Chapter: 336
There was a little commotion that almost left Irina mentally incapacitated, but thanks to her vast heart, much like the sea, she was able to brush it off. Sorry for constantly bringing up the sea, but what else can I do when it’s right in front of me?
So, I should reflect on my actions. Out of all the choices, I ended up picking lemonade, which unintentionally made me recall that incident. I’m definitely losing it!
“Oppa, I think I’m feeling seasick too.”
“Just hang in there. Two people is pushing it.”
In the meantime, Louise jokingly grumbled at the sight of me carrying Irina, but thankfully, it ended there. Instead, she looked on with concern at Irina, who was nestled comfortably in my arms.
I felt bad for causing unnecessary worry for Louise. I mean, if she knew it wasn’t seasickness but rather a complete mental breakdown, what expression would she make? That’s definitely a secret to take to my grave.
“Oh, Oppa. You can set me down now.”
“Not until we find a place to sit. Moving around might make it worse.”
And it seemed Irina felt the same kind of guilt, as she suddenly asked to be let down. Naturally, I wasn’t about to indulge her.
‘My conscience is hurting.’
You can’t just tease me then get all shy about being carried! That’s too inconsistent! Right now, being close like this is definitely the way to go.
I momentarily wondered if coming to the beach was a mistake, but since we were already here, there was no backing out. Instead, I resolved to make a good memory today to erase Irina’s dark history.
“Oh look, they’re selling squid over there!”
I could feel Irina stiffen at Louise’s innocent remark.
…It may be hard to erase everything completely, but let’s try our best.
We managed to come all the way to the beach, but without swimsuits, we couldn’t get in the water. Still, walking along the sandy shore offered its own charm, so I didn’t feel too disappointed.
In fact, considering this rather developed world, it wouldn’t be odd to find a place nearby where you could rent swimwear. Looking around, it seemed there were a few spots that did just that…
“Nobles sharing items commonly used by commoners would cause a ruckus. Some nobles think it lowers their dignity, and commoners would feel awkward even touching it.”
Seeing Louise gently decline, I couldn’t press the issue. If someone as reasonable as her felt that way, it must be a matter of common sense, not just a matter of pride.
Each of these moments makes me keenly aware that I’m still just an outsider here. I thought I was adapting, but I keep getting hit with these cultural differences.
“Most nobles wouldn’t care if they didn’t borrow from others, though.”
“That’s true.”
Louise smiled at my awkwardness, and I couldn’t help but feel grateful for her understanding.
Still, it felt a bit disappointing. Since we came all this way to the sea, only to look around.
“Are you planning to get in the water at all?”
At Louise’s teasing words, I instinctively rubbed my still-healing wounds. The remnants of my injuries lingered, a reminder that I hadn’t fully recovered.
I understood. Even if I had swimwear, I probably would have just watched from the sidelines.
“And besides, if we have too much fun, I might feel a bit guilty.”
“Hmm?”
Irina’s sudden addition left me tilting my head in confusion.
Guilty? Isn’t today the time when Margherita and Duke Marcilio generously gave up their time as an apology? What’s wrong with us enjoying that time?
“I mean, with me and Louise, we feel like we’re intruding compared to everyone else, right? We haven’t had as much time with you or made as many memories…”
Irina said this with a forced smile, but the more she spoke, the more her gloomy demeanor emerged. Even Louise seemed to share the sentiment, lowering her gaze carefully.
My heart sank at that sight. I had been harboring these thoughts without realizing they were actually burdening them.
Of course, as Irina mentioned, I first met the two of them just last year. Compared to the Duke Marcilio and other second managers whom I met after the Great Hunt campaign and Margherita whom I met two years ago, it was indeed a later meeting. It’s no wonder we have fewer shared memories.
However, just because our meeting was late doesn’t mean it’s fair for them to feel like they should be tiptoeing around! That’s an issue of pride and hierarchy!
‘I’ve been neglectful.’
Feeling troubled, I resolved that since these relationships were precious and they had all decided to share their time with me, I should treat the six of them with no less than what they deserved, without any feelings of inadequacy or resentment. If my wives were fine, what face would I have if I let things get strained because of my own mistakes?
‘I tried to treat everyone equally.’
Unfortunately, it seems I only treated it as a token effort. Just informing them about my injury properly caused Louise and Irina to freak out, and before that, I’m certain things I failed to notice must’ve inadvertently intimidated them.
It’s only natural in a way. To give some comfort to those whom I met later, I’d need to show deeper interest and affection, but that kind of mechanical equality is impossible. Dividing 40 into two parts of ten doesn’t erase the 40-point gap afterwards.
Or rather, did I ever even show anyone that I was trying to be fair? Did I ever express sincere love to Louise and Irina to reassure them?
“After all, you went out of your way to give us time, so if we’re having fun all on our own—”
Before Irina could finish her thought, I hugged both her and Louise closer. They were sitting side by side on the bench, so it was the perfect position.
“Eep!”
“W-What!?”
Both of their reactions to the sudden skinship varied, but I paid them no heed.
“Don’t think of this as charity. Today is a legitimately earned time due to Margherita and Marcilio’s blunders.”
