CHAPTER 14, THE SEVENTH AND EIGHTH BRIDES AND ALLIANCES

I got up and saw that morning sun has already shined. I stretched my limbs and changed into my adventurer clothes. I went out of my room and walked down the hallway and while I was on my way to the garden I ran into Lita. The two of us went outside to talk and as we sat down underneath the maple tree in the garden we smiled at each other. "I'm glad you told everyone about your secret." She smiled.

"Me too. I feel like a heavy burden was removed from my shoulders." I told her and she smiled.

"You need to stand strong and proud, never forget there are friends and family who await you." She told me and I nodded my head.

After talking for a bit longer we returned to the inside of the castle, everyone was talking about all sorts of things when a messenger from the Crystal Empire said that they had a visitor. We all went with them back to surface after we had breakfast and on the ground, the ones who went to meet them were Lux-nii-san, Lucia, the Emperor and me, for some reason they forced me to come along, in the throne room I saw the two familiar faces. "Flora-san? Rue-san as well... why are you here?" I asked with a surprised expression. It's a distance from the Nation of Elves and Fairies, Alfheim.

"Haruki!!" The two had elated expressions as they saw me.

Beside them, there were two people... no, they're not human, an elf and a fairy. The elf was a woman with amber hair, golden eyes and white skin, her hair long and flowing, the fairy was a man, with brown hair and white skin with golden eyes, both are dressed formally and they looked like they were past a couple hundred years old. "I, May Sistine Alfhiem, bow before the Emperor of the Crystal Empire and Sovereign of the Aerial Isles." The woman bowed her head... where have I heard that name before? Ahh! The Queen of the Elves!!

"I, Fay Sistine Alfheim, offer the greatest honor of respect to the one who saved my nation and children." The fairy, Fay-san bowed his head.

"What could you possibly mean?" The Emperor, Alexander-san asked.

"Yesterday, our nation was attacked by demons, during that moment, our two daughters took to the battle. In their darkest hour as many demons encircled them, Haruki-dono saved them." Fay-san said. "He even exterminated the whole flock of the demons. I'm truly thankful for saving my daughters."

"No. It's my duty." I answered kindly. "But I must ask, how did you know I was here?"

"Rumours of you have spread far and wide my dear young sovereign, the one who saved this nation from two Demon Lords, rules over the Heroes' country, as well as the one who has been engaged to the First Princess and Duke's daughter and a Goddess." May-san told me. "Word of your existence has spread all over this nation, all over the northern continent."

"Is that so?" I turned to Lux-nii-san who simply shook his head.

"Perhaps we should talk in a more comfortable room." Lucia suggested. "It's rude to make royalty of another nation kneel down before us when we have done nothing to deserve it."

Emperor Alexander had a room prepared and after it was ready we entered the room where snacks and foods were served. "What do you possibly wish to ask having come here?" Lux-nii-san asked.

"That is... an Alliance." Rue-san said. "We wish to have an Alliance. From a military point of view, we don't have much strength but from the scientific point of view, we can stand with pride. So olease, won't you consider it?"

"I see nothing wrong with it." I smiled. "The Aerial Isles shall gladly welcome an Alliance."

"I agree." Lux-nii-san said as the King simply nodded his head. "Three nations, we may be able to unite more nations if we spread word."

"My goal for now is to have all the nations to stand against the demons together." I told them and they nodded. "I've already asked Master to spread word among the guilds they're on friendly terms with. What we need is for the nations to come together."

"What a sight it would be, nations allied together, without discrimination and violence nor prejudice against other races." Lucia said with a smile. "I'm certain that the Demihuman Nation, Zoo will agree to it."

"That is in the Eastern Continent correct?" Flora-san asked and Lucia nodded her head. "We also have an Alliance with the Nation of Demonkin, Night and the Nation of Magic, Magus, if you wish we could send an invitation."

"Please do so." I said and bowed my head.

"Now, I would like to ask Haruki-kun for a favour." May-san said and I nodded my head. "My daughters are quite taken with you, would you kindly take their hands in marraige? Need not be a wife, simply having your love will be enough."

"Hahaha!" I burst out laughing and the four stared at me. "Sorry, pardon my behavior, it's just... how should I put this? Are they alright, knowing I already have six faincees?"

"Come again?!" The four exclaimed.

"Thought so." I smiled, this feeling I get from them. It's the same one I got from Lucia. "I'll gladly take them, but I must ask if the other fiancees are in agreement. If that is okay?"

"I must know first, Haruki-dono, why do you have so many brides?" Fay-san asked.

"It's because of his personality." Lita said as she came inside the room with the other fiancess as if they knew I'd have them called. "Allow me to introduce myself, Goddess of Light and fifth bride, Lita."

"My word!! So you are the rumoured bride?!" Flora-san exclaimed and Aria stared at the two.

"They have my okay." She said before I could even tell them. Her intuition has never failed me.

"It's an okay." Yue said as she smiled and offered the two their hand.

"They have my seal of agreement." Asami answered, lately, my shy little Asami has started to be stronger and more open.

"They've got my seal as well." Ella answered.

"I don't have any complaints." Lita said as she hugged the two. "Welcone to the family."

"I'm the sixth so my vote doesn't really count much but I agree." Lucia said and I sighed. "Haruki?"

"It's just... do you think that because you're the last person to have become ny rbdie, does it eman you don't have the sane standing as the rest?" I asked with a sad expression. "I love each of you equally and I don't care for rankings much... even if they were to ask who my queen would be I would never be able to answer."

"That is so like you." Lita said. "So, with them, it's a total of eight correct?"

"Yeah." I answered.

"Hehehe, your harem is growing by the minute." Ella teased but I just smiled at her and even teased her back.

"Well, we do need to prepare for the other seven now too don't we?" I told her and she just laughed.

"True." Yue answered with a gentle smile.

"What could you be talking about?" Flora asked.

"Haruk- ...Haru will have a total of fifteen brides, or so his ancestor who could see the future said." Lita laughed. "Well, we'll take our leave, we simply came here tp help Haruki out with his decision."

"I'll join you later with Flora and Rue." I answered her and she smiled as they waved bye and left.

After we resumed our decussion our decision was to hold a party here in Borts and have the Royal Families from each nation participate. The purpose is to bring about the idea of peace. The party would be on the Eclipse and both nations offered to have nations with connections to it be invited. Looks like things are going our way. I'm looking forward to meeting people from those nations.