Volume 3 Chapter 11 Surprise
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
And so, I introduced each of my 16 wives one by one, sharing my vows and presenting them to the residents.
That said, Annabella was so flustered that her face turned bright red when we kissed, Lina seemed embarrassed and kept having episodes of spontaneous fireball syndrome, collapsing from magic exhaustion, and Aurelia was dressed in a strange combination of a dress and a katana.
Additionally, when Manon declared her intention to have children, Kerstin and Lana quickly claimed they would be the first to get pregnant, and as I introduced Feria, Ines, and Ulrika, the men started throwing jealous remarks. Aida began talking about the usefulness of the firearms she created, while Giuliana, Helga, and Veris were moved to tears by the warm applause from the residents.
When Beatrice appeared, the residents screamed.
This was because she still looked like a ten-year-old girl.
She was wearing a baggy dress.
Then, when we kissed, the dress fit perfectly for an adult.
The residents watching this were astonished.
Talia and Nannie praised me endlessly, creating a fictional image of me as a saintly figure to the residents.
With each introduction, the residents applauded and laughed, thoroughly enjoying this joint wedding ceremony.
At the same time, my face would quickly become well-known.
After all, there probably isn’t another man who has held a wedding ceremony with 17 wives at once.
Once the introductions were over, Milly and the others went down to the square to distribute celebratory sweets and snacks to the residents.
The time was nearing noon.
At that moment, Arbalest came over to my side.
”Kent… I want to see my grandchild soon, but it doesn’t have to be Milly’s child who inherits the Baron Haydon family. Milly can only give birth to girls due to her race’s restrictions. If you really want Milly’s child to inherit, you’ll have to take a son-in-law.”
”Huh? Milly can only give birth to girls? That’s the first I’ve heard of it.
”I think Milly is recommending concubines to Kent for that reason. In this world, the child that is born will inherit the mother’s race. From the father, they only inherit the card color and the potential for gift skills, but regardless of gender, the race will always be the same as the mother’s.”
”Then, can’t Milly have a boy?”
”No, only Dream Demons are different. The Incubus race will always produce male Incubi, regardless of the race of the woman they impregnate, ignoring the mother’s race. Conversely, the Succubus race will always produce females, no matter which race of man they conceive with.”
”So, if Milly has a child, it will definitely be a girl?”
”That’s right. So, I think Milly is allowing Kent to have multiple concubines to consider heirs. But don’t get the wrong idea. If you make Milly cry, I’ll come to break your neck.”
Arbalest, who was unable to have children with his wife, had been doting on Milly, who lived nearby since she was 12, as if she were his own daughter.
I thought he might surprisingly be a bit of a doting parent.
”Understood. I promise not to make Milly cry.”
”I’m counting on you to take care of my daughter.”
I firmly shook hands with Arbalest.
While we were shaking hands, a man rushed up to the podium in a flustered manner and whispered something to Arbalest.
Suddenly, Arbalest’s complexion changed.
After listening to the man’s report, Arbalest beckoned me to the edge of the podium.
”Kent… a very bad situation has arisen. It’s the worst-case scenario we couldn’t have anticipated.”
”What happened? You look too pale.”
Arbalest’s complexion had changed dramatically from earlier, now dark and gloomy.
”I’m sorry. According to the report that just came in, a massive number of monsters are heading towards Abyss Vena, raising clouds of dust. It seems they have already made contact with the search party for the defeated soldiers. They are expected to reach the walls of Abyss Vena in half a day.”
”Is the search party safe?”
”Yeah, everyone is mounted, and I’ve instructed them to escape at full speed without fighting the monsters before departure. They will return eventually.”
”But why are the monsters pouring in at this time?”
”As for the monsters becoming active, I think Kent also knows about it. This large invasion seems to have been triggered by the beast monster we defeated recently.”
”A beast monster? Why is that?”
”The high concentration and density of magic elements that are still erupting from the beast monster seem to act as bait, drawing in the monsters that are usually less active but are now approaching the active period towards Abyss Vena.”
”Mr. Soumei had cast Barrier Magic to prevent the monsters from ravaging, but was that not enough?”
”Yeah, while Barrier Magic keeps monsters away, the magic elements can pass through… If it were standard-level monster magic elements, they’d dissolve and diffuse in the atmosphere, but the magic elements from the beast monster formed through the mating of another world monsters release concentrations and amounts thousands of times greater than that of regular monsters. It was unprecedented for such a huge beast monster to be defeated this close to the city, so I had forgotten, but the concentration of magic elements in Abyss Vena has risen to a level comparable to that of hunting grounds. Our town is like a streetlamp floating in the dark night.”
”Ah, so in that case, the monsters are drawn to Abyss Vena like insects gathering.”
”That’s right…”
Arbalest grimaced as if he had a bitter reaction.
I thought I could finally calmly resume my hunt, but the other side attacked me… and with a horde of over 10,000…
I decided to ask Arbalest what to do with the information I had heard about the monster.
