NOVEL NEXT Chapter 360
#360
No Need for a Concubine
“What, what is this…?”
I stammered, completely flustered.
A list of potential partners, huh?
My mind was still struggling to catch up with reality.
“Please take a look, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung,” Han Seo-Jin’s voice echoed in my ears.
I grasped the paper with trembling hands.
I was scared to turn the page.
[Partner. You won’t turn away?]
Raul Napoleon Bonaparte spoke in my head.
I had said I wouldn’t turn away, but I wasn’t expecting such a sudden turn of events.
I thought I had seen it all in the light novel world, but this is no walk in the park in this isekai Korea.
As I thought that, I slowly turned the page.
There it was, a list of potential partners as Han Seo-Jin had described.
At the top of the list was the name.
“Olivia…?”
Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte.
Following her were Shinozaki Rin, Nishizawa Eri, Hoshino Kasumi, Kamiya Makoto, Kurosawa Haru, Mayuzumi Mayu, Saionji Aris, Yoshizaki Seira, Evangelin Stewart, Beatrice, and Wilhelmina Heisenberg.
Next to the names of the heroines were handwritten signatures.
Below that was a separate list of concubine candidates, featuring the names and signatures of Han Seo-Jin, Yoo Se-Ra, and Bella.
Concubines?
What the hell is with this ridiculous distinction?
My head was spinning.
And at the very bottom, there was my name.
Kim Deok-Sung.
The signature line next to it was still blank.
“Everyone, myself included, has already agreed to this matter. Of course, it can be adjusted further as necessary.”
Han Seo-Jin spoke in a calm voice.
“So, this… was all your plan?”
I said, tapping the document with my finger.
It was Han Seo-Jin who handed this paper to me.
And it was also Han Seo-Jin who delivered this mind-boggling news.
Therefore, it was logical to conclude that she was the mastermind behind this plan.
As I thought that, I noticed Han Seo-Jin’s eyes tremble.
Her face flushed a rosy pink.
In her suit, Han Seo-Jin placed her hand over her heart and bowed politely as she said,
“Indeed. Everything is for your happiness… I am pleased to finally show you the successful outcome of the harem plan that I have been preparing for a long time, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung.”
“Ugh… I’m finally able to show Mr. Kim Deok-Sung the successful outcome of the Harem Plan that I’ve been preparing for so long.”
A hint of madness dripped from her voice.
So this damned Harem Plan has been in the works for quite some time.
Unbelievable.
I’m left speechless in disbelief.
To be honest, I had braced myself for potential opposition.
But she’s already gotten unanimous consent.
Even legal preparations have been made.
I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Swipe.
Han Seo-Jin handed me an expensive fountain pen.
So, you want me to sign, huh?
[Partner. You should sign, right?]
The Black Prince chimed in my head.
Since I’ve already agreed to take full responsibility, there’s no backing out now.
Despite my muddled thoughts, I picked up the fountain pen.
“I don’t need concubines.”
I swiftly crossed out the word ‘concubine’ with the fountain pen.
At this point, I didn’t feel the need to treat concubines and spouses differently.
“They’re all spouses. It’s not like we’re in the Joseon Dynasty anymore; what’s with the concubine nonsense?”
“…!”
Han Seo-Jin’s eyes wavered at my words.
Her face turned bright red.
I handed her the papers after signing, regardless of her reaction.
A smile appeared on Han Seo-Jin’s flushed face as she received the documents.
“…Thank you for the generous treatment, Mr. Kim Deok-Sung. I’ll take my leave now to report to the upper management.”
Han Seo-Jin left with the documents held close.
*Thud.*
The conference room door closed.
Silence settled in the meeting room.
The atmosphere felt awkward.
I sat down without saying a word.
On the table was a cola, seemingly set up by Han Seo-Jin in advance.
Fizz.
Just as I opened the cola and took a sip…
“You.”
A familiar voice came from beside me.
It was Olivia.
She was looking at me, her face flushed crimson.
“…Thank you for saying you’d take responsibility for everyone. As the noble French princess and the first daughter of the Bonaparte royal lineage, it’s fitting for me, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, to have a man who possesses such ambition!”
Olivia said, placing her hand on her chest.
“But you know this isn’t the end, right?”
“Not the end?”
“The number of heroes directly relates to national security and power. The legal issues are resolved, and the will of the parties involved is firm, but international diplomatic issues are still unresolved. My motherland, France, and England and Japan won’t just hand their heroes over to you, a hero from the small nation of Korea. So, if you really want to take responsibility for everyone…”
Olivia trailed off.
Her face was bright red.
“…You must achieve accomplishments that shine brightly enough to overwhelm the logic of power that governs international politics. Something comparable to the Five Crowns, which my brother Raul belonged to, an achievement recognized without disagreement by all of humanity.”
Olivia said with a serious expression.
The logic of power, huh.
It reminded me of the first time I met her.
The image of Olivia insisting on having a duel to reclaim Durandal that I had secured through my knowledge of the original work flashed before me.
