Journey to Planar World

Before starting the ritual, Charlie had actually erected an aura-proof protective barrier—a special barrier resulting from a modified combination of the Uzumaki Clan's sealing techniques that he had previously received from Wang Jian.

To create a barrier that complex, Charlie used the Hundred Gauntlets to save time by bypassing the entire research process (cause) and directly reaching its finished product (effect).

It had to be admitted that this kind of causality manipulation ability proved to be far more practical and versatile for supporting daily life compared to the Annihilation ability, even though both were causality-type abilities.

As soon as the Familiar ritual was finished, the divine aura that had temporarily overflowed from Charlie's body gradually receded and disappeared without a trace.

That rapid change even caused Astraea to blink in confusion, assuming that the tremendous divinity earlier was merely an illusion.

On the other hand, for Kei, who had just been officially bound as a Familiar, the conceptual restriction of the God's Law no longer applied at all.

Instantly, the memories regarding Charlie flooded back into her mind. Remembering how cold and unfriendly her behavior toward Charlie had been just moments ago, a sudden wave of guilt struck Kei's chest.

"Charlie-san... I'm sorry." Kei squeezed the hem of her own clothes. "I... how could I possibly forget you and treat you so indifferently earlier? Forgive me... I'm truly sorry."

Charlie smiled warmly, then reached out his hand to pat the top of Kei's head gently.

"Don't apologize, Kei. That wasn't your fault at all. If anything, I'm the one at fault for making you go through such a terrible and confusing experience."

Hearing such an understanding response, Kei's chest swelled warmly with emotion.

Had the room not been filled with so many people—especially Astraea's presence—Kei undoubtedly would have thrown herself emotionally into Charlie's embrace. However, as a woman with high self-esteem, she tried hard to restrain herself from embarrassing herself in front of others.

When her emotions began to stabilize, Kei's blue eyes accidentally darted toward the figure of an unfamiliar girl sitting on the sofa.

Observing the girl's outfit and clothing style, which carried a very modern nuance, Kei could already guess the other party's background and identity in her heart.

"Charlie-san..." She pointed with her chin, looking at the blonde-haired girl. "Could you introduce that beautiful girl?"

Hearing that, Mahiru, who had been sitting on the sofa, stood up immediately.

Even though in terms of age she was older than Kei, Mahiru still could not hide her nervousness when facing a woman who, in the hierarchy of Charlie's 'harem', held a position senior to hers.

Mahiru straightened her dress, then bowed very politely.

"N-Nice to meet you, Shirogane Kei-san. My name is Shiina Mahiru. Due to various events and the destiny we shared together, I... I have fallen in love with Charlie-kun and am now officially his lover. Please guide me and lend me your help from now on."

SLAM!

However, the person most shocked by the fact that Charlie had brought a new lover was not Kei, but Astraea.

The Goddess of Justice stood up with wide eyes, staring at Charlie with an expression of deep disappointment.

"Charlie... How... how could you enter a relationship and have a new lover while you are still romantically involved with Kei?! Honestly, I am deeply disappointed in you. I never expected you to be the type of man who turns away so easily like that!"

Charlie let out a quiet sigh, then looked at her calmly. "Please don't misunderstand, Goddess Astraea. I never said I was going to leave or dump Kei, did I?"

Astraea's lovely eyebrows knitted together as she processed that answer. "Then what is the meaning of this? Could it be... you intend to be two-faced?"

Charlie merely raised both shoulders casually without a shred of guilt. "And what is wrong with that, Goddess Astraea? Besides, there is no written rule in Orario forbidding an adventurer from having more than one partner, is there?"

He curled his lips into a faint, confident smile.

"Take a look at the kings, nobles, and rulers out there. Most of them have harems and many concubines. Why are weak people like them permitted to build harems as they please, while adventurers who clearly possess strength are restricted to having only one partner?"

"Only children choose; adults want it all!"

Strangely enough, the logic that just came out of Charlie's mouth sounded exceedingly reasonable. Astraea opened her lips to retort and refute, but she suddenly froze—not knowing what words to assemble anymore.

Ever since she first descended from Heaven to the Lower World, Astraea had indeed never seen or heard of an adventurer practicing polygamy. That had made the common mindset that an adventurer could only marry one partner seem like a prevailing norm firmly rooted in the minds of the gods.

Astraea turned to look at Kei with deep worry.

"Kei... Can you... truly accept this kind of thing in your relationship?"

Kei offered a wry smile, then let out a gentle sigh. "Astraea-sama... honestly, what woman in this world would truly be willing to share the man she loves with another woman?"

Kei turned her head briefly to look at Charlie, who stood quietly, then shifted her gaze back to Astraea.

"However, Charlie-san was honest and told me about this harem long before the two of us officially entered a relationship."

"I love him very much, Astraea-sama... so I chose to accept all of him, including all these flaws of his. Compared to having to live in lifelong regret because I was forced to let go and give up my love for Charlie-san, I vastly prefer to remain by his side."

Kei stepped closer and gently held Astraea's fingers, conveying the deepest reason confirming her decision.

"Besides, the world we live in is a world of adventurers filled with danger and death at every turn. There is no guarantee whether tomorrow we will still be able to see the sun rise or not."

"Amidst the uncertainty of an adventurer's life, having someone capable of protecting me, giving me a sense of security, and loving me is a rare happiness."

"If Charlie-san is able to prove that he can treat us all fairly, with love, and never neglect us... then sharing a small portion of his heart is a very cheap price to pay for this happiness."

The explanation free of lies from Kei's mouth instantly left Astraea speechless with nothing left to counter.

Astraea let out a long sigh, the tense look in her eyes now softening completely into a resigned, motherly expression.

"Hah... Fine then." She said while rubbing her temple gently. "As long as you are truly happy and do not feel pressured by this decision, Kei... I will no longer interfere in this complex relationship of yours."

Hearing the blessing and understanding from the Goddess, a beautiful, relieved smile was carved onto Kei's lovely face.

"Thank you very much, Astraea-sama."

She then turned and stepped slowly toward Mahiru's side. Kei extended her hand, staring at the blonde-haired girl with a warm look.

"Please take care of me from now on, Mahiru-san. I hope we can support each other and live in harmony together."

Mahiru, who had been holding her breath in anxiety all this time, instantly returned the extended hand with a firm grasp, her eyes sparkling with emotional warmth.

"O-Of course! Please take care of me as well, Kei-san!"

Astraea, witnessing the harmonious scene between the two girls, unwittingly smiled faintly. She slowly raised her hand, touching her chest, which suddenly stirred strangely as she looked at Charlie standing tall among them.

(If even Kei doesn't mind this situation at all... Actually, it wouldn't be a problem if I joined in too, right?)

*THUMP!*

The moment she realized the absurd thought that had just crossed her mind, Astraea's face instantly turned bright red all the way to the tips of her ears. She shook her head vigorously, patting her own cheeks anxiously.

(W-What was I just thinking?!)

She scolded herself in sheer panic.

(Astraea, get a grip! How could you have such a deeply improper thought toward the lover of your own follower?! That doesn't reflect the Goddess of Justice at all!)

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