128 – A Very Brief Settlement (4)

The raucous golems froze mid-gesture.

The female soldiers did too.

Some stared back with expressions of bewildered shock, others with a more knowing, intense gleam in their eyes. It was as if time itself had solidified into ice.

Silence reigned.

It was Tiria’s voice that shattered the frigid quiet.

“Just, what did you say?”

“I want to be connected to everyone. I cannot choose just one of you.”

“This is… a joke, right?”

“I am sincere.”

Finally, I confessed. The first confession of my life, and likely the last, and the most wretched one at that. But I don’t regret it.

“Haa…”

Tiria took a slow, deep breath, her eyes now imbued with a reddish tinge.

“Erich.”

“Yes.”

“One man, one woman, Erich. You know this, don’t you? Neither the Holy Empire nor the Magic Kingdom allows a man to marry multiple women. Nor should they.”

“I am aware.”

“Knowing that, why? Why are you saying such things?”

“Because all of you are precious to me.”

There was a situation, nearly every day, where we would all die if we didn’t cooperate. Saving each other, caring for each other. We repeated such things for months. Enduring, while treating the other person’s life as my own.

Having survived until now like that, how could you all not be precious?

“It’s not just liking, or loving, at that simple level. I consider all of you as extensions of my own being. Aren’t we all bonded by our very souls? I want to take responsibility for all of you.”

“Take responsibility? For all of us?”

Tiria’s gaze became entirely crimson.

“The reason we bound our souls to yours was to mitigate the side effects of the forbidden technique. And also to repay the debt of our lives until now. Of course, it was also because we loved you… But still! Erich, this isn’t right! A relationship between a man and woman shouldn’t be like this!”

“Miss Karsten.”

“What is this! I was preparing myself…! Practicing how to smile when chosen, how to hide my expression when not chosen! I practiced it so many times while you were asleep, while you weren’t looking! Why are you saying something I never even conceived!”

This was the first time I’d seen Tiria this angry. It was different from the cold, refined fury she had shown me at our first meeting. She was venting her pent-up frustration, revealing her true feelings without any reservations.

At this point, I took stock of the situation. The fox sisters and Adora were nodding in agreement with Tiria’s words.

“You’re awful, Erich. I was only looking at you.”

“Turns out, even the morally upright Major had flaws. To think he was a man who kept a string of women along. I’m disappointed.”

These were the reactions I expected. Isn’t a monogamous relationship the norm in this era? What woman in the world would like a man who openly said he was going to have an affair?

“Think about it the other way around, Erich! How would you feel if I said I wanted to live with multiple men at the same time!”

“I would certainly dislike that.”

“It’s exactly the same!”

Even with ten mouths, I had no excuse.

“Women have desires too. The man I love, I want him to look only at me, to not even glance at other women! That’s how we feel! Erich, don’t you feel any guilt towards us?”

“I apologize.”

“Then pick just one of us. We’ll pretend you never said what you just did.”

“But I have no intention of retracting my words.”

“What was that?”

“I always take responsibility for the words I’ve spoken. I don’t even utter words I can’t stand by.”

So, please, don’t pretend you didn’t hear them.

Upon hearing that, Tiria’s irises shifted to a stark white. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

“I… I’m speechless…”

“I will take responsibility for my statement.”

It was then that Adora, sleeves rolled up, stepped forward.

“Well said, Major. Very well said.”

*Smack, smack!*

A stinging heat bloomed on both my cheeks.

“Huh?”

“Just a moment, wasn’t that a bit much?”

“A bit much? I merely applied military justice.”

“Does the military code of the Magic Kingdom really have such provisions?”

“Insulting and deceiving a superior officer.”

Adora gently rubbed my cheeks, continuing to speak.

“Playing with a woman’s heart usually ends with more than a single slap, Major. Considering the achievements you’ve accumulated thus far, I’m keeping the punishment to this extent, so let this be a lesson etched deep within your bones. Do you understand?”

“I understand perfectly.”

“Haa, I’m famished, having skipped lunch. Time for some grub.”

Adora, having turned her back, was the first to leave. Tiria, who had been staring at me with a flustered expression, also said a few words before departing.

“Y-yes, that’s right. Reflect on yourself, Erich. You’re on your own for dinner tonight!”

Riyo stuck her tongue out at me with a *bleh*, and then followed after the two female officers. Then, a moment later, she returned and kicked me in the shin.

“Ouch!”

“You big dummy!”

Then came the thwacks to my head.

“Bad man! The worst!”

Pummeled senseless, I soon felt the sting of scratches bloom across my skin. The fox sisters, still huffing, retreated into our makeshift abode.

Rejected by three women, all in the span of a heartbeat.

I’d steeled myself, but the reality bit deeper than I’d imagined.

Yet, it wasn’t over.

There was still one person whose ire I had yet to face.

I resigned myself and looked toward Rachel. She was letting out these little, jerky sighs. Was she just looking at me like some pathetic fool, confessing to multiple women in this day and age?

But something felt…off.

Looking again, it wasn’t sighing.

Rachel was taking deep breaths. Short, ragged gasps. Her gaze met mine, then darted away, then back again. Her shoulders were trembling. Evening’s blush painted her cheeks a soft, rosy pink.

Was she so angry her face flushed?

Rachel’s words that followed answered that. It was not anger.

“…I, like you.”

“Rachel?”

Her tone was outwardly blunt. But her voice, it was wet with emotion.

“I, I like you too, Erich. Erich.”

She mumbled the words, barely audible, before slowly drifting closer. Her arm brushed against mine, sending a jolt of tremors right through me.

