The Strongest Bride in Another World, But It Seems I’m Stronger in Night Battles ~A Harem Chronicle of Rising to Power Using Strategy~ (Dropped) - Chapter 25
“Now, with that pleasant interlude behind us, let’s get to the main reason I summoned you all this time.” Emperor Demon addressed me with a smile that had vanished, replaced by a piercing, stern gaze.
The calm demeanor he had shown to Marida and the others just moments ago had disappeared completely.
“You’ve impressed everyone with your swift capture of the border castle and your tactics in the recent battle involving Marida’s forces. Stefan has been singing your praises. I became curious about the man behind these deeds.”
“Well, I’m honored to receive your praise.”
“However, I’ve heard rumors that you have other women in your life besides Marida. I’ve even heard that the head of the Arco family, whom I bestowed upon you as a reward, might not be a man after all.”
At that moment, the atmosphere in the audience chamber plummeted to freezing temperatures. It felt as though Christ, whose gaze was fixated on me, was rapidly cooling the air around us.
This was bad. Very bad. Could this lead to a catastrophic ending? From what I’d observed earlier, Christ seemed to dote on Marida quite a bit. If he found out I had other women, it might lead to a rather unpleasant situation.
I couldn’t afford that. I had to think fast, or else my moments of intimacy with Marida would be gone forever.
No, I couldn’t allow that to happen. I needed to find a way to navigate this crisis.
“Brother, Rishel, and even Irene, they’re all my wives! I’m just lending them to Albert! You got it all wrong!”
Despite Marida claiming that Rishel and Irene were her wives, Christ’s expression remained unyielding, his gaze filled with a sense of, ‘How dare you lay a hand on my precious little sister and other women.’
Impossible! It was impossible!
I desperately tried to come up with a plan to survive this ordeal, but Christ’s relentless gaze left my brain frozen, unable to produce any ideas.
“I am… devoted solely to Lady Marida.”
“Oh, really? So, you claim to be loyal to Marida alone while having other women on the side?”
I could sense a looming death flag. Christ motioned to his attendant, who handed him a sword, and he drew it with a smooth motion.
This was bad. It seemed I had unwittingly triggered a life-or-death situation. I might be facing a swift and brutal end.
My body trembled, and I couldn’t find the words to continue.
“Brother! Enough with this jesting! Albert’s wisdom is a treasure to the Elwin family!”
Marida interjected, seemingly oblivious to the gravity of the situation.
Emperor Demon’s gaze intensified, his eyes conveying a mix of anger and concern for his sister.
“Marida, are you saying you would allow Albert to keep other women?”
Christ tapped the blade of his sword against my neck, sending shivers down my spine with each touch.
I couldn’t take it anymore. This relentless tapping on my neck was unbearable!
“Brother! Albert may be a bit lecherous, but he’s my precious husband. If you want to take him, you’ll have to go through me first!”
Marida had said the right words! She was truly my wife! I couldn’t help but admire her courage.
I might just fall for her all over again. Well, I already had, to be honest.
“Marida, are you willing to jeopardize your position as the family head by causing trouble for me again?”
This was the ultimate power play. The most formidable power play ever!
“Ugh, well…”
Even the wild Marida seemed to hesitate, unwilling to return to her life as a stray.
At this rate, my second chance at life and my pursuit of dreams would come to an abrupt and gruesome end, with my head separated from my body.
I couldn’t let that happen. But no matter how hard I wracked my brain, I couldn’t come up with a solution.
“Ahaha! I’ve caused some trouble for Marida! This time, I’ve paid her back for all the trouble she’s given me! Hahaha! I apologize, Albert. I’ve pampered Marida quite a bit until now, but this time, I thought I’d give you a taste of your own medicine. Forgive me.”
“What?”
I was taken aback by his sudden change of attitude.
“I don’t intend to kill a capable man who can handle someone as wild as Marida. In fact, I’d like to recruit you as one of my direct subordinates. What do you say, Marida? Will you sell Albert to me for fifty thousand gold coins?”
I was still reeling from the chaos of the situation when Emperor Demon unexpectedly made me a job offer.
This was an insane amount of money, equivalent to nearly nine hundred million Japanese yen! An unimaginable sum!
“Brother! It’s not right to torment Albert for causing me trouble or to try to buy him with gold coins!”
In normal circumstances, being invited to serve as a direct subordinate to Emperor Demon would be an honor. However, considering the initial impression I had of him and various rumors, it seemed like declining the offer was the sensible choice. I believed that Christ, despite his power, would be a more tiring master to serve than Marida.
But I had to be careful in my refusal, as I didn’t want to end up in another dangerous situation like the one earlier.
“This humble servant must humbly advise against such a course of action. If Marida, your loyal subject and vassal, were to sell me to your direct service, it would undoubtedly breed discontent among your other vassals. This could potentially weaken your position and authority, my liege.”
“What Albert says makes sense. The hereditary vassals would surely voice their grievances.”
Phew. I could see that Christ was wavering in his decision.
The Elancia Empire was a nation constantly embroiled in conflicts, and any dissatisfaction with rewards could easily lead to rebellion. If I, someone who hadn’t achieved significant military feats, suddenly became one of Emperor Demon’s direct subordinates with a noble title, it would trigger jealousy among his vassals, potentially leading them to turn against him.
“My liege! I have already dedicated my sword to you, and I, of the Elwin family, shall remain your sword as well as the sword of the Shugemori family, your noble lineage.”
“Indeed, you have a point, Marida. Albert, you may have a way with words. You touch upon sensitive matters.”
Christ acknowledged it, appearing to reconsider his offer.
Marida continued to advocate for me.
“Brother! I have offered my sword to you, and Albert’s wisdom shines brighter when I am by his side!”
“Very well, I suppose there’s no helping it. Albert, you shall serve as the rider of this wild mare, my dear sister Marida, and support me. Agreed?”
“Yes, of course! With my strategic prowess, I shall assist Lady Marida and contribute to Your Majesty’s power.”
In the end, I managed to decline the offer of becoming a direct subordinate. The situation transitioned into a private banquet hosted by Christ himself, during which I was granted the privilege of being Marida’s husband, exempt from the usual formalities.
And so, I found myself remembered by Emperor Demon Christ von Shugemori as Marida’s “milk sibling,” forever entwined in this peculiar tale.