Side: Yuki

Well then, now that I've shipped off the second Holy Sword wielder, all that's left is to drop by the Great Cathedral before heading back to the castle to wrap things up.

Since making someone go completely naked in the middle of the city felt a bit too cruel, I sent Kishua with her clothes on.

To be honest, I was starting to feel a little sorry for Sia too, so I ordered her to put her clothes back on once the two of them met up. She should be fine now.

"So that's the Grand Cathedral."

"Looks like it. It's packed with people."

Seraria and I jogged toward it, but there was no way we could get inside through the front. The area surrounding the cathedral was overflowing with people.

From the looks of it, everyone had gathered in the fountain plaza out front, while the injured were being carried into the cathedral itself.

"Ah, Yuki-san! Thank goodness you're here."

"Oh, Milly. What's wrong?"

Milly spots me and comes hurrying over, but something about her behavior seems distinctly off.

Ratz went out to search for anyone still needing rescue, while Milly was assigned to guard duty right here...

"Huh? Where's Eris? And has Rurua not arrived yet?"

Did Eris head out on search and rescue duties as well?

Speaking of which, if Rurua had already unleashed her wide-area recovery magic, there shouldn't be any wounded left to begin with.

"That's exactly why we have a problem. Please, come this way."

Milly grabs Seraria and me by the hands, pulling us toward the rear entrance of the Great Cathedral.

"Ah, Milly-sama!"

The guard posted at the door is presumably tasked with securing the cathedral, but why on earth is he addressing Milly with "-sama"?

The soldier then shifts his gaze toward me, his expression twisting into a doubtful glare.

"And who might these people be?"

"This is my husband, and one of my co-wives. There is no issue, so please let them through."

"Understood!"

With that crisp reply, the soldier swings the door open, but for some reason, he continues to stare intently at my face.

"...This man is Milly-sama's...?"

Ah, so that's what this is about.

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm completely out of her league. No matter how you slice it, I'm just an average-looking guy; I am fully self-aware.

Putting that aside, I follow closely behind Milly until we arrive at a space that resembles a main place of worship. So that's the front hall where all the people were streaming in and out earlier, huh?

As I'm scanning my eyes across the interior, I notice a strangely dense crowd gathered in one particular corner.

"Eris, Rurua! Yuki-san is here!"

The moment Milly calls out toward the gathering, Eris and Rurua burst out from the middle of the crowd.

Simultaneously, the guys who had been desperately grabbing at their arms to hold them back were blown off their feet by the sheer stat differential, slamming hard against the surrounding stone walls.

...Wait, what? What's the point of creating more casualties right now?

"Don't touch us!!"

"That's right!! We only came here to treat the wounded!!"

Delivering those sharp retorts, the two of them instantly cling tightly to both of my arms.

Out of all my wives, these two happen to possess some of the most impressive busts—or rather, Lulua ranks first and Eris ranks around third or fourth—so the sensation pressing against my arms is undeniable.

But neither of them is the type to engage in public displays of affection like this, right?

While I was thinking, people wearing priest robes suddenly swarmed around us instead of injured people.

"You!! Get away from the Saintesses!!"

"Such disrespect!!"

"Yes, please step away immediately!!"

Well, one of them is indeed a former Saintess.

Why do outsiders get to comment on me being close to my own wives? Is there some religious rule here about separating men and women? But there are priests and nuns right in front of me...

While I was confused, Eris and Rurua shouted.

"This man is our husband!!"

"That's right! We already have children with him, so we have zero intention of becoming Saintesses or anything of the sort!!"

The moment those words echo through the hall, absolute silence falls over the entire room.

What on earth? What is even happening here?

"I don't really get what's going on, but there are still wounded people out there. Rurua, let's get this over with quickly."

"Ah, yes."

"Eris, Milly, Seraria—check the area to make sure no one was left unhealed."

""Yes!""

"Got it."

And so, working alongside Lulua, we immediately deployed a wide-area recovery magic that expanded to blanket the entirety of the Great Cathedral and the outer plaza.

The familiar visual effects illuminated the area, making it instantly obvious even to the injured that high-tier recovery magic had been executed.

