The Belfast slowly anchored near the shore of the island.
One by one, the entire Tree of Life crew disembarked and set foot on the new land.
The ground was eerily silent.
There were no trees, no grass—only a vast stretch of barren soil as far as the eye could see.
Irene scooped up some soil with her magic and rubbed it between her fingers.
"This place… is very empty," she murmured softly.
Lady Avalon, however, planted her staff into the ground, sensing the flow beneath it. A faint smile formed on her lips.
"But it's very fertile," she said, looking at Yuuto.
"You've done something extraordinary, my disciple."
"Hehehe… it's no big deal, Sensei," Yuuto replied with a small laugh.
"But we have to do something with this island, right, Yuuto? There's nothing here," Yamato asked energetically.
"Yes," Yuuto said, spreading both arms wide as if embracing the entire island.
"Bring flora and fauna from your worlds here. Let's turn this island into the place we want."
"Ohh, so it's like a sandbox game," Kuroneko said, her eyes sparkling—her gamer instincts immediately igniting.
"Don't worry, I'll bring the best seeds and plants."
Belfast then looked out at the sea behind them.
"This world is very suitable as a future home for shipgirls. The sea is vast, Commander," she said calmly.
"Yes," Yuuto gently patted Belfast's head.
"I'll definitely be looking forward to them."
While the others continued talking, Miku—who had been silent this whole time—tugged on the back of Yuuto's clothes.
"Yuuto…" she whispered softly.
"What is it, Miku?" Yuuto turned toward her.
Miku's face flushed red.
"A-about what you said earlier… 'my queens'…"
She hesitated for a moment, then continued,
"What did you mean by that? Do you… do you want us to…?"
Kuroneko, who overheard this, stiffened immediately, her face heating up.
"Y-Y-Yuuto! Explain right now! W-what did you mean by that?!"
"Oh right… I almost forgot because of the island," Lady Avalon said lightly.
Irene stared at Yuuto with a sharp, cold gaze—yet something was hidden within it.
"Explain yourself, Yuuto."
"Yeah!" Yamato chimed in cheerfully.
"Shouldn't it be 'king'? There's no way I'd be a queen—I'm a man!"
"I do not mind becoming one of Master's partners," Belfast said calmly and politely.
Yuuto chuckled softly.
"Hahaha… isn't it obvious?"
He looked at them one by one.
"I want all of you to become my wives in our future kingdom."
"W-what?! Impossible!" Kuroneko immediately protested.
"Yuuto, you can't have more than one wife! That's common law!"
"Hmmm…"
Yuuto slowly approached Kuroneko, who had lowered her head.
"Who decided that?"
"T-the Japanese government…" Kuroneko replied nervously.
"Pfft—hahaha!"
Yuuto laughed freely.
"Kuroneko, do you really think government rules can still restrict me?"
He stepped closer.
"You know how strong I am now, right? And how vast the world we'll face is. Old rules from our world no longer apply to us."
"Y-you're too arrogant, Yuuto… that will cause trouble," Kuroneko said, stepping back slightly.
"This isn't arrogance," Yuuto replied calmly.
"It's pride."
He looked straight at her.
"Besides, Sin Pride resides within me. If I deny that, I'd be betraying myself."
Yuuto then knelt down—one knee folded, the other forward—so he was at Kuroneko's eye level.
"Kuro—no, Ruri Gokou… do you not want to be my wife?" Yuuto asked while gently touching Kuroneko's cheek.
"If you don't want to, just say so. I won't force you."
Their eyes met.
Kuroneko froze, her face burning red.
A few seconds passed before she nodded slightly.
"I… want to," she answered very softly.
Yuuto smiled, stood back up, and gently patted her head.
"I'm glad to hear that."
He then turned to the other members of Tree of Life.
"In that case… what about all of you? Miku, Belfast, Yamato, Irene, and Sen—"
He paused briefly and smiled.
"—not Merlin."
"What's your answer? I won't mind if you refuse."
---
Lady Avalon fell silent for a moment.
Her staff touched the ground—
a soft but clear sound, as if marking an important decision.
She looked at Yuuto for a long time.
"…So that's how it is," she said gently, then smiled faintly.
"A king who builds Camelot… of course would not walk alone."
Lady Avalon stepped forward and stood beside Yuuto.
