CH 57

Here’s the chapter, enjoy~

“It’s been a while since we’ve spent time together like this… It’s been about a week, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s about right.”

We were sitting together on a wicker couch that looked a little different from the one in Sylphy’s house but similar in use while sipping honey wine. Speaking of which, I heard that they have started making liquor from crops at the main base. I wonder if they are making ale from wheat and distilled liquor from potatoes.

“Normally, it’s time for Kosuke to make something or, if not that, go to bed…”

“Well, we have a lot to talk about today. There are things I want to ask and things I want to talk about. You’ve been working a lot these days, haven’t you? You must relax once in a while.”

“Fufu… Yes, that’s right. The situation isn’t conducive to relaxation, but it may be better to just relax as usual in times like these.”

“I think so.”

I sipped my drink with the smiling Sylphy and slowly talked about what had happened during our time apart. While I was away from the temporary fort, the crops in the temporary fort’s fields had grown to their full potential, and Sylphy had joined in the harvest. After the harvest, they had a potato stew using the freshly harvested crops, or rather potatoes.

The potatoes cultivated in this area, or rather in our fort, are taro-like. Apparently, they were originally grown wild in the Black Forest, but the elves bred them over a long period. They are delicious, even just boiled with salt.

“The wolf-type beastmen were especially enthusiastic when digging for potatoes. They were digging up potatoes with lively faces.”

“I thought wolf beastmen liked meat, but they also like potatoes and sweet things, huh?”

They also like to dig in the ground. They are also quite diligent in collecting clay.

“That’s right. I’ve heard that wolves and dogs are also like that, so maybe they still have some instincts deep inside them.”

“They get angry if you treat them like dogs, though.”

If you treat them like dogs, they get angry. They say that they are not domesticated dogs but proud wolves. But there are some that look more like a shiba inu or chihuahua than a full-fledged wolf… In the first place, there are too many individual differences in the appearance of beastmen in this world. There are some that have a completely animal face, and some that are human with a little bit of animal ears in them.

For example, Sir Leonard and Worg are completely animal in appearance. Sir Leonard has a lion face, and Worg has a Siberian husky face. Danan is said to be a bullfighter, but he only has a pair of magnificent horns on his head, and the rest of him looks like a big man. Gerda, the bear-beastmen, and Jagira, the cat-beastmen, look like women with bear ears and cat ears, and Melty looks like a woman with curly horns. However, when it comes to bear beastmen, those who lost their limbs and could not be healed looked like bipedal bears… If there is even one animal feature on any part of the body, they can be considered beastmen. It’s a bit of a no-brainer.

Harpy like Pirna and the blacksmith Lamia are very easy to understand. No, there’s a lot of difference between them, though. Pirna and the other harpies have different body sizes between the small bird species and the large bird species.

Pirna and the other harpies have bird wings and bird feet from the midpoint of their arms and thighs, while their faces and torso are almost human. Their breasts are generally modest in size. I guess large breasts are dead weight for these girls flying in the sky, I guess.

Why do I know their body shape? Because I’ve seen them. Plenty of time.

“How about you, Kosuke?”

“Well, you know. I didn’t have to do anything special on the way to the shelter expansion. I just hunted Gizma when they appeared, and when I got to the shelter, I worked on expanding it and went to sleep. As soon as I arrived at the front-line base, Isla took me to the research and development department and gave me the Golem communicator. Isla had a big smug look on her face, though.”

“Hahaha, that’s just like Isla. But that’s something great, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is. I think it can be used in many ways. I’ve been thinking about it…”

Let’s talk about the Golem radio broadcasting idea that I just came up with.

“I see, it’s not just for military use. That’s a good idea, and I agree with you.”

“Some people may be anxious about living in an unfamiliar place, so it would be good if we could ease their anxiety.”

Well, the radio broadcast itself has military implications, too… It can also be used for propaganda. Well, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to unite the minds of the people as long as it is not too much.

