Yohan’s vacation passed quickly.
Spending time with his lovers and enjoying dates, before he knew it, it was time to go back to work at the Purification Bureau. Honestly, it was a living hell. The feeling of going back to work after resting…
“Hum-Huhu-“
On the other hand, Francia hummed and enjoyed a light breakfast. She would be happy no matter what she did now. Because she was about to retire from her position as a public official.
‘I’ll be finishing my duties at the Purification Bureau soon too…’
The problem was that the last remaining area was in the north. A cold place no matter when. Especially now, the icy wind would be stinging his skin and blizzards would be raging.
Though it wouldn’t affect Francia much since it was her hometown.
“Hoo.”
Yohan sighed softly and put on his uniform.
From now on, the Purification Bureau would be preparing to purify the last remaining Demon Nest in the north. That meant things were bound to get quite busy.
The Demon Nests in Duke Ferbache’s territory weren’t particularly high-level—but their numbers were overwhelmingly difficult to handle.
“You really don’t want to go to work, do you?”
Francia asked after finishing her meal.
“I suppose so. I’ve been resting for almost a month.”
“Hehe, but you have to cheer up. You’ve purified most of the Demon Nests in the empire now.”
Francia smiled brightly and kissed Yohan on the cheek. A soft sensation flowed through his entire body.
“I’ve charged you up so you can have strength today.”
“Hmm, I suddenly feel energized. If you did the other side, I might be able to fully recover?”
“Ha, what are you saying!”
When Yohan acted playfully, Francia couldn’t help but giggle.
She tiptoed and kissed Yohan on the other cheek once more.
“Is that enough?”
“I can work hard now.”
Yohan smiled softly.
It was a satisfying morning.
* * *
Purification Bureau.
Eris stood in front of the office door and took a deep breath.
“Hoo…”
Why was she so nervous about this? Eris felt pathetic and pitiful for being in love. But she didn’t feel too bad. Was this why they said to be careful of love?
Of course, it was a significant matter.
She was meeting Yohan after a long time.
But this was too much. She was so nervous and hesitant just to meet him. Eris realized she was in a pretty serious state. It was a terrible disease that made her shake her head.
‘Let’s go in.’
Eris took a deep breath, knocked on the door three times, and twisted the doorknob. Inside the office, only a light rustling sound could be heard.
“It’s been a while, Eris.”
When she looked straight ahead, Yohan greeted her with a smile. Her heart pounded. Was it because it had been a while? She felt even more vulnerable than before.
“Ahem, ahem. It’s been a while, Director.”
Eris coughed and subtly averted her gaze. She couldn’t bring herself to make eye contact. She had come for work, but just looking at him filled her with excitement.
“What’s the matter?”
Yohan asked, pushing aside the documents he was reading.
“The, the number of Demon Nests in the north has been fully identified.”
“Already? I just resumed duties today.”
“Duke Ferbache’s family cooperated.”
The Ferbache family had been managing the Demon Nests in the north and preventing outbreaks for a long time. Their information would be more accurate than the Purification Bureau’s officials’ investigations.
“Good. Well done. I can always rely on Eris.”
“Th, thank you…”
When Yohan smiled lightly, Eris blushed shyly and looked away. She was carefully covering her mouth with her hand. It was the face of a girl in love.
“…”
Rudbeckia narrowed her eyes and stared at Eris. A sharp gaze. But Eris didn’t notice at all. To be exact, Rudbeckia was an afterthought.
‘Tsk.’
Rudbeckia clicked her tongue inwardly and frowned, not liking that very much. That woman was an eyesore. It was too obvious that she was after Yohan.
“Here’s the related report. I’ve organized it separately.”
“Even organized it?”
“Yes. I didn’t have anything else to do right now…”
“Thank you. You’ve worked hard.”
“Ah, it’s nothing…”
Yohan smiled awkwardly and accepted the report she gave him.
He also noticed that Eris had feelings for him that went beyond mere liking. But he was maintaining a certain distance to preserve the relationship between superior and subordinate.
“…There are certainly a lot of Demon Nests in the north.”
“Yes. And their levels vary.”
Yohan skimmed through the report.
There were no Special-grade nests, but there were many Grade 1 nests. There were already many Demon Nests to manage, and outbreaks occurred every time winter approached. Duke Ferbache must have been busy.
“There’s a lot to prepare. We also need to prepare for the cold.”
Cold and heat accelerate the consumption of stamina. Of course, the officials could endure that much, but it would eventually involve mana, so the consumption would be much more severe than usual.
“Eris, I’ll leave the training to you.”
“Leave it to me.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“…”
Eris’s body stiffened. She confidently met his eyes, then her whole body froze. Why was she becoming so weak? She resented herself.
