CHAPTER 1: THE MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR IN THE LAND

**Kuro, during the Christmas celebrations in Cherwoods…**

In my old world, couples would always want to get married around June, as it was a tradition way back…hmm, I don’t remember. What I could confirm was that, it had been the custom when I first gained self-consciousness. Nevertheless, before I disappeared there, there was a growing trend of people getting engaged or married by Christmas time. Well, it’s not that I don’t understand the emotional and economic reasons behind it; first, Christmas season, especially in my country, was a four-month long joyous occasion. As nearly all of us would organize parties and trips, so were the couples wanting to get married when everyone’s spirits were sailing high.

The second, economical, reason for tying the knot by Yuletide was so that the budget and celebrations would be maximized at the most efficient financial considerations. See, everyone’s going to party, and it’s also season of high spending (as well as company bonuses), so marrying by Christmas would combine the celebrations, the added (often unpredictable) expenses, and the cheerful moods.

“…”

Well, of course, for my situation right now, those two reasons were not applicable. First, not that I’m boasting, but I’m financially-stable now compared to when I was working as a teacher. And second, Chersea’s Christmas season was suggested by Maddie—a person not from Earth, maybe to uplift everyone’s spirits after the recent conflict here in Cherwoods. That’s why, they moved the celebrations from the usual December to September. Not that I could do anything about it; I mean, no one really knew (in my world) of the actual date when the real celebrant was born, so I guess it’s the thought that ultimately counts.

Any case, so yes, I guess this was the right time to entertain the thought of marrying, or get engaged to the ladies I love. Contrary to our culture in my old world, Chersean humans—especially those with noble and royal backgrounds—had the usual long ‘marriage traditions’, starting from courtship, engagement, then up to the actual ceremony. Beastfolks were more practical. For them, if one person loved the other and they were fine with it, then they were considered partners for life. As for the Demons, they were the more ‘liberal’ versions of the Beastfolk philosophy in family and marriage. They view the former as a ‘tool’ to reproduce, and the latter, a ‘human-inspired enslavement ritual’. And of course, the Elves. They were a monotonous lot, preferring to stay in union with the one they married for the duration of their near-endless lives…though there were lots of stories in their oral and written history where people would commit ‘extramarital’ affairs.

Yeah, officially they don’t encourage NTR. But in reality, they do. Such are the elves.

“…”

Also, depending on the world where I set my foot, their customs and culture applied to me…or at least, that’s what I understood from what they always tell me.

Still, even if there was a great difference in the views and beliefs about love and courtship in these realms connected by the Saints, I wanted to make my proposal special for each one of the ladies who wanted to be with me. So, I asked the Prince Giuseppe Uhrian of the Valley Cities to help me create rings for them, according to how I perceive their personality. I think the halfling prince was surprised by the huge number of orders, since I myself was shocked by the number of ladies who would want to ‘marry’ into my house.

I think we can create an entire football team, complete with auxiliaries, if we have children…

“…”

Not that I was complaining. I was only shocked that I came here with nothing, but ended up getting smothered by the love of people around me. And it just so happened that these people were influential leaders of their respective races. Not to mention, if I were to be honest, they were all beautiful ladies…

Ah! Damn it! Kuro, keep your focus. Keep the impure thoughts at bay!

“Lad, are you okay?” the dwarf prince asked when he and Sir Dane noticed I was shaking my head.

“Yes…” though honestly, my heart was beating like crazy. I was extremely nervous. No, I wasn’t afraid, nor hesitating. Of course, no one wanted to make a fool of themselves when proposing to their loved ones, right? Especially when those ladies I’d offer my life to were the leaders of their people and of these lands.

“I can hear noises outside. It must be our ‘visitors’,” the Calabrian chancellor quipped, before giving me a glass of wine. “Drink up, milord, and wash away all your apprehensions. Here comes your big day!”

Then, he gave me a couple of taps at the back. The Prince Uhrian also gave me a slight push, just to tell that I’d be fine. I replied with just a smile, and drank the wine in one go. Uttering a prayer, I stood up, and went for the tavern door. Well, I guess I’m ready now. I already rented this rustic tavern beside one of the scenic spots in the entire stretch of Cherwoods’ Grand Canal for my proposal. There is no turning back!

