Ch.165Outside. After the Harem Dissolution (1)

In the council chamber where the state council was being held.

“A proposal has been submitted that elementary schools should accept adults as well as children, Your Majesty.”

“The sales figures for the 23rd Empire Lottery have been tallied. The second prize system continues to show positive effects…”

I was receiving reports on various current issues while armed.

I wasn’t wearing a sword to create an atmosphere of fear among the officials, but because I had just returned from a mission to hunt down a dragon. Just because the Demon Lord was dead didn’t mean all threats to humanity had disappeared.

Naturally, the officials didn’t seem to mind.

‘The real problem is that I feel stuffy.’

I continued the meeting while thinking only about quickly handling the important issues and returning home.

“…a play? What’s this about?”

An issue that didn’t seem to require my direct involvement had come up at the end.

It wasn’t that plays weren’t important, but I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to worry about that right now.

However, as I listened to the details, it was clearly not a trivial matter.

“A play about the previous Hero’s party has been successfully drawing crowds. It’s being performed at the grand theater in District 4 and has sold out for 12 consecutive shows. There are even scalpers selling tickets.”

I almost reflexively responded that this was a good thing, but stopped myself.

The citizens of the imperial capital had long lost interest in elegant performances. Even theater companies and orchestras sponsored by the imperial family were barely surviving.

But suddenly there was a production filling seats to capacity.

This could only mean one thing.

“So it’s not just a satirical play.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

The play that had become a hit was reportedly a very explicit adult production.

It depicted scenes where the Hero’s pursuit team beat Gwon Heejin and cut his wrists, and portrayed Heejin’s harem as if they were prostitutes.

It meant that without themes of violence and sex, the current citizens of the imperial capital couldn’t be satisfied.

“All the dialogue is unprecedentedly vulgar. …However, the scene where Your Majesty rebukes Gwon Heejin is portrayed with great solemnity.”

“……”

“In any case, other theater companies and orchestras are starting to prepare similar productions after realizing how well the subject sells. I’m not sure if we should leave this unchecked.”

“Just leave it be. Unless they start stripping completely on stage.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

This wasn’t something I needed to restrict. If hungry artists needed to find a way to survive like this, there was no need to suppress them.

However, the play reminded me of people I had completely forgotten about for a while.

The previous Hero’s party.

It had already been two years since I banished Gwon Heejin’s women to the border.

Come to think of it, last year I received a request through Hannah from the elf Silvina (asking for leniency toward her companions). I had brushed it off because I was busy then, but now I had enough leisure to briefly consider their situation.

‘Yes. It’s about time to think about it.’

I ended the meeting, thinking I should give it some consideration.

It didn’t take long to make a decision. After all, it was a simple matter compared to the problems I usually dealt with.

I had no intention of meticulously restoring those women’s honor, but I could at least give them some breathing room.

***

“The beastkin are better off than me. Much better.”

This was said weakly by “Yuni,” the mage of the previous Hero’s party, who was stationed at the frontline fortress of the border command.

Her pretty but stern impression and small stature remained the same as before, but looking closely, her face showed signs of hardship.

The fortress where she resided was very unsuitable for maintaining one’s appearance. It was located in a region with the harshest climate in the Empire, and cosmetics were difficult to obtain. The only consolation was that, being a mage, she could at least take hot baths frequently.

‘I could take care of myself if I wanted to.’

But she lacked the motivation.

In the harsh environment, Yuni’s mind and body had long since become numb.

When she received sexual harassment from economic criminals related to Cordana, she just thought, “That’s how it is.” When adventurers visiting the fortress snickered and pointed at her, she thought the same. When she first arrived here, even a single harsh word would make her shudder, but now she felt nothing.

Even now, a soldier from the penal unit was subtly taunting Yuni, but she just ignored it and stood there blankly.

“Hey, Yuni. Did you know? Professor Weaver… no, should I call him Headmaster now? He’s the head of the newly established mage training institution.”

“……”

“Come to think of it, you were caught by him, weren’t you? …Ha. You must have mixed feelings. If you ever get a chance to go to the imperial capital, try to get on Weaver’s good side and ask for a position.”

“……”

“Sorry. On second thought, you’ll probably never return to the imperial capital. With all the power in the Empire in the Hero King’s hands, why would he rescue you? He’s the one who banished you here in the first place.”

No matter what was said beside her, Yuni just stared at the distant scenery with a hardened expression.

