Since now is not the best time, why bring this matter to the forefront?

  And what exactly did the Prime Minister mean by saying, “We want the coronation to be as perfect as possible, so we are willing to wait patiently.”?

  Elo knew very well that the Prime Minister was, in fact, subtly reminding him—

  Your Majesty, it is time to consider marriage.

  In truth, this was not the first time Elo had been confronted with the issue in the past half-month.

  His mother had spoken to him about it, and Vian had also reminded him.

  They had never tried to conceal anything. On the contrary, they had told him outright—

  The government took this matter very seriously and had long since selected suitable candidates.

  They were all beautiful, had pleasant dispositions, were highly capable, and held no firm commitment to monogamy.

  Moreover, Vian had a good relationship with them, and they often visited his mother.

  Thus, his mother hoped Elo would give the matter serious consideration.

  As for his mother’s persuasion, Elo’s response had always been the same:

  "I have no such plans for now. Let's talk about it later."

  Of course, his mother wouldn’t accept Elo’s perfunctory response, but she never nagged him excessively either.

  Compared to that, Elo and Vian's conversation was much more direct.

  "Did the government force them into this?"

  Vian rolled her eyes, her face full of speechlessness, too lazy to respond.

  "Since they’re doing this voluntarily, what will they do if I’m not interested?"

  This time, Vian answered. "They’ll wait. Until you are."

  Elo fell silent for a moment, a subtle heaviness settling in his chest—this was the worst possible answer.

  In a low voice, he asked, "Do you think this is a good thing?"

  Vian shook her head. She clearly didn’t think it was.

  And yet, she still said, "This is their own choice."

  Elo pondered for a moment before lowering his voice again.

  "What do they want? Wealth? Power? Or—Transcendence?"

  A smirk tugged at Vian’s lips, tinged with a hint of schadenfreude. "You."

  Elo’s gaze remained cold. "Me? Elo? Or the god? Have they really thought this through?"

  Vian nodded, speaking with frank certainty.

  "Of course, they've thought about it. But if you're expecting them to be 100% indifferent to Transcendence and power, that’s asking too much."

  She paused for a moment, then shrugged and added,

  "Think of it this way—if you were forced to marry someone hideous, would you be willing?"

  Elo frowned. "What kind of analogy is that?"

  Vian chuckled. "If even you couldn't do it, why expect them to?

  But one thing is certain—they will be utterly devoted to you.

  And you? Sooner or later, you'll fall for them."

  Elo understood this reasoning and let out a sigh. "Then what do you think?"

  Vian snorted, her tone light.

  "If I were you, I'd sleep with every single one of them, as long as they're pretty enough."

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  Elo frowned. "Be serious. That joke isn’t funny."

  Vian shook her head. "It’s not a joke. It’s my honest opinion. Dragging this out is just a waste of time."

  Elo's brows furrowed slightly, his tone firm. "I’m not interested in them. Tell them not to wait."

  Vian chuckled. "Do you think they’ll listen to you?"

  Elo's expression remained unchanged. "That has nothing to do with me. It’s their own choice. I’ve already given them a clear answer."

  Vian crossed her arms and scoffed, cursing, "You heartless bastard!"

  Elo looked speechless, too lazy to explain anything further.

  Vian sighed helplessly and continued to persuade him. "I really don’t think there’s any need to drag this out."

  Elo looked at her, his gaze complicated. "Are you just playing dumb, or do you really not get it?"

  He paused, as if suppressing something, a hint of exhaustion flickering across his brows.

  "There are things I’d rather not say. Must you push me to say them just to make yourself happy?"

  Hearing this, Vian curled her lips slightly, a trace of disdain in her expression.

  "I know. Not just me, Mother knows, and plenty of people in the Empire can guess as well.

  You don’t have to say it, We don’t want to talk about it either, Let’s all just pretend we don’t know.

  That way, everyone stays happy and everything remains peaceful.

  But what I want to remind you is—

  Is there a chance that those women are actually her avatars?"

  Elo lifted his eyes slightly, his gaze deep and unreadable.

  Of course, he had considered that possibility.

  He had thought about the fact that these women might be gifts personally woven by his beloved.

  But even knowing that—so what?

  Was he supposed to accept it without question, as if it were only natural?

  Was he supposed to convince himself that this was just some kind of "couple’s play" and act his part accordingly?

