Shodai came with Mamako.
Actually, she had just arrived moments before.
Mamako's path of pseudo-invincibility amazed everyone.
And Shodai...
She had it rough.
Among all the ladies in the chat group, she fared the worst.
As soon as she arrived, she started frantically pouring out her grievances to Kaito.
After hearing about Mamako's adventures, she burst into tears.
She was too miserable!!
The monsters she encountered were all strong, ones she couldn't beat!
Then she ran all over, constantly being chased.
She was either preparing to flee or already on the run.
Only rarely did she encounter weak monsters that she could kill.
She was just that unlucky, so unlucky it left a huge shadow in her heart.
This made Kaito comfort her for a very, very long time before she finally emerged from that damnable shadow.
Then she declared that she would absolutely never adventure alone again; she would stick with the group from now on!
But in truth, they wouldn't be separating again from now on.
Being apart was just too lonely.
Even if they made many friends and companions among the adventurers, those relationships could never be as good as with the ladies from the chat group.
Besides, they weren't natives of this world anyway.
At most, they could visit often in the future, even bring their daughters.
As for whether they would settle down permanently, that was a decision for later.
Because in comparison, their original worlds were indeed 'boring'.
Everyday life, no matter how good, couldn't compare to this.
It's just that they had grown up in their own worlds.
Kaito, inside the Carian Manor, looked at all the ladies gathered together.
Besides Rennala, and their respective Maidens, the rest were:
Yor Briar.
Misaka Misuzu.
Izumi Shodai.
Oosuki Mamako.
Sephie Michaela Deviluke.
Tearju Lunatique.
Kamado Kie.
Sawamura Sayuri.
Yukinoshita Hirano.
Irisviel von Einzbern.
Hinatsuru Akina.
Tamaki Mika.
Everyone was here, chattering and discussing lively.
Except for Yor, who was a quasi-lady (not yet married, no children), they were all breathtakingly beautiful mothers.
Seeing them, Rennala's expression changed constantly, finally ending in a helpless sigh.
What else could she say?
She was used to it.
Not to mention, she had even been comrades in arms with Sephie, Irisviel, and the others.
At this moment, Kaito also couldn't help but miss Baal, Yunyun, and the others.
This parent-child activity period was indeed too long.
Kaito wanted to finish quickly, but this wasn't something to rush.
It wasn't just about clearing the game; Kaito wanted to achieve something more.
Besides, since he was already spending this much time, once he was crowned Elden Lord, things could be a bit easier.
"Kaito, next, do you want us to follow you on your adventures, or are you going solo?"
After the women finished their discussion, they threw this question to him.
They had also decided not to part ways and adventure separately anymore, but to gather together.
Leveling up didn't matter as much; getting stronger could come slowly.
Right now, they just wanted to stay together, not wanting to feel so lonely anymore.
"..."
Asked this question, Kaito scratched his head, a bit awkward.
He also wanted the ladies to accompany him, but his subsequent adventures would be more dangerous.
Besides...
There was Ranni.
You know.
Rennala's daughter.
Holding Ranni's letter of invitation, he definitely needed to meet Ranni alone!
Help her with some tasks, and then follow the game's storyline, obtain the 'ring', and finally place it on her left ring finger himself!
He couldn't tell them about this just yet.
Maybe they wouldn't mind, but Ranni would mind!
Thus, he still had to set out on the adventure alone.
Alas!!
"I will be accelerating my adventure from now on, and the opponents I face will be even more dangerous. So, if I take you all along, I'm afraid I won't be able to protect you properly."
Kaito sighed, answering without blushing or skipping a beat, even with a hint of regret.
Hearing this, the ladies didn't mind, but rather laughed and nodded.
Since Kaito wanted to speed through the game, he would naturally need to start high-intensity adventures, defeating enemies.
If they followed, they would only hold him back.
"Then shall we form our own adventuring party?"
Misuzu said with a smile. After Kaito nodded, they continued their discussion.
Where to adventure next, which places were safer, which places offered easier combat but still gave more experience, and so on.
Rennala watched them, lost in thought.
Kaito sat aside, leisurely sipping his tea.
Anyway, they could go adventure wherever they wanted. Kaito, on the other hand, definitely needed to get in touch with Rennala.
Besides that, there was the issue of Melina to resolve.
No matter what, Kaito would not allow her to sacrifice herself to burn the Erdtree. If pushed, he would accept the Frenzied Flame, then give himself an injection to recover.
That way, Melina would be fine.
The only problem was whether Melina would leave after seeing Kaito accept the Frenzied Flame.
At least in the game, once the protagonist accepts the Frenzied Flame, Melina leaves.
Even if you get the injection later, not taking the Frenzied Flame ending but any other, Melina would still disappear.
Except in the Lord of Frenzied Flame ending.
This was indeed a troublesome matter.
So, Kaito and Rennala discussed this issue privately.
Unfortunately, even after thinking it over and even consulting numerous books in the library, she couldn't provide an answer.
Maybe Ranni could be tried?
She dared to kill even the Greater Will. Perhaps she knew some other solution?
To burn down the Erdtree without him accepting the Frenzied Flame, nor letting Melina sacrifice herself.
Even for Kaito, he really didn't want to go 'frenzied'!
Damn, being grabbed by that finger, having to strip naked... no matter how he thought about it, it was disgusting!
He would only do it if there was absolutely no other choice.
Then, forcefully keep Melina by his side and properly reason with her.
If he couldn't keep her, he'd still have to keep her.
…
Several days later...
Led by Misuzu and Sayuri, all the ladies from the chat group embarked on a new adventure.
On this day, the previous night had been utterly wild.
Rennala was amazed.
And now, watching them leave, Melina and the Fire Keeper stood behind Kaito.
Rennala stood atop the palace, gazing at Kaito's figure.
Kaito, too, set out on his journey...