Now that I knew the truth about their feelings, I couldn’t sit back and stay silent. Just moments ago, they mentioned feeling like intruders because of too few memories, yet they were hesitating to create some of their own! That logic was completely absurd but also revealed just how insecure they felt.
Additionally, I needed to dismiss the idea that I was merely giving them this time. While I thought so, it was actually an expression of gratitude towards Margherita and Marcilio for admitting their mistakes. To Louise and Irina, however, the notion of ‘giving’ felt more like a condescending favor from me.
That absolutely couldn’t stand. No way! Even if the order of my wives was dictated by the order of our weddings, there shouldn’t be any hierarchical notion among them!
“Therefore, it’s only right for you to enjoy yourselves more than anyone else. That way, there won’t be anything I need to hide from you in the future.”
“…You’re hiding stuff from us too, aren’t you, Oppa?”
At Louise’s somewhat pouty statement, I instinctively fell silent.
My true enemy is my past self, huh? This stupid jerk can’t manage to give a decent excuse without being hindered by his own mistakes.
“I saw that they’re selling clothes earlier.”
After a moment of silence, I stood up while still hugging Louise and Irina. If words fail me, then actions will do.
“I’ll buy you something new.”
“Uh, what?”
“Hey, Oppa? Why are you suddenly—”
With that unilateral proclamation, I leaped into the sea. If I was wearing clothes anyway, it was practically the same as wearing a swimsuit, right?
I received some scolding afterward, but at least we could enjoy ourselves with smiles.
*
I had sent a request to the Executive Manager for a report on the World Tree incident last night, and it came through in the early hours today. Based on the timing, it looked like they wrote and sent it just before going to bed.
If it were a different report, I might assume they’d dashed it off chaotically, but given the urgency of the matter, I expected a quick response. If it had taken days or weeks with unnecessary detail, I would have lost my mind.
Of course, sending it quickly didn’t mean it was all clear and straightforward.
‘This is driving me insane.’
Upon waking, I instinctively checked the communication channel and found the report from the Executive Manager. As soon as I read its contents, I couldn’t help but close my eyes again, wondering if I was seeing things out of fatigue.
But it certainly wasn’t just my imagination. The report presented details that were completely incomprehensible by conventional reason!
“Your Highness, are you alright? You look a bit unwell this morning.”
“I’m just preoccupied with something important. Don’t worry, I’m not tired.”
The shock from this morning lingered well into lunchtime. Even Beatrix, who was having a meal with me, glanced my way with concern; it was evident that I didn’t need a mirror to sense how I looked.
‘What on earth is this?’
Despite smiling at Beatrix, my mind was a tangled mess.
[ …The injuries caused by the Reverse Undertaker during the Great Hunt carry the essence of the nomadic god of the Eternal Sky. This essence is a massive shard that holds the will of a deity. Contact with the surviving fairies allowed brief communication with this deity’s will, leading to the transfer to a tree previously managed by the elven elders… ]
It contained the necessary information but also defied all logic.
A deity? The essence of a god lodged in the Executive Manager? Suddenly able to communicate with it? Moved to a TREE? And then the World Tree comes back to life?
I couldn’t understand what it was talking about! This wasn’t mere confusion; it was a level of disbelief that rendered rational thinking impossible.
‘Suddenly, a god appears?’
It was all so perplexing. During the religious wars, the Dawn Sect won, leading many gods to fall silent. Apels had suppressed mixed races, severing ties with the few remaining gods, and after the Twilight Cult was subdued, no heretical beliefs remained in this land—only Enen existed now.
So with that situation, how could the World Tree suddenly resurrect through another god’s power? How should I even process that? Should I believe it at all?
Of course, gods are entities beyond human understanding, so if this was an incidental event triggered by a divine whim, or if the Executive Manager simply concocted a false report, it would be difficult to choose between the two without concrete evidence.
“Should I report this if the order of marriages is to be divided and celebrated simultaneously, resulting in everyone being considered first?”
…
‘Hmm.’
Now that I think about it, there have been instances of madness already. It seems the second scenario, where the Executive Manager loses their mind, is elevated now too.
‘I need to report to the Emperor as well.’
My head thumped in response. Any matters dealing with the mixed races need to be reported to the Emperor. It wouldn’t make sense if the Emperor, as a close ally of the Mixed Races, didn’t know about the resurrection of the World Tree.
Yet how do I even report this incomprehensible situation to the Emperor?
‘…At least it’s not something to worry about too much.’
The Emperor tends to be relatively lenient with Imperial Counts and is usually merciful towards the loyal soldiers who dedicated themselves to the Empire. Since the Executive Manager qualifies as both, I don’t think the Emperor will give any harsh glare.
Moreover, the incomprehensible process didn’t prevent the outcome from being beneficial for the Imperial Family and the Empire. I’m sure after contemplating, the Emperor will just nod and let it go.
Alright, I’ll report as is. If the Emperor raises any questions, then I’ll address them later.
‘No need to summon him specifically.’
The Anniversary of the Great Hunt’s conclusion is coming up soon, and the Executive Manager will already be present for the ceremonies.
There’s no need to forcibly summon someone who would already come.
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