[Iris and the Wives]

“Okay, there’s a lot to report, so let’s hurry up and go back to everyone, shall we?”

“Ah, I concur, but…” Arca looked down at me and said, “Dear husband, why don’t you get up first?”

“…Huh? –Gasp!?”

I noticed upon hearing Arca’s words.

Yes, I’d been feeling strangely comfortable since a while ago, but it appeared that it was because I’d been resting my head on Phinis-sama’s lap.

“I-I’m sorry!?”

Upon seeing me jumping to my feet, Phinis-sama tilted her head and asked, “Why did you apologize…?”

“W-well, I just did out of reflex…”

“I see… Let’s continue when we get back…”

“Y-yes…”

I mean, what were you doing, me…

I remembered was she was holding my head in her chest while patting it, but to think I would end up resting my head on her lap without me knowing…

The goddess’s hug, how frightening…

『……』

――Stare~.

“Hugh!?”

Receiving stares from the girls, I cleared my throat and said, “A-anyways, let’s join up with everyone first. The existence of Yomi and the demons is bad news, but we’ve also gotta warn the demi-humans of the fact that Elysium has decided to include them as the target to exterminate.”

With that, I turned to the oni woman who was standing nearby and advised, “I think the dangerous situation will continue for a while, so please keep away from the monsters as best as you can. Miss uh…”

“Leuke. Speaking of which, I haven’t introduced myself. Please pardon my discourtesy.” Leuke-san bowed her head.

I shook my head and said, “No, please don’t worry about it. And thank you for the information you’ve given us. I’m sure that everyone resting here is happy that you’re taking care of their graves.”

“Well, it’s my pleasure. May the fortune of war be with you. Take care.”

“Yes, you too, Leuke-san!”

After I gave a big nod, we hurried back to the dwarven village where everyone was waiting.

◇ ◇

“Exa-san!”

“Oh, Iris. You’re awake. That’s great.”

When we returned to the dwarven village, Iris greeted me with a tight hug.

By her side was Zana. She watched the energetic Iris with a smile on her face.

“I missed you so, so much…”

“Yeah, me too. I’m sorry for not visiting you after so long.”

“Please don’t be, your coming to save me is enough for me. Thank you very much.” Iris tightened her hug, a blissful smile on her face. I gently patted her small head.

Surrounded by a gentle and flowery scent, we took delight in our reunion after a long time, but—

“…Huh? W-why are you here!?”

All of a sudden, Iris noticed something, and her shoulders shook with a start.

Yes, that something was none other than Phinis-sama.

Although she hadn’t intended to kill them, it was an undeniable fact that Phinis-sama had kidnapped Iris and her sisters.

It was no wonder she was surprised.

“It’s okay,” I gently told the stiffened Iris, “Phinis-sama is now our reliable ally.”

“Ally…?” Iris looked at Phinis-sama again, confused.

Phinis-sama then apologetically bowed her head and said, “I apologize for what I’ve done… You don’t have to forgive me… but as he says, I have become his after he saved me…”

“I-is that true…?” Iris directed me an astonished look.

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s true.”

Upon hearing that, Iris’s cheeks reddened, and then sounding as if she was struck with awe, she said, “I knew it. Exa-sama is amazing…”

“Y-you think so?”

“Yes… A while ago, Onee-sama introduced me to the other goddesses, and she told me that all of them have become your concubines…”

“H-hey, hold on a second!? I-I don’t remember ever agreeing to become that man’s woman!?”

Naturally, Turbo-sama argued with a loud voice, but it seemed that her words didn’t reach Iris, “I’m so jealous… I also want to become Exa-san’s wife as soon as possible…”

“No, listen to what I’m saying, little girl!? Why are you getting spellbound for no apparent reason!?”

And so, the room became really rowdy.