"Yuuto," she said softly,
"you're not speaking as a boy driven by fleeting lust, are you?"
Yuuto shook his head slowly.
"This isn't just desire," he said with firm conviction,
"but from the deepest part of my heart."
He looked at Lady Avalon, clenching his hand over his chest.
"I don't want to repeat the same mistake. I won't hesitate about my feelings ever again."
Lady Avalon smiled—a smile filled with warmth and understanding.
"You're far too honest, my disciple," she said lightly.
"Openly saying you want us as your wives… you're far too greedy, Yuuto."
"So be it," Yuuto replied without hesitation.
"I don't mind being greedy… as long as I can be with all of you."
Lady Avalon's tone remained relaxed, almost teasing, but her eyes were sharp.
"However, remember one thing, my disciple."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"If you choose us as your queens—
then you are not only taking their love."
"You will bear everything about us. A king may have many queens, but he must never fail to protect even one."
Yuuto nodded firmly.
"Don't worry, Merlin.
I will protect all of you… because you are precious to me."
Lady Avalon laughed softly, as carefree as ever.
"Fufu~ you're starting to look like a dragon guarding his treasure…"
She twirled her staff lightly.
"Honestly, I'd be more surprised if you didn't say that."
She looked at the girls and added cheerfully yet piercingly,
"So don't blame me for not stopping this from the beginning."
Yuuto stepped closer.
"So… you accept it?"
"Yes," Lady Avalon answered without hesitation.
"There's no way I'd leave something this interesting behind."
Then Yamato's voice rang out.
"Hm… let's see," she said innocently.
She crossed her arms over her chest, thinking for a moment.
"As for that… honestly, I don't see a problem."
Yamato stepped forward, standing directly in front of Yuuto.
Lady Avalon stepped back, giving them space.
"Yuuto," she said honestly, without hesitation, placing a hand on Yuuto's shoulder,
"you're strong."
She looked straight into Yuuto's eyes.
"If you want us as your queens,
that means you're ready to stand at the very front when danger comes."
"Yes," Yuuto replied shortly, nodding.
Yamato grinned widely—free and bright, just like her.
"I like people like that."
She chuckled.
"And as for being a queen or a king… I don't care."
"I am who I am.
If you want me by your side and don't restrict my freedom—"
"I would never restrict your freedom, Yamato," Yuuto interrupted.
"I love freedom too."
Yamato hoisted her club onto her shoulder.
She looked at Yuuto once more.
"So my answer?"
She grinned while gripping Yuuto's hand.
"I don't mind."
Yuuto smiled.
---
Then Irene spoke.
"You're very bold," she said flatly.
"Proposing to all of us at once.
Aren't you afraid we'd all reject you?"
Yamato released Yuuto's hand.
Yuuto looked at Irene and shrugged.
"If I'm rejected… well, what else can I do?"
"Would you give up?" Irene asked sharply.
"No," Yuuto answered without hesitation.
"I'll keep trying. I won't give up."
He continued honestly.
"I like all of you. I don't want our relationship to be limited to just being chat group companions. I want more than that. And I don't want to lie to my feelings anymore."
"I'll face it with honesty and pride."
"You're truly stubborn," Irene muttered.
She fell silent for a moment… then continued in a softer voice.
"…I've thought about it."
Her hand touched her chest—right over her heart.
"Do you remember our conversation on the first night in this world?"
"When you said you would prove that I still had a human heart?"
"Yes," Yuuto replied.
"I remember everything."
Silence.
"I've lived for a very long time," Irene continued slowly.
"I know the worst sides of humanity."
"I thought I had lost my humanity… but you—"
Irene raised her hand and placed it on Yuuto's chest, right over his heart.
"You proved it."
"That I still have a human heart in this body."
She looked straight at Yuuto.
"Not the heart of a monster…
but a heart that can panic, fear, rage, worry… and love."
"…When I'm near you, I can feel it again."
Irene took a deep breath.
"Alright," she finally said.
"I will accept."
Everyone fell silent.
"I will become your wife, Yuuto Kido."
Yuuto clasped Irene's hand against his chest.
"Don't worry, Irene," he said gently.
"Not only your heart… your body will feel its humanity again as well."
Irene smiled faintly.
"Yes," she said softly.
"I'll wait for that."