She wasn’t ignoring it to preserve her dignity; she was genuinely letting it slide.

The taunting soldier finally cursed, “Fuck, completely unresponsive,” and disappeared.

She could retaliate if she wanted to, but Yuni had no intention of doing so. She didn’t even have any dignity left to be hurt.

‘Yeah. Say what you want. I don’t care.’

These days, she had even given up her only hobby of ‘sightseeing.’

No matter where she looked, she saw the same scenery every day: endless barren plains and dreary primeval forests outside the fortress, and penal unit soldiers rolling dice day after day inside.

To be honest, she had long forgotten even what day it was.

If the now-indifferent Yuni had any interest left, it was just one thing:

Eating and drinking.

There was no more intuitive pleasure than enjoying delicious food. She could understand why her colleague Silvina loved meat so much. When Silvina skillfully made smoked ham, she would unconsciously salivate.

“What’s on the menu for dinner today?”

This was her only curiosity.

Fortunately, someone soon appeared to answer Yuni’s question.

“Beef stew. Apricots for dessert.”

It was Millia, the pink-haired female knight.

Yuni’s expression brightened slightly at the sight of Millia.

They had been distant in the past, but now they were the closest of friends. Without Millia, there would have been many days when Yuni wouldn’t have spoken a single word.

“Beef stew? Not bad.”

“And it’s fresh meat, not salted. With plenty of tomatoes and mushrooms.”

“Supplies have been good lately.”

Yuni smiled, thinking this was unusual.

It wouldn’t be bad to get a portion and have a meal together with the Hero’s party.

The elf Silvina was also staying at the fortress, so the three of them could eat together pleasantly.

Good alcohol was hard to find at the border command, but thanks to Silvina, who had suspiciously abundant supplies, there was nothing to worry about.

Hot stew with red wine. The thought alone made her mouth water.

With a noticeably brighter expression, Yuni turned to look at Millia.

But…

“Millia?”

Something was off. Millia’s expression was unusual.

She usually had a confident look, but today she seemed solemn. Her eyes were swollen, as if she had been crying somewhere.

Surprised, Yuni unconsciously patted Millia’s back gently. It would be troublesome if one of her few friends broke down.

“What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

“Yuni, it’s…”

“It’s okay, just tell me. What could possibly come between us? …Is someone bullying you?”

At Yuni’s concerned question, Millia shook her head, saying it wasn’t that. Then what could be the problem?

Fortunately, Millia wasn’t depressed because of something bad.

“I’ve been assigned to escort beastkin.”

“…Oh.”

So she hadn’t been crying out of sadness. Yuni felt both relief and deflation as she gave a wry smile.

Beastkin escort.

The beastkin were still diligently migrating to the Principality of Microssia.

The ships departed from Enekia Port, the area temporarily administered by Millia’s father. Escorting the beastkin, whom they had fought against for so long, to the port was no small task, and the Empire was struggling with it.

“I’ve been volunteering for that mission all this time. Because I could at least see my family’s faces if I went to the port. And this time, my request was accepted for the first time.”

“That’s great.”

Honestly, it wasn’t an easy mission.

Controlling beastkin, with whom they didn’t have the best relationship, while moving in a state of high tension for several weeks—it would be a mission most knights would avoid.

But for Millia, it was practically a vacation. For the previous Hero’s party, who were essentially a penal unit, this was the only way to leave the frontlines.

It wouldn’t be bad to get some fresh air outside this stuffy fortress. Yuni decided to congratulate Millia on getting the chance to reunite with her family.

“Congratulations, Millia.”

“Oh, Yuni. They want you to come too.”

“…Me too?”

“Yes. I’m not sure why, but they probably think they need a mage as well.”

With these words, Millia wiped her eyes.

Yuni stared at her blankly and then let out another hollow laugh.

Come to think of it, it had been a very long time since Yuni had seen her family too. Her father was also a mage, so they communicated occasionally when possible… but that alone wasn’t enough to satisfy her longing. It wouldn’t be bad to meet in person if the opportunity arose.

“Alright. Let’s go together. Like we’re going on a trip.”

Yuni responded in a bright voice.

It was something they couldn’t have imagined when they were living as Gwon Heejin’s lovers, but now Millia and Silvina were the most precious people to Yuni.

Many might laugh at the idea of women who had been attached to Gwon Heejin now living closely together, but Yuni didn’t care at all.

The friends by her side were far more precious than her reputation, which had already been thrown into the gutter.