Chapter 51

This time, Schwi's actions were swift and forceful. She reconnected instantly, not even bothering to talk things out, she simply transmitted the data directly.

By the time the Ex-Machina processed what was happening, it was already too late. However, when they received the data, none of them resisted.

This time, they didn't treat it like a virus.

In fact, in the end, the authority for the full-connection command unit was transferred directly to Schwi.

"Riku, I did it!" Several hours later, Schwi opened her eyes and joyfully hugged Riku, looking for praise.

"Schwi, you're amazing, done so quickly," Riku replied with a gentle smile.

This made Schwi extremely happy, her face full of enjoyment and delight.

"Master."

At that moment, space rippled, and hundreds of Ex-Machina appeared. Their expressions weren't stiff and mechanical anymore, but far more humanlike. Though not as lifelike as Schwi, it was a big change and only the beginning.

No doubt, they would continue to evolve.

"Uh…"

Seeing all the Ex-Machina appear and call him 'master,' Riku froze for a second. Then, noticing Schwi's subtle wink, he couldn't help but smile wryly.

This girl must have done something sneaky while transmitting the data.

"The final victory point for the Ex-Machina is in hand. This game… it's time to end it."

Riku gazed up at the sky, as if staring straight through space to meet the eyes of the God of War.

After taking care of a few minor matters with the Ex-Machina, Riku brought Schwi and Zhuralis back to the Werebeast tribe's settlement.

Upon returning to the Werebeast village, Riku found Fia and Jibril in the guest room, both looking weak.

"Fia, Jibril, why do you both seem so drained? Was there an enemy attack?" Riku asked, his voice serious.

"Husband, there was no enemy. I just finished my transformation and couldn't help but spar with Jibril," Fia replied, tail swishing awkwardly.

At this point, Fia was different from before. Her aura of strength flowed naturally, her skin even whiter, and she looked even cuter than before.

"Mm. After her transformation, Fia wanted revenge on me. That's how things turned out," Jibril added.

Fortunately, thanks to her contract with Riku, Jibril's strength increased whenever his did. Otherwise, she might have lost to Fia this time. In the end, it was a draw. Since it wasn't a fight to the death and the difference was slight, that's just how it was.

Had things gotten heated and they both ended up seriously injured, Riku would have come home and spanked them both out of pure rage.

Still, the changes were enormous.

Roughly speaking, aside from someone on the level of the Dragonia, there probably wasn't anyone left who could beat them.

Jibril let out a sigh.

"I see," Riku said, going over to pinch Fia's beast ears. Seeing her shy reaction, he nodded.

"Master, it seems Schwi has changed, too. Did she succeed?" Jibril asked curiously.

"Yes. Schwi is now the full connection command unit, and she's transformed as well. In terms of individual combat power, she's probably about on par with you two," Riku replied with a smile.

"—!"

Fia and Jibril both stared in shock at Schwi. While the Ex-Machina were an overpowered race, their real strength came from their networked forms.

Now that Schwi was this strong on her own, plus the analytical and mimicking abilities of the Ex-Machina, her fighting power was probably above theirs.

"Hehe…" Seeing their stunned looks, Schwi smiled faintly and clung to Riku's arm, as if claiming her territory.

"Ugh!" On the other side, Fia puffed up her cheeks and hugged Riku's other arm.

"Oh my, Master is really living the good life, though it looks like there's no room for me anymore. One loli on each arm, how enviable," Jibril said with a sly smile.

Riku just rolled his eyes. Jibril, as always, liked to stir the pot. Clearly, she needed some more "discipline."

Night fell. Fia and Riku ended up having some fun together, their passion igniting in the little forest. Riku, pressing Fia against a tree, found the whole experience quite enjoyable.

True to her word, Fia never refused him anything.

Given their strength, there was no need to worry about peeping; anyone within ten kilometres would instantly be detected, so they could enjoy themselves in peace.

Afterwards, in the middle of the night, Riku and Fia returned to their rooms. Jibril was already waiting for them.

And so, Riku once again embarked on his "disciplinary" journey.

As for Schwi, although she noticed everything, she just felt a little jealous and didn't interfere. She knew Riku kept her in his heart, and that was enough.

The next day at noon, Riku took Schwi back to the human settlement. As for Zhuralis, she bid them farewell and returned to the Dragonia, saying she was going to study magic with the Dragonia King.

Riku had no reason to stop her.

"Riku, honestly! You've been gone so long. It looks like all those girls from other races have totally bewitched you!" The moment Riku got home, Couronne scolded him, hands on her hips.

Her jealousy was pretty obvious.

"Uh, well, I'm back now, aren't I? And this time, I'm here to get married. The three of us, together," Riku replied, rubbing his nose and speaking softly.

"Get married… with Riku…?" Schwi's face flushed bright red, and she started murmuring, looking absolutely adorable.

"Married? All three of us? Riku, you've really gotten bold," Couronne said with a teasing grin. But then, thinking it over, her smile became sly. "Still, it's not a bad idea. Otherwise, someone getting married first would make things feel unbalanced."

"I have no objection. I want to marry Riku," Schwi said eagerly.

That stunned Couronne. Schwi now seemed so human, none of her old stiffness from when they first met.

"Riku, why now? Why not wait until after the final battle? I'm not in a hurry," Couronne asked, thinking of Riku's wellbeing.

To her, while marrying Riku was important, the bigger issue was the war. They'd finally made it this far; now was not the time to let things fall apart. Marriage could wait.

"Couronne, you know, the phrase 'After this battle, I'll go home and get married' that's the biggest death flag of all," Riku said, staring at Couronne, eyes glinting with mischief as he uttered the classic line.

