---
I woke up with two things pressed against me:
1. A dagger.
2. A thigh.
Neither were mine.
Yurei had fallen asleep half on top of me, muttering something about "traitorous lips" in her sleep.
Kaida was on my other side, drooling fire in her sleep—no, really, actual sparks. The ground beneath her smoldered.
And me?
I was pinned like a sandwich made of rage and unresolved sexual tension.
> [System Notification: Good morning, Prince.]
You are now bonded to 2/5 Brides of Fate.
Warning: The remaining three will not bond through physical contact. Emotional connection required.
Additional Objective Unlocked: Earn each bride's willing devotion.
Failure to bond = System Lockdown = Re-death.
"…What."
> [Bonus Penalty: Erectile Dysfunction in Final Battle if Harem Unbalanced.]
I froze.
"WHAT?!"
Kaida stirred. "Mm… burn me harder…"
Yurei muttered, "Stab... your stupid face…"
I sighed and slowly sat up, peeling myself from their limbs.
> "Okay, system. Let me get this straight. You're telling me the first two were horny accidents—"
[Correct.]
"—but the next three want love? Feelings? Trust? A connection deeper than gropes and swordplay?"
[Correct. Emotional stimulation required.]
"Why does this feel like a dating sim with boss fights?"
> [Because it is.]
I rubbed my face.
"Alright. Give me profiles on the next three."
> [Processing...]
Bride 3: Mikako Amane – Divine Priestess. Hidden celestial power. Strict moral code. Avoids touch. Currently unaware of your rebirth.
Bride 4: Ren Shizuka – Beast-Tamer Noble. Traumatized. Distrusts men. Hates royalty. Communicates better with animals than people.
Bride 5: Aiko Tsukikage – ????. Temporal Outlier. Future unknown. Caution: Approach may trigger timeline distortion.
> Suggested Strategy: Stop being a dumbass and use your charm stat.
"…Thanks."
> Also: You may want to get dressed.
I looked down.
Still naked.
Yurei's eyes cracked open.
Kaida's too.
"Good morning," I said, trying to cover my pride.
They both stared.
Then Yurei whispered, "Was that always that... sized?"
Kaida smirked. "Maybe I should kiss you again. Just to check."
> [Harem Tension Rising.]
I bolted for the bushes.
---
I didn't get far.
Because the second I stepped into the bushes, a system window popped up in front of my—well, everywhere.
> [Auto-Equip Function Activated.]
Royal Starter Outfit equipped.
Charm stat auto-boosted by residual bonding aura.
Suddenly, I was clothed in a fitted black-and-gold outfit that looked a little too princely for someone hiding in leaves. My chest was half-exposed, my sleeves rolled just enough to show muscle I didn't know I had.
"…Did you just make me hot?" I muttered.
> [Affirmative. Visual appeal enhances bonding probability.]
"Fantastic. I'm a walking thirst trap now."
I stepped back into camp, trying not to look too princely.
Kaida was up, crouched by the fire pit, fiddling with something metallic. Yurei sat on a low rock, sharpening her dagger. Her mask was still on, but I could feel her eyes watching me.
"You ran off fast," Kaida said, glancing up. "We didn't scare you, did we?"
"No. I just… needed fresh air. And pants."
Kaida smirked. "Shame."
Yurei didn't speak. She simply slid her dagger into its sheath and stood. Her movements were smooth—lethal, almost feline.
"Why are you really here?" she asked quietly.
That silenced the camp.
I met her gaze. "To survive. To rebuild. To find out why I was killed… and take back what was mine."
Her lips tightened. "You're either stupid… or honest."
"Maybe both."
> [Affection +5 – Yurei no Hana]
Kaida tossed a pouch of dried meat toward me. "Eat. You'll need energy."
"For?"
"For what comes next," she said. "The empire's in chaos. Your name is poison. And the people you once ruled? Most would rather see you dead again."
I chewed slowly. "Wow. Good morning to me."
> [System Notice: Priestess of Fate Detected in nearby region. Initiate travel?]
> Estimated Travel Time: 2 Days
Danger Level: Moderate
Emotional Resistance Level: High
"System says the first of the new brides is close."
"Another one?" Yurei asked, folding her arms.
Kaida arched a brow. "Do you collect women the way nobles collect titles?"
"No!" I paused. "I mean—yes—but not on purpose!"
> [Self-Denial Detected. Penalty: Charm -1]
I sighed. "Look, I don't choose them. The system does. And apparently, the next three won't be like you two."
Kaida smirked. "So... no more accidental kisses?"
"Apparently not. The next ones require actual emotional bonding."
Yurei tilted her head. "Meaning?"
"Meaning I have to talk to them. Earn their trust. Win their hearts."
Kaida chuckled. "Well… that's boring."
"Tell me about it."
She stepped close, brushing past me as she walked toward the nearby stream. Her tail flicked behind her—still draconic and very much visible.
"Try not to fall for anyone else before lunch," she teased over her shoulder. "It's getting crowded."
Yurei hesitated, then walked beside me.
"You'll mess it up, you know."
"Probably," I said.
"But…" she added, eyes flickering behind the mask, "I'll come with you. Just in case one of them actually tries to kill you."
> [Bond Stability Increasing – Yurei no Hana: +1 Loyalty]
Maybe being reborn wouldn't be so bad…
If I could survive it.
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