Ch.346Side Story 1 – Journey to the Southern Continent (1)

“Young Master, you don’t look well these days?”

It’s been a year since I married both Princess Etherian and Princess Sairine.

I’m literally dying here.

Why, you ask?

Either I have azoospermia or something, because no matter what, they just won’t get pregnant.

That’s why.

Emperor Malius keeps pestering me about wanting to see his grandchildren soon, and my two wives torment me every night.

And that’s not all.

Morning, afternoon—whenever there seems to be a free moment, they spread their legs.

Of course, I enjoyed it at first.

I’m in my prime, and after being transported into this novel, I hadn’t been able to satisfy my desires for quite some time.

But.

One month passed, then two months, then three.

As time goes on, I feel like all my vital energy is being drained away.

I cleared my throat as I faced Federicks, who had come to my study with a concerned look.

“Federicks.”

“Yes, at your service.”

“When are you going to marry Catherine?”

“W-why are you suddenly asking about marriage with Catherine?”

“So you’ll understand how I feel.”

At my words, Federicks averts his gaze with a reddened face.

“We’re in a developing relationship, but we haven’t discussed marriage yet.”

“You’re not getting any younger. If you want children, shouldn’t you get married soon?”

“Children aren’t important to me.”

“Then what is?”

“Catherine is.”

Right.

What’s the point of talking to this innocent fool who’s experiencing pure love?

I narrowed my brow and raised my head.

“Anyway, why did you come to my study?”

At my question, Federicks’ eyes lit up as if remembering something.

“Ah! A letter arrived saying that Lady Seri Familia is pregnant.”

“S-Seri Familia is pregnant?”

“Yes, and Lord Leonard asks if you could visit Alphonse territory when you have time.”

It’s obvious he just wants to brag, but should I go to Alphonse territory?

Well, I haven’t been there for a while, so I should go to see my parents anyway.

“I’m busy now, so send a letter saying I’ll go when I have time.”

“…Pardon?”

“What?”

“Young Master, you don’t have any busy matters these days, do you?”

Provoked by Federicks, I raised my voice without realizing it.

“What do you know!? Day and night, I… ah… never mind.”

“I don’t understand what you mean…”

“What would someone who isn’t even married know?”

I waved my hand in the air, and Federicks’ face turned red again as he seemed to catch my meaning.

“Y-Young Master, you are the husband of the princesses! You must maintain your dignity!”

“To hell with dignity… tell the princesses to maintain it. My bones are dissolving, and they never just let me sleep!”

“…But aren’t you happy?”

“I am happy, but… being cooped up in this territory lately has been suffocating.”

Federicks stroked his chin thoughtfully, then his eyes lit up.

“How about teaching the knights, mercenaries, or guardians again?”

I looked at Federicks and sighed deeply.

“Federicks.”

“Yes, sir.”

“How do you think those guys would react if I said I was going to teach them?”

“…They would revolt?”

“And that’s not all. There would be a full-blown rebellion.”

“I-I was shortsighted.”

“If only I had a good excuse to leave Alphonse territory without my wives…”

At that, Federicks clapped his hands and took a step toward me as I sat in my chair.

“I have a brilliant idea.”

“What is it?”

“I heard that Sir Serion Lycus is conducting his final monster subjugation.”

“…Has it been that long already?”

“How about participating in that?”

“Do you want me to die?”

“…Pardon?”

I slammed my palm on the table with a ‘bang’ and narrowed my eyes.

“Are you telling me to hunt monsters?”

“…You just said you needed an excuse to leave…”

“So you want me to hunt monsters? If I get injured by bad luck, will you take responsibility?”

“…I’m sorry. Then why not just visit Alphonse territory?”

Federicks drooped his shoulders.

Ignoring him, I continued.

“If I go to Alphonse territory, Etherian and Sairine would have to come along.”

“Ah…”

“So what I’m saying is, I need an excuse to leave Lake territory without Etherian and Sairine.”

“…I see.”

By the way.

If Serion Lycus is now on his final monster subjugation, what about Luna Brillhart?

Surely she wouldn’t come back to Lake territory?

