NOVEL WEB Chapter 258
The wedding date has been set.
After discussing the marriage, we agreed that the official wives would be married first, and then the secondary wives would follow after ten days.
The morning of the first wedding day has dawned.
How could the wedding schedule be set so quickly?
Is it really possible to prepare in just ten days?
I don’t really know either…
“I’ve waited so long… To reconnect took half a year. And after Yoo Jin disappeared and returned, it took about three years. It took a whopping four years. At this rate, by the time I have my wedding, I might be a grandmother.”
“Th, that… T, that wasn’t meant for me to hear, right, Priestess…?”
“Oh my. Of course not.”
Perhaps the patience of the wives has reached its limit.
It has indeed taken a disgustingly long time.
Sure, it was all a necessary process, but four years is far too long for a relationship between a man and a woman.
Jill and Yerina have become adults in that time.
Yulia… well…
Just because a single-digit number has changed, I don’t think she’s changed much.
In Cornelia’s case, she is now one year older than me.
The ten days I spent in the demon world equated to three years here, so it can’t be helped.
When Cornelia learned that she was now older than me, she seemed shocked and couldn’t recover for a while.
“…It’s okay. We’re the same age now.”
“Uuaaaaah! I don’t want to be the same age as an old Blood Ghoul!”
“Th, that too… That wasn’t meant for me to hear, right…?”
Tay is barely on the verge of becoming an adult now.
Alicia is the same.
And Mia is of an age we don’t have to worry about, so we decided to hold a simple wedding with the secondary wives next year.
“Something feels very suspicious. After we separated, all the women you’ve started seeing are two or three years younger than us.”
“Mia is hundreds of years younger than me…”
“Did you prefer younger ones? Is that it? Yoo Jin, tell me. Huh?”
“…”
With Yerina persistently probing with her fluffy ears, I couldn’t muster a reply.
Could I have known that you all were so young back then?
It wasn’t that I liked younger ones; it was merely coincidental that all the ones I liked turned out to be younger.
…Except for Yulia.
With the ceremony just ten days away, the schedule was tight.
On the third day, the wedding dresses for the wives were completed one after another.
First up was our Priestess, Jill’s.
“The wedding dress is here, Yoo Jin! Look at this!”
“Wow… Wait, how can it…”
“Why are you so surprised? Is it because it looks just like the dress worn in your hometown?”
“That’s part of it. But mostly, it’s because it’s so beautiful. Dressing the Priestess in a wedding dress feels like sacrilege.”
“…You’re wicked.”
How can she be so beautiful?
Had it been the old Jill, she might not have matched the dress at all.
I’m not even talking about her appearance.
Over the past three years, Jill hasn’t really changed much apart from her chest.
Rather, I’m talking about the more mature and adult-like aura she’s developed.
The old Jill clung to me due to simple affection deprivation.
The current Jill longs for me as a person.
A person, me.
The realizations I’ve gained through twelve regressions.
Jill, on the other hand, has achieved that in just one go.
“I find myself missing your childish days.”
“Why would you…?”
“Because you were kind of cute in your own way.”
“What about those childish times was cute? Oh right, you liked younger ones during that time.”
“Who says that…”
“Your usual behavior does.”
“…”
I’m going insane.
What’s my reputation among my wives?
I feel wronged to the point of losing it.
“I can’t let you get away with this.”
“Wait! Yoo Jin! The wedding dress will get ruined at this rate! Aaaah…!”
So I decided to scold her a little.
“Don’t stare at me so intently…”
“How can I not? It suits you perfectly.”
Seeing Yulia fumbling in front of me, clearly uneasy in the wedding dress, isn’t just flattery.
It’s not a lie.
She usually showed up in formal or research outfits with dark circles under her eyes, so I didn’t expect her to look good in this.
But in the pure white wedding dress, she actually looked stunning, and I was taken aback.
Plus, she wasn’t even wearing makeup yet.
Or maybe it’s precisely because she wasn’t wearing makeup that the slightly sullen look on her face contrasted perfectly with the dress…?
Is it just me who thinks that?
“You look so pretty. It feels like I’m marrying someone who’s only ever known studying and never lived a moment outside.”
“That’s just because you’re a pervert!”
“…”
I can’t be the only one feeling this way.
I want to believe that.
“Isn’t this a bit shameless…?”
“Shameless? Are you saying it just because you think you’re older?”
“…”
Nodding nervously.
Yulia hesitantly nodded, looking unsure.
Her expression was so cute that I couldn’t help but be filled with desire.
