Chapter 87

“It’s bad—legally and morally—” “The demons have no law against it.” “…What?” Arian finally realized the source of their misunderstanding. In human society, she had seen it was normal for one woman to be united with one man in marriage. There were exceptions, as with anything—kings who needed an heir, the rich and powerful, like the Materialistic Cardinal Snobe. They would often have consorts or lovers along with their “official” wife. Even then, marriages had mostly been between man and woman. Polygamy just wasn’t a thing. However, in the demon world, there were no restrictions. “Well, not every couple wants to add more people to the mix,” added Celes, looking at Rino. Rino’s mother, Regina, was a raging ball of jealousy who would never allow that sort of thing. While someone as happy-go-lucky as Ribido, the succubus, wouldn’t see anything wrong with it. “It all comes down to the people in the marriage. There is only one demon rule: If you have something to say, say it with your fist.” “Uhhh…” Arian frowned, crudely reminded of their violent ways. “Would you be okay with that, Rino?” When Shinichi had pet the catgirl, Rino had gotten so jealous she practically lost her mind. It was hard to imagine her accepting a polygamous marriage. Rino’s face clouded over. “…I’m not okay with it. My heart feels all tight when I see him touching or smiling at someone else.” “Well then—” “But if I’m in so much pain, that means you’re both hurting, too, right?” Rino had tears in her eyes. She might be as jealous as the Blue Princess of War, but she was as kind as a goddess. That meant that even if she was chosen as “the one,” she would be too sad about making them suffer to feel any semblance of joy. “I always thought there was something wrong with how I thought, or that it was unfair.” Rino reached out to grab a snack. “If I ate this by myself, I would be happily full, but this guilty feeling would leave a bad aftertaste for a long time.” She broke it into three pieces, placing one in front of Arian and another by Celes. “…But if we split it, I might not get full, but I would be very happy.” Her face lit up with a smile as she took her piece and ate it. “Hold it! Husbands aren’t snacks! You can’t break them into pieces…” Arian shook her head, stressing her point even though she had been caught off guard. Next to her, a tanned hand reached out and picked up one piece. “Celes?!” “I won’t say I’m not unsatisfied, but this is better than hurting Lady Rino. Besides, I’m structure neutral about the husband-and-wife thing.” “What?” Arian was lost. Celes finished chewing. “All I want is for us to connect heart-to-heart. And…a master-maid relationship might spice things up.” “I knew it was something pervy!” shrieked Arian, bummed that she had even taken Celes seriously. Rino picked up the last piece and held it out to Arian. “Here.” “But…it’s…I…uuuugh!” Arian cried and put her head in her hands with the piece right in front of her. There were no legal restrictions barring them in demon society, nor anything morally wrong with it. The greatest problem with having multiple wives and children was the financial problems that come with it, but the Dirty Advisor could use magic to make gemstones or sell any number of his ideas—like the matchlock rifles. Money was a non-issue. Besides, the three girls were powerful enough that they would never have to worry about placing food on the table. That meant the only thing stopping them was Arian’s own feelings. Am I self-centered if I want him all to myself? Was she cruel enough to ditch a happily-ever-after for everyone if it meant he would be hers? Or is everyone trying to share him because they’re afraid of the truth?! Afraid of not being picked, they were starting to cooperate so there were no losers. It was as sweet as candy, and temptation gripped her heart. She scolded herself and planted her foot down. I’m his hero. How can I call myself a hero if I let cowardice get the better of me? Well, I guess it’s not very hero-like to hurt others for my own gain… Her heart started to pound. Her breathing became heavy. She was on the brink of collapse. She started to move her hand, and— “Ha-ha-ha, I would never be like the Blue Dragon, but it seems it is worth peeking through a window once in a while.” “…Regina, what are you doing?” Arian barked back, stiffening when she realized the Blue Princess of War had been watching from nearby. “Mommy, how long have you been there?!” “From the very beginning.” Regina pointed dramatically to the blue sky above them. “A Peeping Tom, huh?” Celes narrowed her eyes. Regina didn’t seem to notice. She gently stroked her daughter’s hair. “Rino, your proposal is bold and entertaining, but you’re forgetting one important thing.” “What’s that?” “What he wants.” “Oh…,” Arian cried, strength leaving her body. Even if they worried themselves sick over this, it was all pointless if Shinichi didn’t agree. “It might be important for the three of you to talk