Given that magic of this caliber doesn't exist on this continent, it's bound to cause quite a stir. But since it serves as a fantastic way to stack up massive political favor, I deliberately made sure our casting was fully visible.

...Ah, so that's why Eris, Lulua, and Millie are being worshipped like this — they used recovery magic too.

But why were they interfering with treatment? I should ask for details later.

If anyone lays a hand on my wives over unnecessary trouble, Enaria might actually disappear.

"Phew. Rurua, do you still have plenty of mana to spare?"

"Yes, I'm completely fine."

At a glance, everyone's wounds had already healed.

Of course, appearances could be deceiving, so we waited while Eris, Millie, and Seraria walked around confirming each patient individually.

Before long, they returned.

"Everything looks fine."

"Yes. We personally treated anyone whose injuries weren't completely healed."

"The people from the Great Cathedral should be able to handle the rest."

All three reported that there were no remaining problems.

"Good. Then let's meet up with Ratz and head back to the castle."

Just as I turned toward the exit—

One of the priests called out to me.

"Wait! If you truly are the husband of the Holy Maidens, you must not involve yourself with those in power—especially not the royal family of Enaria."

Look, I keep telling you guys, my wives aren't Saintesses anymore. Their purity has long since been claimed, and every single member of this team is already a mother.

"Those royals have treated the Saintesses and the Holy Sword wielders as nothing more than—"

"Ah, if it isn't Yuki! Did you come to check on the situation?"

The priest was right in the middle of dropping a dramatic warning, but the absolute second Aegil's figure came into view, he abruptly fell silent.

Oh? this isn't a "yay, holy maidens, let's use them" kind of vibe, is it?

What's going on?

Also, that line he just dropped could easily be interpreted as high treason against the royal family.

I should have Kirika investigate whatever relationship existed here. But first, I needed to answer Aegil.

"Yeah. Looks like everything is completely under control here, though."

"I wish I could say that. But honestly, it's all thanks to your wives. They're unbelievably strong."

"Ratz, you were patrolling outside, right? How was it?"

"Yup, all the monsters have been completely cleaned up. Now what they need most is manpower."

"I see—then we're pulling out. If we continue interfering any further, it'll start looking like we're meddling in another country's internal affairs. Right, Aegil?"

"Ah, yeah. Oh man, you're right. I'll head back to the castle with you guys. I need to deliver my report and get them to dispatch relief units immediately."

Exactly. We'd helped because circumstances demanded it.

But if we kept going, the anti-ceasefire faction would have the perfect excuse to accuse us of interfering in Enaria's domestic affairs.

Of course, I'd already taken advantage of the chaos to quietly make a few preparations of my own.

"Ah, my apologies, Priest-san. As you can see, we're actually a delegation from the Zirba Empire. It sounded like you had quite a few things you wanted to discuss, but if we stay here any longer, it might be misconstrued in a strange light. With your permission, I'll formally request clearance and pay you a proper visit on a later date."

"A-Ah, yes. Let us speak at length on that occasion, then. Please bring your lovely wives along as well."

"Understood."

"W-Wait, Yuki, this individual is the Grand Vicar! Ah, I sincerely apologize!"

Aegil stammers in a panic, bowing her head deeply toward the old priest.

I mean, I did think his robes looked suspiciously ornate and fancy, but he's the Grand Vicar? So basically the equivalent of the Pope back on Earth?

"Please, raise your head, Aegil-dono. We ourselves were rescued by Yuki-dono's wives—Eris-sama, Rurua-sama, and Milly-sama. Given the sheer chaotic nature of this emergency, neither side had the luxury of properly exchanging introductions, so we are even on that front. And just as Yuki-dono outlined, I would dearly love to express my formal gratitude, so would you be so kind as to secure official permission from His Majesty for them to visit us?"

"Understood. I will personally arrange things so they can pay a proper, formal visit. Aside from that, as soon as I return to the castle, I intend to immediately mobilize personnel and transport supplies. We will consolidate everything here first, so could I ask you to prepare a distribution plan in the meantime?"

"Yes, leave it entirely to us. Even in the face of an unprecedented crisis like this, I express my deepest gratitude to His Majesty for moving so swiftly."

