My Evermore: In Another World as a Harem Ruler

Standing at the door of the adventurers guild, there was a young man, his eyes focused fully on Esna.

He was a young man with black hair containing purple lashes, his expression and face sharp, while his eyes looked one purple and the other yellow, he was wearing black leather armor with black pants, and bracelets on each wrist, both having the same unknown symbols found on the cloth of Kitt and the bracelets of Leira, even having three rings on his right hand, and one on his left hand all of them containing the symbols as well.

(AN: Image here.)

Zotrid's attention went from Esna back to the intruder then to around the whole place as he began to notice something.

(The more I look the more I can see them, those symbols… Are they runes or something like that? I imagine it's some sort of enhancement or spell.) He said to himself as he started seeing that many more things around had those symbols on them, all kinds of objects had them, even chairs.

At the same time Veira started playing with his hair again, not braiding it this time, but instead tying it up into a bun. While Sophy let go of his leg.

[This world is so full of odd people…] She commented looking at the intruding young man.

"Hi! Bairou! Val was asking about you when Esna here disappeared. I think you both will have to apologize to big sis, together." Leira said with a casual tone and a wide smile.

"That's typical of that tyrannical woman, not even Kitt can handle her…" Esna shivered just thinking about it, not even acknowledging the intruder.

"What?! I'm not a part of your peasant family! I need not partake in such humiliation! To bow before some women! Never! Plus! I did nothing wrong! I was just busy at home, my mother had a tea party." Bairou responded dejected at the idea of having to apologize especially when he did nothing.

"It's your funeral." Leira shrugged.

"Hmph, you think that tyrant cares? You weren't here when she needed answers from you, therefore you are also at fault for what happened. Plus if you don't apologize she'll it's my fault and punish us both!" Esna had a defeated look as he thought of it.

Just then laughter came from the background adventurers who were busy drinking.

"Hahahaha! I bet a whole silver coin she's gonna skin them alive this time!"

"Whoa! Rich guy! I bet 2 high bronze coins, that she'll cook them alive."

"Hey now, don't be too broke, I'll bet a reasonable Star bronze coin that she'll make them walk to the capital and back barefooted."

"Let me in on the fun, I'll put 2 large bronze coins and 5 bronze coins. If anyone's broke, it's me."

Various comments came on from them and a betting table was soon opened on the matter.

"What is this all about?" Zotrid finally asked looking at Esna and Leira for answers.

"That's his matter, so I'll let him explain." The brown-haired woman shrugged acting as if this matter had little to nothing to do with her.

So the attention turned to Esna.

"Don't look at me that way, I know I'm gorgeous, but if you really must know that's my childhood best friend, Bairou, he belongs to a knight family. So you know barely nobles and all that." He responded after making a kiss pose with his hand under his chin.

This irked the black-haired young man who was quick to chime in.

"Barely?! I'll have you know the Sumalus family work under the Baronet Roviou family! This land relies on us!!! And I'm not your friend! We are rivals you fraud!!!" Bairou yelled in response as he walked closer a slight frown visible on his face, as he now stood right in front of the blondie.

"Oh, look at him. He always does this, it is kind of cute. I mean the whole one-sided rivalry thing is a bit annoying, but I can't get mad at him." Esna hugged the neck of the black-haired young man then spoke with his lips curled upwards in a mischievous smirk.

"Get off me!" Bairou pushed the blondie off him, then continued to say. "Stop the chitchat! I don't care about where you were hiding, but now that you're here, we have a fight, to end." He pointed at him with his index finger.

"Geez, so aggressive…" Esna complained then sighed. "I hope you can keep that energy, though. I don't like guys who are all talk." He responded with his hands resting on his waist as he slightly leaned his torso in.

"Hmph! Say that when you can beat me for good!" Bairou didn't and quickly stepped up dashing, pulling his arm back before releasing it into a right hook, aiming for the head.

Bam!

"You know, it's not in kind to randomly attack someone you just challenged. If you want a duel that bad, why not take it outside?" Zotrid stopped his punch with his hand, and it sent a trembling shiver throughout his body, almost causing him to fall from it.

(What's with this strength?! This guy is higher than level 8? Isn't he Esna's rival?… Is this because of those rune symbols or whatever they are…) The purple-haired boy could only clench his teeth forcing a smile to seek unfazed, even though he very much felt that blow.

This caught Leira, Esna, and those in the background by surprise as none expected him to just get into the mess like that.

"He's an odd one, but I guess Esna has another good friend now." The brown-haired receptionist smiled as she murmured.

