Epilogue: In the Wake of the War
Several weeks had passed since then. We, the Hero’s party, had been busy rushing back and forth to the royal castle to handle the aftermath.
The truth of Iris’s identity as the Demon Lord, the destruction of the <Abyssal Mana Stone>, and the resulting stabilization of monster activity—these reports sent shockwaves of confusion and awe throughout the kingdom. Naturally, there were heated debates regarding Iris’s fate. Many voices called for the Demon Lord’s execution, but thanks to Fiona and Cecilia’s political maneuvering—and more importantly, the fact that I took full responsibility and agreed to be her warden in exile in a remote borderland—it was finally settled as "Monitored Communal Living." When I told Princess Loresia that I would protect Iris, she gave me a complicated look, but I didn't care. It might be common sense in this world, but they had treated Iris horribly just for being a commoner.
The reason such an arrangement was even accepted was largely because Fiona leveraged the Church's power and Cecilia utilized her influence in the Knighthood to the absolute limit. Furthermore, their respective families acted as backers to force this unprecedented decision through.
I had nothing but gratitude for the two of them. Seeing them desperately defend Iris had truly moved me.
And now, I was setting foot in the remote territory that had come to be known as the 'Hero’s Domain.'
“I can’t believe a mansion this big is actually ours.”
The remote land we were given was a small village surrounded by lush, abundant nature as far as the eye could see. And our new home was a reasonably grand mansion situated on a hill. Apparently, it had once been the local lord’s manor but was abandoned due to monster attacks; it had been renovated specifically for us.
“Well, it is technically a Hero’s residence. It needs to maintain some level of appearances,” Iris remarked. “It’s smaller than the Demon Lord’s castle, but it’s a pretty nice place.”
“It feels a bit too big for our new home. Should we share a bedroom?”
“Wh-what kind of embarrassing things are you saying?! Just enjoy the view!”
I teased a beet-red Iris, wondering what she was imagining, and stood beside her to look out the window. She had lost her former overwhelming mana after the stone’s destruction. Her current power had dropped to that of a slightly talented mage, but she looked far happier, as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Seeing her like that made me truly glad.
“Still, the monsters really have quieted down since the battle at the castle.”
Indeed, since moving to this borderland, there had been almost no reports of monster damage. Occasionally, a small group would appear, but they were at a level that ordinary knights or adventurers could easily handle.
“Yeah... the Four Kings are gone, and the <Abyssal Mana Stone> is destroyed... The monsters should stay peaceful now. But... is it really okay for me to be this happy?”
“Of course it is. We’ll carry the weight of your sins as a Demon Lord together, and we’ll enjoy the happiness from here on as a group. That’s... what it means to be lovers, right?”
“Kamiya... yeah, thank you.”
With a light bump, Iris softly leaned into me. Perhaps because of our soul link, I knew her struggles and her pain. If so, I wanted to share her burdens. I truly felt that from the bottom of my heart.
“...Iris.”
“...Kamiya.”
We called each other's names and gazed into each other's eyes. Our faces drew closer and closer... until a knock interrupted us.
“I am glad to see Lord Kamiya and Iris-sama are doing well. Oh my... have I interrupted something?”
“Nngh... seeing my beloved trysting fills me with such strange feelings... Why do I feel such pleasure from this...?”
Fiona appeared with her usual smile, alongside Cecilia, who—for some reason—bore an ecstatic expression. Iris and I jumped apart, faces flushed.
“Fiona... were you standing outside the door this whole time?”
“Wait, you didn't just barge in right when we were getting into the mood on purpose, did you?!”
“Hehe, whatever do you mean? We’re all going to live happily together as four from now on. I certainly wasn't thinking of punishing a little thief-cat who tried to get a head start.”
“Indeed. Just because we were delayed by paperwork doesn't mean it is fair for thee to enjoy thyself first. Though... if I think of it as a particular type of roleplay, it is not so bad...”
Ignoring our shock, the two of them entered the room, laughing merrily.
“I’m sorry... I just... when I thought about how we could finally be together, I couldn't help myself,” Iris confessed.
“No, it’s my fault... You two have been working so hard, and yet Iris was just so charming that I...”