Aegil and the old Grand Vicar exchange a few more professional pleasantries before turning to join us on the walk back to the castle.

Well, the castle itself is in chaos too, so I'm not sure if they can actually send troops... Though Mino-chan's monster unit, Derieu, and Peace have already mostly cleaned things up.

On our way back to the castle, I pass by Kirika. Since she's technically operating covertly, her existence remains a secret to the castle officials.

"Aruji-sama, I have secured the item in question."

"Thanks. Keep the location secured."

"Understood."

Now then, the preparations are fully complete.

All that's left is for me to deliver the final touch.

* * *

"Now, surrender quietly and be executed!!"

"Minister, what are you..."

"Your Majesty, please come to your senses! These scum never desired a ceasefire to begin with!! They joined forces with those filthy monsters in an attempt to assassinate Your Majesty and the royal family!"

As expected, when I returned to the throne room, the anti-ceasefire faction was trying to take advantage of the chaos to capture or kill Princess Miffy and Mino-chan's group.

Princess Miffy was desperately trying to explain herself while surrounded.

"Your Majesty, we have no such intentions!!"

Well, that's about all she can say.

"Then why was Princess Miffy not attacked by monsters!! Why did you bring armed escorts into the throne room where His Majesty resides!!"

Normally, the King's side would be the safest place during this chaos. It's natural to try to join up.

Besides, Princess Miffy didn't even know the castle's layout. Where else was she supposed to go?

"What nonsense are you spouting? We simply exterminated every monster we encountered. What do you think our guards are here for?"

"That itself suspicious!! Our elite soldiers were injured, yet you have not a single wound!! This is proof that you were working with the monsters that attacked the castle!! The same goes for the demon unit!!"

"Minister, watch your tongue!!! How dare you speak that way to the General Minotaur who fought desperately alongside us to get here!!"

Ah, Hein-san, who was standing alongside Mino-chan, completely lost his temper.

I was actually planning on using him to pull off my next move, so I really can't have him losing his composure right now.

"Um, excuse me... what exactly is going on here? This doesn't really feel like a 'Hooray, we defeated the monsters!' kind of atmosphere, does it?"

"H-Hey, Yuki..."

Aegil's eyes widened at my casual remark in this tense atmosphere. Still too inexperienced, huh.

"Ha! How utterly shameless!! We are stating that you are the orchestrators who brought about this horrific tragedy!! Hey! What are you standing around for?! Apprehend those traitors immediately!!"

The Minister barks orders at the surrounding royal guards, but the King himself seems visibly torn, staring intently at the unfolding dynamic without giving the order to move.

Alright then, time to begin the final act.

"Eh? What on earth are you talking about? We came all the way here specifically to finalize a ceasefire, so why would we ever do something so stupid? Well, setting that aside for a second... I was worried about my wives who went down to the capital earlier, so I went out to check on them, and I happened to pick up a rather strange document on the street. Can you read this for me, Hein-dono?"

Saying that, I casually wave a piece of paper in the air before handing it directly over to Hein-san.

"T-That's...!? Hand it back this instant!!"

"What are you panicking about, Minister? Hmm, this is... I see. Yuki-dono, you have my deepest gratitude."

"No, no, don't mention it. I just happened to pick up some dropped property, but since I couldn't verify who it belonged to, I figured the best course of action was to hand it over to a trustworthy individual, right?"

When I flash a mischievous smirk at Hein-san, the old man instantly flashes a razor-sharp smirk right back at me.

"Indeed, that is entirely correct. Hmm... I'm afraid I can't make sense of this myself. Perhaps His Majesty can. See here, I have unequipped my weapon. Would Your Majesty be willing to examine it and tell us whose it is?"

Heh heh heh. This old man gets it.

Also, Minister, you're making yourself way too obvious.

Meanwhile, my wives, standing in the background, begin staring at Hein-san and me with icy, emotionless gazes. Well, we've been together for a long time, so of course they can see right through my antics.

Yes, this entire situation was set up by me. Well... Not exactly. The minister had practically blown himself up on his own. I'm not the bad guy here.

