I Realized It Was an Academy Game After 10 Years

“…The smell is overwhelming.”

Grandpa, nestled in Grandma’s arms, looked at me with a warm gaze.

It’s definitely doll eyes, but for some reason, it feels oddly emotional.

“We plan to clean up once everyone wakes up. If it’s a bit uncomfortable for you…”

“It’s fine. Sharing love is nothing to be ashamed of. Just surprised by this long-lost smell…”

Considering how you said that, you look pretty disgusted. Maybe it’s too thick? After all, the room was drenched in the bodily fluids of six people, so that’s understandable.

Even if two people are involved, the scent of intimacy is strong, but six?

Isn’t the smell going to permeate the entire mansion?

“…If it’s at this level, the child must have stepped in.”

“All six of them are pregnant.”

“…Looks like you’re not afraid of parenting.”

“Will it somehow work out?”

To be honest, the idea of six being born nearly simultaneously is a bit scary, but surely it can be managed. I won’t run out of stamina, at least.

If it comes down to it, I can just give up sleep.

At this point, sleep doesn’t hold much significance for me.

“Grandson, parenting isn’t as easy as it sounds. Even raising just one requires the utmost diligence from the adults around. With multiple, it’s a whole different story. Never play favorites with the kids. Got it?”

“Yes. And I believe Grandma will help a bit.”

“Of course, they’re my great-grandchildren. I’d be happy to share how to raise them with my grandson and daughter-in-law without you even asking.”

That’s a relief.

If Grandma helps with parenting, it’ll be much easier.

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. By the way—hurry and clean up. I’m getting a headache… I’ll be in the garden, so call me when the meal is ready.”

Grandma turned around and walked down the corridor. I blankly stared at her retreating figure before heading back into the room.

Time to wake everyone and start cleaning.

———————

“Thank you for the meal~!”

“It was delicious…”

“Glad to hear it.”

I was relieved since I was worried it might be inedible. After having breakfast, it was time for some scouting.

Like the baby bear Millia had cradled in her arms yesterday, I needed to assess the living creatures remaining on this island.

I’m fine, but if the hydra or bears are trying to rebuild their forces… hmm.

I might have to consider cleaning them all up.

At the very least, I should educate them so they can’t cross over to our side.

“From now on, we’ll head out for a walk, so everyone get ready.”

“Okay!”

“A walk… I’m excited.”

“Me too!”

Hearing my words, everyone got up from their seats. Just to be sure, I made eye contact with Grandma sitting at the end, and she responded with a casual, “You all can go without me.”

She didn’t seem very inclined to move.

Or perhaps she wants to give us our time alone.

“Grandma! We’ll be back!”

“Alright, come back safely.”

With a cheerful voice, Millia greeted Grandma and then jumped into my arms, rubbing her face against me.

“Hehe. Let’s hurry!”

“Sure.”

I wonder what we’ll find on the island.

Bears are a given.

We exited the mansion, which had been completed overnight, and headed to the beach. There was no issue getting there; no bears or snakes present.

I couldn’t sense any presence either.

“It’s peaceful here.”

“It feels different from a well-kept beach. More of a wild vibe? So you’ve lived here for ten years, huh, Uncle…”

“It’s not really that great of a place. It’s enough to survive alone, but…”

Honestly, I never expected to return in this manner. I contemplated suitable locations to make a summer villa, and when Edmond said I could use this deserted island, I decided to build my villa here.

At least there’s no worry of intruders while I’m here.

Edmond said he’d send someone to manage it once I built a villa, so this situation isn’t too bad for me.

“Johann, I wonder what happened to the baby bear we saw yesterday?”

“I guess it returned to its mother.”

“A bear? There’s a bear? I want to see a bear!”

“If we go deeper into the island, you might see one!”

Unexpectedly, Wendy, who had been quiet, suddenly shouted and started bouncing around. Her excitement drew laughter from nearby. Was it because she was so cute?

I shifted my gaze from the adorably deadly Wendy to the horizon.

There was a time when I gazed across that horizon, waiting for someone to rescue me. It was pure torture of hope.

Later on, I lost all sense of time chasing away those damn bears and snakes to establish my territory. If I hadn’t met Karina back then, I might still be living alone on that deserted island.

