131 – A Fleeting Settlement (7)

When Adora called me *sunbae*, there was no need to fuss over hierarchy. I stepped between the two women and said firmly,

“Both of you, stop it.”

“That fox started it, *sunbae*!”

“It happened because of me, so if you’re angry, be angry at me.”

“Can I do that?”

Nodding, I offered my cheek, and Adora’s touch followed.

Ah, I’m about to be hit a few times.

That was my thought, but the warmth that came next felt more like a tender sensation than pain. Adora held my cheek and pulled me close, our lips meeting.

“…*Sunbae*, you’re sweet.”

Adora’s face was incredibly close. She looked at me with a mischievous expression.

“Aren’t you going to hit me?”

“I just did, didn’t I? With my lips.”

*Tok, tok, tok.*

Adora tapped her own lips in a staccato rhythm and smiled.

“Yesterday’s beating was justified punishment. One for deceiving a superior, and another for playing with a woman’s heart. Well, that’s all. You saved my life, *sunbae*, so I don’t want you to hate me for no reason.”

“I hate you? Why would I?”

“Well, it’s just that you’re popular with the ladies, Captain? You wouldn’t miss one less…”

My embrace cut off Adora’s words. Adora, held close to me, fell silent.

“Don’t you forget, Adora, that I was able to raise my magic level this high, and that Rachel was able to live, all thanks to you.”

“Captain…”

“I owe you my life, too.”

It was a sincere statement. Once we returned, life would be smooth sailing. There were so many things I could do with this much magic.

So, I dare to be confident.

If I put in a little effort, providing for my wives and children would be no problem at all.

“Hey!”

The fox sisters puffed out their cheeks, looking displeased. I beckoned them over as well.

And just like that, I gathered both women into my arms.

“Girls.”

I began.

“We haven’t known each other long. Living together, there will be parts of us that don’t quite fit. There will be times we cry, times we’re so angry we fight. But instead of tearing each other apart, just… throw rocks at me, all of you. That’s all you need to do.”

This was the responsibility given to me. If I couldn’t take responsibility, I shouldn’t have done something crazy like confess to multiple women at once.

But the soldier girls had given me a new life, even using a forbidden technique. I truly owed them a debt I could never repay, even with a lifetime of service.

“Adora, I like you. Would you be willing to date me seriously?”

“…Umm, y-yeah, sure.”

“Riyo, Miyo. I’ve heard that beastfolk will even guarantee debts for those they are close to. I feel the same way. Would you allow me… to guarantee your lives?”

“…U-uh, yes. *Sniff*.”

I hugged the three women tightly, riding the wave of the moment. Unlike yesterday, none of them were angry or picking apart my words.

“Thank you, all three of you. I love you.”

“Hnng, *Hic*.”

“Ah, seriously. How did I fall for a guy like this…”

Adora took out her canteen and took a small sip of water. Her usually pale skin was flushed a peach color.

The fox sisters also began rubbing their tails against my lips. That musty-sweet scent. It was a smell that clouded my mind.

Why was that?

Just the scent of the fox sisters made it hard to suppress my desires.

I needed to finish assembling the stone tablet, I needed to come up with a magic circle to release the barrier, but I kept getting swallowed up by the thought of rolling around with the two women in front of me.

And it seemed like the three women felt the same way.

The moment our eyes met, I was sent reeling backwards.

“Hek, hek…”

“Huuu…”

The fox sisters and Adora pressed themselves against me with fervor. The scent of sharp strawberries and the comforting, blanket-like aroma of animal fur threatened to completely overwhelm my reason.

“Shall we?”

[“Let’s just do it.”]

The fox sisters drooled, nipping at my shoulder.

“Senior, our family adheres to premarital purity… let’s just consider that last bit our marriage. I’ll explain everything to your father-in-law.”

The scion of a prestigious house had just declared her intent to frolic with me.

[‘Oh-ho? Is the main event finally starting?’]

[“Bbeem-bbit…!”]

Right. They were here too.

But of all of them, it had to be Kalon and Bbimbi that were left behind. The rest of the golems had gone with Rachel and Tiria to find food.

[‘That’s it, you foxes! Now that things have come to this, you’re taking Senior’s first time! Yes, keep the pressure on!’]

[“Bbeembi? Bbeembi-bbi-bbit!”]

[‘Silence, you monster! What do you know of human reproduction?’]

[“Bbikyaaah!”]

[‘Heh heh heh, how pathetic. A mere spider daring to challenge Johannes Kalon, the one called the Calamity of Larion. A mere arthropod like you is nothing against the Bug-Be-Gone spray developed in our university lab… Oh, wait a moment. Ooh, oooh, UoooH!’]

The spider, having enshrouded Kalon in webs, rolled him away. The two vanished into the thicket.

Well, I guess they can entertain themselves.

I was on the verge of being devoured myself, with no energy to spare for anyone else.

“Mmph…”

Adora was feeding me water.

“Kkihing, hing.”

The fox sisters scratched and clawed, tearing at my clothes as if skinning them off.

This is truly the end. I, Erich Ronstein, was losing my bachelorhood today.

My first night, no. My first noon, spent outdoors with three others.

The thought that the others might return any minute made reason scream for me to stop, but my instincts refused.

Frankly, I’d endured it for far too long.

For the past few months, I’d been considerate of the female soldiers, focusing solely on survival, living an almost ascetic life.

Now that the surroundings were secure, and with only the escape after a good meal left to consider, the pent-up desires within me erupted.

