That Time I Got All The Ladies (Book 1)

Ch6: This We Vow

I awaken to someone resting atop me. Opening my eyes show Shion, head resting on my chest, still fast asleep. Seeing her at peace like this puts a smile on my face. I don't know why but I've really taken a liking to her. Perhaps it's due to how clumsy she is or it could simply be my cock speaking but she truly is perfect. 

Me: Shion...

Shion: Mmmmm...

Me: It's time to get up.

Her eyes flutter open and for a brief moment are ripe with confusion. When they find my own, however, a smile spreads across her face. The smile is shortlived and quickly replaced with concern and then outright panic but for the split second it lasted, perfection.

Shion: G-G-Good morning!

Me: That it is. Did you sleep well?

Shion: I-I did. T-T-T-Thank you!

Me: That's great. Come with me.

She's already gotten off the bed and standing by, red with embarrassment but when I offer her my hand she takes it and follows me to the kitchen. I'm tempted to ask her to prepare something but my heart tells me it's best to take things slow. As such, once there I help her in preparing breakfast. Going over all the details I'd taught her last night, I try to reinforce the information and as it turns out it was certainly the right move as she's forgotten about a 1/3rd of the basics. 

Me: Shion, you can't drop the whole onion in like that.

Shion: Sorry!

Me: You have to cut it...not like that!

Shion: Huh?

Me: Like this, see? Yes. Perfect.

She beams in response and though it takes thrice the time it should, eventually we have an edible breakfast before us. Some of the food still ended up being cut too large but progress is progress so I congratulate her before eating. She joins me and together we enjoy our meal. Once done, I leave her inside to take a bath while I head out. She surprisingly asks if I'd join her but given I don't need to bathe and I doubt she's asking me to join her for the same reason I'd wish her to...I've chosen to simply start the day.

Chief: You're finally up, milord. We've been waiting.

Me: Wha-

I pinch myself to see if I'm still dreaming but Raphael confirms that my eyes aren't mistaken. The entirety of the village is already up and gathered at my doorstep!

Me: Er...what brings you all here?

Chief: We've come to pledge ourselves, of course. Those were the terms of the fight, were they not?

Me: I thought we did that already?

Chief: Not officially.

Me: I-I see. 

Veldora: You are wise to submit to my friend. He-

Me: will give you all names.

All: Whaaat?

Shion: What's going on? Why are you all gathered before my house?

Turning, I find Shion standing by the door, eyes wide at the gathering before the door. Wait...did she say her house? I steal a glance at the Chief and find him grinning his teeth out of his mouth. That bastard! Well played...well played.

Me: Shion, they are here to "pledge themselves".

Shion: Wasn't that done yesterday?

All: Shion?

Shion: That's my name.

All: WHHHAAAAAAAAAAATTT?

Shion moves to my side where she wraps her hand in mine before playfully sticking out her tongue toward her companions. It is both shocking and pleasing to see her this carefree though it doesn't change the fact that I'll need to name them all.

Raphael: [Notice - Naming all 300 Ogres will deplete magical reserves below 50%. The estimated time to full recovery is two days.]

Me: [How comes?]

Raphael: [Please recall that naming an individual grants them substantial power based on various factors. The process itself depletes the magical reserves of the namer accordingly.]

Right...this world and its overly complicated laws. Fair enough. I suppose it will make them stronger and that was the original plan.

Me: Very well. Before you make your oaths, however, I'd still like to name you all. It'll make things easier.

Shion: But won't that take too much-

Me: It'll be fine. Don't worry.

She clearly doubts my words but doesn't press further so I refocus on the Chief in time to see him step forward. I give him the name Ono and his two sons, Benimaru and Hiiro. His daughter I name Shuna before moving on to the rest of the tribe. It takes a few hours as after the first 50 I struggle to come up with new names that aren't just variations of the names I've called prior but eventually I finish up. Now, they all gather before me once more, kneeling as they swear their allegiance.

All: We pledge our eternal allegiance to our King-

Me: What?

All: the Great Lord Rimuru Tempest. Our children and their children and every child thereafter shall serve him with-

Me: Just a minute-

All: We shall serve faithfully and without-

Me: Hey!

All: This we vow!

Me: WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?