Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

「Master, would you like more tea?」

「Yes, please.」

Though already full from earlier, Colette, the head chef, pours me more tea.

Today is a lively one.

From the terrace overlooking the palace gardens, countless ladies chat over sweets and tea. It’s like a girls’ gathering.

From the Abyss Continent, Cecily, the daughter of Damons, and three ladies-in-waiting from Abysspania have joined my harem. Even Eliza and her entourage from the Germania Empire are here.

「Takeru-sama, what’s that steaming area over there?」

「Eliza, don’t go near that!」

Eliza, smiling happily, wanders towards the outdoor bath where the Mother of Chaos resides. Caution signs saying ‘Beware of Tentacles!’ are posted around it, with ropes marking it off—the area is dedicated to the Mother of Chaos.

Come to think of it, she’s been quiet lately, so I’d almost forgotten. But if I listen closely, I can still hear her saying, ‘Ah, this is refreshing’, so she’s likely still there. Having such a creature of chaos lingering in the garden is a bit risky. The bath is close enough to the terrace that, should Eliza wander in by mistake, a tentacle fiasco might ensue. Still, it’s the strongest creature in this bizarre fantasy world, so there’s not much I can do.

All I can hope is that she either gets bored and returns home or stays peaceful.

「Is there more of that soft, unusual confection?」

「Jill-san, that’s all the manju we have. I made them thinking Master would enjoy them, but you ate everything?」

Melissa, one of the kitchen slaves, suggests,

「Head Chef, should I bake some more pastries?」

「Let’s do that, then.」

「Yes, please!」

True to her sweet tooth, Jill stays in her own world. Well, I guess it’s good she ate everything.

For today’s tea gathering, Viola the half-nymph brought rare glutinous rice and red beans she grew on the experimental farm. Together, we made manju filled with sweet bean paste.

They were cute little buns, but everyone kept feeding them to me one after another, so I ended up stuffed.

So here we are, having a vibrant tea party.

The reason we’ve gathered today is to discuss our wedding plans. The actual wedding talk couldn’t be left solely to the harem council, so they included me this time.

While it’s nice to be here, whether my opinion will hold any weight is another question.

I thought we’d hold the ceremony as usual at the church in the royal capital of Silesie, but Sarah-chan started saying, ‘Since we’re doing it, let’s make it grander, more festive, and on a grand scale.’

「Well, even if you say grander…」

「We’re talking about marrying me, a Great Countess, and even Her Majesty Empress Elizabeth of New Germania. This isn’t something limited to the Silesie Kingdom alone, you know.」

I wanted to point out that Sarah-chan simply wants a flashy event. But with the Germania Empress among my fiancées, showcasing it internationally is entirely reasonable, so I have no rebuttal.

Personally, I’d rather have the ceremony done quickly. If left unattended, the number of brides keeps growing, so I want this wedding concluded soon.

Counting everyone who has already gathered, including Eliza, I now have twenty-four brides.

This doesn’t even include Cecily of Damons and the three ladies-in-waiting from Abysspania.

「These four aren’t becoming my wives too, right? I’m safe on that front, right?」

I’m not sure why Cecily and the three ladies-in-waiting, who are just guests or here as part of a personnel exchange, are even part of this wedding discussion, but setting that aside…

Originally, I had twelve wives. I thought that was already a lot, but now, with an additional twenty-four, my wives have reached a staggering thirty-six.

What’s with this multiplying game? It’s terrifying! Even if I spent each day with one, it would take more than a month to go through everyone.

「Well, I understand where Sarah-chan is coming from. So, if we’re going to keep it local…」

「fu fu! There’s only one place for this grand wedding that’ll draw guests from across the world!」

Sarah-chan has spread a map of the Eura Continent across the table, her finger pointing decisively to the Holy City of Ravenna in the Papal States. It’s a bit far and would take time to get there, but otherwise, it’s a decent choice.

「I see, a wedding in the Holy City’s cathedral. Not a bad idea.」

As a sacred site, it’s a city every Asama devotee dreams of visiting. Holding the ceremony there would be fitting, especially for Empress Eliza.

「No, Takeru, that’s not it.」

「Huh? I thought we’d do it in the Holy City’s cathedral?」

「No, I mean we’re turning the entire Holy City into a wedding venue! I’ve already spoken with the Papal States’ government and the headquarters of the Asama Church, and we’ve received permission!」

「What?!」

That’s way too extravagant. Turning an entire city into a wedding venue? Just how massive is this supposed to be?

「This is the wedding of the century between me and Takeru. Might as well make it the grandest wedding in the world!」

「Are the rest of you okay with this?」

I glance around, and all I get are nods of agreement. Jill, as usual, seems only interested in eating the freshly baked pastries Colette and the others rushed to bring out.

And so, it’s decided that the wedding will take place in the Holy City, with no say from me, as usual.

※※※

「Hey, Sarah-chan, what about your own territory? Don’t you have duties as a Countess?」

Even nine-year-old Eliza, who’s barely started handling official matters, still has formal duties as an empress and often finds herself swamped. Meanwhile, Sarah-chan, who’s been managing her territory as a Countess, seems to have permanently settled in the harem.