“So, you know… Isla confessed to me. She said she wanted to be with me forever.”

“…Well, that took longer than I expected. Did you give her an answer?”

There is no sign of anger, dismay, or any other negative emotions on Sylphy’s face as she listened to my story. No, I don’t know what she thinks on the inside, do I? Yeah.

“Oh, um, well…”

I don’t know what I should say in this situation. Do I have to tell Sylphy that I accepted another girl’s confession? No, what about that…? No, no, no, it’s wrong to think in terms of the ethics of my original world. There are rules, or rather ethics, of this world, too.

“Isla knew that Sylphy and I were in love, and she didn’t want to get in the middle of it; she just wanted me to stay by her side.”

“Okay, so?”

“Well, you see… we went from being friends to being more than friends, or lovers… To put it simply, I accepted her. I like Isla, too, and she’s a fun person to be with. But I asked her to wait a little while before we make love or have a physical relationship like I did with Sylphy, and she agreed.”

“Why?”

“No… Well, because the person I love is Sylphy. For example, if you were to tell me that while you were away from me, another man confessed to you, and you accepted and had physical relations with him, I would be sure to die of despair, jealousy, and anger. I absolutely hate it. Absolutely hate it. If you do that, I will definitely kill that man, and then I will die too. So I won’t do that either.”

I hate just thinking about it. It makes me want to die.

“Hahaha, love is heavy. But don’t worry, it’s never going to happen. I’ll strangle such an insolent man to death on the spot. In the first place, no man would ever say such a thing to a woman with a partner.”

“Is it okay if you don’t have a partner?”

“I think we’ve talked about this a bit before, but it’s a man’s duty to take many wives.”

“Isn’t that too convenient for men?”

“It’s not too convenient. If you take many wives, you have to take on more responsibility. An unworthy husband who lets his wife and children starve is an unworthy man. Such a man will be abandoned by his wife and disinherited. And he will be pointed back at for the rest of his life.”

“That’s scary.”

I thought that men could cheat all they wanted, but it wasn’t like that. I heard that if you get carried away, you will be expelled from the community.

“The same goes for men who put their hands on women who have partners or take them by force. So I’m pretty sure nothing like what Kosuke was worried about will happen.”

“But that system, on the other hand, allows those with power and authority to do whatever they want, doesn’t it?”

A man who is so strong and powerful that no one can stand against him will be able to do whatever he wants, regardless of the finger-pointing at him.

“Hahaha, you’re right. By the way, Kosuke, when do you think is the moment when a man is most vulnerable?”

“That’s … Ah.”

I guessed. I’ve guessed it.

“Do you think women will let a man like that do what he wants forever? That’s what I’m talking about. It’s better to think about the size of your body when doing anything.”

“Hiehh…”

I’ve learned that I shouldn’t get carried away.

“So, about Isla, I don’t mind it. She’s cute, and she has always worked hard for me. I’ve known her for a long time, and I believe she’ll get along well with Kosuke and me.”

“I-is that so?”

It’s a little light… No, I wonder if it’s supposed to be like this. U-umu.

“You should be actively trying to make a baby with Isla.”

“You should try to be a little more subtle about it.”

“Put a little more effort into it.”

“Are you listening to me?”

It’s been a while since I’ve seen Sylphy grinning at me. Is she making fun of me? You will have to remember it later.

“And one more thing about the Harpies… Sylphy, the last time you were with them, did you do anything with me after I went to bed?”

“I did.”

“I see; I should imagine things… Eh, you did?”

Sylphy confessed her actions without hesitation, and I couldn’t help but make a quick retort.

“Fronte and the others were very interested in it. I had Kosuke sleep deeply with spirit magic, and we did a lot of things.”

“What did you do to me?”

“Hahaha. Well, I was just using you as teaching material.”

“Teaching material? For what?”

I asked her about it, but she just laughed and said nothing.

“So, now that I know about Isla, what are you going to do about the Harpies? They adore you too, don’t they?”