“I’ll reclaim the Durandal I seized through this duel,” Olivia insisted, and her demeanor reminded me of the girl before me.
The logic of power was what I had sarcastically mentioned back then.
I never expected it to come back around like this.
Olivia wasn’t wrong.
There was no guarantee that even if I established legal grounds in Korea and the parties agreed, the heroines would be handed over willingly from their homeland.
This damned world was one where hero capabilities were directly tied to national security.
No country would freely hand over strategic weapons to another.
Thus, for me to keep up such a charade, I needed the appropriate stature.
A status overwhelmingly high enough that no one could object to my web novel-style tyranny.
“So, to truly be accountable for everyone, including myself, you must save this world from the League Master. It must be you, no one else.”
Olivia looked up at me, her flushed face framed by sapphire-like shimmering blue eyes.
She no longer stuttered.
She spoke candidly to me.
Olivia was right.
To secure an overwhelmingly high status, I needed to thwart the Messiah’s plot in a month.
So, I had to become the savior of the world.
In the original story titled “The Weakest Hero,” I had to take on the role of the world’s savior myself.
“And I, Olivia Napoleon Bonaparte, want to be your devoted maid and bride! So… please, save this world for me and for all the girls who love you.”
Olivia blushed as she spoke.
All the heroines turned their attention toward us.
Their gazes were fixed on my mouth.
“Sure.”
I nodded.
Olivia flinched at my answer.
“Even without you saying it, I was already planning to do that.”
I added while looking at her and the heroines.
I would never shy away from the consequences of my actions.
“Since when?”
Olivia asked me.
Since when, indeed?
Since the commotion with Olivia’s engagement?
No, it was before that.
It was the day the original story went off track because of me.
The day I decided I had to intervene in the original.
I had unconsciously resolved that I would bear the responsibility and duty for all the results caused by me.
The memory of that day vividly resurfaced in my mind.
“…Since you officially became my devoted maid.”
“Ughhhh…”
Olivia’s face turned bright red at my words.
She shouted while looking at me.
“W-why are you bringing that up now! You fool! Moron! Sea cucumber! Sea squirt! You’re the biggest idiot in the universe who knows nothing about mood!”
The heroines erupted into laughter at Olivia’s words.
“The junior only favors the princess knight. Junior, you’re such a bad boy.”
“Hey.”
The first to speak was Hoshino Kasumi.
She puffed her cheeks and looked this way.
“Master. It doesn’t matter if Eri is second. If it’s the princess, I could totally give way. Hehehe. As long as Eri has proof of love with you, I’m good with anything.”
Next up was Eri.
Her eyes sparkled as she fiddled with the dog collar around her neck.
In the end, I still haven’t succeeded in getting rid of that damned dog collar.
“Hmm. Deok-Sung. But still, I am the only future perfect wife. Now that I’ve officially grabbed the chance to become Kim Rin, I’ll work hard in Shinozaki-style vision bride lessons to become the ultimate Yamato Nadeshiko.”
Then Rin spoke, placing her hands confidently on her ample chest.
She said it with a bold expression and voice without a trace of embarrassment.
So why are we even changing surnames?
I’m feeling dizzy.
“…If it’s someone else, it might be different, but for Mr. Kim Deok-Sung… I don’t mind. Ki-Kim Deok-Seoi is my… my benefactor, so… it’s okay…”
Aris mumbled cutely, her face flushed as she spoke in her dialect.
Her silver eyes were darting around.
“Master. I’m really happy to be your woman! From now on, I’ll work even harder!”
Now with her short hair, Makoto waved at me.
Her impressive green bob was eye-catching.
“…Ahem. Then, little one. I’ll be counting on you too. And you, Wilhelmina.”
“…I’ll… I’ll rely on you too… and I’m not older than Seira… Hmph.”
Seira said shyly, while Wilhelmina puffed her cheeks and turned away.
Considering that their combined ages exceed three digits, it’s absurd.
“Wowwww… Mr. Kim Deok-Sung! I’m really honored to be your bride! Beatrice will like it too, right?”
“Hehe… If the human who gifted me freedom is okay with it, I suppose I could take them as a partner… A companion of the Scarlet Saint. I’ll take it as an honor…”
Now, it was Evangelin and Beatrice speaking.
I could see Evangelin laughing while saying “wow” and Beatrice turning her head.
Have they not given up on that middle schooler concept yet?
“Hehehe. Deok-Sung oppa, congratulations! You can have an adorable gal JK sister bride like Haru! Deok-Sung oppa is totally super lucky☆ Isn’t it exciting? Hehehe. From now on, I’ll definitely be your favorite character! I won’t lose to the older sisters!”
Haru giggled while covering her mouth.
The metallic bracelet on her wrist clinked together.
“Anyway! I’m counting on you to take responsibility! You! Got that?”
Finally, Olivia shouted at me, her face bright red and huffy.
I nodded in response to her words.
There’s just one month left until the showdown.
I must master the Heavenly Sword technique perfectly within that time.