**Kuro, during the Christmas celebrations in Cherwoods…**

  In my old world, couples would always want to get married around June, as it was a tradition way back…hmm, I don’t remember. I could confirm that it had been the custom when I first gained self-consciousness. Nevertheless, before I disappeared there, there was a growing trend of people getting engaged or married by Christmas. Well, it’s not that I don’t understand the emotional and economic reasons behind it; first, the Christmas season, especially in my country, was a four-month-long joyous occasion. As nearly all of us would organize parties and trips, so were the couples wanting to get married when everyone’s spirits were sailing high.

  The second economical reason for tying the knot by Yuletide was to maximize the budget and celebrations at the most efficient financial considerations. Everyone’s going to party, and it’s also the season of high spending (as well as company bonuses), so marrying by Christmas would combine the celebrations, the added (often unpredictable) expenses, and the cheerful moods.

  “…”

  Well, of course, for my situation right now, those two reasons were not applicable. First, I’m not boasting, but I’m financially stable now compared to when I was working as a teacher. And second, Chersea’s Christmas season was suggested by Maddie—a person not from Earth, maybe to uplift everyone’s spirits after the recent conflict here in Cherwoods. That’s why they moved the celebrations from the usual December to September. Not that I could do anything about it; I mean, no one really knew (in my world) the actual date when the real celebrant was born, so I guess it’s the thought that ultimately counts.

  In any case, this was the right time to entertain the thought of marrying or getting engaged to the dies I love. Contrary to our culture in my old world, Chersean humans—especially those with noble and royal backgrounds—had the usual long ‘marriage traditions,’ from courtship to engagement to the actual ceremony. Beastfolks were more practical. For them, if one person loved the other and was fine with it, they were considered partners for life. As for the Demons, they were the more ‘liberal’ versions of the Beastfolk philosophy in family and marriage. They view the former as a ‘tool’ to reproduce and the tter as a ‘human-inspired ensvement ritual.' And of course, the Elves. They were a monotonous lot, preferring to stay in union with the one they married for the duration of their near-endless lives…though there were lots of stories in their oral and written history where people would commit ‘extramarital’ affairs.

  Yeah, officially they don’t encourage NTR. But in reality, they do. Such are the elves.

  “…”

  Also, depending on the world where I set foot, their customs and culture applied to me…or at least, that’s what I understood from what they always tell me.

  Still, even if there was a great difference in the views and beliefs about love and courtship in these realms connected by the Saints, I wanted to make my proposal special for each one of the dies who wanted to be with me. So, I asked Prince Giuseppe Uhrian of the Valley Cities to help me create rings for them, according to how I perceive their personality. I think the halfling prince was surprised by the huge number of orders since I was shocked by the number of dies wanting to ‘marry’ into my house.

  I think we can create an entire football team with auxiliaries if we have children…

  “…”

  Not that I was compining. I was only shocked that I came here with nothing but got smothered by the love of the people around me. And it just so happened that these people were influential leaders of their respective races. Not to mention, if I were to be honest, they were all beautiful dies…

  Ah! Damn it! Kuro, keep your focus. Keep the impure thoughts at bay!

  “Lad, are you okay?” the dwarf prince asked when he and Sir Dane noticed I was shaking my head.

  “Yes…” though honestly, my heart was beating like crazy. I was extremely nervous. No, I wasn’t afraid or hesitating. Of course, no one wanted to make a fool of themselves when proposing to their loved ones, right? Especially when those dies I’d offer my life to were the leaders of their people and these nds.

  “I can hear noises outside. It must be our ‘visitors,'” the Cabrian chancellor quipped before giving me a gss of wine. “Drink up, milord, and wash away all your apprehensions. Here comes your big day!”

  Then, he gave me a couple of taps at the back. Prince Uhrian also gave me a slight push just to tell me that I’d be fine. I replied with just a smile and drank the wine in one go. Uttering a prayer, I stood up and went for the tavern door. Well, I guess I’m ready now. I already rented this rustic tavern beside one of the scenic spots in the entire stretch of Cherwoods’ Grand Canal for my proposal. There is no turning back!

  “Alright everyone! I’ll pay for the damage, so let’s surprise our favorite human in his most cherished festival! On three! One, two…”

  I quickly moved away from them when I heard Maddie’s voice outside.

