Ch.11738. You Kept Your Promise.(3)

When the young man returned to the heart of the Empire on horseback with companions he had made outside, those who recognized his face showed their respect and praise without reservation.

“Glory to the descendant of heroes!”

“Blessings upon the descendant of the savior!”

Being a descendant of the Nine Heroes tends to be particularly exaggerated within the Empire.

Of course, if one were to list the reasons why this was inevitable, there would be far too many stories to cover even if one stayed up for days on end.

“I felt it when crossing the imperial border, but I never knew the difference in air between the inside and outside of the Empire would be so distinct.”

The middle-aged knight grinned, showing off a sturdy physique that made his heavy armor seem almost unnecessary. With full plate armor made of iron, separate from any special materials, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call him a moving fortress.

Not chain mail, but full plate armor—it was like a form of wealth that could only be obtained by paying an absurdly high price. In fact, he was a free knight who had sold his territory and buildings to acquire his armor and warhorse, and now wandered all over the place.

…Though he wasn’t originally from the Empire.

“Is that really so surprising?”

In contrast, the girl riding an ordinary pony was clearly asserting her identity as a mage with her entire being.

With her distinctive purple mage’s robe and hat, her dark blue bob cut, ordinary yet sharply slanted eyes, and the brown pupils within them made for a striking impression.

“Being the second son of Bariel Tamelot, the Great Hero… or one of the Nine Heroes as the Empire calls them… that’s a privilege not just anyone can have.”

“Let’s stop with that already.”

At that moment, the young man riding the white horse in front turned his head away in embarrassment and tried to stop the two.

Though his black cloak concealed his attire underneath, he was clearly armed. Plate armor covered his chest and waist. The rest of his protective gear, focused on vital areas, was black with gold family crests and blessings written in ancient imperial language.

His peach-red eyes, lightened by exposure to the sun, surveyed the landscape of the capital teeming with crowds as he held the reins with his thick leather gloves. Even his dark blue hair, almost black in its depth, reflected blue light when exposed to the sun.

“Daike. To your parents’ house first, I assume?”

“In proper order, we should head to the imperial palace first, but His Majesty won’t scold us too much about that.”

It wasn’t an urgent matter anyway. In fact, going a bit later might be more convenient. Though they had sent word ahead, they had arrived at the capital about two days earlier than expected.

“We can stop by the family mansion to rest and prepare for our formal entry.”

“Can’t we just go, say we’re back, have an audience, and be done with it?”

“The audience will also serve as a return party. The audience will be in the morning, and the party will start in the afternoon after sunset. And from what I know, it will last at least three days, possibly up to a week.”

“…Is that an Empire thing? Seems quite excessive.”

If one didn’t know how much money was spent on hosting such a party, they might just accept it. But the girl knew the cost better than anyone.

“Silaine, Lurdeng. By the way, would you two really be satisfied with becoming part of our family?”

When Daike called their names and asked, Lurdeng, the free knight with the imposing physique in full plate armor, burst into laughter.

“Getting sentimental as we approach home? Isn’t it far too late to be asking that now?”

“That may be true. But there’s always the possibility…”

“Stop with the nonsense.”

The mage girl called Silaine playfully swatted at him as if telling him not to be ridiculous.

“That’s enough. I just want to greet your father, take a bath, eat something, and rest quietly for a while… so don’t be difficult.”

“That shouldn’t be hard.”

Daike chuckled softly at her bold demand. Then, as if suddenly remembering, Lurdeng asked:

“By the way, didn’t you say you had at least five siblings before you left?”

“Now there are eight. And… probably more by the time we reach the mansion.”

“So the rumors about his vigor weren’t exaggerated.”

“Well, there are several mothers too.”

“…And there’s no discord despite that?”

For nobles, having multiple heirs, especially from multiple wives, typically caused conflicts that shook the foundations of the family. However…

“Father is not just stubborn in that regard, he’s absolutely resolute.”

Most men might give in or yield to the women they share their flesh with, but Bariel was not like that.

In this respect, he truly was a hero.

…Except for that, he was embarrassingly sentimental.

When they actually arrived at the mansion and tried to pay their respects:

“He’s still not awake?”

With the sun high in the sky?

“You know how it is, sir.”

The elderly butler shook his head, but even this was so routine that there was no hint of reproach or restraint. It was more like an attitude of “the master is the same as always.” Silaine and Lurdeng, vaguely understanding what this implied, marveled again that the rumors were indeed not exaggerated.

“And, another mother has joined the household, sir.”

“…So I have one more sibling as well?”

The elderly butler smiled as if impressed by Daike’s correct guess.

“…”

Wait, that was just a casual remark, but it was right?

With no other choice, Daike personally knocked on his father’s bedroom door to pay his respects and announce his return. When he heard movement inside, he opened the door.

“Father.”

“Ah… oh, my head. What? When did you get back?”

The bed was enormous, even considering it was meant for a couple. Bariel was a large man, but… if he had this all to himself, it would be an extravagance beyond words.

However, seeing three women sprawled across it made the size somewhat more understandable. In fact, even this seemed insufficient.

Why insufficient?

…Perhaps because some couldn’t participate in this scene of wild exchange(?) as they were caring for the children in their wombs. As vigorous as Bariel was—famous throughout the Empire and continent for his libido—he wasn’t so reckless as to engage with women who had just given birth.

‘The bed in this room has gotten even bigger.’

Is it believable that there were more than five such rooms? If one were to occupy the bed alone, they might as well swim in it.

“Oh, my back.”

Bariel crawled down from the vast bed like a baby, rubbed his face marked with scars as if washing it, and then suddenly winced as he patted his lower back.

