Time flowed as always.
The Neutral Zone concluded and the Earthlings were set free into a changed Paradise.
Although there weren't any more Parasites lingering, there were plenty of monsters.
Sung Shihyun's reckless act of defeating the eldritch deity hidden beneath the Imperial Palace had set free the various malevolent forces across the world.
And while Jihu could have resolved it all, he left it in the hands of the Seven Gods.
As a result, instead of purging it completely, they used it as an excuse to maintain the Earthlings, restructuring them into Adventurers instead, borrowing a few ideas from Earth's culture.
...Though that was mostly due to Ian's influence and his insistence that the Gods' system was already similar to Dragon Quest.
Queen Roe, as well as Scheherazade, became the hub for Earthling activity. And for those of age, it also became a place for 'great rewards' to those who accumulated enough merit.
Queen Charlotte and Eva became a second hub for Earthlings who wanted to set off for the unknown.
After all, while the territory within the Empire, Federation, and the Three Kingdoms was mapped, Paradise was an entire world. And there was the possibility that hidden threats existed in the unknown horizon.
Thus, being so close to the Federation, which had turned into the mecca of technological development, the more experienced 'Adventurers' used it as a base of operations to set out further.
As for Haramark...
===
"Hubby!" Teresa jumped into my arms.
I laughed and spun her around. "Well, aren't you excited?"
"How could I not be?!" Teresa giggled and then kissed me. "My Hubby is moving Elysium back into Haramark! Just like old times!"
...That's right.
Since Eva and the Federation were working together now, I figured there'd be too much concentration of power if we were there too, so I had us move our base back to Haramark.
Of course, we still kept a nominal base in Eva since we'd registered as an organization there. But it was run by Seol-Ah and Sungjin, who were heading up new adventurers and expanding it on their own merits.
Meanwhile, me and everyone else were back in Haramark in our old building.
I chuckled and said, "Well, it's not like I'll be here all the time, Resa. Besides." I looked at her room and said, "We're just here to pack your stuff, remember?"
Right.
The situation was settled.
Paradise was at peace.
And the story here was at an end... at least for me.
So now it was time to tie up loose ends.
I stared at Teresa and said, "Are you sure you want to move to Earth with me, Resa? Here, you're royalty. You could say and do whatever you want."
Teresa rolled her eyes and wrapped herself around my arm. "It's too late for that, Hubby. Don't you know?" She leaned her head against my shoulder and said, "Every woman leaves their home when they marry. Because the home after they marry is at their man's side."
"...We TECHNICALLY still aren't married-"
"Doesn't matter, Daddy approved it! In the history books and Haramark's ledgers, you're the Royal Consort and I'm Queen Haramark~"
"...And yet, Father-in-law is still running the kingdom."
"Pft, as if it'd be any different if I properly took the throne. You know he'd be too paranoid to let me touch anything. Besides, you know me. Do you think I could run Haramark properly in peacetime?"
"True~ You'd probably start fights just because you're bored." I chuckled.
"Right~ So." Teresa leaned up to kiss my chin and said, "Hurry and take me home to Earth so I can join you and your harem~"
"First of all, it's not a harem. Second of all, you might be a kept woman, but you still get to do what you want, you know? It's not like you're there just to be 'mine.'"
Teresa rolled her eyes. "Obviously. Flonnie and I already made plans with Yuhui to open a bakery."
"Good. Then..." I looked around. "Let's get packed and head off."
===
King Prihi shook my hand as I walked out to the main hall with Teresa. "Son. Take care of my daughter. She might be a hassle, but she loves you dearly."
"I know." I smiled. "I'll cherish her properly and make her feel loved."
Prihi chuckled. "Good." His eyes softened as he looked at Teresa. "And daughter. Thank you for your work. From now on... enjoy it again. Being a spoiled woman who doesn't have to lift a finger if she doesn't want to."
Teresa's eyes teared up. Then she ran forward and hugged her father. "Daddy..."
Prihi hugged her back. Although his eyes were teary too, he laughed and said, "What's the matter? This isn't farewell, but just goodbye for now." He patted her back and said, "I expect you to visit with my grandchildren."
Teresa laughed and brushed her tears. "Promise. We'll be back."
"Good. Then..." Prihi waved. "Have a wonderful life. And enjoy your fairytale ending."
I gave Prihi a salute and said, "See you soon, Pops."
"Pops?" Prihi laughed. "You irreverant-!"
Before he could finish, I warped back to my apartment on Earth with Teresa.
The moment we arrived...
"Resa!" Flone ran forward and hugged Teresa.
"You actually picked her up, huh?" Seonhwa looked amused but waved at Teresa.
"Ugh. It's not enough to have us, but Oppa has to go and pick up a damned princess too?" Chohong grumbled, but she had a warm smile on her face.
Claire adjusted her glasses, wiping off her hands on her apron as she walked out from the kitchen. "Our Jihu is the sort of man to make sure his women feel loved, after all. It wouldn't be right without Teresa here."
Yuri kicked her feet on the couch and said, "That's right! Oppa even kept me to use me like a flesh- MMPH!?"
Maria covered Yuri's mouth and said, "Quiet, you brat! Just because we approved you doesn't mean you get to mouth off!"
Yuhui giggled as she walked out behind Claire. "Oh, relax a bit, Maria~ It's not like you're any better from how much you beg to sleep with your 'Oppa.'"