…Just thinking about it is horrifying.

I’d rather end it myself.

“It seems we’ve had enough time on the beach, so let’s head into the forest.”

“The forest?”

“That’s where the bears, dried by Renny, used to live.”

“What?”

Everyone turned to look at Renny in surprise. She glanced at me, bewildered, as I shrugged and added.

“They ate some mushrooms.”

“Mushrooms?”

“Ordinary people either die or become incapacitated the moment they eat them, so if you see mushrooms, don’t touch them. I wouldn’t want to lose my wife just months after getting married.”

Of course, a small amount wouldn’t be a problem with Karina and me around, but whether it could completely cure anyone is uncertain. If it messes with the mind, it could lead to a permanent condition.

Everyone nodded at my words.

“Well, let’s go in then.”

We turned from the beach and entered the forest. The forest, which had lost its owner, was silent.

I couldn’t see a single bear; either they moved their territory or fled upon our arrival. The only things visible were the rabbits that were once at the bottom of the food chain on this island.

The rabbits bolted at the sight of us, dozens of them scurrying away. But there were still a few left.

Now that the dungeon is empty, I suppose they might have made it their habitat. With no zombies left, it should be a perfectly optimized environment for bears… But what happened to the poisonous snakes that filled the old habitats?

If they still remained, they might have a negative effect on the island as a whole, but surprisingly the forest seems intact.

Did time pass and self-corrected the area?

“It seems the forest has become safe. Oddly, the ecosystem looks to be functioning well…”

“Hmm? Why?”

“Rabbits are notorious for wreaking havoc on ecosystems. They need a top predator. But I doubt there are enough creatures here to take on that role now that the bears and snakes are nearly non-existent.”

“Exactly.”

“I once had a task to catch rabbits that destroyed a farm back when I was a rookie.”

“Human! Help me!”

Oh great, what now. I looked at Wendy. I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Wha…?”

“I’m not food!”

“Wendy!”

“Johann, she’s being nibbled on!”

“She won’t get hurt from that.”

How much pain could a baby bear cause? I watched as the bear teethed on Wendy while Millia approached the bear cub.

Millia sparkled her eyes and scooped up the bear cub and Wendy together.

“Wha…?”

“Look! Isn’t it cute?”

“Even such a ferocious beast is adorable when it’s young…”

“True.”

“Hehe, it looks like a puppy with a short tail.”

“Karina, please be careful. Despite being a bear, its teeth are quite sharp, you know.”

“Is the tail really that fascinating?”

The ladies began to gather around and touch the baby bear. The bear cub, bewildered by having its mouth held, looked around with its round eyes as the wives’ hands began to meet it.

Then, it began to cry, almost as if calling for its mother.

“Wha-”

“The cries are cute! Johann, this bear too-”

“No.”

No more pets. Bears can be dangerous if mishandled.

Even I can’t revive a dead person… can I?

Honestly, if I tried, it wouldn’t be impossible.

That is, as long as it’s a body that hasn’t cooled yet…

“Wha!”

“First, let’s detach Wendy and let the baby bear go. We’ll be heading towards the dungeon now.”

“Okay…”

Millia reluctantly released the baby bear. As the cub escaped her arms, it waddled away into the bushes. Glancing over, I saw that the wives were watching it with warm smiles.

I naturally shifted my gaze in the direction the cub disappeared.

I sensed a presence far off.

Is that its mother?

Looks like it was too scared to come out all this time.

“Ah, it was so cute. What a shame.”

“Be content with Wendy as a pet.”

“I’m not a pet!”

“Why? If you were a pet, you’d get delicious food every day!”

“Really?”

They say the heart of a pet is as fickle as a reed, and then immediately shifting to talk about food makes me chuckle.

“Flirting is fine, but let’s gradually head toward the dungeon.”

“Dungeon, huh?”

“Yeah. The dungeon.”

“There’s a dungeon here too?”

“Yeah.”

“What happened to the unowned dungeon?”

“Well… since we rummaged through it, it’s probably empty.”

I wondered how the dungeon had changed. I shifted my steps while recalling the horrid memories of the dungeon.

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