  “…three!”

  “!!!”

  The entire tavern was rocked by the explosion that followed, and when I realized it, the tavern doors were no more. Outside, an immense crowd of my friends and lovers appeared, waiting and smiling at the spectacle they did.

  “Damn it, Maddie!” I could only ugh in despair and shout. “Don’t destroy the pce!”

  ----------

  ***The City of Kersea, capital of the Empire of Chersea, a few days ter…***

  The perpetually busy streets of the Imperial capital were made even livelier with the recently printed newspapers, fresh from gathering interesting events all over the nd of Chersea and beyond. However, in the aftermath of the Christmas holiday (celebrated recently by a decree from the four saints), the humans were greeted by the bold headlines written on each periodical…

  “Legendary hero proposes marriage to the four saints in Cherwoods.”

  At once, the newspapers were bought off from circution by every curious citizen, as every Chersean wanted to read about the extraordinary event from the nd of the elves. Soon, the taverns and roadside restaurants in that major city in the nd of humans were abuzz with small talks regarding their living hero.

  “The Commoner General is getting married to the four saints?”

  “That’s the Lord Kuro of Arles, right?”

  “Stupid! He’s the Lord Kuro of Maverny now! Show your respect!”

  “Wow…he really did it! Our guy made the saints fall in love to him!”

  “Heh, see? At these times, the Lord Kuro’s life is a great example that we commoners can square it off with those entitled nobles!”

  “Hey! Hey! Look! Did I read this right? He’s also marrying the Queen of Cherwind, the demon lord of the Federal Republic, and the Queen of Amaranth?”

  “Whoa! For real? That’s a real dy-killer for you!”

  “Wait…there’s even more!”

  “M-More?”

  The humans couldn’t believe the long list of personalities on the newspaper pages that were to ‘marry’ the Commoner General. Some even cimed the printing houses made errors or infted gossip for more publicity. But in any case, like in Kersea, the news of the Lord Kuro’s marriage proposals spread like wildfire to every corner of Chersea.

  ----------

  ***The City of Malvette, capital city of the Kingdom of Cherwind…***

  By contrast, the prime city of the Beastmen race, Malvette, was calmer than Kersea. For one, the beastmen were more ‘open’ in their retionship views. Thus, a simple commitment by lovers to each other was enough for them. Still, the news of the Lord Kuro’s proposal to their saint and queen and the other popur figures in their government and society was met with jubition…

  “Finally! His Majesty the King will consummate his retionship with our Queen!”

  “I want three cute bear-cubs!”

  “Make it five!”

  “Hey! How about some wolf-pups?”

  “That’d be nice! I’m sure Her Holiness the Lady Ruro will be happy to bear new members of her people!”

  “Wait, our King will also have the Chief Royal Scientist, the Chief Royal Doctor, the Governor of the Avinus Isles, the Princess of the Serpentinus Tribe and the owner of the Royal Inn!”

  “More children, more heirs!”

  “Yey! Let’s open those wine barrels and celebrate!”

  The chorus of cheers and ughter filled every point of the city. Later that day, an enormous crowd gathered in the square fronting the Bck Tower, and everyone chanted praises and blessings for their king and queen. Bear-cub toys were also passed around, which further excited the impromptu throng, along with ale and food. So much was the revelry that the mayor decred a feast so he wouldn’t ‘spoil the mood’ of the people.

  News that he would ter extend that ‘feast day’ decration to almost two weeks became so widespread that it even reached Chersea and the Other Realms.

  ----------

  ***The Pace of the House Usarved, City of New Darkmoor, Capital of the Federal Republic of Demons…***

  “Congratutions on your retionship with the Lord Kuro.”

  The demon lord-president, the Lady Noir of House Usarved, threw a long stare at her chamberin, Shevaun. “Err…what’s new about it?”

  “I’ve read in the newspapers that he proposed to all of you?” the chamberin showed her mistress one of the newspaper editions they always read to check on their people’s mood.

  “To all of us,” she corrected her.

  “Including me?”

  Noir nodded, “Didn’t you say you want to connect to him as well? I told you to come with me to Cherwoods, didn’t I? Sir Kuro wanted to give you your ring personally.”

