"So, I was the third to finish the fight." Ren remarked, setting the tablet aside. He wasn't too disappointed about not being first. In fact, he found it somewhat amusing.
"As expected of the protagonist, Godou is more exceptional than the other Campiones." He added.
With his versatile Ten Incarnations Divine Authority, Godou had ended his battle in an astonishingly short time.
"Godou's luck is insane. Though he always claims to dislike violence, he turns into a battle maniac once the fight starts. It's an inherent trait of Campione that can't be changed."
Next, Ren evaluated the fastest Campione in the Prime War after Godou.
"Luo Hao's personality is indeed terrifying. Her being single for centuries is predictable. What man would dare flirt with her? Anyone that narcissistic woman deems impudent, she wouldn't hesitate to unleash extreme violence upon."
Yet, behind his sharp critique, Ren couldn't deny his admiration.
"Even so, Luo Hao's strength is undeniable. She's among the top Campiones, especially since her martial arts have reached a realm equivalent to a Divine Authority itself. Destroying spacecraft with bare hands so effortlessly—that's not something just any Campione can do."
Luo Hao and Marquis Voban were the oldest Campiones of this era. Thus, Ren had anticipated one of them would be the fastest to eliminate their enemies. While Godou's speed was somewhat unexpected, Ren's estimation wasn't entirely off.
"…"
Finished with work matters, Ren sighed. He closed his eyes briefly, letting his mind relax. Suddenly, he remembered something important.
"Oh, right, I haven't contacted my woman. They're probably waiting for my call, aren't they?"
With that in mind, Ren picked up the tablet again and began typing a phone number on the screen. Thanks to his photographic memory, he recalled the phone numbers of every beautiful woman he knew.
As for unattractive or overweight women? Sorry, he was too lazy to even get to know them, let alone memorize their numbers.
Double standards? Yes, Ren wasn't ashamed to admit it.
In the modern era, appearance was everything!
Handsome and beautiful people always had privileges!
This phenomenon was especially evident in some countries. Take South Korea, for example—people flocked to get plastic surgery, and beauty clinics were as common as convenience stores. Parents even saved up for their children's cosmetic procedures. The life of an unattractive person there was doomed to ostracism, bullying, mockery, and other miseries.
*BEEP…!*
The call connected quickly.
On the tablet screen appeared a figure very familiar to Ren—Nakano Itsuki.
Her beautiful, friendly face was now filled with immense relief. Her long, pinkish-red hair was tied up with two star-shaped accessories, matching her large, bright blue eyes.
Itsuki wore a pink ruffled top and a red jacket, paired with a patterned blue dress at the bottom.
But what caught the most attention was her swollen belly. Nine months pregnant, her stomach was noticeably large, indicating her due date was near. Yet, she still looked beautiful and radiant, exuding a gentle maternal aura.
In her hand, she held a TV remote, suggesting she was waiting in the living room, likely accompanied by her sisters and the other women in the harem.
Upon seeing Ren's face, tears welled up in Itsuki's eyes.
"Hubby! You finally called! We thought something bad happened to you!"
Ren could feel her worry even through the video call.
"As you can see, I'm perfectly fine, Itsuki-sensei."
To reassure her, Ren directed the camera to his body.
His athletic frame was covered in deep scratches and brutal bruises. But as the camera focused, the wounds gradually healed on their own, flesh knitting together and skin closing without a trace.
On the other side, Itsuki was stunned. She saw the horrific injuries but also witnessed them slowly healing. She clutched her belly, as if shielding the baby inside from the gruesome sight.
"This… this is such a relief. But please, promise me you'll be more careful. The baby and I don't want you getting hurt."
"Of course. But you don't need to worry anymore. The Prime War is over. I'll be back in Japan tomorrow."
Hearing this, Itsuki's face lit up. The burden of worry she'd carried for the past few hours seemed to vanish instantly.
"By the way, Itsuki-sensei, ask the others what souvenirs they want." Ren said, shifting to a lighter topic.
"Mm."
