The Collapse of the Harem, Twelve Years Later - Chapter 1

“Your Majesty, I have safely defeated the Demon King and returned!”

“I-It can’t be…! But that sword, battered as it is… And that pendant, though split into three, bears an unmistakable crest!”

The king, overwhelmed with shock, collapsed from his throne.
He had aged significantly… I suppose twelve years had passed since then.
The enormous statue of me in the palace square—immortalizing my youthful form—was a stark reminder of how much time had gone by.

“Hero Laslo, it is truly you? I was told you had fallen into the lava along with the Demon King twelve years ago.”

“Yes. In truth, it was an illusion that led to the demon realm, where I fought and defeated every last Demon King.”

There was no other way for me to return.
What had started as an unforeseen solo adventure had kept me going for one reason alone—
the unwavering belief that my fiancées were waiting for me.

“You must have endured great hardship. It was a long and arduous journey—you have done well.”

“I’ve also brought proof of my victory over the Demon Kings.”

“That can wait. This is a hero’s triumphant return! We must celebrate it on a grand scale!”

I was relieved. At least they believed me.
Now I wouldn’t be mistaken for some fraud trying to swindle wealth.
All that remained was to reunite with my fiancées, whom I had made wait for so long!

“So then, my… no, our party members—where are they?”

“…Ah, yes. There is that matter.”

The king stroked his white beard with a troubled expression.

“What… What is it, Your Majesty?”

“About your fiancées… or rather, your former fiancées.”

“Former… fiancées?!”

My bl00d ran cold.

“All of them have moved on with their lives, overcoming the grief of losing you, their heroic betrothed.”

“T-Then…!”

“Your party, your harem… it has collapsed. It could not be helped.”

I clutched my head and sank to the ground.

“So they… They didn’t wait for me…?”

“You were believed to be completely dead—it was inevitable. However, there is one who never married.”

Wiping my tears, I looked up at the king.

“Who… Who is it?”

“Saint Alina. She has devoted herself to prayer at the strictest monastery on the continent, the Mavels Abbey, vowing to pray for your soul for the rest of her life.”

That monastery… The one where they say once you enter, you can never leave—even in death?!

“Then that means…!”

“I shall submit a request for an audience. Given the circumstances, it may not be entirely impossible.”

“But the chances are close to zero, aren’t they?”

“…Even a king has no power over religion. I am sorry.”

In a way, this was worse than marriage.

“I understand. Then, I shall—”

“Laslo-sama!!”

A figure rushed toward me.

“Huh? A princess?!”

“Um… who are you?”

“It’s Mios! I have loved you for so, so long!”

“Wait, from the Granada Ducal House?!”

When I last saw her, she was only nine years old.
Which means… she would be twenty-one now!

“You’ve grown so… no, you’ve become quite beautiful.”

“Yes! I have been waiting for this day!”

“Wait… You actually waited for me?!”

“Let’s get married!!”

The king cleared his throat with a deliberate cough.

“Ahem. Then, Mios Granada shall be your legal wife. That is settled.”

“Wait, settled?!”

“We shall determine your concubines later. For now, the wedding must take place as soon as possible.”

And so, I came to fully grasp the reality of my collapsed harem.

(Goodbye, Alina, Yolan, Emily, Nelly…)

…However, as for my former harem members, upon hearing of my return—!!