「I have an important job—having Takeru’s child—so I’ll be here in the harem until that’s done.」

Is she subtly hinting that she wants to share my bed?

「Well… uh…」

「I’ve left the territory in the hands of Milk, the acting lord… Oh, right, Milk actually came here to talk to me, and I forgot.」

「Don’t forget something like that! Go meet with him!」

This is news to me. Since men can’t enter the harem, poor Milk-kun has had to wait outside.

「If you’d just hurry and do what you need to do so I can have a child, then I could go back to my territory, you know?」

「Now’s not the time for that! Anyway, come on, let’s go see Milk.」

What if it’s an urgent matter? I’ve been meaning to talk to him as well, so this is perfect.

I guide Sarah-chan toward the royal castle.

※※※

In the castle’s reception room, Milk-kun is waiting.

「It’s been a while, Milk-kun.」

「As I expected, you came as well, King General-sama.」

「As expected?」

Did he anticipate my arrival? Knowing Milk-kun used to like Sarah-chan, I actually hesitated to meet with him. But avoiding it forever wasn’t an option, so here I am, prepared to face him.

「Your Excellency Sawatari Takeru…」

Blond-haired Milk-kun looked at me straight in the eyes and said,

「I challenge you to a duel for Sarah-sama’s hand!」

Even Sarah-chan couldn’t hide her surprise at those words.

「W-What are you talking about, challenging Takeru of all people?! He’s the Hero of Silesie! The king of this country!」

「That has no relevance here. I’m challenging him as one man to another.」

His eyes were completely serious. Just as Sarah-chan had grown up, the once-cute boy Milk-kun had also become a man.

「I see. You’re a man, too, Milk.」

「Yes.」

「All right, I’ll take you on. But how should we decide this duel?」

I am the Hero, after all. If we fought with swords, even with my hands and feet tied, Milk-kun wouldn’t stand a chance.

「How about a marksmanship contest? We’ll see who can hit the target most accurately at a range of two hundred meters.」

「Fair enough. Needless to say, I won’t use my powers as the Hero. This will be an honest contest, relying solely on skill.」

Smart as always, Milk-kun chose a fair contest. With no risk of injuring each other, I felt at ease.

「I understand that King General has the edge with his experience, but I’ve trained hard, too, to protect Sarah-sama.」

「I know that well.」

Literally, he has risked his life for Sarah-chan.

「I’ve prepared thoroughly for this day and have no intention of losing.」

「Interesting. I won’t hold back. Don’t think you can defeat me, a man who’s survived countless battles.」

「H-Hey, you two! What are you talking about? Listen to me!」

But there was no stopping this. Milk-kun had challenged me in earnest, as one man to another. I had no choice but to accept.

In fact, I had a feeling it would come to this someday. That’s why I came prepared to meet him.

We moved to the volunteer corps’ shooting range for our duel. Of course, I wouldn’t use my powers as the Hero, nor would I use an advanced magic rifle.

Both of us wielded single-shot sniper rifles with no scopes.

As plain men, we would give it our all in this battle.

The duel would be decided with three shots each. The goal was to see who could place their shots closest to the center of the target.

Milk-kun, standing beside me, steadied his rifle and fired the first shot, a sharp bang. There was no hesitation in his shot.

Calming my mind, I focused on the target two hundred meters away and pulled the trigger in a prayerful silence.

Bang!

The shot rang out crisply. My first shot had wavered slightly, but my second and third felt as though they were pulled right into the target.

「Well…」

It was a quiet duel between men. Even after lowering his rifle, Milk-kun kept his eyes on the target in silence.

Sarah-chan walked over with our targets, also without saying a word.

「This one’s Milk’s, and this is Takeru’s.」

There were three holes in Milk-kun’s target.

In mine… only two.

Milk-kun briefly smiled, but upon inspecting my target closely, his shoulders slumped.

「Thank goodness… It’s Takeru’s win! Hmph, as if Milk-kun could compete with Takeru—it’s a hundred years too soon for that! I knew all along Takeru would win!」

But she looked visibly relieved. I’ll spare her the comment.

「I never imagined I’d lose to a pinhole shot.」

Milk-kun murmured, looking dejected.

Indeed, my shot was a pinhole shot.

On closer inspection, the hole in the dead center of my target was slightly larger than normal. It was clear that my third shot had landed almost exactly in the same spot as my second, right in the bullseye.

「Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to make a shot like that without my powers as the Hero.」

Thanks to Milk-kun, I felt that these three hard years in this harsh fantasy world were not in vain. Even without my Hero’s Blessing or special tools, I’d honed my skills enough to pull off something like this.

「After seeing that, I accept my complete defeat. I never thought I’d actually win, but I wanted to see Your Excellency King General’s full strength for myself.」

「I see.」

「…Please, take care of Sarah-sama.」

With a refreshing sincerity, Milk-kun held out his hand. As a fellow man, I shook it firmly. His use of ‘Sarah-sama’ instead of ‘Sarah-chan’ at the end felt like a mark of his long friendship with her.