“Alright everyone! I’ll pay for the damage, so let’s surprise our favorite human in his most cherished festival! On three! One, two…”

I quickly moved away from the as soon as I heard Maddie’s voice outside.

“…three!”

“!!!”

The entire tavern was rocked by the explosion that followed, and when I realized it, the tavern doors were no more. Outside, an immense crowd of my friends and lovers appeared, waiting and smiling at the spectacle they did.

“Damn it, Maddie!” I could only laugh in despair and shout. “Don’t destroy the place!”

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***The City of Kersea, capital of the Empire of Chersea, a few days later…***

The perpetually-busy streets of the Imperial capital were made even livelier with the recently-printed newspapers, fresh from gathering interesting events all over the land of Chersea and beyond. However, in the aftermath of the Christmas holiday (celebrated recently by a decree from the four saints), the humans were greeted by the bold headlines written on each periodical…

“Legendary hero proposes marriage to the four saints in Cherwoods.”

At once, the newspapers were bought off from circulation by every curious citizen, as every Chersean wanted to read about the extraordinary event from the land of the elves. Soon, the taverns and roadside restaurants in that major city in the land of humans were abuzz with small talks regarding their living hero.

“The Commoner General is getting married to the four saints?”

“That’s the Lord Kuro of Arles, right?”

“Stupid! He’s the Lord Kuro of Maverny now! Show your respect!”

“Wow…he really did it! Our guy made the saints fall in love to him!”

“Heh, see? At these times, the Lord Kuro’s life is a great example that we commoners can square it off with those entitled nobles!”

“Hey! Hey! Look! Did I read this right? He’s also marrying the Queen of Cherwind, the demon lord of the Federal Republic, and the Queen of Amaranth?”

“Whoa! For real? That’s a real lady-killer for you!”

“Wait…there’s even more!”

“M-More?”

The humans couldn’t believe the long list of personalities listed on the newspaper pages that was to ‘marry’ the Commoner General. Some even claimed the printing houses made errors, or inflating a gossip for more publicity. But in any case, like in Kersea, the news of the Lord Kuro’s marriage proposals spread like wildfire to every corner of Chersea.

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***The City of Malvette, capital city of the Kingdom of Cherwind…***

By contrast, the prime city of the Beastmen race, Malvette, was calmer than in Kersea. For one, the beastmen were more ‘open’ in their views about relationships. Thus, for them, a simple commitment by lovers to each other was enough. Still, the news of the Lord Kuro’s proposal to their saint and queen, as well as the other popular figures in their government and society, was met with…

“Finally! His Majesty the King will consummate his relationship with our Queen!”

“I want three cute bear-cubs!”

“Make it five!”

“Hey! How about some wolf-pups?”

“That’d be nice! I’m sure Her Holiness the Lady Ruro will be happy to bear new members of her people!”

“Wait, our King will also have the Chief Royal Scientist, the Chief Royal Doctor, the Governor of the Avinus Isles, the Princess of the Serpentinus Tribe and the owner of the Royal Inn!”

“More children, more heirs!”

“Yey! Let’s open those wine barrels and celebrate!”

The chorus of cheers and laughter filled every point of the city. Later that day, an enormous crowd gathered in the square fronting the Black Tower, and everyone was chanting praises and blessings for their king and queen. There were also bear-cub toys being passed around, which further excited the impromptu throng, as well as ale and food. So much was the revelry that the mayor decided to declare a feast so he won’t ‘spoil the mood’ of the people.

News that he would later extend that ‘feast day’ declaration to almost two weeks became widespread that it even reached Chersea and the Other Realms.

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***The Palace of the House Usarved, City of New Darkmoor, Capital of the Federal Republic of Demons…***

“Congratulations on your relationship with the Lord Kuro.”

The demon lord-president, the Lady Noir of House Usarved, threw a long stare at her chamberlain, Shevaun. “Err…what’s new about it?”

“I’ve read in the newspapers that he proposed to all of you?” the chamberlain showed her mistress one of the newspaper editions they always read to check on the ‘mood’ of their people.

“To all of us,” she corrected her.

“Including me?”