”Are you going to tell the residents about this?”
”If we don’t, we won’t even be able to defend Abyss Vena now that the garrison is gone. I’m sorry, but I’m planning to have the Monster Hunters and those with combat professions participate in the defense line. We’ve already come too close for evacuation. It’s up to us and the residents to protect the walls and the great fortifications. From now on, I’ll declare a state of emergency and ask for the residents’ cooperation.”
”Understood. My family will also mobilize the Godard family’s archers, the Crimson Bride, and the Red Valkyrie to participate in the defense.”
”That’s a relief. I’ll leave the defense of the great fortifications on the east side to Kent and Milly. I intend to send reinforcements, but since we’re short on troops, it may have to be selected from the residents, yet I will definitely rotate them.”
”Yes, I won’t let the monsters rampage in our new home at the eastern outpost. Besides, I’m newly married, so I have no intentions of dying before enjoying time with everyone.”
Upon hearing my words, Arbalest burst out laughing.
”That sounds just like Kent. Then, show me that you can protect the great fortifications in the east. I’m counting on you.”
I bowed my head to Arbalest.
Returning to the center of the podium, Arbalest stood in front of the microphone and began explaining the situation that Abyss Vena was about to face.
”My dear people. Although we are amidst a celebration, I must convey this as your lord. A large horde of monsters is approaching Abyss Vena due to the beast monster we defeated the other day. They say their numbers exceed ten thousand.”
The residents, who had been filled with joy over the celebration, suddenly erupted into shouts and screams upon hearing Arbalest’s story.
”The time for evacuation has already passed. With the garrison in ruins, all Abyss Vena can do now is rely on the great walls and fortify itself, waiting for the kingdom’s reinforcements. From now on, I will declare a state of emergency under the lord’s authority. All gates within the castle will be closed, and Abyss Vena will enter a state of siege. Furthermore, as the garrison has been devastated, there aren’t enough soldiers, so I will have those who are Monster Hunters or have combat jobs serve. Those who do not enlist should expect to be assigned various duties such as providing aid, cooking, and repairs.”
The residents stopped their chatter and listened seriously to Arbalest’s words.
Many of the inhabitants were aware that they lived on the edge of death, so few were the ones to panic.
Some eager individuals even rushed home to grab their equipment.
”I know I’m called stingy, but I’ve stockpiled enough food for the residents so that they couldn’t possibly eat it all even if they holed up for months. Additionally, we’ve prepared enough weapons so that 5 thousand can be armed with bows immediately. As for arrows, we had so much stock that we were actually at a loss. So, we can push back any monsters numbering in the tens of thousands with everyone’s strength!”
The residents, realizing that Arbalest’s stinginess had been for preparing for such situations by stockpiling food and weapons, suddenly got motivated for the defense battle.
Abyss Vena, originally known for its strong self-defense spirit, has a history of pushing back the monsters that have attacked multiple times in the past from the walls, and it was expected that they would carry on that history this time as well.
In a hurry, Milly returned to the podium and asked me about the situation.
”Kent! Is it true that a massive number of monsters are coming?”
”Yeah, it seems that the beast monster I hunted has attracted them. A search party for the remnants reported that they made contact half a day’s distance from Abyss Vena.”
”No way! A large-scale attack at a time like this is just bad timing…”
”More importantly, Milly. We have been ordered by father-in-law to defend the eastern great wall, which will become our territory. I’m sorry for involving everyone, but please gather the members of Crimson Bride and Red Valkyrie as soon as possible. Participation is not mandatory, but I hope as many of you as possible will join the defense.”
”Kent! That’s reckless! If more than ten thousand monsters swarm the eastern great wall that Kent is guarding, we won’t be able to hold them off. We should take refuge in Abyss Vena instead.”
”I understand Milly’s concerns. I would prefer to do that too, but I can’t abandon the Godard Clan who have already been sent to the garrison as their lord.”
”I can’t abandon the Godard clan too. If the eastern great wall is breached, the safety of the northern Abyss Vena will be threatened, and we will be completely isolated. We must avoid that at all costs.”
Knowing my resolve was firm, Milly gave up on persuasion and immediately took action.
”Kent is already my husband, so I will do my best as his wife. I need to figure out a way to strip Equipment and food from my stepfather, and I also need a large supply of magic stones and healing potions. Helga, Nannie, Ulrika, come here for a moment.”
Milly called for the 3 of them.
”Did you call for us? Lady Miriallia?”
Helga came up to the platform along with Nannie and the others.
Since the state of emergency had already been declared by Arbalest, the residents in the square had begun preparing for the siege.
”From this point on, our household will enter a wartime regime to defend the eastern great wall. You all will be tasked as the supply team to strip Equipment and food from my stepfather. The deadline is by noon; use any means necessary to acquire as much as you can.”
”I understand. I will use my wisdom to find out as much as possible.”
