Chapter 48

The Wives' Council: A Turbulent Declaration
A few days had passed since Akio revealed the truth of his origins to the key women in the village. On the surface, the village atmosphere had settled back into calm, but beneath that, everyone carried mixed emotions in their hearts.

Sylvia, in particular, had begun to carry herself with an even gentler demeanor than before, but her insight seemed to have only sharpened. One day, she happened upon Kina quietly weeping under the shade of the life tree, doing her best to stifle her sobs.

“… I should’ve known better… There’s no way something that convenient could be real… Thinking the boss actually liked me… I just got my hopes up and got carried away…”

Though Kina had outwardly accepted that Akio's past actions came from cultural differences due to being from another world, she had not yet come to terms with the emotional aftermath. Sylvia said nothing. She simply stayed by her side.

The next day, Akio was summoned by Sylvia, who formally asked him to attend a “study meeting about the future of the village.” Curious, he made his way to a room in the Central Hall—still partially under construction—where Sylvia, Ayane, Celestina, Leonora, and Kina waited with oddly tense expressions.

“Everyone’s here,” Sylvia said softly, her voice calm but firm—resolute, even.

“With that, we will now commence the first ‘Wives’ Council.’”

“… Huh? Wives’ what…?”

Akio thought he misheard, but the serious look in Sylvia’s eyes told him this was no joke.

“The other day, you entrusted us with the great secret of your origin—that you are an ‘Earthling.’ That was an expression of your utmost trust in us. And we believe that, in order for someone like you—bearing the values of another world—to find peace and fully utilize your strength in this world, in this village, you must have both a solid family bond and a clear support system.”

Sylvia paused and looked around at the women present, then turned back to Akio and declared with unwavering conviction:

“Based on your confession and the trust you’ve shown us, all of us here today vow to become your wives.”

“… HUUUUUUUUH!?”

Akio’s shriek echoed through the room.

But Sylvia continued calmly, unbothered.

“I, Sylvia, will be the Principal Wife. Ayane will be the First Wife. Kina, the Second Wife. Celestina, the Third Wife. And Leonora, the Fourth Wife. This is our new family structure.”

Celestina and Leonora, who had presumably heard a bit about this from Sylvia beforehand, wore expressions that reflected a mix of surprise and steeled resolve. Yet Leonora, still clearly overwhelmed, hesitantly spoke:

“Lady Sylvia—no, Principal Wife… To be appointed Fourth Wife is… more than I deserve. Are you truly sure this is acceptable…?”

Her voice trembled with disbelief but also a faint joy, like she was torn between confusion and elation at an unexpected honor.

(Wait… is Leonora-san actually… happy? Sylvia’s the Principal wife, Ayane’s first… and Leonora is fourth… Why does that make her happy? Are the first four positions special? What kind of system is this?! I really don’t understand this world’s logic anymore!)

Akio’s mind was drowning in question marks.

Meanwhile, Kina—whose tears just days ago felt like a distant memory—was glowing with joy, almost leaping at Akio and grabbing his arm.

“Boss! I did it, I really did it! I’m your Second Wife—this is like a dream! Please, just leave it to me! I swear I’ll make you the happiest husband ever!”

Akio was at a total loss for words in the face of her sheer joy.

And then there was Ayane.

Nervously, Akio turned to her. Since Sylvia had named her “First Wife,” Ayane hadn’t moved a muscle. Her wide eyes were frozen open, her expression blank as if time itself had stopped for her.

“A-Ayane…? Hey, you okay…?”

Even when he called out, she didn’t flinch. Her face had gone pale, and her dazed expression couldn’t be read as either joy or sorrow—just utter shock.

Thus, with Sylvia’s firm declaration, the sudden formation of Akio’s five-woman household was finalized: Kina in happy tears, Leonora delighted and bewildered, Celestina smiling serenely, and Ayane completely frozen. Standing before the former “daughter” who now seemed petrified by this storm of developments, Akio could do nothing but stand there, stunned.

And so, the first words of the Wives’ Council—an event that might shape the future of the village—marked the explosive beginning of a truly chaotic chapter.

What do you think about this chapter?