"Wow! Zotrid, look at you bring my hero again, if you treat me so well, I'll start believing you fell for my unbelievably high charm. I can't blame you for that though, my pretty face is a blessing and a curse." Esna said while holding his mostly hair-covered face with both hands as he shook in fake embarrassment, pretending to blush, before moving his hands only to put his tongue out at his childhood friend.

"Who do you think you are to meddle in our business?! I do it my way, so what? What are you gonna do about it??" Bairou replied to the Ero Monster, completely ignoring his childhood friend right now.

"You heard Esna, I'm Zotrid, and while it's not my business, it's the business of a new friend, so I think I have full right to stop you from punching him in the middle of the guild, in a surprise attack, mister knight." The aspiring harem ruler answered looking up at to noble guy, his eyes narrowed, unimpressed.

(He's from a knight family, I thought these guys were all about honor in these other worlds, then again, it's probably unfair to judge them by that standard when I know nothing about this world. Still, there was no need for this surprise attack.) He raised an eyebrow looking at the young man in front of him with disappointment.

"You're such a loser, it's clear you don't know anything about Esna! So stop playing unwanted hero, and get off my way. I have a duel to win against the fraud behind you." Bairou said looking at him with the same unimpressed look, he was being given, like a reflection in a mirror.

The two sides had lowered views of each other, it was after all, quite common to start on the wrong note, though it was far less so to get over a bad first impression.

"Even if Esna is stronger than you, so what? Do you think that gives you the pass to just do as you please with one-sided challenges and surprise attacks? Oh how great you'll be when you finally win, all because you caught your opponent off guard, how great, truly a show of your skill and power." Zotrid pushed further into it, not intending to back down.

(He isn't completely wrong, I just jumped in without thinking much, but I'm here now, so don't you think I would bad down, I picked a fight, so now I have full intention of winning, we can patch things out after I do. That's the Ero protag way, as any harem ruler should be.

(Though this made me realize that Esna might have tricked me, after all, he's an adventurer, he mentioned being talented earlier, and his sister while mad didn't seem like she was worried for his life.

(Then his demeanor, which was panicked with the bandits, changed a bit too fast once that was handled, and finally, how is he Bairou's rival? This boy seems genuinely worried about winning a fight against him, and he's strong enough to handle those bandits probably better than me if that attack just now was not a fluke.) The purple-haired boy thought about the entire situation before concluding.

"You know what? If you want to be the first to lose to me that bad, be my guest, you said outside with no surprise attacks, then so be it. Let's go, unless, you're all talk?" Bairou shrugged his arms as he talked his head held high up as he put the option on the table.

(My impulsiveness might have gotten me into an unnecessary situation, but I'll handle myself.) There was an internal nod as the purple-haired boy thought this.

"You have yourself a duel. I'm new here so lead the way to a good spot." Zotrid replied.

"Oh no, my peerless looks and amazing self have pushed my childhood friend, and new friend to clash. As expected I'm too good for this world." Esna smiled as he basked in his own ideas.

""This isn't about you anymore!"" Both of them replied to him.

"Hmph! Denial will get you nowhere, you that, right?" Esna crossed his arm.

Ignoring him, Bairou led the way out of the guild, and Zotrid followed. Veira still clung to his head, while Sophy walked right behind him.

Right after them was Esna who looked a bit dejected, arms still crossed, yet he followed them anyway.

They went out of the village to a nearby clearing, back into the forest surrounded by trees and the sounds of nature at night.

"So, who exactly are you? If we're fighting I would like to understand at least that much." Bairou asked looking at the purple-haired young man.

Before any answer came, the Ero monster put Veira down next to Esna and looked at her and Sophy having her hold Mera, before saying. "Stay with Esna while I handle this."

[You know don't have to do this, right? Lord Ero…] Sophy was confused about why he was bothering with any of this, the unconscious Mera in her hands.

While Veira just rolled her eyes, remaining as silent as ever.

"I asked a simple question, a basic answer would be nice!" Bairou insisted.

Turning to his adversary, Zotrid then responded. "I told you my name, If you want to know more, so be it. I'm an Ero-type of guy who will be a harem ruler. That's as much as I have to say about it."

"…" Hearing this only silence could be gotten from Bairou.

"You wanted an answer so bad, what's the problem now?!" Zotrid chuckled at his reaction.

"So this is the kind of weirdo Esna resorted to befriending while I was gone, truly a whole new low," Bairou said as soon as he proceeded it.

"Hey! He saved me from bandits for your information." Esna commented looking more offended than the target of the insult.

