Aria stood frozen, gripping her guild paperwork tightly.
She had come to the village for a simple guild check-up.
Instead, she had walked into a romantic battlefield.
And now?
The villagers were cheering for her to be part of Reed's harem.
---
"I AM NOT HERE FOR THAT!"
Aria held up her paperwork like a shield.
"I came to check on Reed Astoria's retirement status."
The villagers grinned knowingly.
"OH-HO! SO YOU WERE LOOKING FOR HIM!"
"CLASSIC DENIAL!"
"JUST ADMIT YOU'RE HERE FOR LOVE!"
Reed clutched his head.
"FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP ADDING PEOPLE TO THE BOARD!"
---
Selene crossed her arms.
"This is getting out of control."
Lily pushed up her glasses.
"It was already out of control."
Melphira leaned back, amused.
"But fun to watch."
Azariah scowled, staring at Yuna.
"I still refuse to accept this fox as his wife."
Emilia gripped her sword.
"And I still demand a proper duel."
Yuna, smiling innocently, took another sip of tea.
"Ara~? But why is mother-in-law already on my side?"
The women froze.
Slowly, they turned to Lilia.
Lilia finished her tea calmly.
"Well, it's simple. Yuna was here first."
Selene narrowed her eyes.
"That's not a real reason."
Lilia shrugged.
"It is to me."
Reed let out a strangled groan.
"MOM, WHY?!"
Lilia sighed dramatically.
"Sweetie, you're an idiot. You don't even realize how many women you've made wait for you."
Reed slammed his head onto the table.
"I KNOW, I KNOW."
Elise, watching everything unfold, laughed so hard she almost fell over.
"THIS IS THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE."
---
Aria took a deep breath, gathering her composure.
"Alright, enough. I'm putting an end to this."
The crowd fell silent.
The girls looked at her.
Reed lifted his head.
"…Wait, really?"
Aria tapped her paperwork.
"Reed Astoria is an officially retired adventurer. His status is confirmed, and his retirement is valid. The Guild has no legal obligation to force him back."
Selene gritted her teeth.
"But—"
Aria held up a hand.
"No. That means no one can demand anything from him—no forced duels, no forced marriages, no forced engagements."
Reed felt his soul ascend.
"THANK YOU, ARIA!"
---
The girls shifted uncomfortably.
Melphira pouted.
"But I waited seven years…"
Azariah crossed her arms.
"He still made a promise!"
Emilia huffed.
"I trained for this!"
Yuna smiled sweetly.
"Ara~? Then why is mother-in-law already on my side?"
Lilia nodded.
"I mean, she's not wrong."
The girls tensed again.
Aria pinched the bridge of her nose.
"I AM TRYING TO END THIS."
---
Reed stood up quickly, holding his hands out.
"Alright, listen. Let's just stop here."
The girls glared at him.
Selene huffed.
"I'm still staying in the village. You belong in the capital."
Lily adjusted her glasses.
"I need more time to process this stupidity."
Melphira pouted.
"I'm staying too. He owes me."
Azariah tossed her hair back.
"As do I. I won't allow this fox to claim victory."
Emilia pointed her sword at him.
"We WILL have our duel!"
Yuna smiled innocently.
"Fufu~. That's fine. My dear husband isn't going anywhere."
Reed felt his soul collapse.
---
Aria exhaled deeply.
"Fine. Stay. Do whatever you want. But I am officially done here."
She turned to Reed.
"And you. Good luck."
Reed looked at her desperately.
"DON'T LEAVE ME HERE!"
Aria ignored him, already walking away.
The villagers cheered.
"SHE ESCAPED!"
"BUT REED DIDN'T!"
"THE HAREM WAR CONTINUES!"
Reed collapsed onto a chair, staring at the sky.
"…I hate my life."
---
Somewhere, another woman was hearing about these rumors.
And soon, yet another visitor was on her way.
Because apparently, Reed Astoria had not yet suffered enough.