Noir nodded, “Didn’t you say you want to connect to him as well? I told you to come with me to Cherwoods, didn’t I? Sir Kuro wanted to give you your ring personally.”

“R-Ring?”

“Humans love to give rings to people they intend to marry,” the demon lord-president explained, flashing her sapphire and gold ring to Shevaun. “But since we avoid human marriage, I consider this a sign that I’m already with him.”

“I see,” the chamberlain tried to hide her surprise, but remained prim and proper. “W-Well, I do want to connect with the Lord Kuro, but you’d always go first, milady.”

“Heh, as if anything will change with that,” Noir chuckled. “You know that human; he was steadfast in his belief in that enslavement ritual, he won’t touch his lovers without marrying them.”

“And?”

“Well, you know I don’t. Not after I’ve seen how it works in the human societies first-hand,” the demon lord-president heaved a sigh. “Novertheless, Sir Kuro believes the otherwise, so until his mind realizes that this ring practically and symbolically binds us now, nothing will happen. So yes, I’m pessimistic.”

“But you’re the one who’s excited about it before! You want to connect with the Lord Kuro, right?”

“Of course. My heart is his alone.”

“Then we do as we demons do!” Shevaun chuckled. “We should be assertive about it, now that he’s making the initiative!”

“Ah, it’ll all come in time,” Noir smiled. “And really, if I may be honest, I’d like ten children.”

“Just like the Lady Srexe!”

“What’s up with that goblin?” the demon lord-president blurted out. “Why did you bring her to this talk?”

The chamberlain cleared her throat, before saying, “She says she won’t lose to you, so she’s planning ten kids as well.”

“Damn…then I’d go 11,” the Usarved Princess declared. “And what about the people? What do they say about it?”

“Well, the Usarveds love the idea, and the Goblins, Orcs and Tambaras? Don’t worry about them; they treat the Lord Kuro as if their own, so they’re throwing their support for the union. As for the Biornos? There are a few oppositions, but with the Lord Sargdhenerri around, they can’t do anything about it.”

“We really can’t please everyone, eh?”

Shevaun nodded. “If they raise their banners in rebellion,” she grinned, unconsciously grasping the dagger on her waist, “we can always opt for a military solution. Those succubi and incubi are getting unto my nerves lately, and I’d like to teach them about peace and harmony.”

“Stay your hand. Don’t waste the sacrifice Sir Kuro did for us,” Noir reminded her. “But yeah, I wish we can do something about them. You know our people…leave a few of them burning, and soon it’ll be a huge fire.”

“Should I?” the chamberlain brought out her dagger. The Usarved Princess could feel Shevaun’s bloodlust oozing, so…

“Nope,” the demon lord-president shook her head, laughing. “I just told you! Don’t take Sir Kuro’s sacrifice in vain. You know how our ancestors dealt with such cases, and it didn’t end well. I guess we should try going the ‘diplomatic route’ this time.”

As fast as her rage showed up, Shevaun was quick to calm down. She sheathed the dagger, and bowed. Then, with that, she took her leave.

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***The City of Dorian, Cherwoods…***

“Lord Ingwer, have you heard the news?” an elf suddenly burst into the door of the Dorian lord’s house, carrying several newspapers.

The Lord Ingwer, in the middle of his breakfast, nearly fell from his seat. However, once he recovered from the initial shock, he asked his orderly, “What news?”

“The Lord Kuro is now engaged to our Holy Saint!” the young elf then put down the newspapers on his breakfast table, carefully lining those up for him to see the headlines written in bold letters. The Dorian lord immediately forgot his food, and took one to read.

“Oh!” the Lord Ingwer exclaimed the moment he was done reading. “This is great, then! I wish them happiness and a fruitful union!”

“Huh?!” the elf balked at his words. “But, milord, isn’t the Lord Kuro human?”

“And so? What about it?” the Dorian lord asked. “As someone who knows Her Holiness, I believe it’s her right to choose the partner she’ll love for the rest of her mortal life. Aren’t you the same?”

