LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 232
I got a government position, but honestly, I had nothing to do there. Anyway, it was an honorary position, after all.
But even so, I couldn’t just sit around doing nothing. After all, I was getting a monthly salary every quarter along with the title.
So, I focused on upgrading Seomhwa Village to Seomhwa Castle.
After getting the position of the Chief of the Administrative Office, I spent my time going back and forth to the office, sending letters here and there, working hard.
In the end, Seomhwa Village was upgraded to Seomhwa Castle.
“Congratulations sincerely!”
“Hahaha! This is all thanks to you, Seonsaeng Yu. Or should I call you the Chief of the Administrative Office? Anyway, it’s all your merit!”
“Just call me casually. Aren’t we on good terms, Seongju-nim?”
“Haha! That’s right!”
I’ve had a long relationship with Hyeonryeong, or rather I should say Seongju now. I benefited a lot from him.
“I hope you will continue to help me in the future.”
“Understood. And…”
I spoke seriously to him.
“I want to leave Seomhwa Castle for a bit.”
“What?!”
“I’m not leaving for good. I just need to run some errands in Cheongho. I might not be there on the day of the upgrade.”
“Wow… Why?”
Anyway, Hyeonryeong played a significant role in Seomhwa Village’s upgrade to a castle. But if I was around, the credit would likely shift toward me.
Thinking about how some people might come to meet me during this opportunity, it would be better if I weren’t there.
The main character of this Seomhwa Castle upgrade is Hyeonryeong, and it wouldn’t look good if the focus shifted onto me.
Hyeonryeong seemed to think about that too and nodded seriously.
“That’s true. So how long will you be gone?”
“It will probably take a few days. However, I think I can join the celebration on the last day of the upgrade.”
“Hmm. Then you should take the official carriage. I will prepare it for you.”
“Thank you.”
I smiled at him and stepped outside. Ryuhyun and Sayoon were waiting to escort me, so I walked down the street with them.
“Can you believe Seomhwa Village became a castle? That’s amazing!”
Ryuhyun couldn’t hide her admiration, while Sayoon tilted her head at her.
“Is there really a big difference?”
“Yeah! Once it becomes a castle, troops can be stationed there, and we can also accept more people. Plus…”
There would be more facilities built under the government’s supervision when it becomes a castle. In other words, it means a better living environment.
“Wow. That sounds great!”
“They’re going to throw a huge festival on the day of the upgrade, right? I’m so excited!”
As Ryuhyun got all pumped up, Sayoon, her eyes sparkling, suddenly turned to me.
“Why?”
“Oh, nothing.”
It was pretty obvious. She was probably wondering if I could take her along during the festival, just like I did back in Balseon Village.
But since she couldn’t bring herself to say it and kept stealing glances at me, I found it cute and decided to keep my mouth shut too.
It was cute how you kept stealing glances over here, so I just stayed silent too.
Until we returned to the sponsor, Sayoon’s shoulders slightly slumped when I didn’t say anything.
“I have somewhere to go when I get promoted to Seomhwaseong.”
“……”
Her face looked shocked.
“Uh, where are you going?”
“I just have a quick errand. But I’ll be back by the last day…”
“Can I… go with you?”
Sayoon tightly grabbed the hem of my clothes. As I met her trembling gaze, I thought for a moment.
Would it be okay if Sayoon went too?
Thinking about it, it didn’t seem like a bad idea. Since Chaeran was also at Moonjeong, she wouldn’t be bored.
“Let’s do that.”
“Really?!”
The thought of the festival flew far away from Sayoon’s mind as she looked thrilled, and Ryuhyun smiled wryly.
“Won’t it be a bother?”
“It won’t be. Sayoon isn’t the type to throw a tantrum or anything.”
I patted Sayoon’s head.
Evening came. While I was working in my office, I heard a knock on my door.
“Come in.”
“Is it okay for a moment?”
The one who walked in was none other than the Sword Saint. Unlike her usual shabby and worn-out clothes, she was dressed in the attire of the Hongseong Clan’s head.
As she entered with a serious expression, I nodded. I was just thinking of summoning her, so this worked out perfectly.
“I’m glad you came… huh?”
What was surprising was the people who followed her.
Hongryeon in formal attire, and Chaekin in Moonjeong formal wear.
Three beautiful women entered my office.
It was a bit unusual for these three to move together… Did something happen?
As I looked at them, Hongryeon hesitated and spoke up.
“…I’ve been hearing a lot of letters coming from all over lately?”
“Uh? Oh, yes.”
“…Among them, there are, well, marriage proposals…”
“Marriage proposals… sounds a bit off.”
It was just a suggestion, and they were just testing the waters. Of course, I couldn’t say there weren’t people genuinely interested, but I wasn’t thinking about it at all.
“…Um, Yu Wol.”
“Please speak.”
The Sword Saint let out a small sigh.
“What do you think about it?”
The three were watching for cues. Why?
I took a sip of my drink, and as the hazy smoke went down, my mind started racing.
These three came out at midnight, not just casually, but all dressed up in formal attire, which they wouldn’t normally wear.
In other words, this wasn’t just a casual visit, indicating something serious was on the table.
