Chapter 685 Mentor, Emily
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Akane, who desired to have Shinji’s child even if it meant throwing away her morals, placed a pile of marriage proposals on her desk the next day—documents that had been gathering dust in the corner of her office.
She’d never bothered to open them before. Taking the top proposal in hand, she flipped it open. A tiny magic stone embedded within the document glowed, projecting an image of a well-featured young man from the chest up.
(This is some seriously elaborate proposal… Ah, of course it’s from a noble. But now I’m wondering… is it really okay not to return these?)
Akane hadn’t been told, but Alvin and Christina had been trying to return them. They’d been refused, though—the families wanted the proposals to stay on hand in case Akane ever decided to consider engagement.
Few proposals matched this level of effort, but others contained meticulously painted self-portraits and other eye-catching embellishments. Even just from these documents, it was clear how closely the surrounding noble houses were watching Wolf House.
Marriage routes weren’t limited to formal proposals through family-arranged matchmaking. Personal love letters also arrived occasionally—mostly from commoners Akane encountered through work or around town.
As a result, Akane had been incredibly popular since arriving in Wolf Territory. Men were practically lined up for her choosing. If she’d wanted to, engagement and marriage could have progressed without a hitch. But there was no need to explain why, to this day, there wasn’t a trace of any man in her life.
(I just can’t bring myself to do it…)
She’d resolved herself to using another man to have Shinji’s child. But just imagining being touched by anyone other than Shinji made her skin crawl.
Objectively speaking, the noble sons were better looking. Most women would fantasize about being held by them. Her family, too, would celebrate forming a new connection with another noble house—they’d welcome such a suitor with open arms. But for Akane, it was different.
After being assaulted by goblins, she’d developed a phobia of men for a time. Thanks to Shinji’s hypnosis care1, she’d seemingly overcome it on the surface. But the fear carved into her mind and body ran deep—she hadn’t been fully healed.
The fact that imagining s*x with any man other than Shinji only gave her goosebumps was perhaps the best she could hope for. Rubbing her arms, she pushed the pile of proposals to the side of the desk.
(There are other things couples do too… physical affection and all that, right? …Ugh, I’m getting chills… Could I endure it if I just think about having Shinji’s baby? …The fact that I’m even thinking that way probably means it’s hopeless…)
Since she had no problems in her work or daily life, realizing only now that she could only accept Shinji made her sigh.
She’d known from the moment they met that he was her best friend’s beloved, someone whose feelings would never be returned. Even so, ever since Running Wolves bought the party house and she was put in charge of managing it, she’d been sleeping with Shinji, devoting herself to him. Even if it was just to bear his child, it was only natural that she no longer wanted to be held by another man. Her innate kindness only made the idea more unbearable.
Still, the fact remained that becoming pregnant while unmarried could become a scandal for Wolf House. It was no wonder she kept letting out deep, heavy sighs.
”Akane, I’m coming in!”
The door swung open almost simultaneously with the knock, and Emily entered the room. Startled, Akane looked up and greeted her with a smile.
”Good work. Is this yesterday’s report?”
”Yeah! But it’s pretty much business as usual. A few squads on town patrol engaged monsters. No serious injuries. Minor wounds treated and they’re back on duty. Here’s the report.”
”Thank you. I’ll log it.”
As Akane checked the contents for discrepancies, Emily’s gaze drifted away—and landed on the pile of marriage proposals on the desk. Her eyes went wide.
”Akane, are you getting engaged?!”
”No, it’s just… How should I put it, I’m being driven by circumstances… I don’t actually want to get engaged…”
”What? Did Alvin put you up to this? I’ll go have a word with him.”
”No, no! Wolf House has nothing to do with this! It’s just… I need someone to fill the role of husband, so to speak…”
Emily rolled up her sleeves with a cheerful smile, and Akane rushed to explain. In the process, she let slip that she wanted to have Shinji’s baby.
She’d said it because she thought Emily, who’d openly loved Shinji for so long, would understand her feelings—and because the matter concerned Emily just as much. But Emily simply blinked in confusion.
”I don’t see why you need one, honestly. A husband role, I mean.”
”…What were you planning to do, Emily?”
”What do you mean? I’ll just have a kid when the timing feels right.”
”…Have you thought about the social repercussions…?”
Emily spoke so naturally, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Akane found herself staring at her with half-lidded eyes. Even faced with Akane’s reaction, Emily just laughed, completely unruffled.
”Social repercussions? If it becomes a problem, I’ll just handle the transition so I don’t cause trouble for Alvin and the others, then quit. Problem solved. I’ve got savings. I’d rather make a fake husband than worry about what people think.”
”That’s… yes, I feel the same way…”
Just as Akane managed Wolf House’s internal affairs, Emily commanded its military forces—they were of comparable standing. And yet Emily showed no hesitation at the thought of leaving her position. The idea hadn’t even occurred to Akane. It was a revelation.
Emily knew that Akane had been told Shinji was the Goddess’s Apostle. Christina leaned toward Wolf House’s interests, but Emily instinctively knew Akane was loyal to Shinji. So she took one step further.
”Shinji’s a schemer, you know? If you just take whatever he gives you, it won’t end well. I’m the same way—but you also have a role that no one else can replace for him! I think you should have the guts to negotiate from your side!”
”Negotiate… with Shinji?”
