While we chatted over coffee, the conversation naturally shifted toward romance, perhaps because we had already touched on the subject during our walk. However, this time the topic wasn't my own love life, but Ozma-san’s.
"Ozma-san, you mentioned preferring quiet women, but Epsilon-san seems quite cool and composed to me..."
"...Ah, right. Usually, well... I suppose she is."
Something seemed off. To be sure, Epsilon-san was bellicose, as one would expect of a member of the War King’s subordinates, and she certainly had a side that enjoyed combat. However, she had generally given me a very "cool" impression. In contrast, Ozma-san’s reply was uncharacteristically vague.
It was as if he acknowledged her "cool" demeanor, but was suggesting that it didn't apply when it came to romance.
"Epsilon-chan is certainly cool, calm, and a good girl. Now, setting aside the fact that we're both under the War King and therefore love a good fight, and focusing strictly on romance... Epsilon-chan is just... well... a bit heavy. Suffocating, even."
"...Ah, I think I get the gist of it. She's that type, then?"
"Honestly, the only reason it isn't an issue is because I’m stronger than she is. If Epsilon-chan were the stronger one... I have a feeling I would have been locked away in a cage somewhere by now. Oh, don't get me wrong, I don't mean to speak ill of her, but that’s just the inescapable image I have..."
I see. Epsilon-san was the "high-humidity" type—her love was heavy and obsessive. Come to think of it, she did look like the sort who would become intensely attached to anything she took a liking to.
"When it comes to love, Agni-chan is the type who tries to smash through the front door. Epsilon-chan is the type who devises all sorts of schemes to cut off every exit... Once, a wedding was practically fully organized before I even knew about it..."
"I... I see. She made all the arrangements and invited the other Six Kings so that you couldn't possibly call it off at that point..."
I was sure it stemmed from her affection for him, but I could also speculate that since he kept rejecting her direct confessions, she decided to try a more underhanded approach. Still, imagining Ozma-san's state of mind upon discovering his own wedding was already being prepared was truly terrifying.
"...In that sense, Agni-chan is much better. She only ever attacks from the front. Epsilon-chan is troublesome because she changes her tactics every time. Fortunately, I'm the more capable one, so her options are somewhat limited."
"You certainly have it rough, Ozma-san."
"Hahaha, well, they're both good girls. I don't know why they're so fixated on a withered, middle-aged man like me. To be honest, I just find the single life much more relaxing."
"I see... By the way, what about Bacchus-san and Kong-san?"
I suspected the reason Agni-san and Epsilon-san were getting nowhere was largely due to Ozma-san’s lack of interest in marriage or romance. Since I had the chance, I decided to ask about the love lives of the other Five War Generals.
"Kong-kun is the type to instantly discard anything he doesn't understand or isn't good at, so he has absolutely no interest in romance whatsoever. As for Bacchus-kun, he has about eighty wives."
"Eeeeh!? Eighty?!"
"Ah, no, it might be a little different from what you're imagining, Miyama-kun. You see, our camp is full of hot-blooded people. There are plenty of women among the War King’s subordinates, but almost all of them prefer men who are stronger than they are. Some of them are the type to impulsively confess to an opponent after a Mock Battle where they've exhausted every ounce of their strength."
Was I talking to a warrior race? Well, the War King’s subordinates certainly felt that way. Of course, not every single one of them was a fanatic, but it was undoubtedly a faction where battle-maniacs congregated.
"And since Bacchus-kun never refuses such things, he accepts the confessions with a 'Very well, I shall permit you to call yourself my wife until those feelings fade.' He’s the type who never turns anyone away, but never chases after those who leave..."
"I see. So when those impulsive feelings cool down, he just lets them go without trying to stop them, and the marriage is dissolved?"
"Yeah, I suppose that’s his intention. But despite his appearance, Bacchus-kun is a very considerate guy. He’s attentive, frequently giving gifts and checking in on the women he’s taken as wives. Because he's so thoughtful, very few of them ever want to leave."
I see, so Bacchus-san was the caring, attentive type. Come to think of it, Megiddo-san often singeled out Bacchus-san whenever some sudden task needed doing. I also recalled him saying something quite considerate to Lilia-san during that banquet in Lilia's Mansion Garden, shortly after I first met Megiddo-san.
Still, eighty wives is incredible... He was certainly at the top of the leaderboard among everyone I knew.
Serious-senpai: "A line showing consideration for Lilia? ...Ah, that interaction from the manga. However, if Bacchus is that experienced in romance, I feel like Ozma should just ask him for advice."
???: "Actually, he’s not exactly 'experienced.' Like Ozma-san said, it's pretty much just one repeating pattern... Besides, Bacchus-san's advice would undoubtedly be: 'Why don't you just accept the proposal?'"