia is my woman.”

They already know everything.

“I see… so that’s how it is.”

Einphel nodded as if she understood. She seemed a little shaken, as if she thought it was a setback.

She must have judged that I’m inextricably tied to the clergy.

“Why?”
“No, nothing. And there’s one more thing I need to confirm… Don’t take this the wrong way, as I don’t have any strange intentions.”
“What are you trying to say?”

Her attitude was a little cautious, but Einphel eventually cleared her throat as if she had made up her mind.

“Besides Saintess Kadia… Karin Vestatt, the former royal knight of the Vestatt family.”

Karin’s name came up.

“And Winia Bellatude, the mage of the Bellatude family. What about them…”

Winia’s name also came up. Did they investigate my relationships?

“What! Did you dig into my personal life!”

I shook my head, pretending to be greatly surprised.

“Ah, no, no. It’s just natural, isn’t it? Karin Vestatt received an award with you last time. Besides, those rumors are already widespread… And the Bellatude barony is a prominent noble family.”

Einphel waved her hands and replied.

It’s certainly natural. The Vestatt family probably spread the news about my relationship with Karin. There’s also the Valkyrie incident. And the same goes for the Bellatude family. Since Count Zenia knows everything, it must have spread far and wide.

“Do you have many wives?”

Soon, Einphel asked, watching my reaction.
There’s only one thing to say.

“Heroes love women.”
“Oh my?”

Oh my?

“In that case.”

Suddenly, Einphel grinned.

“Are you perhaps interested in a political marriage?”
“What?”

What’s this now?

“A political marriage. To be specific, marrying me.”
“What is this all of a sudden?”

Suddenly, a political marriage.

I didn’t expect her to say something like this. No. More than that, is this something a princess should say after hearing that I have multiple wives? Really?

“The Karga royal family wants to show you goodwill and, more than that, wants a strong bond. The best way to build that is through marriage, isn’t it? To be bound by ties of blood.”

I stared at Einphel’s face for a moment. She seemed to have regained her composure, and there was no sign of her being wary of me.

All that was there was the face of a professional diplomat trying to negotiate with her marriage as the price. Princess Einphel has now put her body and fate on the negotiating table.

“It was judged that this is the best method, and the Great King ordered it. A princess of marriageable age has such uses.”

Princess Einphel spoke, treating herself as a tool with dignity.

“Above all… there’s also the information that you have many women. Ah, I didn’t do anything like tailing you. It’s said that you don’t even seem to be hiding it. It’s already quite a famous story that you like women a lot. Anyone with influence would know.”
“Yeah. I wasn’t really hiding it.”

I just lived normally with my women at home in the capital. I’ve been traveling around, so if eyewitness accounts are gathered, they can find out which women I live with in the same house.

“You’re confident. Just from what I’ve heard… about eight women. I’m just wondering if that’s correct, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“You’ve already asked. Yes, that’s right. I have eight beloved women.”
“Oh my goodness…”

Einphel covered her mouth.

“And even Saintess Kadia is among them?”
“That’s right. She’s my eighth wife.”
“…”

She gasped at those words.

“That arrogant and haughty woman… the eighth.”

She seemed greatly surprised by that.

“Are you badmouthing my woman?”
“Ah, no! It’s not like that.”

She seemed startled and changed the subject.

“Anyway, how about it? If you like women, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. With beauty like mine and the title of princess of the Karga Kingdom. It’s something anyone would like. This kind of marriage proposal comes up quite often. I have the best conditions among them.”

That’s probably true.

The Karga Kingdom is the strongest power. There would be no one who wouldn’t covet the beautiful princess of such a country. Objectively speaking, the princess’s beauty is outstanding enough to rival my wives.

“That’s true. But I never thought I’d receive such a marriage proposal. Especially after it was revealed that I’m a mess when it comes to women.”

I leaned back on the sofa and laughed.

Now that I have power, they’re treating me like this.

“As you said earlier, heroes love women. It’s only natural. No, it’s the right thing to do. Powerful nobles, whether male or female, have many spouses, don’t they?”

That’s right.

“Count Leyden of the Vestatt barony, the current head of the family, is like that. And it’s not just men. Some marchionesses are said to have many spouses as well.”

That’s the norm.

ㅡSlide.

Einphel looked at my face and stroked her collarbone with her finger.

“And the benefits of marriage aren’t just having me. If the marriage is successful, the entire royal territory in the eastern part of the Karga Kingdom will be yours. Of course, you’ll also be granted the title of Grand Duke.”
“Grand Duke, huh.”
“You’ll become the Grand Duke of the Karga Kingdom. And being a Grand Duke means you can declare a duchy. Isn’t that the most important thing?”

They’re giving me a country?

“So, how about it?”

Einphel, having said that, spoke as if she was trying to confirm something.

“I think the life of a princess would be a little difficult. A political marriage.”
“I don’t really care. That’s the fate of a princess. But even if it weren’t, I’d welcome it if the other party was the famous Paladin. Above all, he’s handsome. He’s my type. I actually like it.”

She said with a smile, tapping her lips.

“Oh my.”

Well, whatever.

Any woman would have no choice but to fall for me if they saw me now.

“I don’t care if you have eight other women or a hundred mistresses. If you accept my proposal, I’ll be loyal to you. Of course, since I was born in the Karga royal family, I’ll still act as a communication channel connecting the Karga Kingdom and you while being loyal to you.”

In conclusion, the Karga Kingdom is trying to give me everything. The appearance of a superhuman stronger than a Swordmaster has made them think that way.

“You have a very strong resolve.”

Anyway, since she’s told me a story that she’s prepared so carefully, I should give her an answer.

I’m not interested.

It’s true that Einphel is beautiful, but I’m not particularly interested. Seriously. I was courted by the Elf Queen, and now a princess is proposing a political marriage. But I hate political marriages.

“Of course, it’s something that requires deep thought. But… it would be a great benefit. Enough to declare a duchy right away.”

Einphel said in a slightly anxious voice as I was choosing my words.

“This is the goodwill that the royal family is sending to you.”

I understand that they want to solidify the kingdom’s security by becoming in-laws with me. Yes, this is probably the norm. The royal family isn’t stupid, so they would naturally make such a proposal.

“Alright. I’ll give you my answer.”
“…”
“I have no intention of doing anything as ridiculous as a political marriage.”