Ch.342342. The Hongwha Pavilion’s drinks are way too expensive.

“I’ll be going now.”

I smiled gently at Lucien, who snuggled into my arms with a soft “poof.”

“Yes, be careful.”

As Lucien boarded the carriage, the Etherian Princess was about to embrace me but hesitated upon seeing the Imperial Knights. Her face turned red as she cleared her throat.

“Ahem! I’ll see you on our wedding day.”

Since many people were watching, I formally bowed to the Etherian Princess, something I hadn’t done in a while.

“Princess, I shall see you then.”

And then.

Smooch-!

Despite the crowd watching, Princess Siren kissed my lips without hesitation.

As people erupted in cheers, she thoroughly enjoyed the moment, closing one eye slowly before opening it again and whispering softly.

“We can’t take turns with kisses, you know.”

The words ‘If we’re being technical, there would be an order for the bedroom too’ almost escaped my throat, but I couldn’t say it.

Princess Siren had already climbed into the carriage.

But.

The Etherian Princess, who had witnessed Siren’s kiss, was still clearing her throat by the carriage door.

I tilted my head in confusion.

“….Pardon?”

“Ahem!”

“….Pardon?”

“AHEM!!”

With a short sigh, I approached the Etherian Princess and gently kissed her lips.

Another eruption of cheers.

-So Young Master Selden Alphonse really is marrying both princesses!

-Wow! I couldn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes, what a joyous occasion for Lake Territory!?

-To witness this historic moment myself…. Long live our Young Master Selden Alphonse!

-But who’s that proper little lady boarding the carriage with the princesses?

-Young Master Selden Alphonse has only been in Lake Territory for a few days, yet he’s already getting married….

The Etherian Princess waved to the territory’s residents in response, then climbed into the carriage with a satisfied expression.

Finally, the discomfort that had been building up for days was subsiding. Or was it?

No, with Lucien leaving for the Imperial Palace, I felt somewhat regretful.

“Padericks.”

“At your command.”

“To the study.”

“Understood.”

After bidding a light farewell to the residents who had seen off the princesses, I headed straight to the study.

Padericks followed me in and spoke.

“Is there anything else you need?”

“Has there been any decrease in work for the residents lately?”

Padericks stroked his chin at my question.

“The defensive formation has already been completed, and the academy isn’t finished yet, is it?”

“That’s right. That’s why I asked.”

“But since the Miracle Forest has become a tourist attraction, most residents have become self-sufficient, so I don’t think you need to worry.”

I adjusted my posture at this unexpectedly good news.

“Oh, really? Are there no criminals?”

“….Pardon?”

“There used to be quite a few criminals in Lake Territory. I’m asking if there are none now.”

“Our territory is famous for having the fewest criminals in the Eastern Continent, you know?”

“Because the territory itself is wealthy?”

As I tilted my head, Padericks smiled faintly.

“We have knights, mercenaries, and guardian corps members in our territory, don’t we?”

“Yes, and?”

“With so many strong personnel patrolling around, how could criminals possibly live comfortably here?”

“Now that you mention it, that makes sense.”

“Occasionally there are theft incidents, but investigation usually reveals the perpetrators are from other territories.”

“They come all the way here to commit theft?”

Padericks nodded silently.

“Lake Territory is so prosperous that it naturally attracts vermin.”

“Is there no way to reduce theft? To prevent people from even thinking about stealing?”

“I’ll try increasing patrol times.”

“Yes, good work.”

From what I’ve heard, it seems the territory’s residents are happier than I am.

If I had known this, I should have been reincarnated as an ordinary resident rather than a noble….

Before I knew it, while chatting with Padericks, it was already noon.

I got up from my chair and put on my coat.

“Young Master, where are you going now?”

I flashed a mischievous look at Padericks, whose face was full of question marks.

“I need to have a bachelor party before getting married!”

*

“My, did you say your name is Levan? Why is your body so fit?”

“Haha! My lower half is firm too, want to check?”

“I-I’m embarrassed!”

I was drinking heavily at the Cheonsonji pleasure district for the first time in a while.

Jawil Wilson cleared his throat and raised his voice to the women.

“Ahem! Excuse me, I need to have a word with the Young Master, so please give us some space!”

The women stared at me with wide eyes.

They knew who was paying the bills.

