Chapter 57 The Journey To The Peak 2

Bonus Chapter due to hitting 30 GTs. Please thank our Heroes Exp_Sect_Elder, Timw13, and Daoist_Iveyflame! Thank you for supporting Battle Harem.

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The devoted of Starfall found tears flowing down her cheeks upon hearing Hiroyuki's words. When was the last time someone talked to her like this? When last did someone actually considered her as a human being? She had feelings too. No one wanted to be isolated from the entire world.

Unable to hold it in any longer, Rilu then embraced Hiro as she wailed in his arms. Unknown to the transmigrator this could be considered the first time she showed weakness ever since joining Starfall almost two years ago. The man who saw only a scared young adolescent, returned her embrace as he allowed her to unload everything weighing in her heart.

While the strong naturally shrugged off hardship and negative emotions, everyone needed help from time to time. No one could endure being strong all the time, everyone tires and the unfortunate thing about being strong came in the form of reliance. As most expected the strong to be okay, no one bothered to ask them if they really were.

Almost everyone wanted to be comforted, to allow themselves to show weakness and rest in the arms of those they trusted. Rilu who had no one else left in this world thought she would gain that in Rhyne's embrace. Yet due to having a harem of hundreds, despite her devotion, her dominator forgot about her.

What could be sadder? To have never loved? Or to love yet for it to be unrequited? This truth is among those known to all who deal with Battle Harems. The dom's perspective about love and affection easily changed the culture and lives of everyone in their harem.

Unfortunately for Rilu, Rhyne only cared about spouse ranks and above. The dominator spent a few hours each month for a single evening for the devoted. Naturally all twenty wished to receive her attention, which caused them all to negatively view each other as competitors.

There were those that were only in for the benefits though, but managing their harem is one of the hardest tasks of any dominator. Rhyne would spend a day in a year for what she calls "Pet appreciation day" for her dog ranks. As for the toy ranks just like their namesakes. They captivated her attention for a short period and were eventually forgotten.

To be toys and dogs for the Princess came with its benefits, but due to the culture inside Starfall most would live out their days not even getting a second meeting with her. Just like a forgotten concubine in most Asian countries.

Unlike the tragic women, however, no eunuch prevented the subs from interacting with other people which made their plight a bit better.

In this regard, Rilu had no comrade. Due to her history, her abilities, and the fact that being with her increased the likelihood of them dying. The other devoted, dog and toy ranks all avoided the light brown scythe wielder.

Subs had to make peace with the concept of fighting for their dominator's love every single day for the rest of their lives. Most doms of course would turn a blind eye to such nuances as infighting weeded out the weak and left the strong.

Rilu's past prevented any man from wanting her. Thus even if Rhyne set her free, she would lose strength and status all while not having anything to secure her future. In a world where polygamy is the norm, just how many would want women who were no longer "pure" for lack of a better word?

Tens of minutes passed before eventually the devoted ran out of tears and whimpered quietly in Hiro's chest. After she recovered, Rilu quickly stepped back and wiped her face. Ashamed at her pitiful display, the woman had rosy cheeks as she peaked at the man who made her heart flutter. She couldn't help mutter in a voice only she could hear.

"Now I envy your women from the bottom of my heart Hiro-sama. How comforting is it to have such a magnanimous man in my embrace? Such a shame you weren't the one to save me. I wonder if it's too late to join them?"

Oblivious to her musings, after the woman finished crying Hiro started looking at his status screens. The man wanted to give Rilu some peace and quiet. It was ungentlemanly to hover around her when she needed a moment to compose herself. Especially when they were in such a tight space.

The woman with light brown chestnut hair broke the silence as she apologized for breaking down. "Hiro-sama, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for allowing me to unload my troubles earlier. My chest feels a hundred times lighter in comparison. I now begin to envy your harem. I wonder if they would welcome someone like me?"

Making a mischievous face like a cat, Rilu tried to look seductive only for Hiro to be weirded out. He already had a Tsundere, Kuudere, and even a Yandere, he started wondering how adding Rilu to his family would change the dynamics. After a few moments, Hiro wondered how Rilu even knew he had a harem. Smiling wryly the transmigrator asked nonchalantly.

"Hmm, I can't speak for them but why do you know I even have one?"

Rilu then hid her disappointment at his reply and masked it by feigning annoyance. "Haa? Are you really asking Hiro-sama? You are the biggest celebrity in the capital. The trash swordsman. Eggplant man. The shit-covered swordsman who almost beat Artorius. Husband of the monsters who smashed the paste maker to paste. Lunatic of the twenty-five. Goblin executioner. The necrophiliac. Rose-colored lover. Challenger of the incomplete."

The young woman counted on her fingers the titles the common folk gave to Hiro. They ranged from his deeds to the things people called him. Some of them Hiro only heard today, Necrophiliac? Rose-colored lover? Challenger of the incomplete? Were those specifically due to his wives?

Rilu who understood the questions from Hiro's face answered him before he even asked. "Necrophiliac is due to the blacksmith striker that looks like a corpse. Rose-colored lover due to the cursed mummy of the alchemist's. Challenger of the incomplete due to the maid without arms. I have yet to meet any of them but you have quite a colorful group of lovers Hiro-sama."

Hiro's face suddenly softened and his expression became one of intense happiness and love. "Oh. Haha, I'm kinda proud of such titles then. My girls really are too good for me." The transmigrator caressed the weapon with him lovingly as he remembered his harem. Rilu who saw the lovestruck expression of her company felt a little defeated.

'Not only did you brush me off despite my beauty, but you even show me such a face when thinking about other women. Just what kind of spell did they cast on you to make you adore them so? Can any of them fulfill your needs or protect you? You make me even more interested in you than I already am Hiroyuki Mitsurugi.'