”That’s easy, just give the quartermaster a little favor, hehehe”
I made sure to ask Ulrika to refrain from providing services.
Milly said any way, but that’s not the way to do it.
The 3 of them ran to the defense headquarters set up by Arbalest, still in their crimson dresses after receiving instructions from Milly.
”Giuliana, Veris! You two need to urgently gather the members of Red Valkyrie. There aren’t any members out hunting at today’s festival, right?”
”Yeah, everyone should be at Abyss Vena today. I’ll gather them right away. Where’s the meeting place?”
”In front of the Blackdagger house is fine.”
”Y-yes, understood. Let’s go, Hunting Group leader Giuliana.”
”Then, let’s meet at the mansion.”
”I’m counting on you.”
Giuliana and Veris disappeared into the hunter street to gather the members of Red Valkyrie who lived there.
”Manon, Beatrice, once you change, run to the eastern garrison and let them know to prepare for Akebus. I’ll bring the main force by evening.”
”Yes, will do. W-wait!”
Beatrice stumbled as she tripped on the hem of her baggy dress.
Manon quickly scooped up the stumbling Beatrice and took off running.
”Leave it to me-nya. I’ll make sure the welcoming preparations are done-nya.”
”I’m counting on you, Manon.”
Milly continued to issue instructions rapidly.
This time, she called Aida.
”Aida. I have high hopes for the party you will lead this time. Will the members gather soon? How many spare magic guns do you have? What about ammunition?”
”Oh, yeah. The members came to see my wedding, so we can gather them right away. We have 2 long spare guns, but one of them belongs to Kent, so we only have one gun. As for ammunition, with Kent’s help, we each have about 400 rounds.”
”Okay. I’ll assign Kerstin, who is a Magician, so have her carry one. Also, your party will be under Kent’s command along with Crimson Bride. You can make as much ammunition as you want with Kent at the center. If that’s still not enough, you can use magic stones.”
”I understand. I will immediately gather the members and equipment and meet at the mansion. I’m looking forward to Kent’s ammunition manufacturing.”
Aida caught Kerstin and then joined the members who were in the plaza to head towards Equipment.
I believe that the Elitzina we use and the handgun called Raganuf will be the key to our defense this time.
Milly and I quickly gathered the other members and returned to the mansion to prepare for battle.
However, a major problem occurred there.
My armor, which had been partially damaged in the beast monster battle, was not yet repaired.
”Oh no, your armor hasn’t been fully repaired yet…”
At that moment, Golerg rushed to my side.
The armor he brought as a substitute was a full set of armor and a large shield, both in a matte black that exuded a rugged practicality.
When I put it on, it felt lighter than my previous metal armor.
”Hey, Kent. How about switching to this instead of your damaged old armor? If you like it after using it this time, I’ll sell it to you. For now, I’ve embedded a magic tool in this ‘Armor of Darkness’ and ‘Shield of Darkness’ that temporarily boosts defense. It’s a limited-function version of that failed product. The Equipment level is Heavy Warrior level 5, so it’s just right for you now, isn’t it?”
”How does it activate? Automatic deployment?”
”Basically, it deploys automatically. It will keep activating magic until the magical power of the magic stone built into the armor runs out. The one you’re using now will last for a full day. The effect raises physical defense by 20% with the shield and armor. Pretty impressive, right?”
”So, how did it end up with an Equipment level of Heavy Warrior level 5?”
”That’s a trade secret… but not really. I significantly limited the functions and used a large amount of high-quality materials. If Kent doesn’t come back alive and buy it, our company will go bankrupt.”
”The basic defense power is also higher than the previous armor, right?”
”Of course. As the Equipment Level increases, the defensive power also increases.”
”Well, I’ll take good care of it and try not to break it.”
Putting on the armor that Golerg had lent me, holding my favorite spear in my hand, and slung the Elitzina that Aida had given me over my shoulder, I went outside the mansion and waited for everyone to gather.
About an hour had passed since Arbalest declared a state of emergency, and thanks to the members’ efforts, the gathering of Hunting Group members, securing supplies, and receiving equipment were all completed.
Now, all I have to do is give the order to depart.
I was truly impressed by how capable my wives are.
”The local volunteer defense force will be arriving after us, so we, the advance team, will head to the eastern garrison to set up a defense. Now, let’s go!”
As I gave the order to depart, the supply wagon loaded with supplies, equipment, and people started moving.
This time, we needed to move quickly, so we borrowed the wagons from Abyss Vena.
The wagon began to rumble and started heading out through the castle gate.
We also hurried to the eastern garrison in a hunting wagon whose wheels had been repaired.
This promotion and the granting of territory have been carried out unilaterally by Arbalest under the authority of Margrave, without the approval of His Majesty the Demon Lord, so the rights as a Noble in Kent effectively only apply within Abyss Vena.
In the True Demon Kingdom, Margrave is a title, so Arbalest only holds the title of Baron.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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