“Y, Yoo Jin… If you come under my skirt, I… umm…”
Yulia shut her own mouth and suppressed a moan.
This time, I decided to reward her for being so considerate.
“What is this, Yoo Jin?”
“How is it? Are you happy? I designed this myself.”
“Definitely gives off the vibe of its creator having a bizarre fantasy about animal-people.”
Yerina held her temples, letting out a long sigh, as if it was ridiculous.
What part of this design is so bizarre?
The holes allowing the tail to pop out from the back, or the ones for the ears to stick out from the veil, both show great sense, don’t they?
“Why not just make it like the dresses of other humans? You could just hide the tail and ears beneath the clothing.”
“Hide my adorable ears and tail? No way.”
“You really have no consideration for animal-people, do you…”
Yerina was trembling with clinched fists.
But her tail was wagging wildly, as if she was excited in a different sense.
“The ears and tail of an animal-people naturally reflect their emotions. That’s why I want to show them this way… just to you…”
“…”
“Yoo Jin? W, wait! Why are you suddenly touching my ears? Ahh…!”
Yerina made me mad out of nowhere, and I couldn’t hold back.
With her ears perking up and her tail swaying gently, she wants to show that only to me?
How can she say something that makes a man angry like that?
Of course, I decided not to grant her wish.
How could I keep this cuteness to myself?
I can’t help but show off this fluffy tail’s superiority to others.
The wedding day arrived faster than expected.
Just a week, so it felt like a bolt from the blue.
Fortunately, a lot of people came to bless our marriage.
Honestly, I was quite worried.
There are many countries in this world that prohibit polygamy.
Was mine seen as an exception?
Or perhaps the fact that all my wedding partners are influential figures in their respective regions meant no one dared to voice complaints.
No one showed any discontent with our wedding.
“You fool. Even if you swing your sword for a lifetime, you waste time getting married instead? Pathetic.”
“I can’t live as long as you, Transylvania…”
There were numerous familiar faces.
From my friend Transylvania to Gui Ho, Cern, Seo Gong and Nameless.
Sola and her sister, as well as some members of the Sacred Knights were present.
The top warriors from Elvenguard, led by Rex, came to give their blessings.
And representatives from various other nations and factions attended.
As I looked around and greeted them one by one before starting the ceremony, I thought…
‘Is this the frontline of diplomacy…?’
Somehow, it felt like a gathering of high-profile people for a summit, and intimate conversations were occurring all around.
Is this a wedding or a diplomatic event?
I was starting to get confused, so I hurriedly initiated the ceremony.
“Damn it. This must be a sight to see. Women who dominate the continent marrying one man; what a wedding.”
The ceremony was officiated by the head of the White Magic Tower, Temurlen.
He didn’t want to have any part in it but was forced to.
The Pope was relatively young and wouldn’t fit the role.
Despite his reluctance, Temurlen conducted the ceremony pleasantly and successfully.
Cornelia, Jill, Yulia, and Yerina, in their wedding dresses, looked more radiant than ever.
Could I ever forget this day?
A day I’ve dreamed of.
After so many ups and downs, to meet again and promise eternity at this moment.
“The sun is already setting.”
Like most happy moments.
Time flew so quickly that the wedding was soon reaching its end.
The guests were leaving, and the venue was being cleared.
“It’s a bit disappointing…”
“Really? I’m actually more excited. If today is happy, how much happier will tomorrow be?”
Memories are fleeting.
Suddenly, I realized that.
But no matter how much time passes and those traces fade away.
Knowing that connections will not disappear and remain within me, there’s no room for regret or anxiety.
“Hmm… You’re right.”
“Did you change already?”
“Since you made a mess of the bottom, how could I keep wearing it?”
“You’re truly wicked.”
“…”
Before I knew it, my wives had all changed into comfortable clothes and come to my side.
They all complained about their discomfort, grumbling.
It’s unavoidable; it’s a man’s dream.
If not for a once-in-a-lifetime moment, wouldn’t it be impossible for that dream to ever be realized again?
So I acted.
Because I don’t want to have regrets.
Of course, the price of my wives’ disdain was something I would have to endure.
“B, but Yoo Jin… What about the names of our children… how should we…?”
“Oh right. Yoo Jin has no surname. How about making one now?”
“Hmm. How about changing to Frost?”
“Don’t casually integrate into my family.”
“No, it’s because Yoo is the surname, and Jin is the name.”
“That wasn’t a joke…?”
“Yup, that’s really my full name…?”
My wives looked shocked.
Is that really such a surprising thing?