“Now, I… I can’t live without you. You’re the most precious person in the world to me. But I was so afraid you’d say no, that you would abandon me and choose another woman. So, me, I…this is enough.”

A jumble of words. Too fast to fully grasp.

Even so, the intent came through loud and clear.

Rachel hadn’t misunderstood me. She had heard it all, from start to finish, and yet she was telling me she would stay by my side.

“I’m sorry.”

“…What for?”

“Your people.”

It all came back, from months ago.

Her apology for killing those around me, for all of it. As if my confession moments before was nothing, Rachel reeled off her transgressions, begging me for forgiveness.

“I was sorry, truly, I was so sorry. I will be good, from now on, I’ll be good…”

The thought of consoling this woman vanished with the sight of her tears.

I took her hand.

And then, he held her with all his might.

“I… I was sorry too.”

“Erich…”

“Your surname… I know what it means. ‘Broken Heart,’ right? No matter how hard things were, why would you go around using a surname like that?”

He told her to abandon the name Broken Heart.

“Lohnstein.”

“Huh…?”

“Rachel Lohnstein, your name.”

At those words, Rachel blinked. Surprise, affection, and an unparalleled, radiant joy bloomed in her gold-flecked gaze.

Rachel squeezed me tightly. With brutal strength, as if she’d never let me go again.

Our relationship was settled, just like that.

Settled, and newly established.

The enemy soldier who had been most eager to kill me, was now my partner for life.

[‘Oh, this is insane.’]

*

The sunset began. Watching the sun sink below the horizon, Rachel and I walked together.

That Rachel, this Valkyrie, would walk arm-in-arm with me…

I never could have dreamed it.

My heart felt like it would burst.

“Uhm…”

Even the way she swallowed a soft groan, shy and embarrassed, was incredibly endearing.

Neither Rachel nor I had any experience with romance, so we didn’t know where to even start. That’s why we were just circling the barracks, watching the sun go down.

Of course, there was another, bigger reason.

I was being watched.

If I went over there right now, Tyria and the fox sisters and Adora would be chewing me out between mouthfuls. How could I possibly go back?

Whatever happens later, staying here for now was the best option.

*Grumble.*

I wondered what that was, but it was the sound of Rachel’s stomach.

“Ah.”

“Rachel, go ahead. I can go hungry alone, it’s okay.”

Rachel shook her head.

“We… we ate together. Always. Sharing the hunger too.”

It felt like only yesterday she was throwing a fit about not coming near the food, refusing to be anywhere near the fire, and now she was saying she’d share my meals.

I was happy, but also worried.

Everyone was already suffering from nutritional imbalance from this continued island life, and if she stopped eating on top of that, what would we do?

“At this rate, your belly will stick to your back.”

“You especially.”

There was nothing else for it. We’d have to fill up on water.

I opened my canteen and offered it to Rachel.

“Drink.”

“You first.”

“No, you first.”

“…Thank you.”

Rachel took just a single gulp, then immediately handed the canteen back. There was really no need to be so considerate.

I quenched my thirst as well. It was then that Rachel reached out her hand.

“Just a little more.”

I chuckled softly and handed the water back.

Rachel’s lips, gazing blankly at the canteen’s mouth, met it. She slowly pressed her lower lip against it, closing her eyes. And then, without a sound, her Adam’s apple bobbed.

A few droplets of water trickled down her jawline.

Rachel, opening her eyes languidly, glanced at me and raised the corner of her mouth.

[‘Well, well?’]

[‘Shhh, be quiet.’]

I sighed.

“If you drink with your mouth touching it…”

“…Do you mind?”

That answer left me speechless.

From some point on, I had begun to think she was beautiful and lovely, but it was only today that my heart had moved so deeply.

[‘Ditching the saint?’]

[‘Are you throwing the fox away?’]

[‘Let’s be honest, you two. All three women dumped this guy.’]

[“Ha! Bigamy, my foot! In the end, it’s Rachel who’ll win!”]

“Bweep-bweep…”

To be honest, my heart still isn’t at peace. But moping around won’t change a thing.

“Here.”

Right on cue, Rachel handed me a canteen. I put my lips to the lid, slick with moisture, and slowly drained the remaining water.

It’s not enough, somehow.

What is it, this thirst that drinking can’t quench? The canteen doesn’t hold seawater, yet why does it taste so salty, so briny?

“Erich.”

Rachel blinked her half-closed eyes, her hand resting on her lower stomach.

“I’m hungry.”

And then she slipped off the jacket she always wore. Her alabaster shoulders were revealed.

Why take off your clothes when you say you’re hungry? I realized the meaning a beat late.

Suddenly, Rachel’s nickname sprang to mind.

Black Cat.

A cat with raven hair and golden eyes like a full moon.

At first, I was hesitant to approach her, but now, after sharing our hearts… she’s so mystical, so bewitching.

The golems were still trailing behind us, providing escort, but I couldn’t care less anymore.

A kiss wouldn’t hurt, would it?

Thinking that, I grasped Rachel’s shoulders and moved in slowly, giving her time to prepare.

Rachel didn’t resist. Instead, she wrapped her arms around my waist, urging our lips to meet.

It was in that very moment, as we were about to touch.

“Erich, I’m sorry I yelled earlier. Are you hungry? I brought some food…”

The voice, suddenly present, trailed off.

A premonition struck, and my wife and I turned our gaze.

There, standing in a daze, was Tyria, staring at our almost-kiss.

Thud.

The stone bowl, filled with fish and mountain greens, fell limply to the ground.