”The trick is to be just a little bit troublesome! As long as you don’t cross a line he absolutely can’t accept, he’ll find a compromise! I’m planning to push through on the baby thing the same way!”
The truth was, Shinji could move freely within Wolf House because Milis, Christina, and Akane were there—they knew the internal workings. If she asked for something, Shinji would probably go out of his way to make it happen without hesitation.
Akane had seen it countless times: Shinji putting up with Emily clinging to him, grumbling but going along with it. She didn’t think the two were the same—there was a difference between that and making a baby. But Emily’s words had a strange persuasiveness that left her overwhelmed.
Renka’s baby was adorable. Emily understood perfectly the desire to have one of her own. That was precisely why she thought it was wrong to rush. Even if it led to an outcome Shinji didn’t want.
If Akane had been anyone else, Emily—who loved Shinji more than anyone—wouldn’t have said a word. But Akane had supported the household from behind all this time, and never shown any interest in any man but Shinji. So Emily decided to give her advice, both as a fellow member of the secret Apostle conspiracy and as a celebration of that shared bond.
”Well, I don’t think you need to rush. We’re still young. Waiting for the right timing is always an option.”
”Yes… that’s true. I think I’ll take a step back and reconsider. …Would you be willing to listen if I need advice again?”
”Of course! Like you said, it’s not someone else’s problem. But you have to listen to my problems too, okay?”
”Naturally. Thank you, Emily.”
She expressed her gratitude as Akane, not as the household manager. The brightness of Emily’s returning smile was a comfort to her. From that day forward, their bond grew deeper and stronger.
===
Emily: “Hmph!” Snap—the corrupted route breaks.
Shinji: “…”
The corrupted route’s plan to secure a cuckold husband for egg-laying has been interrupted. Emily, shining with light.
Akane, who learned about the Goddess’s Apostle, is a long-time member, and she’s known Emily for quite a while. So she extended her hand in friendship.
—
Summary:
Akane struggles with the moral weight of using another man to have Shinji’s child, realizing she cannot physically or emotionally accept anyone else. Emily bursts into her office with a report, discovers the marriage proposals, and offers a radically different perspective on social reputation. Her blunt, liberating advice prompts Akane to reconsider rushing into a sham marriage, and the two women deepen their bond as confidantes.
—
Trivia:
Akane’s marriage proposals have been accumulating for so long that they’re gathering dust in her office.
Alvin and Christina attempted to return the proposals but were refused by the sending families.
Akane was assaulted by goblins in the past, which left her with a deep-seated male phobia.
Shinji’s “hypnosis care” partially healed Akane’s trauma but didn’t fully eradicate it.
Emily commands the Wolf House’s military forces, putting her on equal footing with Akane’s internal management role.
Christina is described as leaning toward Wolf House interests, while Akane leans toward Shinji personally.
Emily knows Akane was told about Shinji being the Goddess’s Apostle.
Shinji’s freedom of movement within Wolf House depends on Milis, Christina, and Akane knowing the internal workings.
Emily has openly loved Shinji for a long time and isn’t hiding her intentions.
Renka’s baby is mentioned as a cute example that makes Emily and Akane want children of their own.
Emily has savings and would simply quit if social repercussions from unmarried pregnancy became a problem.
The “corrupted route” being broken refers to Akane’s previous plan to secure a cuckold husband.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Shinji – A stoic yet manipulative white-clad armored strategic mage and male succubus, this Apostle of Goddess Arian saved Soukai Country. Master of Wolf House, the casual spell-refiner restrains lewd magic but seduces Akane, proposing they continue post-marriage. He balances Alvin’s anxiety, is husband to Milis and Christina, and is father to Renka’s child, vowing to care for his offspring.
• Akane – The steward and former head maid of Wolf House, this authoritative woman with lustrous dark red long hair is admired by junior maids for her appearance. Once an honorary knight, she shows a caring side and shares a hometown connection with others. However, she deeply struggles with a forbidden relationship with Shinji, knowing she should cut ties.
• Christina – Shinji’s wife and a Beltz family daughter recently married to Lord Alvin, this Oeste Magic guild administrator leads a dual life managing territory, weddings, and port logistics. Outwardly composed to hide her overflowing joy, she requested work at the Wolf house, knows Shinji’s Apostle status, and shares a mental link with him. She was also mentioned as receiving marriage proposals for Akane.
• Alvin – Head of the Wolf House, Lord of the Wolf Territory, and honorary knight backed by the royal family, this former adventurer is Christina’s husband—their wedding a primary goal for the territory. A devoted, anxious father, he enthusiastically manages a new port town’s administration, balancing heavy noble responsibilities with a familiar, friendly attitude toward his subordinates.
• Wolf – The noble family name, carried by Alvin and Milis.
• Milis – A calm woman residing in a separate room of the Wolf mansion, she is Alvin’s wife and one of Shinji’s wives. Dedicated to child-rearing, she recently gave birth to Shinji’s child—a joyous event for the Wolf House—and continues to raise her offspring there. She is also noted for receiving marriage proposals for Akane.
• Renka – Shinji’s red-haired wife is a former commoner who recently gave birth to his child at the Wolf mansion. Deeply involved in child-rearing, she maintains a calm, loving demeanor despite feeling unease over her support. She shares a deep bond with her husband, creates handicrafts with her close friend Milis, and is a dear friend to Akane, who feels guilt toward her due to an ongoing affair with Shinji.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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