  He shook his head and murmured, "This isn’t what I want."

  Vian frowned, her tone laced with displeasure.

  "Then what exactly do you want?

  In what way do they not meet your expectations?

  I don’t understand what you’re struggling with!

  If you’re going to be this hung up on it, you might as well just become a eunuch!"

  Elo’s gaze hardened slightly, but he patiently explained to Vian.

  "In many cases, the outcome is indeed more important than the process.

  But there are also times when the process matters far more than the outcome.

  It depends on the situation—we can’t generalize everything."

  He paused for a moment, then spoke with unwavering determination.

  "And this matter falls into the latter category.

  Take you and Mom, for example—has the bond between the three of us over the past thirty years been fake?

  Does the time we've spent together not count?

  Am I supposed to deny all the emotions I’ve felt up to this point?

  Of course not.

  The things I’ve experienced, the feelings I’ve invested in—none of them are false."

  Vian’s expression froze slightly, her gaze growing complex as she looked at him.

  Though her brother had deliberately left out certain key details, Vian understood all too well.

  She could almost piece together the words that had been left unsaid.

  Elo let out a slow breath, a fleeting, barely perceptible emotion flickering in his eyes.

  Then, in a deep and resolute voice, he continued:

  "So, we cannot treat them as gifts, nor can we reduce them to a mere part of some couples’ pleasure play.

  Even if the will of the original body descends upon the avatars, as long as she remains immersed in this absurd role-playing game—

  I will hold my ground and grant every avatar the respect and human rights they deserve.

  Because—this matters. It matters deeply to me!"

  Vian opened her mouth but ultimately didn’t say anything.

  Elo gently shook his head, a hint of exhaustion in his voice, and whispered,

  "Let’s end it here.

  If they are avatars, let them return to the original body.

  Don’t make me worry about this anymore; this kind of play isn’t fun at all."

  Vian stared at him, her heart filled with an uncertain mix of emotions.

  "If they aren’t avatars, then please tell them—I'm truly sorry.

  This isn’t their fault; each of them is exceptional, it’s just that I’m too selfish.

  Although we have eternal youth, I don't want them to keep waiting.

  Even with many wives and concubines, there will never be a third party between us, because my lover can fulfill all my needs.

  So, waiting any longer will lead to no result."

  Elo lowered his eyelids, his expression calm:

  "All of this was already destined, and I never intended to be the brave warrior who defies fate.

  I have been fortunate enough, happy enough, and received far more than most could ever imagine.

  If I am still dissatisfied, then I really deserve to be struck by lightning!"

  With that, Elo slightly lifted the corners of his mouth, his tone carrying a hint of acknowledgment.

  "To be honest, I’m glad it’s her who’s been arranging my life, I can truly feel her love.

  She has brought me happiness, but also trouble.

  Sometimes she warms my heart, sometimes she makes me taste loneliness.

  She lets me enjoy life in laughter, but also lets me grow through disappointment.

  She has taught me the ways of life, and shown me the complexities of the world.

  All of this, combined, is the love she has given me."

  His gaze was incredibly sincere, his voice full of deep emotion:

  "Now, I truly look forward to the journey ahead.

  I look forward to meeting her, getting to know her, and ultimately falling in love with her."

  At this point, Elo couldn’t help but say to Vian:

  "To be honest, I can guess what she’s thinking—

  She will leave time and time again, just to make me keep chasing after her, forcing me to embark on the journey to find her.

  I don’t mind this kind of game, but I hope she doesn’t take it too far—and, most importantly, that she doesn’t harm innocent people.

  We could choose to be good people, so why must we become the villain?

  The world is so vast, and there will always be someone willing to play that role. We don’t have to do it ourselves.

  Don’t you think so, Vian?"

  Vian chuckled softly, her tone laced with amusement:

  "I think it's time for you to outgrow your Chūnibyō."

  (Chūnibyō (中二病): A term describing a phase, often in adolescence, where one is overly self-indulgent in grandiose fantasies, dramatic self-perception, or a desire to stand out.)

  Elo chuckled indifferently, his tone calm and unbothered:

  "It can't be cured, and there's no need to. I'm quite satisfied with who I am."

  His voice was steady, without a trace of embarrassment—in fact, there was even a hint of... pride?