*Yawn*

"Mñom...mñom...sleepy..."

Ah...good morning everyone...did you sleep well? No? Too much backlogged anime or mango?

You lucky bastards...

In my case, as you can see, I'm just waking up, so I'm sorry if I sound a bit...sleepy still...

No fanservice though...I'm wearing a besto waifu shirt and black panties right now...

Hmm...well, that counts as fanservice I guess?

Also, I just noticed but there's some weight on my chest...

Haha no, I'm not talking about my breasts.

"Hmm?"

"zzz...father...soft...zzz..."

So cute...Ilya is using my chest as a pillow...

I can't possibly think of moving right now...

Nerinne is holding my arm too...I'm pretty much trapped unless I want to experience divine punishment...

But you know?

Waking up and being like this, it's not that bad.

One beautiful girlfriend to my side, one cute little daughter on top of me and me with besto waifu's appearance...well technically it's my appearance now, but you get the point.

Life is good.

Still, today is the day, right?

We're leaving for the capital of the Kyrie Kingdom, which is Erevain's home and where she will have to confront the sickness that is hurting her land.

So isekai.

It will take us 5 days to get there using the carriage.

Of course, I look forward to whatever is going to happen while we’re on the road.

Maybe a merchant being attacked by maids? I-I mean, bandits.

Yes, bandits.

Hahaha, I guess I'm still more sleepy than up...

Or perhaps we'll encounter a Princess in need of help?

Maybe an envoy from another country?

The isekai possibilities are as limitless as there are isekai web novels online!

Although, I don't think we'll have every single type of encounter on our journey.

And I totally didn't raise a flag just now.

"Oh, but you did, my dear~~~."

"...!"

G-Good morning, d-darling!

S-Since when did you wake up?

"My, you know, it is a bit difficult to stay asleep when you can hear the thoughts of someone who seems to be aware of what happens, but still shouts in her monologue. Fufufu~~~, guess who?"

D-da-darling...I-I think that it is too early in the morning to be making that kind of scary and me-menacing face...!

"Hmm?"

A-also...you wouldn't want to wake up our little girl, right?

"Hmmm?"

I-I love you…?

"Hmmmm?"

I-It was me...sorry?

"Divine Chop!"

OUUUUCH!!

"Don't move or you'll wake up Ilya dear~~~."

BUT YOU JUST SHOUTED!

Wa-wait..! No more!

OW! OW! OW! IT HURTS!

I'm even getting teary eyed...

"Now, now, there's still some hours until daybreak so try to sleep a bit more or at least think more silently."

B-but how could I do that? I'm supposed to narrate...

"Just click on skip then...zzz..."

And she's back asleep just like that...this goddess...

Guess I'll do that then?

Skip.

______________________________________________________

"Good morning, My Lord. I hope you had a good rest."

"As much as I could...and good morning to you too, Erevain."

I managed to sneak out of the room thanks to Ilya moving and I’m now outside.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Of course, I cleaned myself in my personal bathroom before.

You can already imagine what happened when I saw myself in the mirror using the clothes that Nerinne made for me yesterday.

Erevain seemed pleasantly surprised by my attire too, to the point where she turned a bit red when she first saw me, but it seems that she is not going to tell me her thoughts.

Perhaps it's just a crush or something deeper...did I start her route too?

What? Stop acting like a dense brainless harem mc?

Ha! You got me there!

Yeah, after that night I'm sure I started her route but even then, she must tell me.

I do like her though so there's that.

Nerinne seems to like her too, I mean…she encouraged the whole thing.

By the way, we are walking to the dining hall for some breakfast.

"Anything to report?"

I ask with my usual tone. Man, not even a week has passed, and I already do it unconsciously. Perhaps I unlocked a new skill?

"Sylvie showed the signs of someone apt with axes and a knife, but otherwise, she needs to learn the basics. Sophie, on the other hand, has proper training with a short sword and a dagger, but she is not at a satisfactory level. Still, Kris shall be training both in those aspects before moving on to magical training, which Mika and Josie shall oversee.”

“Umu.”

"Next, the processing of the recently obtained materials is going smoothly and Roxxy is already making schematics for the new weapons. She told me that it is likely that she shall start working on the first ones by tomorrow. Lastly, the carriage's maintenance was finished overnight, so it is ready to go."

Wow, she is fast, like really fast. I wonder if she wants to taste my food that badly or something else motivated her.

"Good. There shall be a reward for her efficient job performance."

More than pleasantly surprised, I’m impressed and my tone while saying that reflects that.

"She has been crafting weapons for us since the beginning, so I can attest to such performance, My Lord. And, if I may speak my thoughts freely, I would hazard that the chance to work with such great quality materials is reward enough for her."

Yeah, I can totally get behind that. I mean, there was an occasion when I had to travel to Japan because of work and on my vacation time. I'm sure a lot of people would be mad at that, but for me it felt like I had pulled five SSRs in the same ten pull.

My boss did apologize, though.

He did so by reimbursing me my lost vacation days and letting me stay a few more days in Japan.

So, I must follow his footsteps!

I hope you are doing fine, boss!

"That may be true, but a job well done deserves an appropriate reward. That is only fair. Any advice on what a good reward for her could be, Erevain?"

Erevain seems to ponder a bit and then nods.