  “R-Ring?”

  “Humans love to give rings to people they intend to marry,” the demon lord-president expined, fshing her sapphire and gold ring to Shevaun. “But since we avoid human marriage, I consider this a sign that I’m already with him.”

  “I see,” the chamberin tried to hide her surprise but remained prim and proper. “W-Well, I want to connect with the Lord Kuro, but you’d always go first midy.”

  “Heh, as if anything will change with that,” Noir chuckled. “You know that human; he was steadfast in his belief in that ensvement ritual, he won’t touch his lovers without marrying them.”

  “And?”

  “Well, you know I don’t. Not after I’ve seen how it works in the human societies first-hand,” the demon lord-president heaved a sigh. “Novertheless, Sir Kuro believes the otherwise, so until his mind realizes that this ring practically and symbolically binds us now, nothing will happen. So yes, I’m pessimistic.”

  “But you’re the one who’s excited about it before! You want to connect with the Lord Kuro, right?”

  “Of course. My heart is his alone.”

  “Then we do as we demons do!” Shevaun chuckled. “We should be assertive about it, now that he’s making the initiative!”

  “Ah, it’ll all come in time,” Noir smiled. “And really, if I may be honest, I’d like ten children.”

  “Just like the Lady Srexe!”

  “What’s up with that goblin?” the demon lord-president blurted out. “Why did you bring her to this talk?”

  The chamberin cleared her throat saying, “She says she won’t lose to you, so she’s pnning ten kids as well.”

  “Damn…then I’d go 11,” the Usarved Princess decred. “And what about the people? What do they say about it?”

  “Well, the Usarveds love the idea, and the Goblins, Orcs and Tambaras? Don’t worry about them; they treat the Lord Kuro as if their own, so they’re throwing their support for the union. As for the Biornos? There are a few oppositions, but with the Lord Sargdhenerri around, they can’t do anything about it.”

  “We really can’t please everyone, eh?”

  Shevaun nodded. “If they raise their banners in rebellion,” she grinned, unconsciously grasping the dagger on her waist, “we can always opt for a military solution. Those succubi and incubi are getting unto my nerves tely, and I’d like to teach them about peace and harmony.”

  “Stay your hand. Don’t waste the sacrifice Sir Kuro did for us,” Noir reminded her. “But yeah, I wish we can do something about them. You know our people…leave a few of them burning, and soon it’ll be a huge fire.”

  “Should I?” the chamberin brought out her dagger. The Usarved Princess could feel Shevaun’s bloodlust oozing, so…

  “Nope,” the demon lord-president shook her head, ughing. “I just told you! Don’t take Sir Kuro’s sacrifice in vain. You know how our ancestors dealt with such cases, and it didn’t end well. I guess we should try going the ‘diplomatic route’ this time.”

  As fast as her rage showed up, Shevaun quickly calmed down. She sheathed the dagger and bowed. Then, with that, she took her leave.

  ----------

  ***The City of Dorian, Cherwoods…***

  “Lord Ingwer, have you heard the news?” an elf suddenly burst into the door of the Dorian lord’s house, carrying several newspapers.

  The Lord Ingwer, in the middle of his breakfast, nearly fell from his seat. However, once he recovered from the initial shock, he asked his orderly, “What news?”

  “The Lord Kuro is now engaged to our Holy Saint!” the young elf then put the newspapers on his breakfast table, carefully lining those up so he could see the headlines written in bold letters. The Dorian lord immediately forgot his food and took one to read.

  “Oh!” the Lord Ingwer excimed when he was done reading. “This is great, then! I wish them happiness and a fruitful union!”

  “Huh?!” the elf balked at his words. “But, milord, isn’t the Lord Kuro human?”

  “And so? What about it?” the Dorian lord asked. “As someone who knows Her Holiness, I believe it’s her right to choose the partner she’ll love for the rest of her mortal life. Aren’t you the same?”

  The elf was taken aback by what Lord Ingwer said, but he still insisted, “Won’t the other elves get angry at that? I mean, Her Holiness the Lady Hinwe is an elf, and the Lord Kuro is a human, so…”

  The Dorian lord brought the newspaper down and gave his orderly a long stare. The young elf had to avert his eyes away as the atmosphere became awkward. However, Lord Ingwer finally asked, “Do they?”

