TWEM Vol. 8 Chapter 15

Chapter 15 – You Tricked Me!?

—It was evening.

After the signing ceremony ended, we followed Zebas’ lead to another venue.

Inside, the tables were lined with an extravagant banquet of dishes.

“Wow, Haruto-san, there’s so much food,” Finne said.

“Yeah. Just looking at it is making me hungry,” I replied.

“Me too. Even though I was just watching, I feel exhausted,” she added with a soft laugh.

Watching from the sidelines could definitely be tiring.

Still, something had been bothering me ever since the signing ceremony ended.

As I thought about it, Zebas led us toward another room.

“This way, Sir Haruto,” he said.

“Huh? Something else?” I asked.

“Yes. As today’s guest of honor, we’ve prepared a change of attire. Lady Finne and the others are welcome to change as well.”

Honestly, I didn’t really mind staying in my usual outfit, but one look at the venue showed a crowd of royals and high-ranking merchants.

Wearing my everyday adventurer gear here… yeah, I definitely stood out a bit.

If this were just the ceremony, I might’ve gotten away with it but this was a full-on party.

Guess I’ll change, just this once.

“Sir Haruto, this room is for you. Lady Iris, Lady Finne, and the others will be in the next one.”

While changing, I asked Zebas a question.

“Why a white tailcoat?”

“Well, sir, since you always wear black, I thought it might be refreshing.”

“Yeah, fair enough. It’s a nice change of pace.”

“I’m glad to hear you like it.”

“Lady Iris and the others will still need some time. Shall I escort you ahead?”

I followed Zebas and was shown into a room.

“Huh? This isn’t the great hall?”

“No, sir.”

That sense of unease returned.

I watched Zebas’ expression closely, but all I saw was his usual smile.

He was definitely plotting something, but maybe I’d play along and see where this went.

—That was my first mistake.

A knock sounded, and a maid stepped in.

“The ladies have finished changing.”

“Very good. Sir Haruto, shall we go?”

“Sure.”

To my surprise, we were led right back to the grand hall.

So we’re just circling back? I thought, until the moment the doors opened.

Inside the hall, everything had changed.

A long crimson carpet now stretched across the center toward a raised platform at the back.

And waiting there… were eight figures, clad in pure white dresses.

Finne and the others.

Each of them stood gracefully in their wedding gowns, waiting for me.

As soon as I entered, the entire hall erupted in applause.

I looked over my shoulder at Zebas.

“…Don’t tell me this is…”

“Yes. This is your engagement party—with Lady Iris and the others.”

“…Why now?”

“Well, sir, though you’ve been engaged for some time, there’s never been a formal announcement. So we took the opportunity to organize one.”

I glanced toward Dillan, Oskar, and the others; every one of them grinning like they’d pulled off the perfect scheme.

“Your fiancées are waiting, sir.”

“…Right.”

I took a step forward.

From all sides came calls of “Congratulations!” and other words of blessing.

Honestly, it didn’t feel bad—if anything, I felt guilty for not giving Finne and the others something like this sooner.

I walked down the crimson carpet until I reached them.

“This is a surprise… but you all look amazing.”

My words caused every one of them to blush.

“Um… you look amazing too, Haruto.”

“Haha, thanks.”

We took our seats, and Zebas resumed his role as master of ceremonies.

“Thank you all for coming today. We are most honored to host this special occasion to announce the engagement of our great hero, Sir Haruto, and his fiancées. Let me now introduce each of them.”

He introduced them in turn: Finne, Iris, Ephyr, Suzuno, Kuzel, Ilmina, Charlotte, and Fran.

“Now, Sir Haruto, may we have a few words?”

I stood and looked around.

Not only were the attendees from the peace signing here, but many high-ranking officials and familiar faces from my past.

I even spotted Tendo and the rest of my classmates, grinning at me like idiots.

 Our homeroom teacher, Ms. Usami, was smiling kindly in the crowd too.

…So they’re here too, huh.

Guess that means I’m going to be teased for this later.

Feeling a bit weary, I cleared my throat and began.

“I knew Dillan and Oskar were up to something… but I didn’t expect it to be this. My engagement party, huh? Well, I was caught off guard—but I’ll admit it. Thanks, everyone.”

I paused to divide my words clearly before continuing.

“As you’ve already been introduced—Finne, Iris, Ephyr, Suzuno, Kuzel, Ilmina, Charlotte, and Fran—each one of them is more precious to me than life itself. I swear here and now to protect them with everything I’ve got. And finally, allow me to express my heartfelt gratitude for this wonderful celebration.”

After I finished my speech and returned to stand beside Finne and the others, the party truly began.

“Hey, Haru,” Fran called out.

“What’s up, Fran?”

“Am I… someone important to you?”

Fran looked at me with concern in her eyes.

