Chapter 117: You Kept Your Promise

When the young man returned to the heart of the Empire on horseback, accompanied by the companions he had made abroad.

A few who recognized his face did not hold back their respect and praise.

“Glory to the descendant of the hero!”

“Blessings to the descendant of the savior!”

Being a descendant of the Nine Heroes tended to be an exaggeratedly valued trait, especially within the Empire.

Of course, if one were to list the reasons why it had to be so, there were enough stories to fill more than just a couple of sleepless nights.

“I felt it the moment we crossed the Imperial border, but I didn’t realize the difference in air between the inside and outside of the Empire was this stark.”

A middle-aged knight chuckled, boasting a physique so sturdy that his heavy armor seemed insignificant.

Regardless of the special materials, the mere fact that he wore full plate armor made of iron meant he was practically a walking fortress.

It wasn’t just chainmail; full plate armor was a kind of asset that could only be obtained by paying an absurd amount of money.

In fact, he was a free knight who had wandered all over, selling his own Lord’s Domain and buildings to afford his armor and warhorse.

…Though he wasn’t originally from the Empire.

“Isn’t that to be expected?”

On the other hand.

A girl riding an ordinary pony was projecting every inch of a mage.

She wore the characteristic purple robe of a mage, complete with a matching hat.

With deep blue short hair, ordinary but sharply slanted eyes, and impressive brown pupils.

“Being the second son of Variel Tamelot—the Great Hero, or the Nine Heroes as they call him in the Empire—is a privilege not just anyone can have.”

“That’s enough, you two.”

At that moment, the young man leading the way on a white horse turned his head, stopping them as if embarrassed.

His inner clothing was hidden by a black cloak, but it was clear he was also armed.

Plate armor encased his chest and waist.

Other pieces of protective gear covering key areas were black, inscribed with the family crest and blessings in ancient Imperial language in gold.

Holding the reins with thick leather gloves, his eyes—red as peaches but faded in color from exposure to the light—scanned the scenery of the crowded capital.

Even his deep navy hair, almost black, reflected a blue hue when exposed to the light.

“Daike. Should we go to our parents’ place first, as expected?”

“In terms of order, heading to the Imperial Capital would come first, but His Majesty won’t scold me much for that.”

It wasn’t an urgent matter.

In fact, arriving a bit later would make the audience easier.

Although word had been sent in advance, they had arrived in the capital about two days earlier than expected.

“We can stop by the family estate to rest and prepare for the entry.”

“Can’t we just go, say ‘I’m back,’ have the audience, and be done with it?”

“The audience will double as a homecoming party. The audience will be in the morning, and the party will start from sunset in the afternoon. And from what I know, it won’t last just one day, but at least three, and possibly up to a week.”

“……Is it because it’s the Empire? They really do everything so exaggeratedly.”

If one didn’t know how much money was spent on hosting a single party, they might just let it be.

But the girl knew better than anyone the cost involved.

“Silein. Lurden. By the way, are you truly satisfied with just belonging to our family?”

When Daike asked, calling their names.

Lurden, the burly free knight in full armor, let out a hearty laugh.

“Is it because we haven’t reached home yet? You’re getting sentimental. Isn’t it far too late to be asking that now?”

“That may be true, but there’s always a ‘what if’.”

“Stop talking nonsense.”

The mage girl called Silein gave him a playful swat, as if telling him to stop acting foolish.

“Enough already. I want to greet your father, take a bath, eat something, and just rest quietly for a while… so don’t get in the way.”

“That won’t be difficult.”

Daike let out a quiet laugh at her bold demand.

Then, as if suddenly remembering, Lurden asked.

“By the way, before you left, you said you had more than five younger siblings, right?”

“Now there are eight. And… the number will probably have changed again by the time we reach the estate.”

“The rumors that his stamina is vigorous weren’t exaggerated after all.”

“Well, there are several mothers.”

“…And yet, there’s no discord?”