it out so you don’t have any lingering resentment, but this is a little silly.” Regina had shown herself and shoved them on the back. “Let’s go get the answer out of him right now.” “All right!” Rino said. “Right now?!” Arian rushed in a panic after the others, who were marching into the castle. “But wasn’t he in the middle of an important discussion with the Demon King…?” “Yes, they’re in the basement.” Regina could feel her husband’s magic from below and led the others single file down the stairs. While the aboveground portion of the castle had been totally remodeled after it was destroyed by Elazonia, the basement had been left intact, showing a slight coating of dust and dirt from over the course of the year. Rino ran a finger along the wall, smiling with her eyes. “You know, it’s been a whole year since I met him.” “It’s felt so long and too short at the same time.” Celes nodded. Regina looked at them in annoyance. “You’re talking like a pair of old ladies. Do I spot crow’s-feet?” “Lady Arian, may I please borrow your dragon sword for a moment?” “Ah-ha-ha-ha…” Arian tried to laugh as the two started their usual bickering, and Regina led the group farther down. After passing the training hall and dvergr workshop, they finally reached a large door on the lowest floor in the Demon King’s castle. “What are they doing here?” asked Arian. “Hmph, I feel some magic from inside,” said Regina, as confused as Arian. Neither of them had ever been to this room. There had never been a need. Rino and Celes had visited this room once, just about one year ago. Their blood ran cold. They had a bad feeling about this. “This room…” “It’s the place that Lord Shinichi was summoned.” “…Huh?” Arian balked. Celes continued with a pained expression. “His Majesty had never tried summoning someone from another world. It was his first attempt. He orchestrated the ritual on the lowest floor in case anything went awry.” This was the Blue Demon King. He would never slip up enough to cause an unintended explosion, but his first to be summoned had been faint of heart. One look at the Demon King had done him in—death by heart attack. The second trial was successful, landing them Shinichi, but the Demon King had left the magic circle intact in the room right in front of their eyes. “It’s better to use the same magic circle that summoned someone from another world when sending them back,” finished Celes. “That means…” Blood drained from Arian’s face. She sprinted to the large door, peering in through a small crack to see a large room with a magic circle on the ground. Shinichi was talking to the Demon King about something. “So this is good-bye.” “Are you sure?” asked the Demon King. “Yeah, I have no regrets.” “I see. Then you should go ahead.” The Demon King started adjusting the magic circle slightly, and Shinichi seemed to be talking to himself. Arian couldn’t hear what he was saying. “Oh no. Shinichi is going back to Earth…” “What?!” Rino shrieked. “……” Celes looked like she was holding back her emotions. Shinichi’s job was done: He had defeated Elazonia and built the foundation of a society with humans and demons. Even without him, things would work out. Besides, he was originally supposed to return home upon slaying the first group of heroes, but had stayed behind of his own volition. If he chose to return to Earth now, no one had the right to stop him. But… “Shinichi!” Arian burst through the doors. “Whoa! What’s everyone doing here?” She ran up to the startled boy and flung her arms around him. “Please don’t go back to Earth!” “…Come again?” “I know I encouraged you to return home, and this is totally selfish…but stay here—I’ll give you all of me!” “Wait a se—” He was starting to panic when Rino clung to his right arm, tears running down her face. “Shinichi, did you lie when you said you’d be with me until you died?” “I have no context, but if you’ve made my daughter cry…I imagine you’re ready to fight.” “I said wait a sec!” The Demon King was cracking his knuckles and advancing toward him. Celes came over and hung on Shinichi’s left arm, silently squeezing it tight. “……” “Why are you so affectionate all of a sudden?!” Shinichi’s heart skipped a beat when he saw her looking like a lost child, fingers entwining his like she was never going to let him go. He almost forgot where they were. Arian saw them and started to yell louder. “If you want, I’ll ask Dad to give me huge boobs!” “Mine will be as big as Mommy’s one day!” Rino declared. “If that’s what you want, I’ll try even harder.” “What are we even talking about?!” cried Shinichi, still trying to wrap his head around this development. The only calm observer, Regina, asked him a question. “Aren’t you returning to Earth?” “Um? No?” “Thought so.” Regina nodded, apparently satisfied. He didn’t even know why she would ask him that. Then, she flashed the three girls an annoyed look. “You heard him. You can all relax.” “…Huh?” Arian’s jaw dropped. She was too shocked to be happy.