Simply put, I couldn’t resist.

“Ah…”

“Heut…”

[“Heueung…”]

It was just as I was about to surrender myself to instinct, embracing the two women.

Thud, thud, trundle.

The sound of something falling reached my ears, and a few red berries rolled towards us.

A sudden chill ran down my spine.

“Hey, you.”

Following the berries, a low, irritable voice drifted through the air. The lust that had just begun to simmer subsided, and reason returned.

Together with the three of them, I rose to my feet and lifted my head.

[‘Oh, senior.’]

[‘My goodness.’]

[‘What is this, what is this, what is this!’]

The golems guarding Rachel and Theria had returned, making a fuss. The fact that *they* were here meant…well.

I was screwed.

“Having a grand old time, are we? Is that right?”

The Saintess approached me, her lips stretched into a near-tearing smile.

“Erich.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to die?”

That day, I was able to experience the full range of divine magic that Theria employed.

*

Several days passed.

For the sin of dallying with other women during the time I should have been researching the teleportation circle for our escape, I spent most of my time with the golems.

Of course, I did receive assistance from the female soldiers when it was truly necessary, but otherwise, I focused on my personal upkeep.

And so, I completed the magic circle and dispelled the barrier within the altar.

“It’s done!”

“Now we just need to build a raft or wait for rescue, and we’re out of here.”

It was truly over.

We would continue gathering food, with the aim of building a raft large enough for us all.

To do so, we needed to move to a stretch of white sand, a place richer in resources.

And so, we marched for a good half-day, carrying Salvira, who had lost her leg.

Our former shelter had long since been ravaged and collapsed by the storms.

We spent another half-day repairing it, finally able to lay down our bodies.

There were no more monstrous threats, but still, we couldn’t let our guard down until the very end.

In practice, the biggest problem remained the epidemic.

Being a tropical region, there were many mosquitoes, snakes, and other pests. If bitten, one could contract a fatal disease.

The Saintess could heal us to a degree with her divine power, but even her strength was not omnipotent.

“It would be best if one person stood guard with the golems each night,” I proposed.

Everyone agreed to my suggestion.

I stole a glance at Tiria.

Tiria, who had been so furious that day when I had been dallying with the fox sisters and Adora, had now returned to her kind face.

I cautiously spoke to her.

“It’s truly the end, isn’t it.”

“It seems so.”

“Even if we are rescued from here, the war won’t be over immediately.”

“One side must become prisoners… is what you’re saying.”

Tiria sighed.

“It’s alright, Erich. I’ll somehow defend you. And, Giffold as well.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m trying to help the Giffold family because they’re essential for the stability of the Magic Kingdom after the war. It’s absolutely not because I like that woman….”

Tiria’s eyes held a sulky glint.

Watching the sunset beyond the horizon, I slowly stroked Tiria’s back.

“I’m sorry for being such a flawed man.”

“Hmph.”

“Even if we become separated after the war, Miss Casten, I will never forget our time here together. No matter how long the fighting lasts, I will survive to the end, and I will find you. And if you are still willing then, I will ask you to formally become husband and wife.”

“Really?”

“I promise you.”

“Haa…”

Tiria sighed, a soft puff of air.

“Actually, I don’t really want to go back. Who knows how long the war will drag on? I’d rather endure this, even if it’s terribly uncomfortable and difficult, than face that again.”

“I feel the same.”

“Right? Even when we ‘fight,’ it ends with a little ‘tap, tap’ or ‘thump, thump’. No guns, no swords needed.”

“But we have to return.”

“Yes, because we’re the only ones with a clue to ending the war.”

We couldn’t ignore the soldiers of both countries pointlessly fighting just so we could be comfortable.

The atrocities committed by some within the Magic Kingdom, the schemes of the Demon Lord’s army, the secrets of this island.

We possessed the potential to change the numbers recorded in history.

Having survived by defying the impossible until now, I believed we could do it again.

A gentle smile played on Tiria’s lips as she leaned against my shoulder.

“Erich.”

“Tiria.”

“I’m fond of you.”

“Hm?”

“Hehe.”

Tiria burrowed deeper into my embrace, her eyes soon closing. The sound of her soft breathing was swallowed by the waves.

Asleep.

Well, she deserves the rest. These past few days have been a relentless cycle of gathering materials, hunting, and foraging.

It’s best to let her rest soundly today.

I laid Tiria down on the bed woven from thread and stone.

“Mmm, honey, come here…”

“Senior, why don’t you come to my place for pasta…”

Beside her, the fox sisters and Adora slept, entangled in each other’s arms. Each seemed to mistake the other for me.

I chuckled softly and turned my gaze towards the horizon.

Dusk was settling.

It was time for everyone except me and the Golems to sleep.

But something was off.

The Golems weren’t moving at all.

“Erich.”

Rachel approached me. She extended a hand, previously hidden behind her back.

[‘Oh, oh, oh, what’s happening here?’]

[‘Hey! Put it back! I said put it back!’]

[‘Give it up. Rachel can’t hear us anyway.’]

[‘Oh my, is that so?’]

The stones pulled from the golems’ circuits clamored in a cacophony only I could hear.

“Rachel?”

“I… just want to set these aside for a bit.”

Rachel placed the stones into a dish, then gazed at me with a profound look. She then spoke, carefully.

“Tonight… spend the night with me.”

Rachel’s voice, as she spoke those words, trembled with an unease.