I smiled gently and made a playful expression.

“I need to talk with my subordinate for a moment, so please return to our table shortly.”

The women immediately stood up and bowed before leaving.

With a satisfied smile, I saw them off, while Jawil Wilson, sitting across from me, bulged the veins in his neck.

“Y-Young Master! Are you in your right mind?”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re about to marry the princesses, how can you drink with other women?”

“Who’s marrying the princesses?”

“You are!”

“And what’s the name of this person marrying them?”

“Selden Alphonse, of course!”

“But I’m not Selden Alphonse, I’m Levan.”

Jawil Wilson’s mouth gaped open with an expression that said, ‘What the hell is wrong with this guy?’

“Using transformation leather doesn’t erase what you’ve done wrong!”

“If you keep quiet, there won’t be a problem, right?”

“….Just tell me honestly already.”

“Tell you what honestly?”

“Young Master, you’re not the type to frolic with women in pleasure districts without reason! You must have some purpose for coming here!”

When I first reincarnated as Selden Alphonse, everyone treated me like a good-for-nothing.

Including Jawil Wilson sitting across from me.

But.

Now, even though I came to the pleasure district of my own accord, Jawil Wilson doesn’t seem to believe it.

I laughed heartily and raised my glass.

“Let’s have a drink first.”

“….Sigh, fine.”

After drinking, I placed my glass back on the table.

“Jawil Wilson, have you changed a lot?”

“What do you mean, changed?”

“Remember when we used to visit the pleasure districts around here before?”

“Are you talking about when we had drinks at a pleasure district after visiting Hongwaru to meet the Poison Lady?”

“Yes, back then you were so happy when women embraced you.”

At my words, Jawil Wilson closed his eyes tightly, his face turning red.

“B-back then, didn’t you drag me to the pleasure district, claiming the Poison Lady was following us!?”

“I may have dragged you there, but I don’t recall telling you to enjoy yourself.”

“….I don’t remember enjoying myself.”

“Hmm, I wonder if Clara would believe that.”

Seeing my mischievous expression, Jawil Wilson’s shoulders slumped.

“Do you really want me to end up with Clara, Young Master?”

“Of course.”

“Then why do you keep threatening me?”

“Because it’s fun.”

“….If it’s fun twice more, I won’t live to see another day.”

“Oh! You’ve changed and your speech has improved too?”

Jawil Wilson shook his head and spoke.

“Have I changed more than you, who used to be a good-for-nothing at the edge of the Eastern Continent?”

“Hmm….I suppose not.”

“Did you really come here just for fun?”

“I told you I did!”

“Then why did you come to this pleasure district instead of Hongwaru, which is run by the Poison Lady just ahead?”

I clicked my tongue at Jawil Wilson’s question.

“Hongwaru’s alcohol is too expensive.”

“….Pardon?”

“This Yongcheonju we’re drinking would cost almost twice as much at Hongwaru!”

“Are you serious?”

“It really is twice the price. I checked in advance. This place is the cheapest in Cheonsonji, and they say the women are good too.”

“Fine, now please tell me.”

“Tell you what?”

“The real reason you came to this pleasure district.”

Jawil Wilson still didn’t believe that I came to the pleasure district just to have fun with women.

It seemed my image had definitely changed in his eyes.

“Why not just enjoy yourself instead?”

“Why?”

“Because once you marry Clara, with her personality, you’ll never be able to come to places like this again.”

“….Don’t you often take me out anyway, Young Master?”

“Why? Earlier you were looking at me with contempt for being with women, but now that reality is setting in, are you feeling regretful?”

As I chuckled, Jawil Wilson pressed his temples as if he had a headache.

“Young Master, you really—”

“Shh, quiet!”

Just then, amid the noisy and boisterous atmosphere, a man wearing a long black robe entered the pleasure district.

His dignified demeanor and gaze.

There was something extraordinary about him.

And.

Behind him, other figures entered one after another.

All wearing the same robes, they were being guided to rooms on the second floor.

I drained my last glass and checked the Raiden Sword at my waist.

Though Jawil Wilson hadn’t yet grasped the situation, he stiffened upon seeing my expression.

“Young Master, what should I do?”

I smiled broadly at Jawil Wilson’s question and spoke.

“Guard the front door. Don’t let a single rat escape.”