The Sword Master’s Son-in-Law

– Son-in-law of the Sword Saint Family – END

The moment Ameri unleashed her magic behind the Demon King,

I realized her intentions.

Ameri was not an enemy.

Having dealt with the Demon King like that.

Next—.

“You said you’d accept me. Marry me.”

That day in the cave, I finally understood the true meaning of Ameri’s request to be accepted.

“M-marry you?”

Ameri showed no particular change in expression.

However, judging by the tips of her ears turning red,

it seemed she was embarrassed by what she had just said.

When I was at a loss for words due to the sudden situation,

Ameri glared at Asia and spoke again.

“For the record, I don’t mind not being the first wife.”

At this, Asia wore a strangely sullen expression.

And then, as if making an excuse, she said to Ameri.

“I-I don’t mind either, Ameri-ssi. But because of my father and my family…”

“It’s Ameri, not Ameri-a.”

“Ameri-ssi!”

What were they even talking about now?

Asia approached me.

“The coming-of-age ceremony, everything is unnecessary. Arthas-ssi! Marry me right now.”

“What…?”

“Are you planning to marry Ameri-ssi first, then? I was the first to say we should marry!”

That….

My mind simply couldn’t process it all.

To be courted for marriage by two at once.

Surely not-.

‘It couldn’t be Reti, could it?’

But-.

Reti certainly….

My gaze naturally drifted to Reti.

Before I knew it, she was at my side.

Reti’s tail stood rigidly erect, as if she had resolved herself to something.

“U-Um… Hero! I, I like you too! Please, marry me too!”

Three now.

To have three propose marriage to me in a single instant.

I’d like a moment to ponder before giving an answer,

But the situation didn’t allow it.

Three pairs of eyes, intensely urging me on.

Their gazes alone were enough to make my spirit wither.

I considered one thing.

What would happen if I *didn’t* marry Ameri?

The Demon King was defeated, but,

Wasn’t there a possibility that Ameri could devolve into a Demon King herself?

What would happen if I *didn’t* marry Asia?

Her grandfather was the Sword Saint.

How would the Sword Saint take it, if his apprentice left his granddaughter behind for another woman?

What would happen if I *didn’t* marry Reti?

She is the Saintess.

The continent believes in the one true god, Rhea.

Therefore, all the faithful are on her side; a protest could very well erupt.

But-.

“Understood.”

There was no need to dwell on such trifles.

Isn’t it *my* heart that matters?

What does my heart say?

Do I dislike these three?

That is absolutely not the case.

Then does modern ethics – monogamy – trouble me?

That too, is not the case.

Isn’t this world itself one where polygamy is common?

I feel no pangs of conscience now.

And furthermore-.

There’s no reason to refuse when all three permit polygamy.

“I will marry all of you.”

I had no reason to refuse.

The moment I finished speaking,

Asia embraced me.

Simultaneously, a warm sensation lingered on my lips.

Asia had kissed me.

And then she pulled away –

Immediately, Letty approached, just as Asia had done.

With a look of grim resolve in her eyes.

And just like Asia,

She embraced me and kissed me.

“You, you all…!!!”

Amerie was furious at the sight.

It was like seeing Amerie’s first display of intense emotion.

And a magic circle formed in Amerie’s hand.

Amerie’s magic separated Letty and Asia from me.

And then –

Amerie, too, embraced me,

And kissed me.

In an instant, I had kissed three girls.

‘This… I can’t help but feel a little guilty.’

But then, suddenly –

I considered my current situation.

Haven’t I just gained three wives?

Considering she mentioned a proper wife earlier, it seems like I’m going to be a Messiah family’s son-in-law.

Taking two concubines as the male spouse?

It just didn’t make sense.

If that’s the case –

“How am I supposed to convince the old man and the Count?”

I was already starting to worry about the future.

*

It was the triumphant return of the hero who had defeated the Demon King.

A return adorned in brocade.

Moreover, that hero was a member of the Messiah family.

Naturally, the Messiah family welcomed me with open arms.

However –

Just one person.

Count Messiah, at least, did not welcome me.

He faced me in his office, trembling with anger.

“Is, is this what you wanted to tell me…?”

“Well… it turned out that way. Father-in-law.”

“Speak that ‘father-in-law’ nonsense again, and I’ll tear you limb from limb.”

He had a right to be… infuriated.

I’d returned with Asia, it was true, but…

I’d also brought back two concubines.

Even *I* thought it was utterly insane.

It wasn’t as if I’d taken concubines years after the wedding.

I was declaring I’d take them the *instant* the wedding was over.

But what could I do?

Letti adored me, beyond mere infatuation, and Ameri had slain her demon lord father for my sake.

Well, that last part was more of an excuse.

‘Simply because I like them.’

Even in my past life, I considered the harem a vital component of any good fantasy novel.

Love wasn’t just one-way, but multi-directional.

Besides, wasn’t it better to display it openly rather than sneaking around having affairs?

