“Yukiki, come here for a minute.”
Iluna said that out of the blue as she sat seiza style on the floor.
“Uhhh, sure.”
Doing as she asked, I went to sit down in front of her, unconsciously mimicking her posture.
“Sooo. How may I be of assistance, Miss Iluna?”
“Listen up, Yukiki. I have something to tell you.”
“And what might that be?”
Iluna, looking unusually serious, began talking.
“I know you’re very busy right now, Yukiki. You have lots to do, and I understand how tough your days are. I’m sure you’re tired enough as it is.”
“R-Right.”
“But right now, Lefifi and the others are having a hard time too.”
I immediately understood what Iluna was getting at and straightened up.
“Not just her and LewLew, but all of them. They don’t wanna burden you with their feelings and stuff, so they never say anything.”
“I see.”
That was all I could say in response.
“That’s why I think it would be best if you spent a little more time with each of them one-on-one. I know you really care about all of them, but you have to show them that. Don’t be afraid to let them spoil you.”
Iluna was an incredibly observant girl, always noticing everything that went on around her. If she was going out of her way to call me out like this, the situation had to be pretty dire. I should probably just do what she says.
I tried to be considerate of my wives, asking how they were feeling and if they wanted me to do anything. It might not’ve been enough, though. Sure, I’d been busy lately, but that was no excuse. After all, I was their only husband. Yes, I could rely on them, dump all my complaints on them, and so on. However, since I’d resolved to become their husband, it was a duty I had to fulfill. Using the word “duty” made it sound like I was reluctant, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. This was just something I had to do, y’know?
“Yeah. Yeah, you’re right. Thanks for telling me before I let things get worse ’cause I’m a dumbass.”
“You don’t have to thank me, and you’re not a dumbass. We’re family. I’m just a kid who can’t do anything without you and the rest of the grown-ups, but I can at least watch out for everyone.”
That made me realize why Iluna had suggested that she and the other girls handle dinner by themselves. Because she saw how we were now.
“...”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just thinking that you’re already such a great big sister.”
“Well, of course I am! Who do you think has to keep an eye on Shii, En, Rei, Rui, and Roh, especially when they like doing whatever they want all the time?”
“Many apologies. And also many thanks, Miss Dependable.”
I couldn’t help but smile at how cute she looked as she pouted. My kiddos were all free-spirited. Shii and the wraith triplets had always been that way, but even En, who might seem quiet, was strong-willed. Once she set her mind to something, she pushed forward without worrying about others, so in some ways, you could say she was the most free-spirited of the bunch. So naturally, when left without adult supervision, they went anywhere they wanted, but it was Iluna who corralled them.
“Okay, okay, okay. I’ll look my wives square in the eyes, thank them for everything they do, and let them spoil me.”
“Excellent! We have to cherish the present while we can.”
Wise words, kid. Wise words. I won’t forget them. Just this one conversation was proof that though Iluna was still a child, she was no longer a little girl who needed us to tend to her every need. She was able to think things through for herself and determine right from wrong.
“I think... I think it’s about time.”
“Hmm? What are you talking about, Yukiki?”
“Iluna. You wanna start school soon?”
In this world, life spans differed and varied from those in my previous life. Humans were one thing, but when it came to demons and the other races, they classified people by generation instead of age. Meaning it wasn’t uncommon for people in the same school grade to be different ages. For example, I’d heard of elves being considered part of the same generation even if there were fifty years between them.
All that to say, I knew that I’d have to send Iluna and the other girls out into the world one day, but I’d always thought, “Well, that’s still a long way off.” Except not so much, since that time was here now. If she were still a little kid like when we’d first met, I wouldn’t think twice about keeping her safe here in the dungeon, where she could learn. This world was dangerous like that. Now that she was growing up, though, it was time for me, as her guardian, to show her the path that lay ahead. That was my duty too—something I had to do on behalf of her dead parents.
“School! The one we talked about before? In Leila’s village?”
“Yup. The one run by the ovine. Considering my continued expansion of the dungeon’s territory, it won’t be long before I have it connected to the demon world’s capital. As soon as I do, you can come back here every day.”
“But Leila told me they have a dorm.”
“Yeah, that’s an option, but I also want you to have the option to be able to commute. That way, me or one of the other adults can pick you up anytime. In case something happens, y’know?”
“Gosh, Yukiki, you worry too much.”
“Gosh, Iluna, you don’t worry enough. We’re family, so let me at least do that much.”
She giggled at my reply.
The school I was thinking of sending my kids to was the one in the ovine settlement. It had some of the best facilities and personnel in the world as far as educational institutions went, making it the perfect place for them to learn all kinds of things. The grown-ups and I had picked it after talking it over. Leila’s input had been especially valuable.
“Besides, if I send you, I’d wanna send the other girls along with you. And that for sure means an environment where all of you can come back to the dungeon lickety-split.”
“Oh, right, because Shii and the wraith sisters can’t be away from the dungeon for too long.”
“Yup.”
Because Shii and the triplets were dungeon summons. Dungeon summons were fine being away from the dungeon for a day or two, maybe even a week, but any longer and they’d weaken steadily because they were cut off from their constant power source, the dungeon. They wouldn’t starve to death even if they went without eating while in the dungeon’s territory, but that might not hold true outside of its domain. I knew all this from the knowledge that’d been implanted in me by the dungeon all the way back at the beginning of my life here, so regardless of how things panned out, I was gonna install a door nearby.
Some folks might say that dungeon summons didn’t need an education and this was just my ego talking. I would say those folks were right. Still, I wasn’t worried about Shii and the wraith triplets. I knew they’d have fun every day, even outside the dungeon. I wouldn’t even be surprised if Shii, who hated studying, enjoyed school. I also knew that slimes and wraiths, both races that could only be described as monsters, would be welcomed with open arms by the ovine precisely because of their clan’s bottomless well of curiosity.
So what was the problem? En. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be able to convince her to go to school. Why? Because of her race: magic blade. Going to school meant very few opportunities to tag along with me. But she was proud of the fact that she was a sword. A sword could only fulfill its true purpose when there was someone to wield it, someone to protect in battle. That was why she’d be reluctant to be separated from me, and I sure as shit couldn’t fight without her.
I’d made a bunch of different weapons, but En was my only main. Having said that, this would be a good thing. For both of us. Though she was a sword, she had a will of her own and a body. That made her a member of mankind. Therefore, I wanted her to learn about society.
“The question is, how do I convince En?”
Iluna must’ve realized what was bothering me when I said that.
“If she gets mad, I’ll mediate.”
“Miss Iluna, I’d rather you mediate before she gets mad.”
“Weeell, she can be pretty stubborn, so she’ll get mad either way... So just do your best, Yukiki! Fight!”
Iluna pumped her arms in the air.
“I don’t have much of a choice, do I?” I said with a wry smile.
Watching you grow up...makes me so happy I wanna cry.