'It seems the Nartheis inside me is doing a lot of things without my permission.'
[ I don't like that at all. ]
'I don't either, but what he did is very useful, and now I know what magic he uses.'
He managed to get some very good information from that Nartheis while she held his hand gently against her own cheek.
'This Nartheis is weird. I know my female form is better than before, but still, I don't understand.'
'So for you this form is beautiful?'
[ Yes, but that's not the point. ]
Enrico smiled in amusement because earlier she had said she didn't submit to humans, and now she was acting like that. It seemed that not even systems could resist that form.
'I understand you. If I weren't me, I would definitely fall in love too.'
[ Shut up, you malignant being that only corrupts others. ]
Opening his eyes, he saw himself lying on Aoi's lap. From the expressions of the other two, with a certain anticipation, it was clear they had been switching places from time to time so each one could enjoy it.
"Dear, you woke up? Why don't you sleep a little longer?"
"Sorry, I can't. We're arriving."
The three girls watched their carriage approaching Tsuyokuni. Time had passed so quickly that they hadn't even noticed half a day had gone by. Standing up, he touched his hair and noticed it was a little messy. Putting on a fearful expression for what would happen to the three when they returned, Enrico fixed his hair.
"Did you touch my hair? I'll try to help so Valença won't find out, but I don't know if it will work."
"Master, don't worry, we're far away."
"That's right, dear, Valença will never know."
It seemed these poor souls had no idea what awaited them, so since they didn't care, he silently prayed that Valença wouldn't punish them too harshly.
'I hope my three wives don't get too hurt.'
"Ketsumei, why are you acting as if we're going to die?"
"Since you don't believe Valença might have discovered you, I'm praying she won't punish you too much."
Okay, now they were scared. If Enrico was so certain of it, then it was very possible it was true. They'd better come up with an excuse for when they returned.
"Sir and ladies, we have arrived."
"Thank you very much, Prina."
"I'm just doing my job, sir. As the king said, I will accompany you."
This was the same guard who had been scolded by the girls on his birthday, because King Alaric had appointed her as Enrico's special guard.
'I never saw her in the original story, but she is actually strong.'
Prina was a circle seven, which would be very useful during the Sky Dungeon. Now his personal team had a circle five being Aoi, three circle six being himself, Rina, and Yumeha, and lastly Prina. They were a good team of five, and he was certain Aoi was close to reaching the same level as them.
'She's been training so much since the day I returned that her percentage has increased a lot.'
It was very possible that she and Valença would reach them in the coming days, followed by Serenya, Seraphina, and Danyana. Maybe more of his companions could reach that level a month after graduation.
It had been a long time since he last visited the city of Tsuyokuni. As soon as he arrived, he began being escorted to where Renzou was. Along the way, he noticed people seemed to recognize him not only as one of the three young aberrations people had been talking about in recent days.
'Looks like Renzou saying I was his son-in-law had quite the effect in Tsuyokuni.'
[ If they knew what you're really like, they wouldn't look at you with admiration like that. ]
'Admiration? If that's the case, it's not just them.'
Indeed, not only the civilians had a sparkle in their eyes—Tsuyokuni's own mages looked at him with great interest. The difference was that their interest was mostly because of the level he had reached at his age.
Along the way, he took the opportunity to buy some ingredients together with the three. He noticed they were still wearing the gift he gave them at that festival in Sanos.
'I think Serenya and Valença too… Actually, even Seraphina seems attached to that little bear when I'm not around.'
[ They're a bunch of lunatics. It's just a gift, why all the importance? ]
'I think it's because the gift came from the person they like.'
Even Seraphina seemed to carry that bear in the pouch she wore at her waist. It seemed she didn't want to fall behind the girls who carried their gifts. Seeing Rina's brooch slightly out of place, he fixed it properly, making her blush with a shy smile. In her mind she was punching the air in celebration.
'Great, my plan worked, heh.'
"It's good like this."
"Thank you very much, Ketsumei."
Enrico waved with a smile while Rina spun happily for the two girls behind her. Her strategy to get ahead of them that day was working. Yumeha walked past her, completely ignoring the situation because, to her, whatever the strategy, she would always be Enrico's number one.
'Damn, sister Yumeha is way too confident.'
Aoi passed by them quickly, moving past Yumeha before she could touch his arm. Grabbing him, she began pulling Enrico along in an animated way. Rina watched with doubt, wondering where she was taking him.
"Aoi, where are you taking him?"
"To meet my mother, of course."
Hearing that, Rina was doubtful but quickly approached the two, grabbing Aoi by the shoulder.
"I know you're excited, but we have to see my father first."
"What? But Rina—"
"Don't worry, I'll do my best for the two of you to meet later."
"That's right, Aoi, I have to see Renzou. I'll meet your mother right after, I promise."
Aoi looked sulky for a moment. Managing to convince her, the four and the guard followed the escort sent by Renzou. Hurrying, they arrived at the palace, and at the far end Renzou had a slightly tired expression. His face brightened a little with relief upon seeing Enrico.
'Enrico, welcome back, and sorry for asking this without giving you time to rest, but we need to go to the Sky Dungeon today.'