Chapter 26 The Courage To Love Once More 2

"But that all changed when they heard said bastard scream and cry like a bitch for over thirty minutes. They then understood this man was also human and felt the same feelings they all endured.

"Anger, frustration, weakness, regret, sorrow the bastard had it all. Yet after only thirty minutes of crying his heart out, the bastard chose to stand up once more in defiance and made a single promise."

The transmigrator remembered the event Krayto mentioned. It happened after the time he cried his heart out. The exact vow he said was….

"This won't beat me. I refuse to lie down and die. I will get stronger, strong enough that you will beg me to take you back."

'This won't beat me. I refuse to lie down and die. I will get stronger, strong enough that you will beg me to take you back.'

Both Krayto and Hiro recounted the vow at the same time. The old man then continued to explain.

Hiro noticed his body being healed at unimaginable speeds. The blood flowed back to return to his body. Like magic, his bones started to set themselves; the torn flesh started to mend together.

"Anyway the girls then all asked me almost the same thing. How can he have such conviction that he would succeed? Where does he draw his strength from? He has no allies, no power, and no influence. Yet all three of them felt the same thing, it was like the very universe heard the vow.

"Then they all heard why the bastard cried. Said bastard failed a binding ceremony and was almost beaten to death by the crown princess.

"Good thing I stopped them, the brashest of them wanted to challenge the princess to a duel, the kindest intended to assassinate her in her sleep, and the smartest started to design an accident to kill her.

"Could you imagine? These girls who suffered for years in silence now all wanted to murder the strongest daughter of this kingdom because of a dumbass bastard. I have no idea how it happened, but those three right now value the life of that bastard above their own for some reason.

"And they are now challenging the strongest bastard in this empire after the emperor for the said bastard."

Hiro who learned the lengths these girls were going to for him felt treasured. Unlike Rhyne who only talked a good game, these three were putting their lives on the line to defend him. It would be easier for them to abandon him like all the others.

'How does one even define a perfect lover? Beauty? Ability? Intellect? Or Loyalty?' Hiro didn't have an answer, he never had to think of such a thing before.

None of them were beautiful for sure. One looked like a corpse, another a mummified child, and the last a bit pretty but lacked two limbs.

But the transmigrator found himself smiling at the future he saw himself spending with them. Despite having his heart broken, seeing these girls devote their lives to his defense, made him hopeful. Even if this was somehow a trap, he couldn't allow the girls to die for him. He chose to trust his heart one last time.

Hiro knew that the future remained uncertain, the girls may leave, betray, or even kill him. But deep down he felt it in his bones, he would regret it for the rest of his life if he didn't respond to their feelings right now.

Krayto, then suddenly looked towards Hiro, not the body in front of the old man, but the spiritual body floating above. The old man also no longer spoke with his mouth but his mind.

'So… you dumbass bastard, my would-be daughters all intend to die just to let your sorry ass live even a day longer. If you don't get up right now, I will break more than just your bones.'

The spirit of Hiro suddenly got pulled back to his body before he could answer the ojisan. After a few moments, the body awoke with a couple of violent coughs.

*Cough!* *Cough!* "How did you even know I was there? Anyway, don't worry about them."

Hiro and his reformed body quickly stood up and did some quick stretches. He then picked up his longsword and checked its edge. Finally, the trash swordsman then faced the would-be father of the girls as he answered.

"Set your mind at ease Krayto Alabarda, if they treat my life above theirs, then I will just use the life they saved to love and protect them.

"I guess I should call you otousan then. Haha! I will make sure your daughters are happy. I vow on my sword. Thank you for telling me. From today onwards we are family."

Without waiting for a reply, Hiro ran towards the girls who made his heart beat wildly with love and affection. "Wait for me girls, I'm coming!"

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"YOU FUCKERS ARE IN LUCK! I AM ITCHING FOR A FIGHT! I WILL SAY IT AGAIN! ANYONE WHO HAS A PROBLEM WITH MY WOMEN COME FORWARD! I WILL SMASH YOUR FACES TO DUST!"

As the peanut gallery piped down from the overbearing display of the trash swordsman, A cool and deep voice spoke in response.

"They say time waits for no one but look at how far you have gone in a day, Hiro." A black-haired spearman walked forward his voice serenading both men and women alike.

Hiro, who noticed yet another husband of Starfall tensed his sword arm and poised his body to strike at the earliest provocation. Gilthunder who observed his wary and bloodthirsty response saw not a man but a feral beast. Despite knowing Hiro remained at level 1 with trash stats, his gut told him he should tread carefully.

Gil then dropped his spear to his foot and raised his hands in an attempt to pacify Hiro, "Whoa! Slow down there brother, I come in peace. I know you trashed Artorius and your women trashed Max. I am not here to get vengeance for either."

Not taking any chances, Hiro shifted himself to cover his girls with his back. "What are you here for then Gil, Artorius made it clear, whatever camaraderie I might have had with Rhyne and Starfall ended when he tried to kill me."

Gil then put down his hands as he continued to speak cordially.

"I know man, I personally am glad you gave him an ass whopping, but Starfall represents the crown princess you know. You tried to rape her despite her best attempts to help you,

"If you add this to the list of offenses, it ain't going to be pretty. Come with me to the justice hall and make your defense there. I have been tasked with bringing you in."