Becoming the Wasteland Overlord With My Harem System!

Axel sat quietly in front of the campfire.

As before, he didn't stay idle. He kept his bare feet in contact with the ground and focused on barbecuing meat once more.

It felt more like a duty than just something to pass the time now.

While he was busy, inside one of the three modular homes, the three princesses were gathered together.

They had just finished a short shower together to refresh themselves and were now wearing the clothes Axel prepared—simple nightgowns, closer to robes, to fight the cold of the night.

Their original clothes and equipment had already been handed over to Axel for "cleaning." Of course, it was just a matter of placing them inside his inventory, so it didn't take long.

It was the girls' choice to stay in the nightgowns instead of changing back immediately like the rest.

"Sir Axel… what the hell is he?"

It was Penelope who raised the question.

"I did hear excerpts about him from the others, but I thought they were just embellished stories… but now, I think those stories were actually humbled down in comparison."

"T-True…" Gwyneth added, sipping the hot tea in her hands.

"He's scary and a bit harsh, but kind deep down… He has mysterious powers that are different from magic… He's kind of cool and mysterious…"

Nina, hearing the two, could only sigh.

"I don't know much either," she said. "But… I heard something about him being a successor of some Shistem or something. Apparently, his abilities are thanks to that."

Penelope raised a brow, repeating the foreign word.

"Shistem? What's that…? Some kind of epic magic? An ancient curse?"

Nina shook her head.

"I'm not sure," she sighed. "Although I'm curious, I don't dare pry. It's scary thinking I might incur his wrath for sticking my nose in his business."

She did have a guess, though.

From their time in the Hrimvalr's labyrinth, she learned of the existence of Spirits, the things that Axel talked to from time to time. Since they were spirits governing the system—ones she couldn't see—she imagined it to be similar to Queen Wisteria's Interdimensional Shop, but with more diverse functions.

But she wasn't sure if her guess was correct, so she didn't dare share it with the other two princesses… at least for now.

"Still…" Penelope continued, changing the topic slightly.

She picked up her mug of tea, now turning lukewarm, and took a gentle sip. "To think Ria's the first one among us to get married. I never expected that."

Her voice carried mild amusement and a bit of irritation—emotions Nina easily understood.

With a sigh, Nina nodded. "Yeah… To think she managed to nab such a wonderful gentleman despite playing around almost all the time…"

"So true…"

"I-I don't really understand it, but I heard getting married in your 30s is the mainstream now…"

"Gwyn… please, no."

"Getting that old without a partner is a disgrace for us royals… Though I guess if it comes down to it, I can just choose one from my harem?"

"Sister Penelope… are they even worthy?"

"Hey, at least mine's better than yours! Ahh, if only there were anyone worthy nearby…"

"Keep dreaming. We're in a battlefield…"

With the three sisters together, their gossip expanded quickly. Although Gwyneth couldn't follow most of it, she listened quietly, trying to read between the lines… which brought forth a tragedy.

"Sisters… want to copulate with Sir Axel?"

"PFFT!"

At her innocent question, the two spat their tea out violently.

After coughing and clearing their throats, they glared at their youngest.

"N-No way! I'm not someone who'd steal my own sister's man!"

"Y-Yeah, me too! No way I would… really…"

"…?"

Gwyneth was young, but among the four sisters, she was the best at reading between the lines. She could tell Penelope was lying and was actually interested in Axel—equal parts curiosity and lust.

But Nina, sweating bullets and avoiding eye contact…

"So you already did it," Gwyneth muttered. "With Sir Axel, Sister Teruria's man…"

She was good at reading the lines, yes, but she still hadn't learned that "silence is golden." Her lips were as light as a feather.

"W-What nonsense?!"

"Nina?!"

"N-No way! Rather, Gwyn, who taught you words like copulate? It's too early for you!"

"H-huh? I've already copulated once, though…"

"Wait, really?! No way—although I'm the first princess, I haven't heard any of this!"

"Gwyneth… w-who's the other party? Was he gentle with you?"

"He's a partner mother chose for me..."

Their chat continued, and Nina was thankful the topic diverted, but she also became even more curious. And just like that, for hours, the three sisters continued their chatter.

"Achoo!"

In front of the bonfire, Axel sneezed loudly.

He rubbed his nose, looking at the dark sky. "Did I catch a cold? Or is someone talking behind my back…?"

He had no way of confirming.

After all, neither Navi nor Mimir was currently present.

The reason? Well, he sent them off on a special mission... so they wouldn't be back anytime soon.

Checking the panel, the repair was still ongoing, with forty minutes remaining. During that time, he had already finished two sets of barbecued meat, roughly a dozen sticks, now sitting on a plate beside him—with more currently roasting over the flames.

"The girls sure are taking their time bathing…" he whispered, puzzled. "If they're like this, the meat I cooked will get cold."

Learning from last time, Axel decided to share before they even asked.

It wasn't that he had softened or changed his spendthrift attitude. Rather, it was a simpler reason.

'Getting close to Ria's sisters would be a plus for me later!'

Before, it was just Nina, so he didn't mind being hated—she owed him something anyway. But now that all the sisters were present, acting like a prick could backfire later.

Keeping a peaceful family relationship was the best option.

One after another, the witches came out.

When they smelled the barbecued meat, they immediately lined up to get their share, giving their thanks as they went. And now that they were eating, Axel finally breathed a small sigh of relief.

'But the three princesses are nowhere to be seen…'

He had no idea that even after several hours, the three sisters still wouldn't come out.

In the end, after finishing the fortress repairs, he entered the Humvee and slept—feeling a little disappointed that his plans didn't go the way he expected.

As he slowly fell asleep, he whispered softly, worry in his voice.

"Navi… Mimir… come back soon…"