The willow tree’s yuzu and the true_name fruit!
Even explaining that it’s that kind of name, they seem reluctant to believe it.
“Come on. I’ve never heard of a culture that names like that.”
“Yoo Jin is a single name, after all…”
“Oh, I can’t stand it. It’s the name my parents gave me.”
These girls refuse to believe me despite the evidence.
How can I prove it?
Would taking them to my original world help convince them?
The problem is that there’s no way to return to that world, so I’m forever condemned to be seen as a liar.
I feel unjustly wronged.
At that moment, as I was getting frustrated.
Kakakaka!
The space began to crack with a dull sound.
Flames sputtered from the jagged edges, and a red, glowing iron arm burst out to fully open the split space.
“W, what…?”
“Don’t worry. I’m just a late guest.”
Even though my wives trembled in fear, this was a sight I had grown accustomed to.
Emerging from the crack was a clockwork doll with a huge mana stone embedded in its chest, cooling its glowing arm.
Could this be what it means to be born as a villain?
Even when splitting space, the theatrical effect is frightening.
[Yoo Jin. Congratulations. I hear you’ve performed the ceremony of the mating of male and female. I hope your reproduction goes successfully.]
“W, wait a minute…!”
The clockwork doll delivered its congratulatory message with an expressionless face as if nothing had happened.
With that word choice, my wives’ faces flushed in an instant.
It did sound a bit vulgar…
But since it was not entirely wrong, I decided not to correct it.
“Thanks.”
[Oh, and about what I mentioned earlier… Was I not thinking about my name?]
“Right. Why’s that?”
[If you don’t mind, I want to name myself. Would that be okay?]
It seemed Draken didn’t like the name after all.
I was also struggling to come up with a suitable name for him.
Names carry intent, and intent changes existence, so I needed to be cautious.
But if it comes from within, it’s surely better.
“Of course. What are you thinking of calling yourself?”
[The life force flowing from the World Tree that I saw inside you was truly impressive. At first, I thought it foolish to possess such power yet remain stationed merely serving humans. However, after our conversation that day, I understood. The World Tree is by no means foolish. While it possesses intelligence equal to or perhaps greater than ours, it selflessly strives for abundance without asking for anything in return. That sight touched me. Having once been a being nearly responsible for the world’s destruction, I realized that for atonement… a mindset of service is necessary. This name may be repetitive, but I couldn’t find a better name than this. I’ve decided to call myself Yggdrasil.]
“…!?”
The clockwork doll spoke proudly.
Yggdrasil…?
At that moment, I felt a chill running down my spine.
The name of the World Tree.
I sensed the surge of will as the name was bestowed upon him.
[Now I understand. Why I was born. Why I was given a second chance.]
“You…”
Psss.
The body of the clockwork doll began to slowly disintegrate.
Its flesh returned to ash.
And the mana stone sparkled brightly before flying toward the towering World Tree, forming a brilliant light.
In an instant, I grew wary, wondering if Draken was returning to a dimensional state.
The light did not merely become a soul but was sucked into the World Tree, merging as one.
At that moment, I felt the tier of the World Tree rising.
Now, the World Tree was not just a big tree.
The place its roots settled was not merely the land but the realm of the current world.
No longer just maintaining this planet, it was reborn into a tree that ensnares and binds the entire current world.
‘Is it declaring itself as a guardian deity?’
At that moment, a sensation I had long forgotten surged back.
The screen, which hadn’t been up for a long time.
The system window crackled and appeared before my eyes.
[······Hidden Ending ······ Discovered.]
[······Another ‘Conquest’]
[Hidden rewards will be given.]
[Reward: System shutdown]
[*Warning: Shutting down the system will shatter the boundary between game and reality. Are you sure you want to proceed?]
[Y/N]
Is this even a question?
My lips trembled.
And without a sound, the moment I mouthed “shut down”…
[Shutting down Yggdrasil Online.]
“·····!”
The system window vanished in an instant, and the energy of the system flowing within me completely vanished.
At that moment, the space rippled and began to open by itself.
Simultaneously, a powerful attraction was felt.
Was the attraction connected to me so strong that it couldn’t resist, causing the gap to widen?
The fissure opened.
From within, bright light began to spread.
“Th, that place is…?”
“Could it be…?”
“Wow.”
The moment I adjusted to the bright light and opened my eyes.
A sigh of relief escaped my lips.
At the same time, tears streamed down my cheeks.
“It looks like the destination for our honeymoon is decided.”
After all the twists and turns, I seem to have finally returned home.
– Giving up on Heroine Conquest 完