"Th-That's different!" Maria's face turned a bright red. "I LITERALLY just sleep! I don't do... whatever you perverts do!"
Sora rolled her eyes, pulling off a pair of oven mitts as she walked out from the kitchen. "Suuure you don't." She smiled at Teresa. "And welcome to the chaos, Princess. Hope you don't mind it."
Teresa laughed. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Seora walked out from my bedroom, followed by Seohui. "Good! You're finally here!"
Seohui smiled. "We were just discussing our hero and what to do next with our lives."
Teresa walked forward and joined the others, chatting about various things and catching up.
But while that din unfolded, Hannah walked over from my office to lean against me. "Finally home, Husband?"
I chuckled and kissed her cheek. "Yep." I ran my hand down her side and felt the slight bump on her belly. "Couldn't keep my pregnant wife alone too long. I was worried, you know?"
Hannah rolled her eyes. "You've gotten too good at talking."
I smiled and just stayed there for a bit, watching the others interact.
It looked chaotic, but it wasn't.
And the reason for that was clear.
I wasn't the center here.
While all the women in the room loved me, while they would give anything for me if I asked...
They were still their own persons.
Flone, Teresa, Yuhui, and Seonhwa were chatting about turning Seonhwa's cafe into a proper restaurant.
Sora had walked over to give some input on it since she had experience running the Good Pork Belly Place.
Seora, Seohui, Maria, and Yuri had made a small group around the coffee table and talking business... while Yuri was adamantly insisting that they could make a killing running an OnlyFans while Maria was actively dodging questions about it while clearly knowing too much about how it worked...
Chohong and Claire had drifted back to the kitchen, both badmouthing me about how I was a terrible man for stringing them both along with the bare minimum... but just teasing about it since they didn't mean it.
Though the fact that they WERE talking about it also meant they had a lot to get off their chests...
But that was fair, so I let it be.
Hannah watched it all and said, "You know, you're a crazy bastard for making this somehow work."
I laughed and hugged her close. "Well. It helps when everyone here cares for each other as at least friends, if not family. And also that everyone knows they don't have to compete for my attention... because they all want different things from me. And that they know the 'love' they need doesn't clash with the love that others need."
"...You say that, but the fact that you managed to get over the human nature of women being possessive is impressive in itself, you crazy bastard. Like..." Hannah jabbed my rib and said, "You DO realize this is objectively cheating behind my back, right? Your legally married wife?"
I nipped her ear. "You say that, but we all know you wouldn't last the week monopolizing me~ Especially in bed."
Hannah turned a bright red and pinched my elbow. "You...! Hmph." She averted her gaze and said, "...You might not be a pervert, but you sure are insatiable. The fact that it takes these many women for you to even be mildly tired in bed..."
I laughed. "Well, it's good that lust and gluttony aren't my sins. Mostly just pride."
"You mean vainglory you arrogant bastard. You do it all for the glory and flash."
"Guilty~"
Hannah rolled her eyes, watching the harmonious scene play out in front of her. Then she looked at me and said, "...What are you going to do now, Jihu?"
"Hm?" I blinked. "Well, I'm going to make sure all the beautiful women in my life feel loved, of course."
"Not THAT. It's obvious. I mean about life. Work. The other stuff." Hannah chuckled. "I know you. It's not enough for you to just sit around being a family man."
I hummed. "Well, since Paradise is over... How about something to fulfill all of us who are still chasing new heights? I'm thinking of making a VR game."
Hannah blinked. "A VR game? Virtual Reality?"
"Yep. I've been inspired by Paradise, you see?"
"...Alright. What are you going to call it then, dear husband of mine?"
"I'm thinking of calling it... Satisfy."
"Pft, Satisfy? What, is that because you're such a glutton for beauties and filled with pride?"
"Nah." I chuckled. "I'm thinking it's because there are some people who might be greedy... but if they are, might as well do it in a game where you can be overgeared, right?"
Hannah rolled her eyes. "Sure... Now come on so you can start cooking your ridiculous gourmet meals." She tugged my arm as she walked me to the kitchen. "As you can see, we're having a family dinner tonight with everyone." She poked my cheek and said, "It's about time you introduced your parents to the women who love you. ALL of them."
"...Dad's going to have a heart attack."
"Oh, he is for sure." Hannah laughed. "Because... Congrats, Daddy. You have seven babies on the way. Mine, Seonhwa's, Teresa's, Seora's, Seohui's, Chohong's, and Flone's."
I froze and quickly swept my gaze around the room.
And that quick gaze confirmed it.
While they weren't all showing just yet...
===
[Transcendent Insight]
Why are you even using me? It was a matter of time since you love creampies so much you pervert.
===
Right.
Well...
"At least seven's a lucky number, right?"
"You WOULD say that!" Hannah laughed and said, "Come on. Let's go before Jinhee starts using your love life for inspiration again and writes something ridiculous like an author who becomes the extra in his own novel or something."
"That sounds stupid."
"Tell that to your sister who's become addicted to writing."
I rolled my eyes and walked off with Hannah.
It was a mess.
It was ridiculous.
It was a life that came about as a result of vainglory and gluttony. The second coming of a man who fell victim to gluttony and then the first of a man who had enough vanity to think he could fix everything...
Ah, what am I saying?
In the end, this was my story.
Jihu's.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
...Okay, maybe I would have just stuck to Flone if I could do things over, but don't tell anyone-
"JIHU!"
"Coming Wifey~"
===
FIN
===