165 Mushoku Tensei

Right now, i stand facing Eris, outside of Magic City Sharia by the city wall.
Although lacking an audience, Ghyslaine stands nearby.  On the way here Eris asked her to be the judge.  With a judge present, she probably doesn't plan to kill me.  Hopefully.

"..."

Eris stood in silence with her sword raised toward me.  No, her hand is shaking, a warrior's shivers?
I don't know what to do, are we really going to fight?
To be honest, I don't really mind losing.  Losing is great, I like Eris, although like I just said not as much as Roxy and Sylphy, but that has nothing to do with it.
Sylphy has Sylphy's strengths, Roxy has Roxy's, Eris has Eris'.  I like them all.
Fickle and indecisive, but I'm that sort of men.  Unfaithful, overly lustful, but that's why I covet such a feminine Eris.
If she wants me to love her, I shall love with my all.  This is no longer unfaithful or an affair, this is love.  It's only natural!  To desire such a charming woman is the law of nature!  Not like any Church of Milis people would show up suddenly.
But if I lose on purpose, won't she felt insulted?  She hate those kind of people, right?
Eris trained, in order to protect me, in order to gain strength against Orsted.  That's why I must demonstrate the strength fitted of Eris' husband.  I really ought to show an equal share of effort too.
... Even though I may not have worked as hard as Eris, but that's fine.  As long as I gave my all, without knowing which of us will come on top, win or lose, I'll ask her to marry me once more.
If I win, then tell her "You belong to me.  Quit complaining and come home!"  Alright, that's do that.
My armoured magic core lay broken and discarded in the forest. In close combat, Eris the Sword-King and Orsted fought to a stalemate.  Against someone like her, I don't have any confidence of winning at this distance... If I lose, it can't be helped.

"Rudeus."

Ghyslaine called for me after deciding on something.

"What's up?"

Although it's been a while since I saw Ghyslaine, she hasn't changed very much.  All in all, a woman with some years behind her.  We greet each other at our reunion, and chatted as well, but never about the current situation.  We didn't have a lot to say to each other, but there was no animosity either.  Ghyslaine has always been that way, according to Elinalise.

"Eris-sama hasn't changed.  Treat her with an altitude."

Ghyslaine's mannerism hasn't changed much either.  The subtlies of her words make me a bit uncomfortable.  Wondering to myself, am I doing the right thing right now?
Looking at Eris, she's waiting for me to get ready in her usual posture.  Her arms crossed, feet apart and her chin raised.  The same posture, but so different from the Eris from memory.  She's taller, her chest got bigger, and exudes from her an aura of a carnivore.
Five years passed, I changed, Eris changed too.  Yet Ghyslaine said she hasn't.  Five year ago, how would the me from then face Eris?  Facing a stubborn Eris, what would I have done?

"Ready, begin!"
The signal from Ghyslaine came, but I did not raise my staff, nor did Eris move her hands.
After a while Eris slowly moves forward, unsheath the sword from her waist, it dangles powerlessly, heading towards me.  That sword with an almost transparent body, a gift of the Sword God, one of the legendary seven swords.
Eris arrives before me, her sharp eyes looking straight at me.

"..."
"..."

Eris arrives before my eyes, raise her sword still.

"What?  You're not going to fight?"
"Eris, I... If you losing means you leaving, then I admit defeat."

Eris pouts, her mouth :<.

"..."
"Also... I didn't have a chance to say it earlier, well.  I... also like you."

I thought her hairs would raise, I thought should would get angry.  It might be better if I fought for reals.  At this moment, Eris sword comes down.

"..."

I instinctively close my eyes, my body stiffens, but what hit my head is the hilt.  A light tap, that's it.
Reopen my eyes, Eris' face before mine.

"I... can't cook like Sylphy."
"It's fine."
"I'm not as smart as Roxy."
"It's fine."
"I'm not as cute as those two."
"Eris is a cool beauty."
"... With my body like this, it's far from Rudeus' tastes."
"No, not true at all, your body is enchanting."