  The elf profusely shook his head.

  “No issues then,” the elf lord decred before grabbing another newspaper to read. “Besides, this is the real Lord Kuro we’re talking about. And I know him as well; he’s more than a wise human, he saved our people from annihition! It’s only fair that we treat him with utmost respect and gratitude. After all, you, me, and our families owe our lives to him.”

  ----------

  ***The Chamber of Time…***

  Like any other ‘day’ in her life, the Keeper of Histories and Timelines—also known as the Lady of Time—sat on one of the stools facing the spinning wheels churning spools of red threads. Boredom, her constant companion, was with her once again, and she would always gnce towards the doorways that led to her chamber, even if there were no one in there. Not only was she fighting against the monotony of her duty as the timeline keeper, the Lady of Time was also enduring a pain her chest that remained when she realized that the Bck God was already gone.

  “…”

  The Lady of Time could only heave a sigh. Though they all knew that the Bck God’s gamble into Chersea would be his st, no one had the courage to stop him. Not even the High King of the Gods, whom the deities respect and defer to whenever there’s a dispute. The Bck God was determined to avenge his prior defeat to that creature from the Void, that he won’t listen to reason…nor to the Lady of Time’s wishes.

  Still, the keeper of the timelines regretted the moments she had the chance to convey her feelings for him. At least, he attempted to dissuade the Bck God from carrying out his suicidal mission, for he still had a home…it was with her…

  “Kuro…”

  As the spinning wheel before her never ceased turning, the Lady of Time noticed someone standing at the entrance of her chamber. Hope suddenly shot up from her chest, for she wanted to believe that the Bck God would still return to her, alive and well. However, to her dismay, there was also another person—though cd in bck.

  “You called for me, midy?”

  “Did I, Seirna Stephanie?” the keeper of timelines asked, though it was more of a question to herself than the Overseer Saint.

  “Yes, midy,” Seirna replied, quite irritated. “You even requested me to bring Cassandra with me. She’s Natasha Bellingsen now, okay?”

  “Oh, right…” the Lady of Time chuckled. “How can I forget about it?”

  “Always,” the Overseer Saint pointed out. “So, I’m correcting you now, before we get into another round of confusions.”

  “Thank you, Seirna Stephanie!”

  Seirna never answered her gratitude, but the Overseer Saint liked her, so she would always forgive the keeper of timelines even when she repeatedly annoyed her.

  “Anyway, I’m here, midy!” Cassandra, as Natasha Bellingsen, made her presence known. “Are you going to ask any updates on Sir G?”

  “Sir G?”

  “Kuro, the otherworlder,” Seirna corrected the Lady of Time. “The one that became the Bck God six Chersean years ago.”

  “He’s Greg Santos, right?”

  “Midy, that’s his Earth name,” the Demon Saint reiterated. “I call him Sir G because he’s my former teacher, and a long-time crush…”

  “Ah! I see now!” the keeper of timelines smiled as her head cleared up. “And in Chersea, he is Kuro…”

  “Yep.”

  “Well, how is he doing back there?”

  Cassandra then puffed her chest and proudly fshed a beautiful ring made of gold and ruby on her finger. “Midy, my husband is fine,” she grinned as she expined. “As you can see, he’s taken a step and has decred his love for me!”

  “First, demons don’t marry, so you can’t call him your ‘husband,'” Seirna countered. “And second, he decred his love for you—and to other dies present st Christmas in Cherwoods. And third, I don’t think that ring on your finger means he married you already—”

  “Shut up!” the Demon Saint shot back. “At least I have someone to love me!”

  “What, you’re using that card on me, Cass?” the Overseer Saint chuckled when she saw Cassandra’s annoyed face. “It’s as if not having a lover affected me before!”

  Though ughing at their banter, the Lady of Time moved to break off their conversation. She brought them back to the reason they were summoned. “I see that he’s doing well, and that’s good.”

  “Want me to bring him here next time, midy?” Cassandra offered.

