Declaration of Resolve

Inside the battleship Risha, the room—just a little while ago, the one where I’d held all the bodyguards at once.

Three women waited there.

Names: Seina, Kachelina, Renata.

I’d remembered them when I’d turned them into women, as promised.

These were the women who’d become bandits with Mya, attacking the village together.

As soon as I stepped in, all three dropped to their hands and knees, bowing their heads.

Like three obedient wives kneeling in perfect form.

“Thank you.”

“Thanks to the king, I’ve conceived.”

“Truly, thank you.”

“Enough. Just get up.”

I immediately took their hands and pulled them to their feet.

Unlike that day, the bed and rug had been removed from the room.

Now it was just a plain, rough chamber aboard the battleship—exactly how it should be.

The floor was cold and hard. Not a place for a pregnant woman to kneel.

So I lifted them up.

The three of them looked at me, eyes even more awed than before.

Shinya was bright, like the cheerful childhood friend she’d always been. Kachelina had always been gruff. Lena was, well, the kind of girl who seemed like a child herself.

And now, after not seeing them for a while, all three had grown into mothers.

Unbelievable change.

"Really... you made children."

So deeply moved.

"It’s because of Akito."

Mia spoke from behind me.

I turned. Her face was just as touched as theirs.

"Mia."

"Because Akito was here. Because Akito took us in. That’s why we’re here now. If not for that… we’d probably be dead somewhere by now."

Yeah, yeah— the three behind me nodded in unison.

True. The parts where I stepped in have recovered. But the rest? Still too harsh for a human to survive.

“Or like the remnants of the Midrofan faction—turned to dust.”

…….

“You mean the Midrofan remnants?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s… fate, isn’t it?”

The words just came out, unbidden.

Miyah and her crew. The Midrofan faction.

Come to think of it, the two groups had an unexpected common thread.

Both had started out enemies—had tried to survive by raiding.

Right. Miyah’s lot had first attacked the town.

After being defeated by me, they’d straightened up and joined me without complaint.

The Midrofan faction, on the other hand, never gave in. Even when offered better terms, they refused. Kept attacking. Kept looting.

Result? One group secured food, shelter, and found happiness as women.

The other? Wiped out. Erased from the earth.

A stark divide.

Funny, isn’t it? That the Midrofan faction ended up finished by Miyah’s crew.

“Akito was lucky to be alive.”

Miyah said it again.

Hearing it, watching the women’s happy faces, their grateful smiles.

The Midrofan faction… those people who were gone. Didn’t matter anymore.

Miyah, and the three women.

Seeing their contented expressions—didn’t matter anymore.

Wanted to make them even happier.

“Only three made it?”

“Yeah. That’s right.”

Miyah answered.

“Unfortunately, the others didn’t. Not even me.”

“Huh. Then gather everyone.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you promise? I said I’d get all of them pregnant.”

“…Akito…”

Miyah, glowing with gratitude. The three already holding the ticket to happiness.

Yes. Happiness.

Now it was clear. Wasn’t just a feeling anymore.

Everyone who comes under me… they all get happy.

“Akito can do it.”

Miyah said it like she read my mind.

A reassuring word.