Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. The first time I heard the word "harem" was back in elementary school when I read a certain story from Arabian Nights. I remember asking a young female teacher, "What’s a harem?" and she told me, "It means having many wives."
If I asked that nowadays, I’d probably be sued for sexual harassment.
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Maybe it was because I took a three-hour nap, but I was able to face the lunch meeting with Count Seryu with a clear head.
Thanks to that, I suddenly remembered that I had completely forgotten to tell Arisa and Liza my real name and about being a dragon god slayer.
When you’re exhausted, nothing good ever comes of it.
I had prepared more than enough for the final day of the auction, so I decided to take it easy until then.
With those thoughts, I was guided by the Count’s steward to the guest dining room in a corner of the Royal Castle.
I seemed to be the last guest to arrive. Inside, waiting were Count Seryu and his wife, their vassals Viscount Belton and his wife, a knight couple named Kigori whom I didn’t know, for some reason the Divine Oracle Shrine Maiden Owner from Parion Temple, and a nervous-looking Ms. Zena.
The Kigori couple was probably there as the Count’s bodyguards.
The husband was a level 40 knight, and his wife was a level 37 magic knight who specialized in earth magic—some of the strongest warriors in the territory.
Checking the menu details, I also learned that Shrine Maiden Owner was the Count’s daughter.
I thought I recognized her face. She was the shrine maiden who healed Zena’s injury with magic when we met. She also taught me the Holy Magic skill.
I politely thanked the Count for the lunch invitation and exchanged the usual troublesome noble introductions and greetings with everyone else.
The seat I was assigned was the seat of honor, directly opposite the Count.
With this seating, I figured the conversation probably wouldn’t be too bad.
I whispered to Zena, who sat next to me, “Your outfit is more glamorous than usual today. It really suits you.”
“Oh, thank you. I borrowed it from my lady’s maid,” she replied.
That explained why her usually modest clothing seemed so bold.
“You don’t need to be so nervous. Leave it to me, sit back, and enjoy this delicious lunch.”
“Y-yes.”
Though my words weren’t enough to completely ease her tension, I cut off the conversation as I felt Count Seryu’s scrutinizing gaze, and took my seat.
Unlike the official lunch hosted by His Excellency the Prime Minister, this one was centered on normal court cuisine, with the addition of croquettes, a specialty of the Count Seryu territory, as the main course. It was a safe and familiar menu, so I ate with ease.
The conversation during the meal stayed light and friendly. I talked about how I met Zena and the others, and the Count expressed his gratitude for my help with the Seryu Territory’s elite squad in the labyrinth city.
It all seemed to be going smoothly, but then dessert arrived: sweet strawberries coated with sugar and honey. Once the servers left on the Count’s instruction, the real topic began—
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“—Let’s get straight to the point. I will give Owner to you as your wife. Will you join our Count family and take charge of the labyrinth’s operations?”
Whoa, that was straightforward.
Still, to a 16-year-old upstart noble like me, this was an overwhelmingly generous offer.
Letting another noble family run the labyrinth, which surely holds massive interests, might stir huge backlash from the local nobility. I couldn’t tell what the Count’s true intentions were.
Best to refuse quickly.
“It’s a very honorable proposal, but I don’t believe someone as inexperienced as myself could manage it. If I may be so bold, it would be better entrusted to someone more seasoned and thoughtful.”
“Hmph. You refuse without even seeming to hesitate. I’d heard rumors of your lack of desire, but to this extent…”
My eavesdropping skill and lip reading picked up the Count’s faint mumbling.
When the Count gave a signal, Viscount Belton interrupted his strawberry and spoke.