“I know about that somehow, but I don’t know what to do either. I don’t know how to take care of them all.”

“No, Kosuke can take care of all of them. I mean, we’re all being fed by Kosuke right now.”

“…Is that really what you’re saying?”

The crops that are enough to feed the entire liberation army and the weapons to hunt the Gizma are basically all supplied by me. I’ve also built most of the housing. The clothing is also made from cloth that I weave on my loom. So I’m in charge of the Liberation Army’s food, clothing, and shelter.

“If you want, you’ll be allowed to take all the women who adore Kosuke.”

“I can’t; I’ll dry up.”

I couldn’t help but keep a straight face. For me, Sylphy alone is enough.

“You’re right.”

Sylphy giggles.

“But I think Kosuke should take care of the Harpies. There is no better way for Kosuke and the Harpies to be on good terms in the future. Or perhaps the Harpies in the Liberation Army don’t want anyone but Kosuke as a companion. For the sake of the future, I can say that Kosuke has no choice but to accept the Harpies.”

“Eeehh?”

“Harpy’s ability to fly will be indispensable to us in the future. To have them is to have the greatest strength of the Liberation Army. Isn’t that right?”

“Yes, I guess so.”

There is no doubt that Harpy’s air force is the trump card of the Liberation Army right now. There is almost no way to intercept them as they unilaterally attack with bombs from high altitudes.

“And we have to nurture the next generation. It is also convenient for me that the father is Kosuke.”

“That’s very realistic of you.”

Sylphy’s words made me involuntarily chuckle. I think Sylphy is also a royal family with noble blood in this way. In other words, Sylphy wants to keep the Harpies, who will become more influential in the Liberation Army, in her family through me.

“Of course, if Kosuke doesn’t want it, I won’t force it on you. But you don’t hate Pirna and Fronte and the others, do you?”

“Well, yes. I guess so.”

I think it’s a natural reaction for me also to like the girls who are straightforward with their favors. They are all cute.

“Sylphy is more like… a mistress? Or concubines? I was surprised that Sylphy was more tolerant of such things.”

It was an honest thought that came out of my mouth.

I knew that Sylphi loved me, but I thought that she wanted to be a little more exclusive, or wanted to be alone with me, or something like that. However, when she heard my words, her reaction was fierce.

With a loud bang, the cup of honey wine in her hand was slammed on the table.

“Don’t get me wrong, Kosuke.”

And then, with a terrifyingly strong force, she pinched my face between her hands and turned it towards her. I felt the bones in my neck make a cracking sound. It hurt. Sylphy’s stern expression filled my vision.

“I love you, Kosuke. If I could, I would monopolize you. I want to be alone with you forever.”

The stern expression instantly lost its power, and her ears drooped.

“But I also understand the feelings of everyone who adores Kosuke. I really understand. So, I’ll do my best to…”

Sylphy couldn’t seem to put it into words any further. Hmm, if it’s good enough for her, then it’s good enough for me to respond to her as much as I can. If that’s what Sylphy wants, should I do that?

“I don’t know what’s the right answer, this kind of thing.”

“…You’re right. I really don’t.”

“We’ll work it out, the two of us, or all of us, together.”

“Yeah.”

It may be difficult to find a way for everyone to be happy, but we can go hand in hand to make everyone happy. There are examples in this world where men with multiple spouses are doing well, and I guess we just have to learn from good precedents.

“It would be best if I could find someone to talk to. What about Melty?”

Sylphy looked uncomfortable at my words. What’s with that reaction?

“I’ve already consulted with her. She’s even given me some advice.”

“Oh, really?”

When I think about it, I don’t think the idea of taking in the Harpies and the others is very Sylphy-like. The mastermind may be Melty… Isn’t she the strongest in many ways?

“Let me talk with her about it next time.”

“All right.”

But I’m feeling a bit nervous now… I wonder what kind of recklessness she’ll say. I shivered with cold just by thinking about it.