For nobles, having multiple heirs—especially multiple wives—always tended to cause disputes that shook the foundations of the family.

However.

“My father is more than just stubborn; he is resolute in those matters.”

Most men might be overcome or give in to the wives they share a bed with.

But Variel. He was not like that.

In that sense, he truly was a hero.

…Except for the fact that he was utterly shameless in other ways.

In fact, upon arriving at the estate and attempting to pay their respects.

“He still hasn’t woken up?”

The sun was already high in the sky.

“You know how he is.”

The old butler shook his head, but since this was a daily occurrence, he didn’t seem to be scolding or frustrated.

It was simply an attitude of ‘the master is the same as always.’

Silein and Lurden, vaguely realizing what that implied, marveled once again that the rumors were not exaggerated.

“Also, there is one more mother.”

“…Then I must have one more sibling?”

At Daike’s guess, the old butler smiled as if to confirm it.

“…….”

No, I just said it casually, and it was actually correct?

In the end, with no other choice, Daike personally knocked on his father’s bedroom door to offer his greetings and announce his return.

Then, when he felt a stirring inside, he opened the door.

“Father.”

“Uh… ow, my head. What? When did you get here?”

Even for a couple’s bed, it was excessively huge.

Variel was a giant of a man, but even so, if he occupied it alone, it would be nothing short of luxury and waste.

However, seeing three women sprawled across it, the scale began to make sense.

No, actually, even this was insufficient.

The reason?

…The reason was that some could not participate in this frenzied exchange(?) because they were caring for the children in their bellies.

No matter how much Variel was a libertine and a famous man of stamina across the Empire and the continent, he wasn’t so reckless as to have relations with a woman in labor.

‘The bed in this room has gotten even larger.’

Could one believe that there were more than five such rooms?

If one were to occupy the space alone, they might practically have to swim across the bed.

“Ouch, my back.”

Variel, crawling down from the vast bed like a child, rubbed his scarred face with his dry hands as if washing them, then winced and patted his lower back.

“I wonder if there is anyone so faithful to their marital relations.”

“It’s not a crime, is it?”

That was true.

…He didn’t take them by force, nor did he take women who belonged to others.

Rather, they were women who adored him.

Some had come for his family and backing, but the fact that they eventually became devoted to the family and home after being touched by him… was a very rare case.

It was no wonder that heads of other families and households sought his advice on family discord and harmony.

“Still, it seems you maintain your basic training consistently.”

“If my body sags, I’m committing a sin against my wives. Wouldn’t it be better to look good and feel good to the touch? Since I’m the one doing it, my wives should feel that way too.”

…A simple but clear fact.

Whether man or woman, even for a partner or spouse, something unsightly is unsightly.

Furthermore, because of the scars on his face, the atmosphere could quickly turn grim if he made the wrong expression.

His body was also covered in all sorts of wounds.

Those were the scars of glory, earned through his heroic journey.

The fact that such scars remained even with Ermina by his side meant that the trials he had crossed and endured were not insignificant.

He was a man who always proved results through action rather than words.

And.

…After the Demon King’s death, he was the type to be thoroughly devoted to his family, his convictions, and his own happiness.

“Uh, uh?”

At the sight of Variel appearing with only a cloth wrapped around his lower body, Silein and Lurden were momentarily stunned.

“I’ve heard the news. You two are my son’s comrades, right?”

“Uh, well… this is a bit embarrassing.”

At Silein’s blunt and honest impression, Variel straightened his back proudly.

“Why? First time seeing a man’s body?”

“Huh? No… it’s not that….”

“Anyway, when are you two getting married?”

“What?”

Daike punched Variel in the ribs.

However, Variel didn’t even show a hint of pain, as if it were nothing.

“Why? A pretty lady like this following him all the way here must mean she wants him to take responsibility for her life. What? It wasn’t? Then what? Do you both have religious beliefs so you don’t share a bed? Or does just thinking about a man and woman uniting suddenly make your heart ache, your head spin, give you goosebumps, and make you want to vomit?”