The elf was taken aback by what the Lord Ingwer said, but he still insisted, “Won’t the other elves get angry at that? I mean, Her Holiness the Lady Hinwe is an elf, and the Lord Kuro is a human, so…”

The Dorian lord brought the newspaper down, and he gave his orderly the long stare. The young elf had to avert his eyes away, as the atmosphere certainly became awkward. However, the Lord Ingwer finally put his question forward, “Do they?”

The elf profusely shook his head.

“No issues then,” the elf lord declared, before grabbing another newspaper to read. “Besides, this is the real Lord Kuro we’re talking about. And I know him as well; he’s more than a wise human, he saved our people from annihilation! It’s only fair that we treat him with utmost respect and gratitude. After all, you and I—as well as our families—owe our lives to him.”

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***The Chamber of Time…***

Just like any other ‘day’ in her life, the Keeper of Histories and Timelines—also known as the Lady of Time—sat on one of the stools facing the spinning wheels churning out spools of red threads. Boredom, her constant companion, was with her once again, and she would always glance towards the doorways that led to her chamber, even if there’s no one in there. Not only was she fighting against the monotony of her duty as the timeline keeper, the Lady of Time was also enduring a pain her chest that remained when she realized that the Black God was already gone.

“…”

The Lady of Time could only heave a sigh. Though they all knew that the Black God’s gamble into Chersea would be his last, no one had the courage to stop him. Not even the High King of the Gods, whom the deities respect and defer to whenever there’s a dispute. The Black God was determined to avenge his prior defeat to that creature from the Void, that he won’t listen to reason…nor to the Lady of Time’s wishes.

Still, the keeper of the timelines regretted the moments she had the chance to convey her feelings for him. At least, attempt to dissuade the Black God from carrying out his suicidal mission, for he still had a home…it was with her…

“Kuro…”

As the spinning wheel before her never ceased turning, the Lady of Time noticed someone standing at the entrance of her chamber. There was hope that suddenly shot up from her chest, for she wanted to believe that the Black God would still return to her, alive and well. However, much to her dismay, it was another person—though clad in black as well.

“You called for me, milady?”

“Did I, Seirna Stephanie?” the keeper of timelines asked, though it was more of a question to herself, rather than to the Overseer Saint.

“Yes, milady,” Seirna replied, quite irritated. “You even requested me to bring Cassandra with me. She’s Natasha Bellingsen now, okay?”

“Oh, right…” the Lady of Time chuckled. “How can I forget about it?”

“Always,” the Overseer Saint pointed out. “So, I’m correcting you now, before we get into another round of confusions.”

“Thank you, Seirna Stephanie!”

Seirna never answered her gratitude, but the Overseer Saint did like her, so she would always forgive the keeper of timelines even when she would repeatedly annoy her.

“Anyway, I’m here, milady!” Cassandra, as Natasha Bellingsen, made her presence known. “Are you going to ask any updates on Sir G?”

“Sir G?”

“Kuro, the otherworlder,” Seirna corrected the Lady of Time. “The one that became the Black God six Chersean years ago.”

“He’s Greg Santos, right?”

“Milady, that’s his Earth name,” the Demon Saint reiterated. “I call him Sir G because he’s my former teacher, and a long-time crush…”

“Ah! I see now!” the keeper of timelines smiled, as her head cleared up. “And in Chersea, he is Kuro…”

“Yep.”

“Well, how is he doing back there?”

Cassandra then puffed her chest and proudly flashed a beautiful ring made of gold and ruby on her finger. “Milady, my husband is fine,” she grinned as she explained. “As you can see, he’s taken a step and has declared his love for me!”

“First, demons don’t marry, so you can’t call him your ‘husband’,” Seirna countered. “And second, he declared his love for you—and to other ladies present last Christmas in Cherwoods. And third, I don’t think that ring on your finger means he married you already—”

“Shut up!” the Demon Saint shot back. “At least I have someone to love me!”

“What, you’re using that card on me, Cass?” the Overseer Saint chuckled the moment she saw Cassandra’s annoyed face. “It’s as if not having a lover affected me before!”

The Lady of Time, though she was laughing at the banter between them, moved to break off their talk. She brought them back to the reason they were summoned, “I see that he’s doing well, and that’s good.”

“Want me to bring him here next time, milady?” Cassandra offered.