She must know I’m already married, and since things have been quiet, she seems to have forgotten about me…

I shook my head and sighed.

“Is there no way?”

“…Well, there is one.”

“W-what is it? If there’s a legitimate reason to leave Lake territory without the princesses, I don’t care what it is!”

At my words, Federicks straightened his back.

“You could say you’re visiting the Southern Continent.”

“The Southern Continent?”

“You’ve never been to the Southern Continent before, have you?”

“That’s true.”

“Say you’re going to investigate the political situation there.”

My eyes lit up, but then I tilted my head, sensing something odd.

“…Federicks, why are you suddenly so eager to help me?”

“As I mentioned earlier, your complexion has been getting worse day by day. So I thought some fresh air might do you good.”

“You finally… understand how I feel?”

“But I’m worried because you’ve become too famous lately.”

“Famous?”

“Since marrying the princesses, the name Selden Alphonse has spread throughout the continent, hasn’t it?”

“So?”

“Your appearance has been circulated in drawings, so even in the Southern Continent, many people might recognize you.”

I stroked my chin and curled up the corners of my mouth.

“That can be easily solved.”

“How?”

I tapped the table once more with my palm and raised my chin.

“Call the Poison Lady.”

*

“The Star of the Eastern Continent—”

I quickly waved my hand at the Poison Lady’s formal greeting as she visited Lake territory.

“Star? What star… Why am I a star? My future children will be the stars.”

“B-but… right now, you’re the princesses’ of the Eastern Continent—”

“Anyway, I’m planning to visit the Southern Continent briefly, but with this face, too many people might recognize me.”

“Ah… you mean transformation leather?”

“Is that old man who made the transformation leather still alive?”

“He’s still in good health.”

“Then please ask him for some transformation leather.”

The Poison Lady tilted her head.

“But don’t you still have the transformation leather I made for you before?”

“Ah… that? This time I’d like it made a bit differently.”

“How so?”

“Make me a bit ugly. Or if that’s difficult, at least give me an ordinary face.”

“May I ask why you want an ugly or ordinary face?”

“Well, being too handsome is tiresome wherever I go.”

I shrugged my shoulders, and the Poison Lady opened her mouth in disbelief.

“…What?”

“What, do you have a problem with that?”

“N-no. Selden Alphonse is the most handsome man across the continent. That’s why you married two princesses.”

“Anyway, can you do it or not?”

“Of course, if it’s a request from Selden Alphonse, I must do it even if it seems impossible.”

“Don’t refuse payment again; send the bill to Federicks.”

The Poison Lady smiled faintly at my words.

“You look very excited.”

“…Huh?”

“I’ve seen you often since your marriage, but it’s been a long time since I’ve seen Selden Alphonse with such a bright expression.”

Feeling as if my true feelings had been exposed, I cleared my throat in embarrassment.

“Ahem! Adventure always makes a man’s heart race.”

“…It’s not because you’re happy to be leaving Lake territory, is it?”

“If there’s one thing that bothers me, it’s being away from my wives for a while, but that’s nothing to worry about!”

The Poison Lady continued with a faint expression.

“I understand. When would you like the transformation leather prepared?”

“As soon as possible… can you do it within a few days?”

“I’ll need to meet with the craftsman first, but it should be possible within three days.”

“Good, then I’ll leave it to you.”

As soon as the Poison Lady left the study, Jawill Wilson came running in.

He was so out of breath that beads of sweat had formed on his forehead.

“Y-Young Master!”

“What?”

“I heard from Federicks. You’re going to the Southern Continent?”

“Has the news spread already?”

“And you asked the Poison Lady for transformation leather?”

“Why are you so well-informed all of a sudden?”

I smirked, and Jawill Wilson swallowed hard.

“A-am I going to accompany you to the Southern Continent?”

“Of course you are. Honestly, you don’t have anything to do here either, right?”

At my words, Jawill Wilson leaned toward me with an urgent expression.

Then, with a tearful voice, he exclaimed:

“Then please make transformation leather for me too! Before I die, I want to be handsome just once!”