“It looks quite serious.”
If they’re being serious, then I should take it seriously too.
The fact that all three seemed anxious indicated that I couldn’t postpone this any longer.
I had also intended to come to a decision in a few days, and since I had already prepared for it, there shouldn’t be any issues.
I opened the drawer.
Inside were four small boxes.
I took them out and placed them on the table.
I let it go.
Slowly, one by one, as I opened the boxes, the eyes of the three beauties widened.
“I was actually thinking of what to say within a few days. You’ve made the first move. I must express my thoughts. I… cannot choose anyone.”
“……”
“Na Yerin. I’ve received a lot of help from you. Not just from the Hongseong Clan’s support, but I’ve gained strength from your smile and your efforts.”
With a shrug, the Sword Saint seemed pleased with my compliment.
“Hongryeon. You must have thought the burden you carry is heavy, and I’ve said I could endure because you are with me. But that is the same for me. I could endure because you were there.”
If it weren’t for Hongryeon’s support, if she hadn’t fully backed me, it would have been quite difficult to have come this far.
“Ugh… That’s true.”
“And Chaejin. I can only apologize to you. You said I was your light, but you also watched over me and protected me. No amount of gratitude is enough for you.”
“No! I’m just…”
I faced the three who were blushing.
“That’s why I can’t abandon anyone.”
I stared straight at them.
The first to snap out of her daze was Hongryeon.
“What does that mean?”
“The Empire doesn’t prohibit polygamy, does it? So…”
I placed the box that was on the table into their hands.
“Let’s be together. Affection is boundless, and if it’s possible, I can embrace all of you. And I…”
I maintained my composure, spoke to them calmly.
“It seems I’ve proven my capability up until now. And if you wish, I can prove it even more.”
I can’t choose someone. If that’s the case, I can only choose everyone.
There’s not just one answer in life, and I don’t think it’s particularly impossible.
Of course, it wouldn’t be easy, but I’ve managed to handle difficult tasks until now.
I’ve shown that, so the rest is for them to choose.
“You must be thinking a lot. You might dislike it. So if you refuse, it’s okay to do so. Take your time to think…”
Of course, I said it like that, but if anyone refuses or claims, “I’ll keep you all to myself!” I would definitely try to persuade them.
It wouldn’t be easy, but how can you choose a harem without being prepared like this?
Only those who are prepared to walk the path of Soora can choose a harem.
If their hearts were indifferent, they wouldn’t have the resolve to do this.
Now then, let’s slowly persuade…
“You don’t need to think.”
Hongryeon stepped forward. And she held the box out to me.
“Because I vowed from the beginning. No matter who you are with, as long as you look at me… I want to be by your side.”
I looked at Hongryeon. Inside the box she held was a ring adorned with red garnet.
A ring adorned with silver-red gemstones was inside.
She took it out and placed it gently in my hand.
“Things like this need to be worn, right?”
With one eye blinking, Hongryeon gave a mischievous smile.
“Me too!! As long as you don’t abandon me, I said I’d always be by your side?!”
Inside the box returned by Chaejin was a ring decorated with black onyx.
As I fiddled with the ring in my hand, the Sword Saint smiled faintly.
“Of course, I’m the same. Even if you say you dislike it…”
She grabbed my hand and placed a deep blue gemstone ring, decorated with a sapphire, on top, looking at me seriously like a predator eyeing its prey.
“Do you think I’d let go?”
The three of them had serious expressions. It was as if they vowed never to back down.
No matter what happened, there was no sign of giving up.
So, I placed the rings on their fingers.
“…It’s not just ours, right?”
“Of course.”
I pulled out another box. As I showed three rings decorated with gemstones, the three exchanged glances.
“Ahem. Then, as the eldest here…”
“No, that’s a bit much.”
“Exactly. Master, that’s not right.”
“W-What are these?!”
Watching them jabber on in front of me, I let out a sigh of relief.
Anyway, I’m glad it was accepted without a big fuss.
“I was a bit surprised. I thought there would be someone who would dislike it or be stubborn.”
I proposed a polygamous marriage to these remarkable individuals.
A literal declaration of forming a harem, something I could be called a complete jerk for, yet they accepted it so easily.
I thought it would take a few days of convincing at least.
“Ah. Th-That…”
“…I was worried I might get rejected…”
“…We don’t have the luxury to worry about that now.”
Why?
I looked at them, but they all avoided my gaze.
Well, good thing anyway…
“But are you okay?”
“Huh? With what?”
“No. You are Moonjeong’s disciple. And the daughter of Doje senior.”
“And?”
“Isn’t it necessary to get his permission to marry?”
A smile danced on the Sword Saint’s lips.
“Would a girl from a good family really be allowed to marry multiple times…?”
Chaejin’s expression hardened. She looked at me, clearly panicked, as if asking for help.
“Don’t worry about that.”
“…Huh?”
“I made a rather unreasonable request. Then, the rest is something I need to handle.”
“Will that be… okay? My father is quite stubborn…”
“Hahahaha!!”
At Chaejin’s worried remark, I laughed heartily.
“Don’t worry.”
“……”
“No one can stop my will, you see.”
If that’s what I want, that is.