She was probably asking because it hadn’t been that long since we met.

But seriously… now she’s asking this?

We’d agonized together, fought side by side, shared meals together…

To me, Fran wasn’t the Demon King. She was a girl—my fiancée—and someone irreplaceable.

“Don’t ask the obvious. I love you just as much as the others.”

“Ugh… don’t say embarrassing things like that!”

“Says the girl who called me ‘Husband’ in front of a room full of kings.”

“Ugh…”

“…Not that I hated it, though.”

I chuckled, and Fran puffed out her cheeks in protest.

After that, I spent time dancing with the girls, enjoying amazing food, and generally having a great time.

Tendo and the others teased me relentlessly, but the moment I jokingly said I’d beat them all up, they quieted down real quick. Just kidding, guys.

Once I had a moment to breathe, I noticed Oskar and the others chatting happily nearby and decided to head over.

“Yo, Oskar. Was watching me get duped that entertaining?”

“Haruto! Congrats on the engagement. You can call me Father now if you like.”

“Yeah, right. Not happening, dumbass.”

“Oh ho, bold words to say to an emperor. You want to go, huh?”

“Oh? If it’s a fight you want, I’ll take you on anytime. We never did settle things, remember?”

“Fine by me.”

Both of us stood up, glaring at each other.

Then Charlotte suddenly stepped in between us.

“Haruto, Father—please stop it! This is seriously embarrassing!”

“Well, you heard her.”

“Hmph. I suppose we’ll stop here for today. Next up is the wedding, after all.”

At the mention of a wedding, Charlotte’s face turned bright red.

“My daughter is quite the earnest one.”

“Please stop teasing me!”

Charlotte tugged on my arm and pulled me away from the two.

“There you are, Haruto!” Iris suddenly appeared. “Charlotte, I’m borrowing him for a bit!”

“Eh? Okay…”

Iris grabbed my hand and practically dragged me off.

She took me to where Dillan and Asha were waiting.

“Daddy, I brought him!”

“Ah, Haruto. So—what did you think?”

I figured he was talking about the engagement party.

“Well, uh… I was definitely caught off guard, but thanks for preparing all this.”

“Then I’m glad to hear it. Now… when’s the wedding?”

“I already told you—it’ll be after Iris turns of age.”

“Ah, right, right. Still, I do want to see my grandchild sooner rather than later.”

“Yeah, that’s… a ways off.”

“Well, I’ll be waiting patiently then. And maybe Iris will get a little brother or sister too…”

At those words, I pulled an item out of my dimensional storage and handed it to him.

It was a sealed vial of liquid.

“…Here.”

“What’s this?”

I leaned in and whispered what it was.

“Oh ho… that’s a huge help! I’ve been giving it my all every night, but, you know, age is a thing…”

Could you not say embarrassing things at full volume, Your Majesty?

“Well, do your best—for Iris’ sake. Anyway, why’d you call me over?”

“Ah, yes. I almost forgot. The heroes—Tendo and the others—decided not to return to Glicente. They’re staying in this kingdom, so we’ve prepared accommodations for them.”

“Oh, that saves me the trouble. I’ll go check in on them later.”

“Please do.”

“Alright, I’ve still got others to greet, so I’ll see you later.”

Leaving Dillan, I made my way over to where Liebert and Ilmina were.

“Ilmina, Liebert.”

“Haruto!” Ilmina greeted cheerfully.

“Haruto, it’s been a while,” Liebert added.

“Since the wartime council, yeah.”

“Yes, I was just talking with Ilmina. She’s been telling me everything… Do your best—I want to see my grandchild soon.”

“F-Father!?”

Why is everyone saying the same thing…? I thought, as Ilmina’s face turned bright red.

She really is adorable when she’s flustered.

“Hopefully in the not-too-distant future.”

“Then I’ll look forward to it.”

“And please don’t overdo things, Liebert.”

“Thank you for your concern.”

“Well, I’ve still got some people to greet.”

“Of course. See you later.”

I left the two and headed over to Fran, who was chatting with Hyzak and Alban.

“Haru! You’re done with the greetings?”

“Mostly. Still got a few more, but I thought I’d grab a bite first.”

“Good, good. Join us?”

“Sure.”

I sat with the three of them and started nibbling on some food.

Then, both Hyzak and Alban lowered their heads toward me.

“Lord Haruto, thank you for saving the demons during the war.”

“My thanks as well.”

“No need. I did it for Fran, really.”

“Fufu, you two are so close.”

“Of course we are! He’s my husband—don’t even think about stealing him!”

Fran clung tightly to my arm, which just made her look cuter than ever.

“We have no such intentions. Besides… isn’t it usually the other way around?”

Yeah, I doubt either of them would try to steal me away.

After that, Fran insisted on feeding me “aah~n” style like we were lovers, which made her turn beet red when everyone teased her about it.

