Because there were so many girls—nearly a hundred in total—it was impossible for everyone to go to the city gates to see the departing group off.
The final choice was to have Lycoris, Ine Mitarai, Loris, and myself as representatives to escort the dozen or so girls to the exit of the Royal Capital.
We stood by the carriages.
"Big Sister, Benefactor, Ine, and Loris... let's say goodbye here," one of the girls said, her eyes red.
"Yes. I wish you all a safe journey," Lycoris said gently. "If you make it home safely, please write me a letter."
"And if you can't find a place to stay after you go back, you can come back anytime," Ine added cheerfully. "I think my Dear will definitely choose to take you in."
"Ine! Don't say discouraging things at a time like this!" Lycoris scolded.
"Hehehe~ Sorry, sorry."
Ine laughed heartily, but we all knew she was telling the truth. Even if these girls returned home, facing their families after being abducted by a Sin Archbishop would be difficult. Many would find themselves pariahs.
"Goodbye," Loris said concisely. She showed no intention of saying anything more.
Finally, it was my turn.
Faced with the expectant gazes of the girls, I kept it simple.
"I won't bother with formalities. If you encounter any trouble in the future, you can always come back here to find me."
"Yes! Thank you so much!"
The girls bowed deeply in gratitude.
Looking at them, I actually understood why they wanted to leave. Most missed their families. They wanted to see if their parents were still alive, to visit graves, to find closure.
For a moment, I considered just letting them go.
After all, I understood nostalgia. Even I, a transmigrator, felt a pang of longing for my old world sometimes. But I knew it was useless. Dwelling on the past wouldn't bring it back.
And honestly? Even if I could go back, would I?
Give up my power? My wealth? My hundreds of beautiful wives?
Absolutely impossible.
Regulus Corneas would never abandon what was his.
Managing a country or conquering the world sounded exhausting. I'd rather stay home and enjoy my wives. Or perhaps... expand my collection.
Emilia. Rem. Ram. Felt. Thearesia. Even the Witches... especially the Witch of Envy.
Maybe I should try to win them over. What if I succeeded?
As the carriage carrying the girls gradually drove away into the distance, my thoughts returned to the present.
"Let's go back," Lycoris said, wiping her eyes.
"Okay."
Lycoris and Ine turned to leave.
But Loris stopped. She took my hand.
"Darling," she whispered, her voice low so the others wouldn't hear. "Could you please escort them for a short while? It doesn't have to be too far, just to the next town."
Lycoris and Ine stopped, understanding her meaning immediately.
We had set a trap for Capella. Loris had predicted that the Archbishop of Lust might attack these girls. Despite the warning, the girls had insisted on leaving, gambling that they weren't important enough to be targeted.
They had refused my offer of an official escort because they didn't want to trouble me further.
"I understand," I nodded to Loris. "I will secretly escort them."
"As agreed, I will offer you my sincerest gratitude the moment you return," Loris promised, a rare softness in her eyes.
Faced with this scene, Lycoris hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.
"Um... me too, Darling. When you come back... I will try to accept everything about you. I won't disappoint you like last time."
"Really?" I raised an eyebrow.
"Yes. I really will try my best."
Lycoris's face turned completely red.
I knew what she meant. She wasn't as open-minded as Ine. She had been shy and reserved last night. But to express her gratitude for protecting her sisters, she was prepared to overcome her inhibitions and learn a few tricks from Ine.
That was definitely exciting news.
"That! I... I... I just..."
Ine stammered, looking between us. She suddenly realized she had nothing left to offer. Everything she had—her body, her dignity, her shamelessness—already belonged to me.
She looked gloomy.
I smiled and shook my head.
"You don't need to say anything, Ine. Just wait for me to come back."
"But..."
She was still depressed. Even Lycoris and Loris had offered special rewards. She felt left out.
Suddenly, Ine's eyes flickered. A light bulb went off in her head.
"Hehehe~ I also have a surprise for you, my Dear."
A sly, fox-like smile appeared on her face.
"However, this surprise won't happen now; it will have to wait a while. But please look forward to it!"
Her expression clearly showed she was plotting something selfish that would likely drag someone else into the mess.
I chuckled.
"Alright. I look forward to it."
I turned and vanished into the shadows, following the carriage. The hunt for Capella—and the protection of my wayward sheep—had begun.
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