It felt like he was entrusting me with something important. Not that I needed him to tell me, I fully intended to cherish Sarah-chan.

「Well then… Milk, I’m touched by your devotion!」

「Yes.」

Sarah-chan’s golden hair waved in the breeze as she placed her hands on her hips and laughed triumphantly.

「Maybe, just maybe, if you’d confessed first, things could’ve turned out differently.」

「Really…?」

Milk-kun looked crestfallen.

「But, too bad! The first person I had feelings for was Takeru. From the start, I thought, ‘I’ll marry him one day!’」

「Hold on, Sarah-chan… from the start? When was that?」

I hadn’t planned to interject, but I couldn’t help it.

「When we went to the hot springs for the first time. You ogled me with those lecherous eyes, didn’t you?」

「No, it wasn’t like that!」

I told her not to twist things like that! Why does everyone have to say such things?

「Heh, you shouldn’t underestimate a girl’s perception! Since then, I knew you saw me as a woman, and honestly, I didn’t mind at all!」

「Is that so…」

An unexpected revelation.

「That’s why I helped you with your business ventures. It was half a gesture of support for my future husband and half an investment.」

「You were already thinking like that back then?」

Back then, I still thought of Sarah-chan as a kid. How calculating she’d been all along!

「Your ideas are always interesting, but your thinking is too soft, so I felt like I had to support you. I guess I’m more the type to give than to receive, you know?」

She always knows how to paint herself in a good light.

「Sorry to have troubled you.」

「Oh, it’s an ongoing struggle! I used to think I’d end up marrying you and managing a merchant house, but I never expected you’d become the Hero and a king. It was a bit of a detour, but here I am, still by your side. You can go ahead and praise me now.」

「Yeah, Sarah-chan, you’ve really grown into someone impressive.」

「That’s right! I’m a full-fledged adult now. So, Takeru, hurry up and whisper your love for this grown-up version of me and hold me close!」

「Of all places, you’re saying that in front of Milk-kun?」

Milk-kun’s face was steadily paling, but Sarah-chan only puffed out her chest, as bold as ever.

「Oh my, consider this my kindness. If you keep clinging to me, you’ll never get over it. You keep rejecting marriage proposals from noble ladies under the excuse of being busy. I’ll pick out the best ones for you to meet—this is an order!」

「Yes… as you say, Your Excellency Countess Sarah.」

Milk-kun responded, clenching his fists as he struggled to accept Sarah-chan’s absurd command. I understood her logic in wanting what was best for him, but she really didn’t give him a chance to breathe.

Sarah-chan can be ruthless sometimes. But these two would likely stay close friends for the rest of their lives.

※※※

After finishing some final preparations, I dressed up and went to see Sarah-chan. Wearing a jacket in formal fashion, I presented her with a beautiful bouquet.

「Takeru, these flowers…」

「You asked me to whisper my love, didn’t you? I’ve come to court you as promised.」

「Oh, um…」

I thought she’d confidently accept them, proud to finally be recognized as a lady, but Sarah-chan looked bewildered.

「Sarah-chan, do you have time now?」

「Yes, I do.」

I took her hand and led her to the garden.

「Then let’s take the wyvern airship together to Losgow Village.」

「Wait, why?」

The wyvern waiting in the castle courtyard was one of our largest and most powerful. The gondola, spacious enough for four, was decorated with wedding-style white lace.

The pilot, who had once served as a messenger on the Abyss Continent, now led the wyvern transport division. He knelt politely as we approached.

「It’s time to formally introduce myself to the Rodd family. It’s been a while since I saw your parents.」

「…….」

Milk-kun had asked me to look after her as he left. That duel had turned out to be the perfect moment to take that step forward.

As we climbed into the gondola, Sarah-chan, clinging to me tightly, suddenly began to cry, catching me off guard.

It might be the first time I’d seen her so openly shed tears.

「What’s wrong?」

「Takeru… you’ve really learned how to escort a lady.」

With emerald-green eyes brimming with tears, Sarah-chan smiled as she spoke.

Of course, she had to say ‘lady’. I chuckled to myself.

Hearing her insist on calling herself that, she didn’t look quite like an adult to me yet. She had pushed herself to grow up, trying to keep up with me.

But since I was the adult here, I had to be the one supporting her. I hugged Sarah-chan’s small frame tightly.

「I can step up when I need to.」

「I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to be so considerate. I’m just… so happy that it made me cry.」

Without a word, I wiped her tears with a handkerchief.

「Thank you, Takeru.」

「When we reach Losgow Village, let’s enjoy the hot springs.」

「Yes. Together, of course.」

Losgow, the village I helped develop and where Sarah-chan served as the acting lord, was lively and made for the perfect destination for us to spend some time together. In addition to announcing our marriage, it felt a bit early, but this would be like a honeymoon for us.

As we flew over the Silesie Kingdom, we sat close, gazing at the kingdom’s scenery below, reminiscing about our past.