“I wonder if there’s anyone as devoted to marital relations as you are.”

“It’s not a crime, is it?”

He had a point.

…He hadn’t forced anyone, nor had he taken another man’s woman. Rather, these women admired him.

Some had come for his family name and backing, but even they eventually became devoted to the family and home—a remarkably unusual case. It was no wonder that heads of other families often sought his advice on family discord and harmony.

“I see you still maintain your regular training.”

“Letting my body go slack would be a sin against my wives. It’s better to look good and feel good to the touch, right? Naturally I do it, and my wives should too.”

…A simple but undeniable truth. Whether man or woman, even if they’re your partner or spouse, something unsightly remains unsightly.

Moreover, due to the scars on his face, even a slight misstep in his expression could quickly make the atmosphere grim. His body was also covered in various wounds.

These were the glorious scars he had earned through his heroic journey. The fact that he bore such scars despite having Ermina by his side meant that the trials he had endured were far from trivial.

He was a man who always proved himself through actions rather than words.

And after the Demon Lord’s demise, he devoted himself thoroughly to his family and his own convictions, focusing entirely on happiness like this.

“Oh? Oh?”

Silaine and Lurdeng were momentarily stunned by the sight of Bariel, who appeared with only a cloth wrapped around his lower body.

“I’ve heard all about you. So you’re my son’s comrades?”

“Ah, this is… somewhat disconcerting.”

At Silaine’s direct and honest comment, Bariel proudly straightened his back.

“Why? Never seen a man’s body before?”

“What? No… that’s not it…”

“By the way, when are you two having the ceremony?”

“Pardon?”

Daike punched his father’s side, but Bariel didn’t even flinch.

“What? Such a pretty young lady following you all the way here means she wants you to take responsibility for her life. No? Then what? Do you both have religious beliefs that prevent you from sharing a bed? Or do you get chest pains, dizziness, goosebumps, and nausea just thinking about men and women coming together?”

“Why are you… talking like that?”

“Well, unless there’s some disability, with a beauty like that, I’d immediately… Oh, sorry… was she your partner?”

Bariel, unusually subdued, cautiously asked Lurdeng, who burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! No, Lord Bariel. And since we’re on the subject, why not just go for it?”

“Lu-Lurdeng, you?!”

“See? She followed you because she has feelings. My son may be my son, but he’s still a bit dense.”

“…”

Silaine’s face burned bright red. And Daike, who seemed to have just realized this fact, opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“Lurdeng, was it? Tell me, was this kid just as slow on the uptake out there?”

“Haha… there were many women who tried to get close to him. But he turned them away, saying he had someone else in mind.”

“A different kind of foolishness. Tsk tsk!”

Bariel clicked his tongue as if he had known Daike’s feelings all along.

“But that’s that and this is this. First, grant that young lady’s wish.”

Silaine was more surprised than anyone.

“Whaaat?!”

Despite her face being flushed red to the point of bursting, her eyes wavered in confusion, yet also showed a strange anticipation that was plainly visible.

“Father…”

“I know better than anyone that you have your heart set on the Imperial Princess, but let me tell you one thing for certain.”

That child.

“Unless it’s Kariel, she would rather live and die alone than take another partner.”

“…Since we’re on the topic, I have many questions about Kariel as well.”

“Hmm, is that so?”

Suddenly, attention shifted to Bariel himself—specifically, toward his lower body. The cloth wrapped around him was bulging strangely, and the size? The height was alarming.

“Men are like this when they wake up, you know? Just accept it.”

“…”

While Silaine deliberately looked away, pretending not to notice:

“I admire you, Lord Bariel!”

Lurdeng gazed at him with extreme reverence.

“…”

Daike could only tap his forehead with his clenched fist.

“Thank you. Anyway… I suggest you ask someone else for detailed explanations about that.”

“Someone else?”

“Go ask Count Esdina.”

“Count Esdina…”

Is he referring to that eccentric old man?

However, contrary to expectations, the person Bariel mentioned was somewhat unexpected even to Daike.

“You know Seras, right? She’s the head of the family now, so pay her a visit and give your regards.”

“Seras… became the head of the Esdina family?”

“Hear it directly from her. You know I’m not good with words.”

“Sigh…”

“Anyway, welcome, all of you. And welcome back to you. Unpack your things and rest to recover from your journey. Think of this as your home, put your feet up, and relax. And… Silaine, was it?”

“Y-yes!”

“You’ll share a room with Daike.”

“What?!”

“Father…?”

“If you’re not sharing a room and a blanket by tomorrow, know that I’ll throw you both out. You know I don’t lie about such things, right?”

Daike showed reluctance, but:

“Father, even so…”

Bariel wouldn’t allow even a moment of reconsideration.

“It’s fine that you’re devoted to Elehermina. That’s all well and good, but what sin has that girl committed to be hurt by your feelings? Especially when you’re carrying the same wound, how can you not understand?”

“…”

“Even if you don’t end up together, at least have a serious conversation. That’s a man’s duty to a woman who has feelings for him. Understood?”

“Um, excuse me…”

At that moment, Silaine, with a crimson face, raised her head slightly and bowed again to Bariel, expressing her gratitude in a small voice.

“Thank you… for your consideration.”

“It’s nothing. Giving a push to a woman in love is the role of a good man.”

Bariel grinned, showing his teeth, but with his short gray bob cut and the scars on his face…

How to put it—though Silaine knew it wasn’t meant to be, his smile seemed a bit… frightening.

Of course, that tension was quickly buried beneath an endless well of gratitude.

‘He’s not just a womanizer… he’s actually a wonderful man.’

He was a gallant hero(?) who inspired a different kind of respect in her.