148 – End of Hostilities (3)

Erich Ronstein, renewing his life’s achievements.

And what might those achievements be, you ask?

“You little rascal, are you even human?”

Animalistic behavior, approved.

“You got four women pregnant? Have I ever seen such a beast!”

“Father-in-law, please calm yourself! Aagh!”

Being scolded by an Air Force Marshal was a first for me. Not exactly a pleasant experience. To add insult to injury, the Army Major General was standing right next to him, watching. The Major General clapped his hands and grinned like a child.

“Papa, give him more!”

All my own doing. I had to endure.

“One is that ‘Black Cat’, another a Saintess, and yet another a fox spirit, you say? What in God’s name did you do on that deserted island?”

“I was trying to survive, sir. I had no choice.”

“No choice, he says! Easy for you to say, living in a country with monogamy! I can’t give my daughter to a man like you!”

“Father, then I shall become your daughter’s. Daughter, take me as yours.”

“This, the way he speaks…! Ugh, ugh!”

The arrival of the Allied guard put a temporary stop to the situation. At the soldiers’ request for silence, Adora demurely sat down beside me. My father-in-law clutched the back of his neck at the sight. A woman’s heart is an enigma.

“Adora. Now’s your chance to have a proper discussion with this fellow. Tell us exactly what happened between you two on that deserted island.”

“Papa. Senior saved my life.”

Adora explained everything about the curse placed on her, leaving nothing out.

“…Is that really the truth?”

“Yes. Why else would I have been so rude to you, Papa? If I didn’t, it would hurt, I would die…”

Adora’s voice turned a little melancholic.

“I didn’t actually want to be part of the Septem either. There were times I really wanted to die. But I couldn’t, because of my family. I wished someone would help me, so…”

Adora embraced me. She buried her face against me.

My father-in-law, who had been so angry, seemed to have calmed down somewhat.

“I have nothing to say.”

Of course, this didn’t mean the conflict was resolved. On the contrary, it was only the beginning.

Gaining approval from my father-in-law, entering into a polygamous marriage, even immigrating to a country where such a thing was legally guaranteed. So many mountains to climb.

Mountains *I* chose. No option but to take responsibility and ascend.

*

The Magic Kingdom and the Allied Nations had signed a peace treaty.

Though called a peace treaty, it was the start of another war entirely. Each nation vying to gain even a sliver more – the squabbling over spoils was painfully obvious.

The Holy Empire, in particular, was trying to take more than its fair share. I understood that the Magic Kingdom had initiated the attacks, but they were going too far. They were attempting to uproot the academic study of magic from this land entirely.

Initially, a thousand or so mages were indicted. Myself and Ado among them.

But so what?

Shake us all you want, you wouldn’t find a speck of dust.

Creating magic stones during wartime was no different than manufacturing firearms. If I were to be punished, then everyone in charge of military supplies would have to spend time in jail.

Therefore, the Holy Empire sought to judge me for wartime rape. For allegedly assaulting their war hero, ‘Black Cat,’ and impregnating the Saintess of Purification. Turns out my name was quite famous within the Holy Empire.

Naturally, this too was dismissed.

“How is sleeping with a lover assault?”

“We seduced him first, you know?”

“It was… consensual rape.”

Because the ‘victims’ themselves requested leniency.

[‘Consensual rape, can you believe it.’]

[‘It can’t be helped. If you violate the Saintess of the Holy Church, the man is held responsible, one way or another. I told you to root for the Fox sisters instead!’]

[‘Still, the Saintess is the best. What do you know, Kalon-sunbae?’]

Quiet down, you pebbles.

Tiria questioned the court,

“Are you trying to sentence the defendant to death by linking church law to wartime rape? Why are you involving religion in an international military tribunal? I question the fairness of this trial!”

“But, Saintess. The Goddess’s words are absolute…”

“Pull yourself together, Judge! Feel some responsibility for your position!”

Tiria threatened to abandon her position as Saintess entirely to defend me. The words of a Lumina, a Saintess of the Dragon Hero’s bloodline, carried great weight. The Holy Empire, blocked from even their last resort, finally raised the white flag.

“…The defendant, Erich Ronstein, is found not guilty.”

Maybe *this* is what it means to have a good wife.

“Wait, so that man has three lovers?”

“I heard it’s actually four? Counting the woman over there.”

“You knocked up four women after being marooned on a desert island? Are you out of your mind?!”

“You scum! You need to pay more taxes—!!”

“A lover’s quarrel in court? Unbelievable!”

It was recess, and the courtroom erupted. The audience was in an uproar, shouting at me, attempting to hurl rotten eggs, displaying a complete lack of decorum.

Probably just a bunch of Holy Spirit Church fundamentalists. They must be unhappy that I’m to be bonded to a Saintess.

“Are you Erich Ronstein, sir?”

Just then, an elf approached me. A clean-cut young man in a well-tailored suit, he produced a business card from his breast pocket and greeted me in fluent Magocracy tongue.

“Good day, I am this person.”