"Huh?!" Couronne was totally lost.

What's a death flag?!

"Ahem, don't overthink it." Riku rubbed his face and said with a chuckle. "I was just joking."

That phrase is full of superstition in anime and dramas; people who say it almost always end up doomed. That's why he couldn't help but tease.

"Mm, I'm really happy you want to marry me, Riku. But… shouldn't we wait until after the war is over?" Couronne asked hesitantly.

"Well, I'm not sure I won't fail, but just in case I think it's more fun to get married first and enjoy married life for a bit," Riku suggested with a grin.

"I agree! That's what I think, too." Schwi cheerfully raised her little hand. She hadn't been good at expressing herself before and used to lack emotions, so she'd never been in a rush. But now, after seeing Riku getting close with Fia and Jibril, she felt a little envious at being left out.

"Since you both say so, I guess I have no reason to refuse," Couronne said with a shake of her head.

"Then it's decided." Riku smiled, finalising the decision.

Riku immediately let his fellow people know about the wedding.

In an instant, the entire human settlement became lively. Everyone gave their heartfelt blessings, and quite a few men looked on in envy. After all, marrying two girls at once was a dream come true.

Sure, one was from another race, but during the time Riku brought Schwi home, everyone realised she was harmless, so immanity accepted her pretty well.

Riku then transferred all the humans to the Werebeast tribe and told Fia about the wedding.

Though Fia was a bit sulky, she didn't try to stop it; instead, she ordered the Werebeasts to help with preparations.

Soon, even the Elves, Dwarves, Vampires, and Dragonia all came from far and wide. The Dwarf commander brought dozens of their leaders, Zhuralis came with a group of white dragons, the Vampires arrived with Queen Sonia and her entourage, and Think Nirvalen herself paused her work on Void Zero Protection and arrived with her people.

Even a large contingent of Ex-Machina showed up, stunning all the other races.

The grand wedding took place in the Werebeast tribe's village. Every major race gathered together for Riku's wedding, a sight never before seen.

At first, the humans were nervous because to the other races, humans were synonymous with "insect." But they soon realised that these powerful races bore them no ill will; on the contrary, they were polite and respectful, leaving the humans in awe.

At that moment, everyone understood just how far their leader Riku had come.

Dragons soared, fireworks thundered, music played, and before the gathered races, Riku took the hands of Schwi and Couronne and walked together through a magnificent wedding ceremony.

Think Nirvalen watched as Riku led Schwi and Couronne, both in white wedding dresses and felt a surge of envy deep in her heart.

And it wasn't just her Vampire Queen Sonia, and even Zhuralis, flying in the sky, felt envious.

As for Fia, aside from her initial sulkiness, she simply watched the scene with calm. After all, she was the first to marry Riku she was satisfied.

Jibril, of course, was the most unfazed. She simply watched with a smile; rather than a lover, she preferred being Riku's personal maid.

After the ceremony, it was time for the wedding night. Under the gaze and blessings of every race, Riku took Schwi's hand in his left and Couronne's in his right and entered the bridal chamber.

As soon as the three entered, soundproofing and all sorts of layered magic activated, ensuring privacy. Humans, Werebeasts, Vampires, Elves, Ex-Machina, everyone ate and drank together for the first time.

The giant Dragonia remained nearby, feasting as well. Jibril, the only Flügel, chatted away, perched atop Zhuralis's back.

Because of Riku, even if these races had never gotten along before, now they had to try to communicate. Arguments were limited to a little banter, nothing more.

"Something like this… only my husband could accomplish," Fia murmured dreamily as she gazed down from Zhuralis's back.

"Hehe, this is a miracle, a miracle only Master could create," Jibril replied with a cheerful smile.

"Mhm," Fia answered softly.

While things outside were boisterous, inside the bridal chamber, Riku gently lifted the veils from Schwi and Couronne.

"Schwi, you're so adorable. Couronne, you look beautiful," Riku said with a smile.

"I'm happy when you say that, Riku." Schwi looked straight into his eyes, her face flushing red.

"Geez, Riku, you really know how to flatter girls," Couronne rolled her eyes.

"I'm just telling the truth! And speaking of our wedding night, there's only one thing left to do…" Riku grinned, eyeing Schwi and Couronne up and down like prey.

"Uh… I don't mind, since it's our wedding night. But maybe we should take turns? All three of us at once is a bit…" Couronne, unusually shy, avoided his gaze, her face bright red.

...

"Heh, what are you saying? If we're marrying together, we'll do it together! Once I've got you in my hands, don't think about escaping!" At this, Riku finally revealed his "fangs," flashing a wicked grin as he reached for Schwi and Couronne.

"If it's you, Riku, I'm happy," Schwi replied without hesitation, far more open than Couronne.

"Hehe, Schwi is the obedient one. Couronne, you should learn from her," Riku said teasingly.

"Well then, let's begin." Without giving them time to argue, Riku moved right in.

In an instant, a mix of surprised cries and unusual sounds filled the room as the song of the three began, leaving much to the imagination.

Schwi's "perfect creation" was indeed extraordinary, giving Riku endless satisfaction. Of course, Couronne was wonderful too; her figure more than made up for anything Schwi lacked. Each had their own advantages.

The wedding night "battle" raged from midnight until dawn. Couronne, just a normal human, couldn't keep up and passed out long before Riku and Schwi, who, as an untiring Ex-Machina, seemed unstoppable.

Only when daylight approached did they finally settle down, drifting into deep sleep together.

The wild wedding night was at last peaceful.