"Tsk! That's only proof that you've been slacking off! My rival would never have lost to some no-name bandits before!" Bairou scoffed at this defense before taking a stance, his right foot forward left foot at the back, left arm close to his face, and right arm up ahead.

"Good, it seems you are done rejecting my path. Let's solve this the old-fashioned way." Zotrid took his boxing stance.

No more words were exchanged as Bairou stepped up in a flash, his right arm pulled back before he released an overturn hook full steam.

There was no time for Zotrid to react so was sent flying and crashed onto a tree, hitting his back on it, and clenching as he groaned in pain.

(Just as I thought, he seems faster and stronger, it's like with the first bandit, he's even stronger than back in the guild, I can feel it. Anyway dodge!) He could feel his face tremble and ache with the pain as he stood on his feet.

"I'll show your disgusting physique, the power of a knight family's heir!" Bairou kept up the chase and followed up with a second blow.

This time however it was sidestepped by Zotrid to then continue to backstep to create some distance.

The tree was hit with the blow and blown apart causing the upper body to fall, and Bairou didn't stop and continued to follow him, not having any intention to give him time to get his bearings.

To his surprise, however, Zotrid didn't continue running, and instead stepped up to him and used the fact he was already in motion toward him, to give him a flying kick to the face.

"Don't get too cocky knight boy, I might not be able the strongest, but a man with a dream is never to be underestimated." The purple-haired boy said as he went in to follow up.

Shaking his head after a blow that caused him to turn, a response was quick to come from the black-haired young man. "Don't you think you can-"

As soon as he turned his face he was hit with a three-jab combo, two short jabs and a long one at the end.

This pushed Bairou to fall, and just as Zotrid came to follow up and pin him to the ground, the purple-haired young man was hit with a stomp to the stomach! And was forced to step back to create distance.

"Hehehe! I was trying to stop a pervert from making more little pervs, but I guess you're shorter than I'm used to. You're a sneaky fighter though, I can't read you easily. Unfortunately, you're weak and slow, you can't beat me." Bairou got up and took his stance again, smiling at his opponent.

"You hit hard, so I better be more careful. Don't worry, I can still wipe the ground with your face." Zotrid smiled back also taking his stance again.

From there, Bairou began attacking again, and while most of his blows were evaded, everyone in a while would connect, and that window kept increasing, as the purple-haired young man failed to hit his opponent again.

(It's not looking great, I can't hit him now that he's taking me seriously, and he even backs away when I look like I have something up my sleeve, and that's the only reason I'm still standing if he was not afraid, he could knock me out… unfortunately for him, he is, and I'm not getting tired, but I don't think he has such a luxury.) The Ero monster thought to himself as he dodged a hook only to be jabbed in his chest.

"I'll win!… Just give up!…." Bairou was breathing deeply as sweat dripped down his face.

It had been 15 minutes since the fight started.

"Urgh!… Cough! Cough!… Funny you say that, I'm doing pretty good." Despite saying this, Zotrid was bleeding from his nose and had several bruises all over his body.

Watching from the side, Sophy was still unsure what the point of this fight was even if she was still on her master's side, as she held Mera close, Veira didn't seem to care much instead using the leaves and vines around to work something with her hand, while Esna was fully focused on the whole thing.

"This will be the last move… I think Bairou will win though…" He concluded by looking at both of them.

Just then exactly like at the beginning of the fight, Bairou stepped up like a flash and got ready to go in with full steam hook.

"This is the end!" He yelled.

"Of course it is." Zotrid agreed with a smile.

This time he was ready, and he used the move against Bairou, immediately as he was close enough, his punch was dodged as he was caught in an overturn throw, getting slammed into the ground.

BAM!

"What?!…" Esna's eyes widened under his hair as he looked at this happen.

[Impressive, you managed to win even at a disadvantage! Well done, Lord Ero.] Sophy congratulated him despite not believing there was a reason for this at all.

Then there was Veira who didn't even acknowledge that the fight was taking place, more so focused on her craft.

At the center of the fight, Zotrid stood looking down at his opponent on the ground.

"You… Win… This… Time… Lucky…" Bairou was breathing heavily unable to get up right now after he pushed himself.

"Next time I would probably win by a lot more…. Urfgh!" Zotrid shrugged with a smirk before the pain in his body hit him, and caused him to fall with his ass on the ground.

(I was saved by my endless stamina, regeneration, and auto-body control… That's how I stopped the pain from getting to me too hard, I guess I hit my current limit. It hurts like hell! My body!

