The village head rubbed his temples as Judas signed the marriage parchments.
"May the gods have mercy on your soul," Harven muttered, stamping the last page.
"Don't worry, old man. I'm capable enough," Judas replied, taking the documents with a grin.
Harven sighed. "That's not about capability, lad. That's a death sentence if you can't meet the month-end goals."
By the time the crowd dispersed, gossip was already spreading through the square.
Some men whispered that Judas had gone mad, others that he must have been blinded by lust for selecting three women at a time.
The soldiers, too, looked impressed in a pitying sort of way.
"Alas, I remember being all excited to marry a wife, only to be drafted into the army the next month." The soldier unlocked the chains binding the women as he shook his head.
Carrying three wives home on your first day in another world was apparently not common.
The three women followed behind him in silence as he led the way toward the southern fields.
The dirt road was quiet except for the rustle of wind through tall grass and the chirping of unseen birds.
The morning sun had turned golden, spilling over the hills like honey.
Judas inhaled deeply. "Ah, fresh air. Calm atmosphere. Beauties in embrace. Peasant life sure is wonderful."
"Wonderful peasant life where you can't even afford proper shoes," said the elf from behind him.
Her voice was calm but sharp. Judas turned to see her silver eyes fixed on him with clear disdain.
"So, you do speak aloud," he said.
She frowned. Why is he acting like he knows the way I speak? she wondered.
"I prefer silence. It keeps the stupid ones from responding," she said without slowing her stride.
The wolf girl flinched and whispered, "Luna, that's rude."
If he's angered, we'll be abandoned, she cried inwardly.
"It's accurate," Luna replied.
Judas chuckled. "You two know each other?"
The wolf girl smiled shyly. "We met in the carriage. I'm Nina. I… I apologize for Luna's sharp tongue. She is not as bad as she sounds."
Luna lifted an eyebrow but said nothing.
"And you?" Judas turned to the muscular woman, who walked behind them with a steady and confident pace.
"Ezra," she said simply.
Her voice carried weight. She moved like someone who had known battle. Even in plain linen, her presence was commanding.
"Ezra," Judas repeated. "Beautiful name. So, Nina, Luna, and Ezra. My lovely wives, welcome to my life."
Luna crossed her arms. "We're only wives on paper. Do not flatter yourself."
Nina's ears drooped. "Yes… Dar-" she stopped when Luna gave her a sharp glare.
Why can't I call him darling? she wondered, her expression like a plea.
Naive girl, falling for his sweet tongue, Luna thought back.
Judas smiled. "Fine. Paper wives, then." Internally, he was planning how to increase the affection of his wives.
Nina seems naive, and she seems really scared of me abandoning her. So the chances of pushing her affection to 100 should be easier.'
Luna is an arrogant elf. Well, she can't be blamed. Elves have always looked down on humans. For her to marry one would be humiliating. Making her fall in love might be a task.
But it isn't impossible. Taming wild beauties is always his excitement.
But Ezra... Judas side-eyed her. She's hiding something. Luna and Nina were also hiding something, but Ezra's felt like a bigger secret.
Why is Husband looking at me like this? Nina blushed.
Look at me again and I will gouge your eyeballs out, Luna fumed internally.
It seems he isn't simple. He has already doubted my background. Was my disguise that bad? Ezra mused.
They reached his house a few minutes later. It stood alone near a small patch of farmland, a modest structure of stone and wood.
The roof sagged slightly, and one corner had collapsed in from last night's wind.
The three women stared at it in silence.
"This," Nina cupped her cheeks, "is our house?"
"Yes, Puppy." Judas smiled, patting her head. Her wolf ears twitched at his touch as her face reddened.
Affection: 15 -> 18
"Pardon? Puppy?"
"Yes. What's wrong?" Judas asked, feigning confusion. "You don't like it?"
"Yes. YES. I like it!" Nina curled her arms around him. Judas flicked her nose softly, drawing another cute yelp from her.
"Cheesy." Luna turned her head to one side.
"Are you jealous?" he raised a brow.
Affection: -5 -> -6
'What! Their affection can decrease?'
[Yes. Only when their affection reaches 100 will they fully become devoted to you. Until then, even if they don't cheat on you, their liking for you can decrease.]
'I see.' He stared at Luna, whose face for some reason became cold. It wasn't the arrogance or disdain she had shownbefore. Rather, a bit of hatred.
'Why? Is it because I used the term 'jealous'?' Judas nodded to himself. 'It seems I have to open up the characteristics of my wives and find out about their likes and dislikes, or it will become a disaster for me.'
"Let's go in," said Judas as he pulled Nina along to his house. Luna followed him shortly after, accompanied by Ezra.
He knows when to talk and stop talking. Rare for such a man in these peasant lands, Ezra praised in her mind.
Affection: 1 -> 5
Husband didn't think it's a bad omen to let me through the front door. He is a gentleman. Nina's eyes sparkled.
Affection: 18 -> 25
[Nina's affection for you reached one-fourth of absolute devotion. You have obtained five ordinary lucky draws.]
'Nice. I was a bit stressed about how to reach the monthly goals. I hope these draws will be a help.'
Upon entering the house, his three wives coughed at the same time.
Judas coughed lightly. "It's… rustic. Character, you know? Builds personality."
Luna looked at him as if he had just declared himself king of idiots.
I have slept in worse anyway, she thought, sounding a bit happy. Finally, I have a roof over my head.
Affection: -6 -> -3
No smell of smoke because of cooking. Can Husband really feed three of us? Nina bit her lips as she thought. Never mind. I will eat less.
Affection: 25 -> 26
I never expected that such a dilapidated house would make me this happy. Albeit Ezra showed no emotions, her mind was genuinely thankful.
Affection: 5 -> 8
'Hearing their minds is a great help,' Judas commented inwardly.
"Alright," Judas said, setting down the marriage papers on the table. "Let's get one thing straight. I may not be rich, but I promise I will absolutely never make you starve."
"Is that supposed to comfort us?" Luna asked, rolling her eyes. Congrats, you have succeeded.
"Let's find out."
He took a deep breath and opened his system interface.
The pink light shimmered into view before him again, only visible to his eyes.
[You have married three wives.]
[Binding in progress…]
Three golden threads extended from his chest toward the women. Each thread pulsed once before merging into them, vanishing from sight.
A warm surge filled his veins. His muscles tensed, his skin tingled, and a deep hum echoed in his mind.
[Attributes Unlocked.]
From Luna: Agility +10
From Ezra: Strength +10
From Nina: Intelligence +10
Judas gasped. His body felt lighter, faster, and sharper. He looked down at his hands and clenched them. His knuckles cracked like thunder.
"Whoa. I feel like my whole body is reborn. I have endless stamina..."
Horny.
Horny.
Horny.
"Darlings, you guys might have misunderstood something."
The three women suddenly moved closer to each other. away from him and looked at him warily.