Surviving a Harsh Fantasy with Cheat Items (WN)

Wearing a tuxedo again after so long felt strangely awkward. It was more comfortable than armor meant for battle, but it still felt too formal for my liking.

That said, Shizuka and Mearid looked absolutely stunning in their wedding dresses.

「You look beautiful, Shizuka」

「Fufu, thank you」

Shizuka’s dress was a Western-style gown made from silk brought from Hinomoto. The blend of Eastern and Western styles gave it a charming, oriental elegance.

「You too, Mearid」

「Yeah, right. A frilly dress like this doesn’t suit me, does it?」

「No, it suits you perfectly」

Still, stop twirling your skirt like that. You’re ruining the graceful image of a beautiful woman.

「This strange outfit is a first for me」 Considering she spends most of her time out at sea, Admiral Mearid might never have worn such a gorgeous dress if not for an occasion like this. Thinking that made the rare sight all the more worthwhile.

Mearid’s dress, also made from Hinomoto silk, suited her incredibly well. If she weren’t speaking, she could pass as a breathtaking beauty. Her lovely black hair complemented the dress perfectly.

Both of them were already showing slight baby bumps—a consequence of my own lack of restraint.

「Hmm, I suppose saying they were the ones who seduced me would count as an excuse」

「What exactly are you thinking about?」

Shizuka’s sharp remark caught me off guard, and I could only respond with a sheepish smile.

「Just that I’ve really become a part of this world, haven’t I?」

In hindsight, getting involved with a princess before marriage wasn’t the most commendable thing. But now, there was no turning back.

「I’ll make you both happy, I promise」

It might sound cheesy, but with this many wives, it was all I could say. After all, the number of my official wives had grown to forty-six.

Is this just how things work for kings in otherworldly realms?

Oblivious to my thoughts, both Shizuka and Mearid nodded shyly with a soft ‘Yes’.

With Steriana, now more of a holy mother than a saintess, officiating as the priestess, yet another wedding began—honestly, I’ve lost count by now.

Ria was reading from the ceremonial scripture but tossed it aside halfway through.

「Do we really need to say the whole ‘in sickness and in health’ bit? I mean, haven’t we done this enough times already?」

「Ria, that’s an important part of the ceremony」

Sure, even I’ve had more than enough weddings by now, but this is still a significant moment. Do it properly.

Ria’s playful attitude hasn’t changed one bit, even after all these years.

「But seriously, how many weddings have we done at this point? Even Asama mentioned it! Fine, fine, Takeru, don’t get mad. I’ll do it properly, okay? Ahem… Now, do you vow eternal love?」

Skipping the formalities in the end, huh? Still, I answered with conviction.

「Of course. I swear to the Goddess Asama that I will bring happiness to Shizuka and Mearid!」

No matter how many times I’ve done it, the vows at a wedding always make me nervous.

With so many wives, those words are a reaffirmation of my resolve to ensure everyone’s happiness.

After I spoke my vows, the two brides followed, and we exchanged rings before sealing it with a kiss. As the ceremony concluded, silver feathers rained down grandly from the heavens above the cathedral in the royal capital.

These feathers are actually valuable magical items. Even though Asama always complains about how often we hold weddings, she never fails to generously bestow them.

To her, this might feel like the Japanese tradition of throwing mochi during celebrations—a silver feather grab-fest.

「You know, seeing everyone collect them with such excitement, having a proper wedding ceremony isn’t so bad」

Watching the guests scramble to collect the shimmering silver feathers, I couldn’t help but mutter to myself. Besides increasing our stock of useful items for the new continent, it genuinely felt like a joyous and celebratory moment.

Milestones like this should be properly honored, even if the brides are already visibly pregnant, which might raise some eyebrows.

Still, the birth of a child is always a blessing, and there’s something undeniably beautiful about women preparing to become mothers.

Perhaps I’ve grown used to this rhythm of life. After all, it’s been years since I built my grand harem as a hero. Maybe I’ve matured in my own way.

With so many children already, I suppose I need to act the part of a responsible adult.

As a memento of the ceremony, Lyle-sensei brought along a camera—an old-fashioned, bulky model reminiscent of something from the Meiji era.

Even though it was primitive, it worked.

「Incredible. Lyle-sensei, is this a camera?」

「Something like that, yes」

「Did you create it?」

「Hardly. Unlike you, Takeru-dono, I’m not a reincarnated soul who dreams up such inventions」

「Then who…」

「My son, Coil, made it. He said it was inspired by something you once mentioned. Did you ever talk about such a thing?」

「I don’t recall, honestly…」

「Hmm. Well, since he taught me how to use it, shall we give it a try?」

Though it was a clunky and rudimentary contraption, the black-and-white photographs it produced were remarkably clear.