Eris sheaths her sword.  Gently her hand wraps around my waist, her full blossom pressed tightly against mine.
With strength far greater than mine she hugged me tightly.  The little sweat fails to conceal her aroma, that smell is Eris.
My arms around hers.  Her muscles have toughen, but not bucky, just right, feels great.

"Pretend that I won, please?"
"Em."
"If Rudeus was serious, in rejecting me... I would have gave up, you know?"

Tremble in her voice.  Don't tell me, if I seriously fought, she plan was to intentionally lose.

"You don't have to give up."
"Then, can I be part of Rudeus family."
"Em, along with Roxy and Sylphy, if that's okay with Eris..."

Say it.  Say everything.  With that in mind i take a deep breath.  If too quiet, she might not hear me.

"Please marry me."

Eris opens her eyes wide when she heard me.

"F-Fine! I'll marry you!"

As if disgusted she turned her head, thus Eris and I got married.

---
That night during dinner, I announced Eris as my wife.  Unlike that time with Roxy, since I did the prep work, no one have any complaints.
Although I din't think Norm would object, I expect at least some harsh words from her, but none came.  She probably have gave up on me when it comes to multiple wives already.
Roxy and Sylphy both gave us their blessings.

"Eris, the three of us, let's do our best together."
"Let's set the rules in order."

Eris trembles nervously in front of those two.

"T-then, I'll be in your care..."

Those words are strange too, although it's strange to see Eris so nervous, but she probably understand that's their own way of showing acceptance.
If possible, I hope they can live together in harmony, but I don't have a right to say that, right?
To cement their relationship, the three of them went in the bath together, as a way of smoothing things over as well as explain how to use the bath.  Although I want to join in as well, but I'll hold back for today.
Left behind am I, Lilia, my two sisters, Zenith... and Ghyslaine.

"..."

After Eris left, Zenith start beating me on my head.  Even with Lilia asking "Madam, please forgive..." does nothign to stop her.  Zenith is a follower of Milis.  She can forgive two.  But with a third one, she couldn't find it in her to forgive her son again.

"Oww, it hurts mama.  Please stop, I won't do it again."

With that said, Zenith finally withdrew her fists and returned to her seat.  My two sisters watch me with suspicion beside her.

"You know, Brother, you said the same thing with Roxy-sama too.  Even if you say so, who knows how long before you bring another girl over.  More laundry for me to wash.  It's too much."

Aisha's words are harsh.  Seems like my value in their eyes have took a hit for welcoming in Eris.  But I'm serious!  Even with those words, I feel like she's just messing with me.

"Brother."

The other sister speaks.  This one isn't someone who would mess around.  I need to listen seriously.

"Oh, what is it Norm?"
"Well, as a follower of Milis, I cannot feel happy with brother's actions."
"Yes."
"But, I also understand the love Eris has for brother, so I wont' say anything this time.  Even if brother doesn't like Eris, but please love her properly anyways.  That's all."
"Okay, I'll give it my all."

Norm seems to really like Eris.  In the mornings Eris teaches her swordsmanship, but Norm also was proactive in approaching her.  I guess in the past few years Norm has become more sociable.  Is that effect of joining the student counsel?

"Rudeus-sama."

Lilia spoke up quitely.

"Oh, what is it, Lilia?"
"Now that you married Eris, the house is a bit full.  I plan to rent somewhere nearby and move there with Zenith--"
"No."

Lilia's proposal is not acceptable.

"Please let me take care of you two... Well, really it's Lilia that has been taking care of me."
"No, not at all.. But, if Rudeus-sama say so, then I'm comply."

Kick out my two moms just to welcome in a new wife, Paul up in heaven would definitely come back to haunt me.  Taking care of elderly parents is the natural job of a child.  It's true that with Eris, we no longer have a guest room, but forget it.  We'll figure something out.