The streets of Silverleaf Town buzzed with excitement as visitors streamed in from all directions for Shin's engagement ceremony. Luxurious cars gliding along cobblestone avenues, unloading guests in fine attire who filled the luxurious hotels to capacity.
The entire town pulsed with joyful energy, every corner alive with anticipation for the grand celebration.
The Counts and Barons under the Silverheart Duchy were the first one to arrive as they were the closest to the capital of the Duchy, and then the entire nobility under duke's level of Sariel Empire started to gather in the silver leaf town.
It is unspoken rule of nobility that the lower your standing the faster you should arrive to secure your position before the real power arrives, and the higher the nobility the last one should be allows the high-ranking noble to make a "big splash," commanding attention and forcing the room to stop, bow, or curtsy, thus reinforcing their superiority.
A days before the engagement ceremony, in the silver leaf town bustling with nobel guests and rush in the market, between all the hustle there is a couple, a boy with blonde hair and golden eyes who looks around sixteen and a girl with same blonde hair and ruby red eyes who looks like the same age as him but slightly taller than him, holding each other's hands and walking the street as if they own this very own town, which is not wrong as their mother is the very one who rule the entire Duchy and this town also.
Shin and Emily are walking down the street laughing and talking with each other as if there isn't any world around them, they are roming the town and exploring the bustling market streets while holding hands.
While enjoying his date with his big sister, Shin looked at her and asked, "Big sis, your idea of giving a gift to Mira was really brilliant," he said, gently squeezing her hand. "I'm sure it will help when you apologize to her sincerely."
Emily looked at him, her hood still up. Strands of her dark black hair spilled down from both sides of the hood, framing her face beautifully and enhancing her allure. She snorted lightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"Hmph… I'll apologize to her properly this time and make sure she doesn't hold any remorse toward me. It would be really bad if I didn't."
Shin felt a warm fondness bloom in his chest from their connection as they continued walking.
'I don't know when, but Emily started to become a real mature big sister lately.' She acts like his mother sometimes—always asking every maid for his daily reports and spending more time with him under the pretense of training and teaching.
He glanced at her profile again, watching how her ruby-red eyes softened whenever they met his.
'However, I think I know what's cooking in her little head. She's really smart, and a smart yandere is more dangerous than anything… but I still love her for who she is.
She's just playing her games to secure the position of first wife or main wife in my harem—even though there are only two of them right now. Mira has also started to notice these changes, acting all cute and jealous whenever we're alone. Still, it's a win-win situation for me. I'll be the one receiving more love from these two beautiful girls.'
In his previous life, if someone had told him he would end up with a harem of extremely beautiful girls—including his own sister—he would have laughed it off as a ridiculous joke.
[Ding!]
[+10 SP from Emily!]
[+10 SP from Emily!]
His system is rewarding him generously too... he got 10 SP from Emily every hour.
While strolling through the streets with his elder sister, searching for the perfect gift for his fiancée and savoring their date, Shin suddenly wondered, 'Have I become a player or womanizer in this world?'
'No,' he thought firmly. 'I'm not breaking my partner's trust, nor am I engaging in casual relationships with random women. Only the ones I truly love.'
'I'm not a womanizer. I don't do casual flings, and I refuse to share. I love my girls deeply—I'm extremely possessive of them and completely sincere.'
'Obsession and sincerity are the keys to a happy marriage. For me, love without obsession isn't love at all, just as love without sincerity isn't love.'
'But according to the system, in the future I'll have to gather all the heroines by my side—either as lovers or slaves. I can't let any of them be taken by the sons of heaven, or the system will punish me harshly.'
'I'll genuinely try to win their hearts and fall for them in return, loving them as much as I love my current soulmates.'
At that moment, Shin's eyes swirled with a dark, possessive glint as he noticed random passersby staring at Emily. A dangerous thought crossed his mind: maybe he should just clear out this entire town of people so he and his girls could enjoy their date in perfect peace.
Suddenly, a loud commotion erupted from a nearby bookstore. Curious, Shin and Emily walked over to check what was happening.
Inside, a arrogant young man dressed in luxurious noble attire was shouting furiously at the store owner, his face twisted with anger.
"You dare refuse to sell me the limited edition 'Arcane Codex'? Do you know who I am?! I am Cedric von kale, the second son of Duke kale from Valder Dukedom! If you don't hand over that book right now, I'll have this entire store burned to the ground!"
The bookstore owner trembled in fear but still shook his head. "Young master, that book has already been reserved by another customer…"
Before the owner could finish, Cedric's gaze suddenly landed on Emily. His eyes lit up with lust and arrogance as he looked her up and down.
"Hmph, never mind the book. You there, beautiful lady. Come with me. A woman of your caliber should be accompanying someone of my status, not some worthless commoner."
He then turned his sharp gaze toward Shin, who was standing protectively beside Emily, and sneered, "You, lowly insect. How dare you stand next to such a fine woman? Scram immediately if you don't want me to break every bone in your body."
The surrounding crowd gasped, many recognizing the infamous temper of the young duke's son.