To think that just hearing my casual stories led Coil to create a working camera—his genius is almost frightening.

I can’t even joke about him being the son of the super-cheat Lyle-sensei anymore. Even Lyle-sensei chuckled wryly, admitting she never imagined the day when she’d be learning from her own child.

Curious, I asked about Coil’s whereabouts.

「I haven’t seen Coil himself. Where is he now?」

「He said he was going to the royal forest for magical training. All of your other children went with him as well」

So they went off to play.

Well, I suppose weddings and banquets are boring for kids. Letting them have some fun is fine.

「All of them went, even the infants?」

「Apparently, Coil believes that training from infancy increases magical power. It’s a theory I’ve never heard before」

Whoa… that sounds suspiciously like something only a reincarnator would come up with.

The more I think about it, the deeper my suspicions about Coil being a reincarnator grow. Not that it matters much, really. It wouldn’t be a problem even if he were from another world, but usually, reincarnators focus on strengthening themselves alone.

Strengthening all their siblings too? That’s new.

Is that the trend in cheat-based light novels these days—turning all siblings into superhumans?

What exactly is Coil planning to do with my children? Is this going to be one of those situations where the next generation completely leaves the parents behind?

Well, suspicions aside, the wedding ceremony concluded without a hitch.

During the subsequent banquet, a small but amusing incident occurred.

「Hero-sama, this is kitsune udon, isn’t it!」

With those words, Shizuka rushed over. Sure enough, it was kitsune udon.

「Yeah, it’s been getting popular in the capital lately. There are other varieties of udon as well」

Japanese cuisine has been gradually introduced here using ingredients from a test farm managed by the half nymph Viola.

「Oh, this aburaage is wonderfully juicy. The dashi seems different, and the flavor of the fried tofu is unique」

「It could be because Japanese aburaage is usually made with rapeseed oil. The oil itself might be changing the taste」

For ingredients we can’t replicate, like katsuobushi for the dashi, we’ve been experimenting with substitutes like dried cod. If kitsune udon is already a thing in Hinomoto, perhaps we can start importing ingredients through trade.

「It’s different from Hinomoto’s kitsune udon, but this version is delightful in its own way. The flavor of the broth soaked into the aburaage is simply exquisite!」

「I’m glad you like it. Still, it’s surprising that the Imperial Princess of Hinomoto enjoys something as humble as kitsune udon」

「It’s not something I’m particularly proud of, but I’ve found that the common folk’s food is often quite delicious. Sometimes I’d secretly order it and eat it in private」

「Is that so?」

The image of an Imperial Princess quietly slurping kitsune udon at night was unexpectedly amusing.

「In this country, it’s acceptable for royalty to eat such dishes openly, isn’t it?」

「Of course. If it’s tasty, anyone should be able to enjoy it. That said, kitsune udon is still a luxury item here」

Japanese cuisine remains a rarity due to limited production, available only at the restaurant Colette and her group run in the royal capital. That’s why it’s being served at today’s wedding reception—it’s a rare treat.

I’d like to make it more accessible as a staple food someday, but that goal is still a long way off.

「So it’s still considered a luxury. In that case, my country could import it in large quantities」

「Haha, you’re quite the savvy trader」

「Hinomoto may not rival the Silesie Kingdom in global trade, but we have thriving commerce with neighboring nations. Hinomoto’s tawaramono is a popular export」

Tawaramono refers to dried delicacies such as sea cucumber, abalone, and shark fin. Each one is a luxury ingredient.

Beyond these, Hinomoto—a nation akin to Japan in this world—exports items like kombu and katsuobushi, ingredients my homeland lacks entirely. The possibilities for new recipes are endless.

Hinomoto’s peaceful history seems to have fostered vibrant trade networks. Even staples like kitsune udon have become part of everyday meals, likely thanks to this harmony.

「In that case, we should have them try some of our ingredients as well」

「Trade benefits both nations. I, for one, think your country’s kitsune udon is quite delicious」

As cultural exchanges continue, I hope it deepens our mutual understanding.

With that thought, I headed to the chambers with Shizuka and Mearid by my side.

「Oh, it’s just those two tonight?」

Lyle-sensei’s voice called out as I passed.

「Well, it is our first night back」

「Perhaps you should also consider the other wives? You’ve been away on a long journey, after all」

She had a point. Though I had returned briefly during my world tour, some relationships might have been neglected.