  “Hmm…I want him to come in his own accord,” the keeper of timelines smiled, but there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. “Though, I admit I want to see him again…”

  Knowing what had just happened to the Bck God, the Overseer and Demon saints fell silent for a while. However, Seirna broke the ice…

  “I don’t get why everyone is after that guy,” she quipped. “I find him at most, average. Though, to be fair, he’s reliable…”

  “You don’t spend much time with him to know his worth,” Cassandra countered. “I mean, you’re always dreaming about Gaius’ return, right?”

  “Jokes on you, I already accepted that the otherworlder is the Lord Gaius’ successor,” Seirna defended herself. “It’s just that, can’t you find other guys to love?”

  “Eh, the time and effort I’ll waste to know another person is already a discouragement,” the Demon Saint reasoned. “I mean, we’re saints, and we can read minds. However, I won’t do it; I want to learn about the person I love through his actions rather forcing it out of him. As such, I already know Sir G far longer than Maddie and the rest of you combined!”

  Seirna’s eyes then fell on the Lady of Time, who told her, “Same reason. Besides, Kuro’s the only one who listened and talked willingly to me before, when everyone else was focused on getting out of this ‘dreary’ chamber. How can you not fall for the guy? At least he spends time and attention to people around him.”

  “Right then,” the Overseer Saint, seeing that she couldn’t win against the Lady of Time and Cassandra, just shrugged and gave up. “So, what are we here for, midy?”

  “You said before that Kuro already gained the determination to become god?”

  “Yes, and I’m here to lend help.”

  “And how’s it going?”

  “I don’t know yet, but this is a different timeline, midy,” Seirna pointed out. “I have a pn in mind, but we still have to convince the Human Saint to let the otherworlder go. If there’s someone who’ll adamantly refuse to send him to the nd of the dwarves, it is the Lady Rubinforth.”

  “Yes, it’s only the god-power of the dwarf saint that’s left before he can ascend to godhood.”

  “Err…” Cassandra turned to the Overseer Saint, “…what about your god-powers?”

  Seirna’s face turned beet red. “D-Don’t worry about me,” she excimed. “At least I-I’m always avaible; the dwarf saint’s been missing for a while now, and we need to find her!”

  “Right,” the Lady of Time cpped her hands. “I should be able to help you in that; at least, let me tell you where she was before she disappeared by looking into the timelines.”

  “Thank you for the offer, midy!” the Overseer and the Demon saints stood up, ready to leave. The keeper of the timelines also joined them, escorting the holy dies to the entrance of her chambers. Then, Cassandra was the first to leave, teleporting back to the realm of the mortals, leaving Seirna and the Lady of Time.

  “…” Seeing that they were finally alone together, the Overseer Saint then said to her, “Midy, you know full well that even if the Bck God came from the otherworlder, Kuro, this is a different ‘Kuro,' right?”

  The Lady of Time never spoke; she just nodded to her.

  “Chersea—as well as the other realms connected to it—should’ve ended when the Seductress entered Cherwoods through Lady Hinwe’s summoning of Kuro,” Seirna continued. “But this ‘Kuro’ fought back the temptation to become embittered, after we—his supposed ‘friends’—left and forgot him in Cherfmmen.”

  “That’s why the Bck God searched for him.”

  “I just hope you’re not mistaking him for your dead lover, midy,” the Overseer Saint was frank about her sentiments. “Six years ago, in Chersea’s timeline, we may have prevented him from becoming a god. Or better yet, we should’ve gone back to the time when the Lady Rubinforth was ‘born’ by that creature from the Void, but you said the High King of the Gods prevented it from happening.”

  “I stand by my words. His Majesty the High King did ask me not to allow you,” the Lady of Time insisted. “Besides, I doubt if we can really prevent the Lady Rubinforth’s birth; the Seductress isn’t bound by the timeline of Chersea until the Bck God’s sacrifice.”

  Seirna fell silent when she heard that. However, when she was about to return to Chersea, the Overseer Saint quipped, “Midy, with all due respect, Kuro isn’t your Bck God. Now that the ‘ball’ is on him, I’ll ensure his success to fulfill his destiny, whatever it takes…even if I have to fight someone like you.”

  “I won’t interfere, Seirna Stephanie,” the keeper of timelines reassured her. “I swear I won’t cross swords with you.”