episode_0057

“Eh…?”

A lady, fallen in a mysterious courtyard, shakes her head back and forth with wide pumpkin eyes gleaming.

“Eeeek…!?”

The endless astonishment of a modest lady echoed through the palace. It seemed she still couldn’t grasp the situation she found herself in.

The vast hall within Dallin’s view carried an incomprehensible grandeur and splendor, seemingly her territory, but this place was the domain of a hero bestowed upon by the empire.

“Hey, you’re so cute. How old are you?”

“Sylphia, step aside. If you keep pestering her like a child, she might feel uncomfortable.”

“You’re shorter than me? But why is your chest…”

Amidst the noisy chatter, her gaze naturally shifted upwards. Unlike her petite frame, most women looking at her had tall figures.

“And how old are you?”

“Me, I’m thirty-eight…?”

Despite her elongated posture, she looked significantly younger than these women. Even though it was embarrassing to be mistaken for a woman in her early twenties, she couldn’t outright deny her age. Although she never told Lucas, he seemed to think of her as a woman in her mid-twenties.

Nevertheless, even if she was small, being treated like a child was unacceptable.

“Oh my, what to do. You’re too cute!”

Suddenly, a beauty with pink hair emerged and embraced Dallin, stroking her crimson hair and pulling her towards her chest.

“What, what’s happening? This is unprecedented…?”

Being treated like a child didn’t sit well with Dallin, who was used to being seen as an adult due to her circumstances.

Above all, being forcibly abducted by Lucas was absurd. Despite her confusion, Dallin couldn’t help but feel a bit flattered by the unusual attention from these rare beauties.

“What on earth is this? What kind of situation is this?”

Due to the unexpected turn of events, the cheeks of the pink-haired girl puffed up in frustration.

Normally, Dallin wouldn’t have been so flustered, but being pushed around without any power made her lose her temper. Her frustration built up and exploded, directing her anger towards the women who were touching her all over.

“Impudent!”

Yes, truly impudent. It was obvious. Except for the elf glancing curiously from behind, there was no one older than her present.

“Everyone, let go of me!”

– A married woman, struggling to push away the women touching her with both hands, unable to resist even another woman. Unfortunately, Dallin, a frail lady, couldn’t push away even a fellow woman.

In the end, her best efforts at resistance were subdued within seconds.

However, Lucas’s harem members were equally puzzled. To them, Dallin seemed the youngest here.

“Hoho, no manners? You look like you’re barely fifteen…”

The gaze of the pink-haired woman who had embraced him first shifted towards Dallin’s chest. The young man appeared to possess sturdy peaks that belied his youthful appearance.

“Well, below the neck, you certainly have a body that men would appreciate. Still, maybe around sixteen? So, are you a long-liver then? You don’t seem like much more than just a regular human on the outside?”

“N-no, that’s not it…”

Dallin wanted to blurt out his age right away. However, fearing revealing his relationship with his son, he couldn’t casually disclose his age. He simply hesitated and observed cautiously.

“If you’re not a long-liver, then you must be the youngest, right? The next in line would be the blonde girl over there… Ah! She’s Tile Artisan’s beloved at seventeen, but you don’t seem to match up.”

Therefore, including the pink-haired woman, the ten harem members could only treat Dallin as the youngest.

“My name is Astesia. Feel free to call me ‘Sia.’”

It was a bombshell statement amidst the chaos. It was because Astesia was the name of the leader of the hero party.

“Oh, Astesia?”

Upon hearing the woman’s name, the lady who felt discontent due to the age difference immediately became more humble. Regardless of age, the saint was a woman even the Pope respected. While not nobility per se, considering her status, she was close to the Duke of the North, her lord.

“I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were a saint…”

“No need to apologize. After all, our hierarchy here is based on how much love you receive from Lucas.”

Her gentle smile truly resembled that of a saint. Her demeanor seemed much more relaxed compared to others. It was evident she held a high position within this group.

“You… are Mandarin Orange, right? I saw you with Akkael during the improvement ceremony.”

A full name that always felt embarrassing no matter when it was mentioned.

But in this situation, denying it would make things even more awkward. Blushing, Dallin had no choice but to nod his head.

Did the sight of the shy young lady trigger a protective instinct? Astesia’s face seemed unsure as she gazed at her.

‘I feel these emotions too. I wonder how Lucas, being a man, would react?’

“Although it didn’t seem like Lucas would bring another woman into his harem, seeing you up close, it’s quite possible.”

The plump breasts and well-proportioned hips were attributes I possessed as well, but this girl seemed born solely to captivate men from head to toe.

With crimson hair and eyes, she might not fit the typical nobleman’s preference, yet the fresh, sweet scent of oranges emanating from her body harmonized well. Her teary pumpkin eyes evoked sympathy and compassion simultaneously.

“It might be a bit overwhelming for Dallin in this situation, but once you get used to it, it’ll be fine. They are people you will be with in the future, so after a brief introduction, I’ll guide you to your assigned room.”

Was it because she was a saint? The way she treated the girl showing a childish attitude was genuinely gentle.

“Surely, Dallin will be satisfied. Each harem member has their own separate room, and the scale and grandeur rival even the noble ladies of the Artisan’s beloveds.”

Astesia held Darin’s hand, smiling reassuringly, naturally calming him.

“When multiple women share one man, conflicts often arise. However, that’s not the case for us.”

“Why is that?”

“Because Lucas dislikes discord. His orders are absolute for us. So, rest assured. We will treat Darin like a sister.”

In response to the curious question, the saint kindly answered. She added words of reassurance because the crimson-haired girl seemed quite fearful, shrinking back.

“Now, shall we exchange brief greetings and move to the guest room? It’s good to relax a bit.”

Regardless, whether Darin adapted to the rapidly changing environment or not, he had to greet the ten harem members forcibly. Here, it was more like a formality.

After being forced into the harem in just a few minutes, Darin wasn’t entirely pleased. However, Lady Jazak was originally a gentle person. With her high sociability, she didn’t want to express any more dissatisfaction to the women who showed interest in him.

If he were to return as the rightful lord, wouldn’t he have to negotiate with Lucas instead of these women? They might be victims themselves, so venting on them would be unjust.

Amidst the chaotic and brief greetings, Darin realized one thing.

“They are all more remarkable than me, aren’t they?”

Including Saint Astesia, Elven archer Sylphia, noble knight Olivia, and the youngest witch Lea. Even the daughters of prominent nobles whose names were recognizable.

There was no one here of lower status than himself, the provincial lord.

Until a moment ago, he had blamed his discontent on his age suddenly thrust upon him, thinking he was ill-mannered.

“What was I thinking?”

Now he realized that the uncouth one was not them but himself.

As a mere provincial lord and a man, what had led his emotions astray?

“I was the most inadequate one, wasn’t I?”

Therefore, Darin could only reflect deeply in his heart and humble himself.