So, I decided to be brazen, at least once, in front of the Count.

“I am deeply sorry! But I truly love them both.”

“Hmph… I cannot seem to calm my temper.”

“And… there’s another reason why I cannot abandon Ameri and Letti.”

“Hmm? A reason why you cannot abandon them, you say?”

“They carry my children.”

A shameful admission, but it was the truth.

I had considered countless excuses.

And this was the result.

If they were with child, surely the Count would be at a loss for words.

“C-could it be… Asia as well?”

“Asia… not yet…”

In truth… Asia and I hadn’t even… *started* yet.

Count Messiah wore a peculiar expression.

Well, naturally.

Should he be grateful that I cherished Asia, or worry that she was lagging behind the other two?

Something like that, perhaps.

“Father-in-law… allow me to make you one solemn promise.”

“And what might that be?”

“I will cherish Asia as much as I cherish Letti and Ameri.”

Count Messiah began to contemplate, lost in thought for quite some time.

At length, his lips parted.

“…Very well. But there is a condition.”

“A condition, sir?”

Andrew Messiah, the Count, spoke with utmost seriousness.

“Only a child born between you and Asia will inherit the Messiah County.”

“Of course!”

Such brazenness bore fruit,

securing permission from Count Messiah to take two concubines.

However—

‘The real worry lies elsewhere.’

A formidable wall still stood before me.

*

I climbed the mountain, holding the hands of two children.

One, a beastkin girl with adorable black fur ears.

The other, a girl with hair as dark as night.

The same shade as my own.

Both children shared a deep connection with me.

Because they were my daughters.

My daughters by blood.

One, the child of Leti, hailed as a saint, and the other, the daughter of Ameri, the demon queen.

And—

“Waaah!”

A lusty cry pierced the air from a newborn babe.

Silvery hair revealed its parentage without need for words.

And cradling that infant as she climbed, a silver-haired woman.

Shedding her youthful bloom, she was now a mother, my first wife.

Asia.

“Are you sure Grandfather is really here?”

“…Yes.”

We were now in the eastern reaches of the Detiosk Kingdom.

A mountain within its borders.

Asia, Leti, Ameri, and our three daughters, all accompanied me here.

‘Haa… My training has been more than sufficient.’

Even if the old man tried to kill me in his rage, I could survive, that much was certain.

And I had taken out this little bit of insurance as well.

My wives’ daughters.

Surely he wouldn’t tell me to leave, not with children involved.

Would the old man really chase away concubines who already bore him great-grandchildren?

Or perhaps,

would he simply kill me, leaving my children to grow up without a father?

Surely, even the old man wouldn’t go that far.

And besides, perhaps the sight of his great-grandchildren would melt his heart.

With such trepidation, I continued my ascent.

Before long—

A small hut came into view.

A home that stirred a deep longing.

It was the house where I lived with the old man.

But something felt strange.

‘I don’t sense anyone here?’

It was clear the agreed-upon day had passed.

Because he was an old man, I’d assumed he’d forgotten the date and hadn’t come.

But it seemed that wasn’t the case.

“There’s no one here.”

It seemed America had used magic to examine the place.

But that couldn’t be.

I hurriedly entered the house.

But as expected, no one was there.

However-.

“This…?”

I noticed a letter placed on the table.

I read the letter aloud.

“Finally, the promised time has arrived. Figuring you’d come this way, Arthas, I’m leaving behind a letter, at least.”

The promised time, was it?

My eyes hastily sought to decipher the nature of that promise.

“Heh…”

Knowing the truth of that promise, I couldn’t help but be astonished.

The promise.

It was a rematch with the dragon.

We fought once before, and true to the legendary being’s reputation, the old man was defeated.

And now, a rematch after fifteen years.

The promise was an oath to not meet with those who are precious.

If he showed that resolve, the dragon promised to allow the rematch.

“So, he left for the dragon’s land already…!”

“Huh?? Grandfather??”

“I-Is that really true? The dragon is a masterpiece of Lady Rhea. Not something a human can contend with.”

“That place… even people from the Magic Continent don’t go there carelessly…”

This was truly a maddening situation.

I continued reading the letter.

But with each line I read, cold sweat trickled down my back.

‘It seems some strange rumors are circulating in the world. Rumors that you’re a hero. And also… that you’ve taken three wives. How odd. It must be someone with the same name as you who became a hero? But you see, one of those wives is supposedly Asia Messiah. I must be mistaken. Surely?’

It seemed the old man had also heard the rumors.

‘Not being able to meet with my kin because of the promise is truly regrettable. I endured it all, but this one rumor nearly made me break the promise.’

Even in his handwriting, I could feel the old man’s fury.

‘Let’s see when I get back.’

Those were chilling words.

From that moment, I made a single vow.

“To survive, I must become stronger.”

How much stronger does that old codger get fighting dragons?

Thinking on that, my current level was hopelessly inadequate.

To not die, to protect this life I have, I felt the need to become far, far stronger than I am now.