Before Shin could even respond, Emily's expression instantly turned feral. Her eyes narrowed dangerously, and a wicked, dangerous smirk appeared on her lips.
"Hah? The fuck did you just say?"
In a flash, Emily moved. She stepped forward and delivered a brutal, full-powered slap across Cedric's face with surprising speed and force. The loud SMACK echoed through the entire bookstore like a whip crack. Cedric was sent flying sideways, crashing hard into a wooden shelf. Books tumbled down onto him as he hit the floor, blood instantly dripping from his split lip and reddened cheek.
"You disgusting pig!" Emily snarled, cracking her knuckles loudly while glaring down at him with pure disdain.
"You think you can threaten my Shin with your shitty mouth? I'll beat the arrogance right out of your worthless skull!"
She took another threatening step forward, her delinquent aura flaring intensely as she loomed over the fallen noble.
"Touch him or even look at him again, and I'll make sure you leave this town missing a few teeth… or maybe an arm. Got it, you spoiled piece of shit?"
Cedric stared up at her in complete shock, holding his swollen face. "Y-You… dare hit me?! Do you know who my father—"
"Shut the hell up!" Emily barked, cutting him off sharply.
She then turned to Shin, her entire demeanor flipping instantly.
The fierce, violent delinquent look melted away into one of pure, obsessive adoration. Her cheeks flushed deep red as she clung tightly to Shin's arm, pressing her body against his possessively while looking up at him with sparkling, lovesick eyes.
"Shin~ Did you see that? I protected you properly, right?" she said in a sweet, almost giddy voice, completely different from her earlier aggression. "No one is allowed to threaten you or look at me like that… Only I can stay by your side. You're mine… and I'm yours. I'd beat up anyone for you, Shin."
Her grip on his arm tightened as she nuzzled closer, clearly thrilled by her own violent display and eager for his approval.
Shin's eyes twitched slightly as he watched the scene unfold.
'That was… unexpected. Or maybe it was exactly what I should've expected from my overprotective big sister.'
A hint of disappointment flashed across his face. 'Damn… I couldn't even show off or do what a man is supposed to do — protecting his woman.'
He felt like his perfect chance to act cool and play the role of the strong protector had been completely stolen by his elder sister. In his mind, he secretly hoped another similar incident would happen soon so he could properly step up and defend his girls from these cliché arrogant young masters.
However, what Shin didn't realize was that this very thought had just raised a massive red flag.
___________
In the Eden Empire, in one of the many holy cities spread across the world, stood the sacred Holy City dedicated to the Primordial Goddess Gaia.
The Holy City of the goddess Gaia was a breathtaking sacred ground dedicated to the Primordial Goddess Gaia.
Built from pristine white marble intertwined with living vines and ancient colossal trees, the city glowed with a soft emerald light. Crystal-clear holy springs flowed through its streets, carrying divine energy, while vibrant gardens bloomed eternally in perpetual spring. The air itself felt pure and heavy with sacred mana, making every breath feel like a blessing from the Goddess of Life and Creation.
Inside the Grand Cathedral of Gaia, before a towering and majestic statue of the Primordial Goddess, a 16-year-old young man with jet-black hair and bright, sparkling blue eyes knelt motionless in prayer.
He had remained in this exact position for three full days — never once standing, eating, or resting. His knees were bruised and swollen, yet his resolve never wavered. He was earnestly praying for the Goddess to grant him permission to rescue the Saintess Mira from the evil Duchess, who had imprisoned her and was forcing her into marriage with her son.
He firmly believed that someone as holy and transcendent as the Saintess would never willingly marry a man she had never met — especially one younger than her. In his heart, this union was nothing more than vile coercion by corrupt nobles.
Without the Goddess's oracle and divine authority, he knew he stood no chance against a powerful Duchess. But if Gaia personally commanded it, he could boldly march in, claim the Saintess, and no one would dare interfere. After all, it would be the will of the Goddess herself.
Though he had surpassed his physical limits many hours ago, his iron willpower kept him firmly on his knees, praying without pause.
Suddenly, a sweet, melodic, and soothing voice resonated directly within his mind. Just hearing it washed away all his fatigue and pain, bringing instant peace to both his body and soul.
"I shall grant you authority in my name. You may challenge the man my Saintess is betrothed to. If you emerge victorious, you may separate them forever — they shall never be together again. However, if he wins, the entire Church will give him its full support, for I will personally anoint him as my High Paladin."
As the divine voice faded, the young man's body finally collapsed. He fell forward, his forehead striking the cold marble floor, yet a wide, ecstatic smile was plastered across his face.
'So… that means if I win, the Saintess will become mine, right?!'
A few minutes later, he slowly rose to his feet. Surprisingly, his body felt completely refreshed and brimming with energy, as if the Goddess had personally restored him.
Just as he was about to leave and prepare for his journey, a graceful priestess approached and bowed respectfully.
"Sir Paladin, Her Holiness the Pope has summoned you."
His sparkling blue eyes widened with delight, and an ambitious, fanatical smile spread across his face once more.
'This is it… I will show the entire world who is truly worthy of the Saintess.'
~~~~~~~~~