Itsuki nodded, then turned the tablet toward the living room. There, seated on the sofa, were Hayasaka, Masha, Alya, and Ririka, all looking at the screen with hopeful eyes.
Before Itsuki could ask, Masha, with her cheerful enthusiasm, spoke up.
"I want a kangaroo plushie! I've always wanted to hug a kangaroo!"
Beside her, Alya, in a calmer tone but choosing the same category as her older sister, said, "I'd like a koala, please. I prefer koalas, Masha. They're calmer."
Masha giggled. "Oh, Alya-chan, you're so predictable. It's fine—Ren-kun will get both for us!"
"If that's the case, I'd like cosmetics, Ren-sama. Australian beauty products are quite famous, especially those with natural ingredients. They'd be great for our skincare." Hayasaka chimed in.
At school, Hayasaka adopted a gyaru persona. Foreign cosmetics would make for great conversation among high school girls.
Itsuki smiled faintly at their excitement. She then turned to Ririka, who sat quietly in the corner.
"Ririka, what about you? Is there anything you want?"
Shaking her head, Ririka said shyly, "Nothing. I'm fine."
Hearing this, Itsuki, Hayasaka, Alya, and Masha exchanged glances. They knew Ririka often acted this way, not wanting to trouble others. But they didn't want her to feel left out.
"Don't be like that, Ririka!" Masha said with a caring tone, as one of Ren's women. "If you don't ask for anything, we'll think you're isolating yourself!"
"Masha's right. These are souvenirs from our husband. You should ask for something." Itsuki said, playing the role of the main wife, wanting all the women to get along harmoniously.
"Ririka, it'd help if you asked for something too. It'll make everyone feel closer." Hayasaka advised.
After being pressed by Itsuki and the others, Ririka finally gave in. Taking a deep breath, she said in a very soft voice, "Then… I… I'll also ask for cosmetics, like Hayasaka-san."
Everyone smiled. Itsuki turned the tablet back to Ren. "There you go, Hubby. Masha wants a kangaroo plushie, Alya wants a koala plushie, and Hayasaka and Ririka want cosmetics."
Still soaking in a jacuzzi, Ren nodded. "Got it. Don't worry, I'll bring everything you all asked for."
Suddenly, Nino voice full of complaints came from off-screen.
"Itsuki, did you forget about us, your own sisters?"
Itsuki flinched. In her focus on Ren, she'd forgotten her sisters were in the same room. She redirected the camera to the sofa, where Nino, Ichika, and Miku sat with pouting expressions.
"Ara ara~ now that Itsuki has a man she loves, she no longer cares about her twin sisters. Onee-san is so sad~" Ichika said with fake sobs. As a professional actress, changing her expression instantly was child's play. She clutched her chest, pretending to be deeply hurt.
"Guilty! Seppuku! No, Itsuki's pregnant—seppuku canceled." Miku said, puffing her cheeks like a hamster to express her dissatisfaction, a habit unchanged since high school.
"Ugh, I didn't mean it like that, really!" Itsuki gave an awkward smile, feeling a bit guilty. "Ichika, Nino, Miku, what souvenirs do you want?"
Sitting upright with her arms crossed, Nino didn't hesitate to ask for something expensive. "Of course we want souvenirs! I want a set of jewelry, maybe an Australian pearl necklace."
With a teasing smile returning to her face, Ichika raised her hand. "Then I want a luxurious evening gown. I heard the designs by local Australian designers are amazing."
Still with slightly puffed cheeks, Miku pointed at the screen with an adorable expression. "I want Australian chocolate and muffins. I want you to buy them for me. That way, I'll forgive Itsuki."
"…"
On the other side, Ren could only laugh. He looked at the tablet screen, where the beautiful faces were displayed. For someone with no shortage of money, their requests were trivial.
"Alright, got it. Jewelry, a gown, chocolate, and muffins. I'll bring them all for you."
(I also need to get souvenirs for Sonoka, Umi, Yuki, and Yotsuba)
Of course, Ren didn't forget the women he targeted to become his lovers, sex slaves, or friends with benefits.