“Hmm…I want him to come in his own accord,” the keeper of timelines smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Though, I admit I want to see him again…”

The Overseer and Demon saints, as they knew what just happened to the Black God, fell silent for a while. However, it was Seirna who broke the ice…

“I don’t get why everyone is after that guy,” she quipped. “I find him at most, average. Though, to be fair, he’s reliable…”

“You don’t spend much time with him to know his worth,” Cassandra countered. “I mean, you’re always dreaming about Gaius’ return, right?”

“Jokes on you, I already accepted that the otherworlder is the Lord Gaius’ successor,” Seirna defended herself. “It’s just that, can’t you find other guys to love?”

“Eh, the time and effort I’ll waste to know another person is already a discouragement,” the Demon Saint reasoned. “I mean, we’re saints, and we can read minds. However, I won’t do it; I want to learn about the person I love through his actions rather forcing it out of him. As such, I already know Sir G far longer than Maddie and the rest of you combined!”

Seirna’s eyes then fell on the Lady of Time, who told her, “Same reason. Besides, Kuro’s the only one who listened and talked willingly to me before, when everyone else was focused on getting out of this ‘dreary’ chamber. How can you not fall for the guy? At least he spends time and attention to people around him.”

“Right then,” the Overseer Saint, seeing that she couldn’t win against the Lady of Time and Cassandra, just shrugged and gave up. “So, what are we here for, milady?”

“You said before that Kuro already gained the determination to become god?”

“Yes, and I’m here to lend help.”

“And how’s it going?”

“I don’t know yet, but this is a different timeline, milady,” Seirna pointed out. “I have a plan in mind, but we still have to convince the Human Saint to let the otherworlder go. If there’s someone who’ll adamantly refuse to send him to the land of the dwarves, it is the Lady Rubinforth.”

“Yes, it’s only the god-power of the dwarf saint that’s left before he can ascend to godhood.”

“Err…” Cassandra turned to the Overseer Saint, “…what about your god-powers?”

Seirna’s face turned beet red. “D-Don’t worry about me,” she exclaimed. “At least I-I’m always available; the dwarf saint’s been missing for a while now, and we need to find her!”

“Right,” the Lady of Time clapped her hands. “I should be able to help you in that; at least, let me tell you where she was before she disappeared by looking into the timelines.”

“Thank you for the offer, milady!” the Overseer and the Demon saints stood up, ready to leave. The keeper of the timelines also joined them, escorting the holy ladies to the entrance of her chambers. Then, it was Cassandra who was first to leave, teleporting back to the realm of the mortals, leaving Seirna and the Lady of Time.

“…” Seeing that they were finally alone together, the Overseer Saint then said to her, “Milady, you know full well that even if the Black God came from the otherworlder, Kuro, this is a different ‘Kuro’, right?”

The Lady of Time never spoke; she just nodded to her.

“Chersea—as well as the other realms connected to it—should’ve ended when the Seductress entered Cherwoods through Lady Hinwe’s summoning of Kuro,” Seirna continued. “But this ‘Kuro’ fought back the temptation to become embittered, after we—his supposed ‘friends’—left and forgot him in Cherflammen.”

“That’s why the Black God searched for him.”

“I just hope you’re not mistaking him for your dead lover, milady,” the Overseer Saint was frank about her sentiments. “Six years ago, in Chersea’s timeline, we may have prevented him from becoming a god. Or better yet, we should’ve gone back to the time when the Lady Rubinforth was ‘born’ by that creature from the Void, but you said the High King of the Gods prevented it from happening.”

“I stand by my words. His Majesty the High King did ask me not to allow you,” the Lady of Time insisted. “Besides, I doubt if we can really prevent the Lady Rubinforth’s birth; the Seductress isn’t bound by the timeline of Chersea until the Black God’s sacrifice.”

Seirna fell silent when she heard that. However, when she was about to return to Chersea, the Overseer Saint quipped, “Milady, with all due respect, Kuro isn’t your Black God. Now that the ‘ball’ is on him, I’ll ensure his success to fulfill his destiny, whatever it takes…even if I have to fight someone like you.”

“I won’t interfere, Seirna Stephanie,” the keeper of timelines reassured her. “I swear I won’t cross swords with you.”