“Why do you… speak in such a way?”

“I mean, unless there’s a disability, with a beauty like that, you’d just jump right… uh, sorry… was she your partner?”

Variel, rarely intimidated, asked Lurden cautiously.

The designated Lurden burst into laughter.

“Hahahaha! No, Sir Variel. And… while we’re on the subject, why not just go for it?”

“Lu, Lurden, you?!”

“Look. She followed him because she has feelings. In the first place, though he’s my child, this fellow is a capable one.”

“…….”

Silein’s face burned bright red.

And Daike blinked his eyes, as if he hadn’t realized the fact until now.

“Lurden, was it? Tell me. Was this brat a naive fool abroad as well?”

“Haha… there were many women trying to cling to him. He just turned them away, saying there was someone else he had his heart set on.”

“Foolish in a different way. Tsk tsk!”

Variel clicked his tongue in pity, as if he had known Daike’s inner thoughts all along.

“But that’s that and this is this, so first, grant that girl’s wish.”

At that, Silein was the one surprised.

“Whaaaat?!”

Separate from her face, which looked like it would explode from the redness, her eyes wavered in confusion.

Yet, on the other hand, it was obvious that she harbored a strange sense of anticipation.

“Father….”

“I know better than anyone that you have your heart set on Princess Highness… but let me tell you one thing for sure.”

That child.

“Unless it is Kariel, she is the type to live and die alone rather than take another partner.”

“…Speaking of which, there are many things I want to ask about Kariel.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Then, suddenly, attention shifted to Variel himself.

Specifically, toward his lower half.

The wrapped cloth was bulging strangely, and the size? The height was unusual.

“Men are like this when they wake up, right? Just accept it.”

“…….”

Only Silein tried to look away, pretending not to notice.

“I respect you, Sir Variel!”

Lurden looked at him with eyes of admiration, filled with extreme awe.

“…….”

Daike could only hit his forehead with a clenched fist.

“Thanks. Anyway… I suggest you ask someone else to explain that in detail.”

“Someone else?”

“Go hear it from Count Esdina.”

“Count Esdina….”

Was he talking about that eccentric old man?

However, contrary to expectations, the person mentioned by Variel was somewhat unexpected even for Daike.

“You know Seras, right? She is the Head of Household now, so go pay your respects.”

“Seras… became the Head of Household of Count Esdina’s family?”

“Hear that from her directly. I don’t have a way with words, do I?”

“Sigh….”

“Anyway, welcome everyone. You’ve returned well. Unpack your things and rest comfortably to recover from the journey. Think of it as your own home and stretch your legs. And… Silein, was it?”

“Ye, yes!”

“You’ll share a room with Daike.”

“Whaaat?!”

“Father…?”

“If I find you two not sharing a blanket in one room tomorrow, both of you will be kicked out. You know I don’t lie about these things, right?”

Daike looked distressed.

“Father. No matter what….”

Variel did not allow a single moment of reconsideration.

“I like that you are devoted to Elhermina. That’s all well and good, but what sin did that girl commit to have her heart wounded by your feelings? You’re carrying the same wounds, yet you don’t recognize that in her?”

“…….”

“Even if you don’t end up together, at least have a serious conversation. That is the duty of a man toward a woman who has fallen for him. Got it?”

“U-um….”

Then, Silein, in a small voice, barely lifting her bright red face.

She bowed her head again toward Variel and offered her thanks.

“Thank you… for your consideration.”

“No problem. Pushing the back of a woman who loves you is the role of a good man.”

Variel grinned, showing his teeth.

But because of his short grey hair and the scars on his face.

How should I put it, it was apologetic and regrettable, but.

Silein felt that smile was a bit… scary, even though she knew it wasn’t.

Of course, that tension was quickly buried under the infinite spring of gratitude.

‘He’s not a libertine… he’s just a wonderful man.’

He was a cheerful hero(?) who inspired respect in a completely different sense.