“Hehe. Is it because the Demon Lord issue is resolved? Lord Kamiya, you’ve become quite assertive lately. It makes me very happy. Now then, shall we enjoy ourselves immediately?”
“Whoa?!”
Fiona said this as she clung to my arm, pressing her ample chest against me. The moment I felt that softness, my heart hammered against my ribs.
“Wait, Fiona, you’re trying to get a head start now too! You’re supposed to be a Saintess, aren’t you?! Have some decency!”
“Oh? I am no longer a Saintess. I am just a woman in love with Lord Kamiya. Besides... rumors have already spread that I am carrying the Hero’s child, so it’s a bit difficult for me to stay at the Church... You’ll have to take responsibility... right, Cecilia-sama?”
“Verily. Rumors have also spread that I have been made into Lord Kamiya’s bitch-slave... My marriage prospects have completely vanished. Thou must take responsibility...”
“You guys... You planned to trap me from the start, didn't you?!”
That was definitely about the stunt they pulled before going to the Demon Lord's castle! They used those rumors to corner me! I sent a glare of protest toward Fiona, but she only smirked back as if to say all according to plan. Saintesses are scary!! Definitely the one person you must never make an enemy of.
However, since they seemed to have the wrong idea about something, I figured I should teach them a lesson with my body.
“Eep?!”
“Oh?”
I pulled the two smug girls close and whispered into their ears.
“I’d take responsibility even without you doing that. Both of you, please date me with the intention of marriage... actually, I have no intention of ever letting you go in the first place.”
“Lord Kamiya... I’ll make sure you take responsibility for those words.”
“Lord Kamiya... that means thou shalt officially train me, yes?”
Both of them hugged me back with blissful expressions. Between the soft sensations and the sweet scents, I felt a renewed sense of happiness.
“But really, isn't there quite a gap between us and Iris-sama, who got that touching confession at the castle?”
“Wait, how do you know about that?!”
“Hehe. It’s called a ‘girls’ night out.’”
Knowing my face was probably crimson with embarrassment, I glared at Iris, but she averted her gaze.
I had plenty I wanted to say, but seeing her blushing and looking so cute, I decided to forgive her.
“Well, fine. I’ll make sure you give me plenty of confessions on top of the bed. Please give us lots of love tonight.”
“I read a very interesting play in a book recently. It is called ‘Wall-Ass’... ”
T/N: Referring to a specific fetish/position in adult media where someone is stuck in a wall or presented through one.
The two of them began to literally haul me toward the bed. Wait, what? Are we really doing this right now?!
“Hey! You two! I know I was the one who tried to get a head start, but don't monopolize Kamiya!”
Iris finally shouted as the other two tried to lead me to the bedroom. Her face was red with a mix of anger and jealousy.
Fiona giggled at the sight, while Cecilia looked satisfied.
“Hehe. The Demon Lord is quite adorable when she’s jealous. Let us all enjoy ourselves together as four from now on.”
“Indeed... Lord Kamiya has kept us waiting long enough. We must be loved thoroughly from here on out.”
“I mean... since it’s a harem, you’d better love us all equally! If you play favorites, I won't forgive you!!”
“Yeah... um... everyone, I’m a bit of a novice at this, but I’m in your hands.”
And so, our new life began. A harem life with these three promised to be full of chaos, but I was looking forward to it.
More than anything, as long as I can tell the people I love how I feel and be with them, I feel like I can overcome anything.
“Now then, Lord Kamiya... let us love each other plenty today. I studied a book I borrowed from Cecilia-sama, and it said men aren't satisfied with just once... We have plenty of stamina-recovery potions, so you can go for about twenty rounds, right?”
“Hehehe. Let us enjoy ourselves without sleep tonight. I am looking forward to it.”
“Honestly... you guys are way too excited. But... I guess once in a while is fine. I’m looking forward to it too, Kamiya.”
“...Huh?”
Sorry, I suddenly got really scared... Just how "sturdy" was the protagonist in Cecilia's book?!
But seeing them all look so bashful... yet so happy... there was no way I could say I couldn't do it. Please, Hero skills, don't fail me now!!
And thus, I was about to experience heaven and hell at the same time.
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