Recognizing the Minister's utter panic and Hein-san's deliberate performance, the King plays along, accepting the document with exaggerated formality.

"Fumu. I see... This requires a very detailed explanation from the individual in question, does it not? Wouldn't you say so, Minister Noku? It bears the official seal of the Kingdom of Lodei, explicitly outlining a joint conspiracy to coordinate an assault on the Enaria Holy Capital... complete with your personal signature, no less."

"T-That is an absolute forgery!! That's it! Those foreign scum fabricated it to frame me!!"

"Oh? You claim that the foreign guards who just arrived all the way from Jilva conveniently fabricated a secret pact between you and the Kingdom of Lodei, and then pretended to pick it up off the ground?"

"E-Exactly!! Why else would such a top-secret document be tumbling down a public street?!"

"A valid point. It was Yuki, was it not? Where precisely did you retrieve this document?"

Now then, let's see how he reacts to my next line.

"I mean, it was literally just rolling down the main street. The capital town was raided by monsters, so buildings were getting smashed to pieces everywhere, right? I figured Minister Noku's private estate probably got wrecked in the chaos too. Speaking of which, to definitively prove Minister Noku's absolute innocence, why don't we send a squad to thoroughly search his mansion?"

"Hmm. A logical suggestion."

"T-That is...!!"

Hey. You're panicking way too obviously.

Kirika had already investigated him beforehand, so I knew this Minister was engaging in shady backroom deals with foreign powers, but did he seriously leave actionable evidence lying around his mansion like a complete amateur?

Man, did I even need to have Kirika plant evidence in his study earlier? I went through all that trouble having her plant magic items capable of summoning monsters on his property beforehand and everything.

Still, we desperately needed a sacrificial lamb to fast-track our friendly relations with the ruling elite of Enaria. Thanks to Sia and her crew launching their surprise assault, it actually saved us a ton of hassle.

After all, we didn't have to orchestrate a fake monster attack on the citizens ourselves—though, to be fair, my original plan was strictly limited to causing chaos inside the castle. Because they went out of their way to let monsters run amok throughout the capital town, pulling strings from the shadows became infinitely easier.

"What's the matter, Minister? If you truly haven't committed high treason against Enaria, a thorough search of your estate shouldn't pose the slightest issue, correct?"

The King's cold, decisive query acts as the ultimate death blow.

"DAMN IT ALL!! Those useless fools from Lodei completely screwed up! Prepare yourselves, all of you!! As of today, I am the absolute ruler of Enaria!!"

Shouting at the top of his lungs, he thrusts high a monster-summoning artifact—basically a dark, polished crystal—that I had conveniently planted for him to find.

Instantly, the exact same strain of monster that had been rampaging earlier—a Greater Demon—materializes right in the center of the throne room.

Honestly, when I saw that the magic item spawned the exact same type of monster, even I was surprised at first. But considering they were tapping into dungeon logic, it makes total sense.

Once a Greater Demon accumulates a specific threshold of magical energy, it gains the ability to split—basically calling in reinforcements. It's an exceptionally low-cost way to build a massive force. Turns out farming Greater Demons in Wizardry was a historically accurate strategy after all.

—Still... Even if dozens of Level 90 monsters appeared...

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Such sounds echoed, followed by a light thump as something fell.

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!! MY ARM!! MY ARMMMMMMMM!!"

—To my wives and me, a Level 90 monster doesn't mean a damn thing.

Casually pinning Minister Noku to the floor, I address the stunned King and his court, who are standing there frozen in utter disbelief.

"So... what do you want us to do with this Minister guy?"

"Hah!? A-Ah! You saved us! Apprehend the Minister immediately!! And dispatch a battalion to search his estate top to bottom!!"

"""YES SIR!!"""

And just like that, we successfully demonstrated our true combat capabilities to the ruling elite through entirely legitimate means, ensuring that anyone thinking of causing trouble for us in the future will think twice.

All that's left now is to go retrieve the two legendary figures currently dancing the Fun Fun routine out in the woods, analyze our findings... Man, I still have a ton of work on my plate.

Ah, but before I go, let me make one thing crystal clear:

'There is always only one truth!'

And I did absolutely nothing wrong.