But honestly, I was exhausted from traveling. Spending the night with the already-pregnant Shizuka and Mearid sounded like the best way to rest.

「You’re welcome to join us, Lyle-sensei」

「I wasn’t joking, but if that’s your suggestion, Takeru-dono, I’ll say no more」

With a sigh, she left. Lyle-sensei’s duties keep her busy, and she only spends time with me about twice a year.

I’d always welcome her, but life rarely works out as one hopes.

That night, I shared the chambers with Shizuka and Mearid, sleeping soundly.

※※※

The next morning, I awoke refreshed and joined the breakfast table.

Sharon, the dog-eared Castle Lord overseeing the royal harem, greeted me with a dish I hadn’t seen in ages.

「Is this… unadon?」

「Yes, made with eels imported from Hinomoto. I even learned their traditional preparation methods」

The nostalgic aroma filled the air. I’d missed the chance to try eel in Hinomoto, so this was my first experience.

The eel’s crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior melted in my mouth.

「Delicious」

「I was worried about using such a new ingredient, but I’m glad it pleases you, Master」

Sharon’s smile brightened the room. Though I thought unadon might be too heavy for breakfast, it turned out to be just right.

Then came her. Are, the dragon maid I hadn’t seen in some time, entered, her wings flapping energetically as she carried a mysterious black lump.

「You’re going to eat this too, right?」

「What’s that? Did you make it?」

It felt like a comedic setup from the Showa era.

I hesitated. I’d eat it if necessary, but the stench was overwhelming.

「It’s the liver of a dragon, slow-roasted. I raised the dragon exclusively on garlic, vigor grass, and power-up mushrooms」

「What is that horrifying foie-gras-esque process?! It’s something even animal rights activists would rally against! Nggh—」

But then I took a bite.

「Delicious, right?」

She wasn’t wrong.

The taste wasn’t terrible—not bad at all—but the texture was so dry it made me choke. It was overwhelmingly potent.

「W-water… ugh, ack!」

I grabbed the nearest liquid offered and chugged it down, only to immediately spit it out.

「Ara、what a waste」

「R-Ria… what did you just give me?!」

「Divine milk Amrita, of course」

That’s not the point!

「Who the hell serves breast milk first thing in the morning?!」

Oh, right—the person standing in front of me.

Looking around the table, I realized everything was designed to boost… vigor. The pattern here was unmistakable.

And speaking of patterns, Oracle—the dungeon master herself—made her appearance.

Her twin-tailed white hair framed her crimson eyes and pale blue skin. Despite being a mother, the Ancient Succubus still looked like a thirteen-year-old.

「Takeru, from now on, you’ll need to fulfill your duties as a husband diligently」

「Can’t it wait until tonight?」

Who springs this kind of thing on someone the morning after a long trip?

「There’s a backlog of ‘appointments’ piling up. You need to fill those gaps. Surely, you understand」

She even made a crude hand gesture to emphasize her point. Sheesh, was she channeling an old man?!

「Can’t we pace things out? It’s not like I’m going anywhere」

「Oh, but you will. Before long, you’ll invent some excuse about a new adventure or an urgent world crisis and run off again, won’t you?」

「I hate that you’re probably right!」

「That’s why we must seize this opportunity. Such is the destiny of a Harem King」

With Ria and Oracle firmly locking me in their grasp, I was dragged off to the king-sized bed.

In the bedroom awaited my wives—every one of them, lined up and ready.

「Today, we test your limits, okay?」

Noooo! Even Are’s saying terrifying things now!

It was about to begin—a sweet yet hellish ordeal where I’d be drained of all energy.

But wait, hold on! This can’t be how every story ends, can it?! Where’s the heroic, feel-good, fantasy-esque conclusion? Just once, can’t we try a different ending?

「Sharon, help me!」

I turned to the dog-eared Castle Lord in desperation, but she only lowered her ears apologetically.

「Master, I’ve already prepared everything for your stay in the harem. Please rest assured, I’ll do my best as well—I want children too」

She smiled brightly, with a strength only motherhood could bring.

And so, I was confined to the harem for a week, fulfilling my duties as my wives took turns.

This real fantasy always ends this way, doesn’t it?

Still, let this serve as a cautionary tale: if an ordinary guy tries to live the life of a hero with a harem, this is what happens.

But… I suppose I don’t mind. Deep down, I’m enjoying this life in my own way.

Reassuring myself that I can handle it, I resolve to keep this real fantasy of ours going—forever, if possible. Even if I have to rely on dubious energy boosters to do it, I’ll keep pushing forward.