"Erina, does the Elf Kingdom have any potion to restore things to normal?"
"I don't know. My mom might know... but probably not. Who would even research a potion to turn a woman into a man?"
She's right. Considering this game is a male-oriented adult game, there might be a potion to turn a man into a woman, but the chances of a damn potion to turn a woman into a man existing are slim to none. A.A. looked discouraged by her words. As we stood in front of the mansion, villagers passing by stopped and stared at us.
I needed updates on the estate and to take over responsibilities again, so I decided to enter the mansion.
In the study, A.A. was still deep in thought. The handed-over documents showed that Erina had been working diligently. Siri, as usual, handled the accounting flawlessly. Ira, upon seeing me enter the mansion, immediately hugged me and rubbed her face against mine.
I patted Ira's head and sent her and Siri away to discuss serious matters again. Erina spoke up:
"Peta Lucius, this is a very serious problem. The Demon King is defeated, but if I can't marry A.A., it's all meaningless."
A.A. was lost in thought for a long time. He looked up and said,
"Erina, can you listen to me for a moment?"
Both Erina and I looked up at the hero. Erina was shocked by his words.
"What do you mean, A.A.? Are you abandoning me?"
"No, Erina. I think it's best if you return to the Elf Kingdom to find a way to turn back into a man, and I'll travel the continent to find a way for myself. I want to marry you, Erina."
"W-what...?"
Erina seemed shocked just at the idea of being separated from A.A. again. A.A. tried to persuade her once more:
"Erina, we promised to marry and live happily together. If there's a potion to turn a man into a woman, there must be one for the opposite too."
"B-but... I... if I'm apart from you... Do you know how anxious I was when you went to defeat the Demon King? I couldn't sleep properly every night. And now, you're suggesting another indefinite separation?"
"It's not indefinite, Erina. I want to marry you. But I don't want you to abandon your responsibilities as a princess either."
"A.A....."
Succession is indeed a crucial issue. A.A. looked at me and asked,
"Priest, would it be okay for Erina and me to meet periodically at this estate?"
"As guests, you're always welcome."
With my permission, A.A. spoke to Erina again:
"Then, Erina, let's meet here once every three months."
Since they couldn't have secret meetings in the Elf Kingdom, he intended to use my mansion like a motel. Of course, I had no intention of watching that unfold. A.A. added,
"Just for one year. Let's try this for a year and then decide what's next."
"....Understood."
Erina nodded, but the worry on her face was unmistakable. A.A. hugged her tightly and said,
"Then... I'll go."
"What?"
Both Erina and I were stunned, looking at A.A. He said,
"Time is of the essence. I want to find a solution quickly."
"B-but, at least stay for a few days."
"No. I... see you later."
A.A. tried to act calm, but his anxiety was evident. His desperation to return to a man's body was clouding his judgment. Such stubbornness isn't good when dealing with women. As A.A. opened the study door and disappeared, Erina stood there, looking dejected, staring at the closed door. After a moment, she turned to me and said,
"...I'll impose on you for a few days."
"Of course."
I replied, inwardly rejoicing. This is my chance. I might get stabbed by the hero, but I saw an opportunity. Two days passed. Erina stayed in the last room on the left side of the mansion. She still hadn't recovered from the shock of A.A. becoming a woman.
I knocked on her door.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Lucius."
".....Come in."
Despite her worries, Erina was still beautiful. Her long blonde hair, sparkling green eyes, and her ample chest and equally curvaceous hips—her appearance was lewd enough to arouse any man's desires.
"What is it?"
"You still seem worried about your situation with the hero."
"That's none of your business, isn't it?"
"No, I have a good idea."
"A good idea?"
Erina seemed intrigued and looked at me.
"For example, if there's a child, it doesn't matter who the princess marries, does it?"
"That's true... but..."
Erina paused, looking at me. This princess was strangely sharp. She frowned and stared at me.
"Are you out of your mind? You're suggesting I take another man besides A.A.?"
"If the hero can't return to being a man, you'll have to take someone eventually. The princess needs to bear an heir."
"That's not your concern. And do you think A.A. would accept that?"
"So, you plan to wait indefinitely? Do you think the hero will really give up after just a year?"
"That's... "
From what I've seen in the game, the protagonist never gives up. If one year doesn't work, it'll be another year, and then another. It could drag on until a solution is found. Erina couldn't refute my words. I pressed on:
"And this continent is full of dangers. We defeated the Demon King only because he wasn't fully revived yet. If the hero gets hurt or dies in a distant land, what will you do then?"
"D-don't make such assumptions! That's absurd..."
"Why is it absurd? He could fall for a scam chasing rumors of a gender-changing potion or die in some ridiculous way."
"Stop! Don't say he'll die! A.A. won't die!"
"But if he does, wouldn't that be your fault?"
"What? What are you saying?"
"If you close your eyes and accept another man just once, bear a child, the hero wouldn't need to risk his life, and the royal family would have an heir. You'd rather regret it after the hero dies? Then you'd have no choice but to take another man."
"We don't know yet! There might be a gender-changing potion somewhere..."
"So, you'll continue this indefinite wait?"
"I... "
"You're really going to meet once every three months, just for a kiss and to exchange information, repeating this for a year? A year is a long time, princess. Can you truly guarantee the hero won't get into an accident during those three months abroad?"
"So... "
"He might not return exactly after three months. He could find a crucial clue and return after six months, or get stuck in an unlucky situation for years. Can you really endure that loneliness and anxiety?"
I had to push her. Prevent Erina from regaining her composure. I had to push her.
"Are you truly confident you can bear it? With a little humiliation and a lie, you could see the hero again. As long as you both love each other, does it matter whose child it is? As long as the hero never finds out."
"Th-that... "
"Wouldn't having a child be the easier path, no matter who thinks about it?"
Erina clutched her head, lost in thought. After a long groan, she glanced up at me and said,
"....You're telling me to... "
"Yes?"
".....You're telling me to take another man?"
I thought A.A.'s stubbornness had brought me luck.
"I'd like some time to think. I... I can't decide something like this right away, can I?"
That was all Erina could muster. Pushing her too hard here would only backfire. I decided to wait. Time was on my side anyway. I diligently developed Siri's skills and spent my days indulging Ira's desires, waiting for Erina.
Honestly, even if Erina didn't give in to me, I had nothing to lose. Greed only leads to getting stabbed. Having two beauties by your side is enough for a happy life. But Erina would grow more anxious the longer the hero stayed away. Hero A.A. was originally a tough-guy character. He's sweet when close by, but he never writes letters.
How hard is it to wait for someone abroad with no news? In a dangerous world, anyone would want to hold onto their departing lover, no matter how wrong the method.
A week passed. I was handling documents in the study, with Ira assisting me. She massaged my shoulders as I worked and said,
"My Lord, how about a trip to the beach?"
"Ira, you can't go outside, remember?"