(Yet, I still could have won either way. If I used portal control… Happily, regeneration is catching up to me, I'll be back in top shape in a few hours.) He concluded with a smile.

"Very impressive, Zotrid, you're a box full of surprises. O just have one doubt you know…" Esna got up and walked up to them.

"Which is?" Zotrid asked.

"Why didn't you use mana to reinforce your body like Bairou did? Don't tell you don't even know that much..." Esna questioned curious.

"I don't know that much," Zotrid replied casually.

"Oh, you are such a country bumpkin! That's non-elemental magic, though it's more so raw mana manipulation than magic in my opinion, but that doesn't matter. You should know at least that much to be a great adventurer!" Esna yelled at him, seemingly frustrated at this discovery.

"You saw my status screen, I'm fine. Though if you want to teach me, I'm open to it." Zotrid shrugged before saying.

"I'm not that good at mana reinforcement anyway. It's too tiring and consuming, but you have an insane mana pool, so you should be able to do it. If you want a teacher for that, ask this loser here, he's much better at this." Esna replied as he pointed at Bairou.

"I'll do that when he's in a better figure." Zotrid looked at his detracted opponent as he said.

"…" There were no words from Bairou himself.

"Anyway, let's head to my house for today, it's late. We can discuss things better tomorrow, after a good night's rest." Esna offered him a hand and helped Zotrid get up.

"Ok, let's go, lead the way." The Ero monster said as he picked up Bairou and put him on his shoulder.

"… Let go of me, I can take care of… myself." Bairou protested, but his voice was ignored.

"You say you're a pervert all about your way, but I think you just don't want to admit you're a sweetheart. A total softie!" Esna smiled widely as he called out.

(In a way I guess you could say that I have no aversion to being good or being evil, I do what I feel like doing. Living by your pleasure, satisfaction, and whims, is that not the way of an Ero protagonist? The path of a harem ruler.) Zotrid thought to himself as he reflected on the words said to him.

So, Esna led the way back to the village, and then right to his house.

Veira continued to do her thing, and Sophy was watching Zotrid as she followed.

The place was a pretty big house was only one floor, made of wood just like the rest of the village, and once inside a familiar face was there to greet them.

"Welcome! It's nice to have you over, Zotrid. Even, Bairou is still here? Oh yeah, who ended up winning?" Leira looked at Bairou as she asked making the answer she was expecting clear.

"Zotrid won, though it was close…" Esna was quick to answer.

"… I guess you have more than just potential and a pretty face, if you weren't so young, I would invest a lot in you." Leira comments and winks at Zotrid.

"Enough! I don't want my sister to join my friend's harem, that would be awkward, plus I'm so much cooler than her." Esna came between them playing a jealous act.

"I only want women." Zotrid shrugged as he said.

"… You're losing out, then." Esna put his tongue at him.

"He's 19, right?" Zotrid turned to the sister to confirm.

"Yup! Don't worry, most guys that age tend to be something like that, you're the odd one. I'll go get dinner ready, see ya in a moment." Leira bopped his nose and smiled before walking off up ahead.

Then Esna led them to the living room, where they sat on the couches.

"Esna, if your sister teases me one more time! That's it! There's no going back, so you better hope for your sanity she does not." Zotrid said to his new friend's face.

"…. You're shameless… I want to be mad, but I'm more so impressed and shocked with you." Esna raised an eyebrow.

"You call this life path, that's unacceptable! Next time I won't lose to such a flimsy person!" Bairou was ultimately the most frustrated one.

"Oh, is she your crush or something? Cause unless she has a partner already, I'm not one to back down." Zotrid replied.

"What… No… Of course not. She's more like a sister to me." Bairou responded completely seriously no stutter or anything.

"Are you sure?…" Zotrid got a bit confused.

"Don't be silly, Zotrid. Baibai here only has eyes for me, right?" Esna responded and lifted Bairou's chin making him look at him.

This caused Bairou to blush deeply.

"So, he does like man, damn." Zotrid nodded in understanding.

"I'm not into men! We are rivals!" Bairou protested.

"Whatever you say, buddy." Zotrid didn't believe a single work.

"Hehehehe!" While Esna was dying of laughter.

"If you guys are done joking around, you're lucky Val isn't back yet, so you get to rest easy tonight. Come eat and then go to sleep. The big announcement is tomorrow, and bet wanna-be adventurers like you lot won't want to lose it." Leira came in and said.

After that, they all had dinner and went off to sleep, Leira went to her room, Esna ended up with Bairou in his room, while Zotrid took the guest room with Sophy, Mera, and Veira.

The first in another world finally came to an end.