“An immigration lawyer?”

“Indeed. It appears you find yourself in a somewhat… precarious situation, sir. I thought perhaps I could be of assistance in this matter.”

“A precarious situation?”

“You have four… romantic partners, do you not?”

“…Yes.”

“Ascalia and Hazkael legally forbid polygamous unions. The Pinar United States, however, is different. As the name implies, it is a union of states, each with its own distinct laws. And certain of those states permit multiple wives.”

“You’re from Pinar?”

“I am.”

I examined the business card. He wasn’t just any lawyer. He was accredited by the Central Elder Council. Pinar was a nation governed by strict elven elders, and recognition from their association meant he was exceptionally capable.

“Pinar has a small population, and the recruitment of high-caliber individuals is always our top priority. I am a lawyer dispatched by the nation for that very purpose.”

I began to see it.

The path to emigration.

*

The trial concluded. I, of course, and Adora and even my father-in-law were acquitted.

Adora’s acquittal was largely thanks to the wives of the Holy Spirit nation. They actively defended Adora. It’s not that Adora was innocent, but whether or not she was found guilty was another matter entirely.

Actions coerced by the Führer. The revelation of the existence of the forbidden, where one’s life could only be preserved by breaking the law, absolved responsibility.

Of course, the involved parties were displeased. This issue was resolved by imposing heavier penalties on those responsible at the top.

Seventeen remaining members of the Eight Wings Society were executed, and fifty-some were given prison sentences.

The Magocracy’s active cooperation in this process left the Holy Spirit nation with little to say. Things are different now than they used to be. The development of media has allowed a significant number of Holy Spirit nationals to see the true face of the Magocracy.

That we are not servants of demons, but merely other humans.

[‘The country’s becoming healthier.’]

[‘The compensation issues are for the higher-ups to resolve. It’s not something an individual can do. Senior, let’s just return to our lives and take it easy.’]

A great deal had transpired. Firstly, I formally submitted my discharge request and renewed my Magician’s license. With my mana levels normalized, I became a Special-Grade Magician.

Special-Grade.

The title alone doesn’t quite land.

In civil service terms, it’s equivalent to at least a high-ranking official, but since I have no intention of working for a government agency, I wonder if it really matters.

“Why wouldn’t it matter? It’s practically grounds for immediate immigration!”

Here she comes again. The Elven immigration lawyer.

“Our Finar implements a independent immigration system for highly educated individuals. Special-Grade Magician status will certainly be beneficial. Simply pass the Finar Language Proficiency Test, and not only you, but your wives, will automatically be granted permanent residency.”

“Even if I have wives, wouldn’t I need to be already married? Only one would be recognized.”

“Which is why I’ve looked into it, and there’s a brilliant solution. It goes like this…”

*Whispering*

“…Thank you, Counselor.”

We shook hands.

Afterward, I met with the Holy Nation Valkyries privately.

“Erich!”

Rachel rushed over, embracing me. I heard Daisy and Olivia’s voices after so long. Following them, the fox sisters and Tyria enveloped me in a hug.

“I missed you, dear.”

“Me too.”

“How cute you all are.”

“Gipold, your monopoly is over. You might as well prepare to divide Erich equally.”

“Polygamy isn’t allowed, so what division are you talking about?”

“There has to be a way. If not, I’ll renounce my Saintess position and immigrate…”

I told my lovers about my conversation with the Elven lawyer. The plan he proposed went like this.

“Rachel and I will get married and register it solely with the Holy Nation’s authorities. In that state, we’ll return to the Magician’s Nation and hold a wedding ceremony with Adora. That way, I’ll be tied to two of you, at least.”

“What happens after that?”

“I heard Tyria can go to Finar on a special immigration visa because she’s a Saintess. Doing that will allow us to bring one more. Liyo, like me, can immigrate as a highly-skilled worker, or she can transfer to a Finar university, graduate, obtain permanent residency, and then marry.”

“Can that even be done?”

“It’s the fastest way.”

“Wouldn’t that be too unfair to Liyo? She’d be the only one having to raise children and then get married.”

She had a point. I looked towards the fox sisters. I needed to seek their understanding.

“Hmm.”

Miyo asked,

“I heard even Academy professors or Archmages can become Special-Grade Mages.”

“It’s definitely easier than becoming a First-Grade Mage.”

I hadn’t experienced it myself, so I couldn’t fully grasp it, but I heard they were in such high demand they were swamped. At least, that was the case in the Magic Kingdom. It was all well and good, but whether I’d receive the same treatment in Pinar was another matter entirely.

“Then, just get into Pinar University first. I’ll follow you wherever you settle.”

“Riyo, you wouldn’t…”

“You’re really going to make ‘that choice’?”

“You’re insane. The craziest beastkin I’ve ever met. Even if you like him that much, do you really have to go this far?”

The fox sisters stroked my hand with their tails, giggling. Only then did I realize what they were implying.

“We’ll see you in our lab, Professor.”

Such sly little foxes.