Still, we had a fun and relaxing meal together.

A short while later, Finne, Kuzel, and Ephyr joined us.

～

“Haruto-san, do you have a moment?”

“Finne, Kuzel, Ephyr—what’s up? Are you done eating already?”

The three of them nodded at my question.

“We’re all full,” Finne replied with a wry smile—before her expression turned serious.

“Um… I’d like to speak with the queen of Glicente.”

“Mariana, huh?”

She had been at the signing ceremony earlier, but we hadn’t exchanged any words.

And since Tendo and the other heroes were staying in this kingdom instead of returning to Glicente, there might not be another opportunity. I should probably talk to her too.

Looking around, I spotted Mariana at a table near the edge of the venue.

By her side stood Aegan—Ephyr’s father—quietly standing… or rather, watching.

Considering Kuzel used to be a Glicente knight, and I have ties too, it made sense for the four of us to go. I was curious to hear from Aegan anyway.

“Alright, I’ll go with you.”

We headed over to Mariana.

“Doing alright?”

“…Haruto, was it? Congratulations on your engagement.”

“Thanks.”

She said it with a bit of sarcasm, or at least that’s how it sounded.

“Do you need something from me?”

“Not exactly me, but Finne and the others have something to discuss.”

“…I see. And?”

Mariana shifted her gaze toward Finne, Ephyr, and Kuzel—then blinked in surprise as her eyes landed on Kuzel.

“I didn’t expect to see you among his fiancées, Kuzel.”

“Really? I just came to see the face of my former ruler. We’re strangers now.”

“I see. Then I assume these two are the ones with business?”

Finne stepped forward and spoke.

“There’s an orphanage in Glicente where I used to live.”

“Yes?”

“I’m not just talking about mine—I’d like you to provide funding for all the orphanages in the country.”

“Funding for the orphanages?”

“Yes. Life in those places is very difficult. I’ll contribute some of my own earnings from adventuring, so I hope the country will also support them.”

“In other words, if you’re willing to help financially, you want the kingdom to officially support the orphanages too?”

Finne nodded firmly.

Come to think of it, she’d told me she was raised in an orphanage.

I already knew she had been sending them money, but I hadn’t realized she was thinking this far ahead.

“Understood. I’ll send someone to meet with you later to work out the details. The royal court has been discussing the orphanage issue as well, so this is a great help.”

“Thank you very much.”

Finne bowed deeply.

Next, Mariana turned to Ephyr.

“You’re Aegan’s daughter, correct?”

“Yes, though I don’t have any specific requests…”

Before she could say more, Aegan—who stood nearby—spoke up.

“Ephyr. Are you happy?”

“Yes! Every day is filled with joy.”

“Good. You seem to get along well with Boss, too.”

I addressed Aegan.

“How’s the kingdom doing?”

“Sir! Ever since we dealt with the corruption behind the scenes, the royal palace has been cleaned up. The slavery issue has been resolved, and the citizens’ standard of living has greatly improved.”

“That’s great to hear. And the elves?”

“They now live peacefully in the capital alongside humans. Some have even married them.”

Sounds like Glicente has made real progress.

No more racial discrimination; that’s the kind of world we need.

“What’s your take on Mariana?”

“Well… at first she was scheming in the background, but now she works hard for the country. So much so that I’ve even lightened up on the surveillance.”

“Is that so?”

I glanced at Mariana. She looked a little worn out.

To be honest, I didn’t feel anything toward her anymore.

I’d already gotten my revenge. There was no point in holding a grudge longer than necessary.

While I mulled that over, I heard Ellis’ voice.

《Mariana appears to be suffering from accumulated fatigue. However, she is genuinely striving to improve the nation. She is also now one of the faithful followers of the goddess Alshuna.》

…Why do you even know that? Well, whatever.

“Hey, Ephyr. Since we’re here, is there anything you want to say to Mariana?”

“Well… just that I hope Glicente becomes a country without slavery…”

“Since then, slavery in Glicente has been restricted to criminals only. All those who were unjustly enslaved have been freed.”

Ephyr looked visibly relieved.

It really did seem like Glicente was trying to become a better country. I felt a little relieved myself.

As we were about to leave, I handed Mariana a few vials filled with liquid.

“What is this… poison?”

“Don’t be stupid. If I wanted to kill you, I’d have done it back then. These are magic potions for fatigue recovery. They also help reduce stress and improve sleep quality. Use them when you’re feeling worn out.”

“…Are you sure? I tried to kill you.”

“It’s all settled now. Besides, it’s obvious you’re trying to turn the kingdom around. I can respect that. You have my support.”

“…I see. Then I’ll accept them with gratitude.”

With that, I left Mariana behind and returned to enjoy the party with Finne and the rest of my fiancées.