"Then something from her birthplace would suffice. She...no, everyone, has been separated from those places for years now. That would surely serve My Lord's purpose."

I raise both of my eyebrows hearing about that.

That's...it’s easy to forget with how they act now, but they were exiled and lived in that forest thinking they would never be able to go home for such a long time…

Yeah, that works.

"...that is a perfect idea Erevain. That could very well be the best reward we can give them in this moment."

She widens her eyes a bit and then I can perceive a faint smile on her face.

"Am I right in assuming that the capital would have those 'somethings' from everyone’s birthplaces? If so, add them to a separate list of things to be procured but only us shall manage that."

"It is as you assume, My Lord. And, of course, I will arrange it so."

Hmm…this is a perfect moment for a push on her route.

"It shall be our secret then."

I combo that with a cool smile aaand...we have a blushed face!

"Y-Yes, My lord..."

Such a cute and bashful expression...it needs a good finish.

"Erevain, with you at my side we will be able to accomplish many things. You are as dependable as you are gorgeous. Thank you."

"...!"

There she goes, red as a tomato! Doki, doki, heartbeat for you!

"N-Not as breathtaking as you...My lord...in so many ways..."

"...!!"

That's...! Doki, doki for me too...?!

And with less words?!

Am I that weak at this?!

Ah...I'm red now huh...

Well played, Erevain. Well played...

As if! I-It's a tie this time!

And so, we entered the dining hall as two tomatoes.

______________________________________________

Some hours after that, Nerinne, Ilya and the maids were waiting for us in the newly created garden.

I spent a good part of yesterday making said garden after the bath and let me tell you, creating a garden is freaking hard...

Nerinne had to help me and it turned into a nice couple activity.

Oh well, it also ended up being a good first step towards the forest floor I want to make so that is nice too.

Anyways, it is time.

The carriage we are going to use is a modified version of one that moves without the need of horses via magic and it’s ready for travel.

The planning and preparations are all done.

All that we need now to start this new journey is the totally expected speech.

Get on with it? Ok, ok, you don't have to be that impatient, you know?

Let's channel a bit of besto waifu here along with some of me.

"Just a few days ago, none of you would have thought that you’d be able to return to the Kingdom you swore to protect. A vow that all of you still maintain even after said Kingdom turned its back on you and now it is time to make good on that vow. We shall punish those who have betrayed your Kingdom and hurt your people. We will bring ruin to the plans of the Dragon Lord that is behind everything and we will show them that their foolish supremacy is no more, that they can be defeated, that they will be defeated."

Oof...how about that?

""""""YES, MY MASTER!"""""""

Every Maid-Knight stand firm and proud while putting their right hand where their heart is as they exclaim that in unison.

With a nod I give the word to Erevain and she steps forward from the formation before turning around to face her subordinates, her friends.

"Everyone already has their tasks and responsibilities. I trust that each of you will perform them to the utmost of your abilities as it is expected, be it at the capital or here in the castle. We have taken the name of the Knights of the Ever-Burning Will. Let us show to those heroes that we are worthy of it! For our people! For our Master! For the Goddess!"

""""""YES, LEADER!"""""

They again answer with the same force, even Sylvie and Sophie are doing it with a genuine feeling.

I look at my side and I smile at the Goddess who became my lover, my heroine.

It's your turn, Nerinne.

She smiles back at me.

"I shall be quick. For those who are leaving, punish those who can no longer be redeemed and do help those who can, but most important of all, win and return safely. For those who are staying, prepare for the battle that is to come, train hard but also take care of your bodies and minds. And never forget that you are not alone, I am here with all of you. But make no mistake my people of Arte, this is your story and you are the only ones who can end what threatens its future."

""""""YES, MISS NERINNE.""""""

Wow! What did I miss?

No 'Goddess'?

They are smiling.

Ah...I see, this is their way of saying thanks to her for the chance of helping their land as knights once more.

Roxxy's smile is bigger than the rest though, so she is the one behind this, huh. Instinct tells me she is.

Oh.

You are getting teary eyed Nerinne.

"Yes, I want to go and hug them but..."

But what?

Just do it.

"I AM SO HAPPY! UWAAAA...!"

"""""Eh—?"""""

Aaand she did.

My darling is a real softy, heh.

Oh! A cute little someone is pulling at my skirt.

"Father...take...care. Ilya...will...protect...home...and stone. So...don't worry..."

CU-CUTEEEEE!! I'M SO PROUD OF HER!

"That's my daughter! I will be back with a lot of gifts for you and of course, I will take care. Nothing will separate me from my cute Ilya! Never! I love you, Ilya."

"Nn...Ilya...loves father too..."

______________________________________________________________

One teleportation away to the main road.

We are now inside the carriage and on route to the capital.

Sophie volunteered to be the driver almost immediately, so she is now in the driver seat outside.

Ah, I forgot to mention another little tidbit about the carriage.

I enchanted it with my spatial magic and so, it’s bigger on the inside than on the outside.

That way we can all be more comfortable and not worry about space.

"My Lord."

"Yes, Erevain?"

"As I promised, I believe this is the perfect time to tell you my, no, our story. Of course, if you so wish, My Lord.”

"Hmph, be done with it then."

FREAKING FINALLY!

To be continued...(cue new opening by Aimer?! Wuuuut?!!)