But if she continued like this, she would be overtaken. She needed to advance their relationship to a level that couldn’t be compared to the present. To do that, she needed a little courage now.
“Th, Director…”
“What is it?”
Yohan, who was reading the report, raised his head. Eris hesitated whether to speak or not, then clenched her fist tightly.
“Are you free this evening?”
The moment those words left her mouth, Rudbeckia, who had been secretly glancing at them, widened her eyes. Her gaze shifted back and forth between Yohan and Eris.
“This evening…?”
Yohan also blinked.
He was utterly bewildered.
“…There’s a restaurant I’d like to go to with you, Director.”
Eris lowered her head. Her shoulders were trembling slightly. Her pale white skin was already turning red. She had made
the suggestion with great courage.
A clear date invitation.
Instantly, the air in the office froze. Yohan’s gaze turned to her. Her heart pounded.
‘I… said it.’
Eris wanted to run away somewhere. But she tried to act calm and smiled.
Yohan might refuse.
But…
“I’ll try to make time in the evening.”
The answer that came from Yohan’s mouth was unexpected.
“Ah…!”
She momentarily covered her mouth. To hide her expression, she turned around and hurried towards the door. The
corners of her lips twitched. She couldn’t hide her joy.
“Th, then… I’ll see you after work!”
“…I will.”
Yohan nodded.
Eris left the office with light steps. Click. As the door closed, Elena and Rudbeckia’s gazes converged on Yohan.
“Director, you’re quite the ladies’ man.”
“…What are you talking about all of a sudden?”
“You accepted the proposal from the Highlander Special Knight.”
Elena gave a subtle smile. Her eyes, curved in a crescent shape, were full of mischief.
“And there’s Lady Ferbache…”
“…”
He had become close and friendly enough with Elena that he could take jokes like that now. But the problem was that her words weren’t just a joke.
“…I can’t deny it because it’s true.”
Yohan also admitted it. He was a ladies’ man. He was charming several women and failing to clearly reject them. He used to draw a line and cut them off mercilessly if they crossed it.
In fact, accepting Rudella had reduced his aversion to polygamy. And unlike before, when he was a lower-class noble, there wasn’t really a problem with accepting women.
Was it as if the desires he had been suppressing had exploded?
Whatever the case, it didn’t change the fact that he was a libertine.
“I don’t mind if you meet several women, Director, but please be careful outside where there are many eyes watching.”
Elena smiled subtly.
There was a hint of slyness in her subtle smile.
“I’ll be careful…”
Elena’s advice wasn’t presumptuous or meddling. Wasn’t she his aide who followed him? The reputation of Yohan Rahardt was also connected to her.
“…”
Meanwhile, Rudbeckia was too bewildered to open her mouth. She couldn’t believe it. He accepted Eris’s proposal, what was he thinking?
‘Could it be that even Eris…?’
Rudbeckia momentarily felt her fingertips turn cold. There were already three of them. She wasn’t officially in a relationship yet, but she was included because she could be considered ‘prospective’. She had also received an offer to come to the mansion.
‘W, was Yohan’s desire always this strong…?’
Had something changed as his power had increased since his regression? There was certainly such a rumor. That men with a lot of mana had unbelievably strong sexual desire and stamina.
‘Come to think of it, even before the regression, Yohan had to do it five times once he started. No, even that wasn’t enough. I collapsed from exhaustion.’
Rudbeckia felt her vision spin.
The fact that Yohan’s sexual desire and stamina were strong was very, really, sincerely welcome, but the addition of another woman here was not a welcome event.
‘What should I do…?’
Would it be better to close her eyes for his sake? But if even Eris was added, the number of competitors aiming for second place would increase. The love that came to her would also be divided.
But she wasn’t even in a relationship yet, and she had also entered Yohan’s harem out of his mercy, so it was strange to push Eris out.
‘Ugh…!’
Rudbeckia’s mind was swirling with. If she had known this would happen, she would have formally requested a relationship with Yohan, regardless of the atmosphere! Her past self was foolish.
‘… But there’s only one thing I have to do.’
The moment she came to a conclusion, her eyes changed subtly. There was no need to be aimlessly anxious. She had to make Yohan drawn to her.
‘I have to be prepared.’
Meanwhile, Yohan—
‘Things have gotten tangled up somehow.’
Yohan took a deep breath. He hadn’t wanted polygamy from the start. But when he accepted Rudella, it was no different from already crossing that line.
Of course, that didn’t mean he disliked having many lovers. To be honest, he wanted to do as he pleased. But when he thought of Francia and Rudella, that didn’t seem right either…
‘…Let’s make a clear decision.’
If he was going to increase the number of lovers, he had to be brazen about it, or he had to refuse decisively. Right now, he was being too indecisive and looking pathetic.
Rustle, rustle.
Having made his decision, Yohan refocused on his work.