Chapter 301: Door Of The Future (1)
The icicles melting on my body dripped, the weather was chilly yet considerably warmer.
Of course, this was not because spring had arrived, but because Rien was in a naturally warm region.
“Congratulations. You’re pregnant.”
However, in this place, it seemed that spring had truly come to the Prient mansion.
In the garden, there was still snow that hadn’t melted, and the flower buds were about to bloom, but seeing Siriel’s delighted face made it feel as if spring had indeed arrived.
“Seira, really… really?”
“Yes, it’s true.”
Seira pushed back the eagerly approaching Siriel, her eyes sparkling. Even so, Siriel, unable to believe it, was making a fuss and held out a vial of the serum she had developed herself.
“Can’t you see? It was clear earlier, but now it’s purple. That means… you’re definitely pregnant.”
Inside the vial, which contained a purple liquid, there were strands of hair that appeared to belong to Siriel, half dissolved.“Wow! Thank you, Seira!”
At that, Siriel beamed, her face breaking into a wide smile. She was so happy that she squealed and hopped around, even singing.
“Pregnant, pregnant~ Finally pregnant… Ah! I shouldn’t do this!”
Absolute stability. Absolute stability.
How long has it been since this joyous news arrived? Even after receiving so much affection, the lack of updates was certainly due to excessive exercise, so Siriel took a deep breath and tried to calm her excitement.
“I have to hurry and tell Mother and Father this happy news… Cough! I need to let them know.”
“Yes. It’s cold, so make sure to dress warmly…”
“Thank you!”
Before Seira could finish her sentence, what she saw was the creaking and shaking door.
“…What if the baby falls out?”
“She’s been through a lot of mental stress because of that. I understand Siriel’s actions.”
The one who interrupted was Lucia. Until a moment ago, she had been waiting for the results with a deadpan expression, but now she seemed considerably more relaxed.
Seeing Lucia like that, Seira made a playful face. Now that they understood each other’s true essence, the two often reverted to the atmosphere of their adventurous days long ago.
“Has your face gotten much thicker? Who do you think is the cause of your mental stress~?”
“Ugh, it was all my fault.”
Lucia slumped her shoulders at the blatant teasing.
“Still, shouldn’t you feel a bit guilty?”
“Why should I?”
“It was you who pushed me into this, right? Who would have thought I’d even wear a swimsuit? Ah, thinking about it now, it’s surprising I didn’t commit suicide.”
Sudden shame surged in Lucia as she clenched her fists. The thought of appealing in overly revealing clothing, even though she was reborn, made her wonder how she could have acted like that back then with her conservative mindset.
“So, what happened to me?”
Shaking off the embarrassing memory, Lucia pointed her chin at Seira. It wasn’t just Siriel who had asked Seira for the pregnancy test serum.
Seira handed over a vial containing red hair.
Unlike Siriel’s purple one, Lucia’s was…
“Clear?”
Lucia squinted at the vial she received.
“Hey, isn’t this defective?”
“What? It’s not like I can’t do anything as a quack?”
“Who called you a quack? I said it’s defective.”
“…”
“Does it sting?”
“…It’s not defective. It’s the same serum that Siriel used.”
“Hey! Don’t change the subject!”
“…It doesn’t look like it’s under-reacted either.”
Seira ignored Lucia, snatching the vial away.
Inside the clear liquid, strands of hair were more mushy than Siriel’s, barely recognizable as hair.
“Well, isn’t this a good thing for you?”
Seira laughed as she magically burned the vial.
“A good thing?”
“You’ve been feeling guilty towards Siriel all this time. This is your chance to confess and shake it off.”
“…”
“And while there are only two apostles left, you still need allies. If both you and Siriel have children, who will fight alongside you?”
“…Shiron can’t do without me.”
Perhaps it was because the positive side was being illuminated, but the faint shadow on Lucia’s face lifted.
Lucia crossed her arms and stood up abruptly.
“Shiron can’t do without me!”
“…Why are you repeating yourself?”
“Because I feel good! Ah, this isn’t the time for that.”
Elixir and training.
Seira looked at Lucia, who was taking her sword, with incredulous eyes.
‘Is she becoming even more foolish than when she was Kyrie?’
Maybe she had pretended to be a child for too long, or perhaps her brain had burned out from the constant playing with fire…
While it was a joyous occasion to watch a friend live a proper life, Seira sometimes felt a chill whenever she sensed an oddity.
Thud—thud, two people descended from the carriage, and the servants of the mansion bowed towards Shiron, who had returned after a month.
“Hey, wake up. We’re home.”
“…Already?”
Shiron woke Yoru, who had fallen asleep in the carriage. It had been a long yet short month and a half of travel. During that time, they had been escorting the royals.
No matter how strong her body was, in the end, it was unavoidable that she would relax.
“Wipe the drool off your mouth.”
Shiron handed a handkerchief to the sleepy-eyed Yoru. No matter how uncultured the barbarian was, what kind of behavior was that for a grown woman?
Knowing this, Yoru hurriedly accepted it, wiped her mouth, and returned it to Shiron.
“Thank you…”
“Why the hell are you giving that to me? Hey, isn’t there a trash can around here?”
“Please take it, little sir.”
A neatly dressed old gentleman extended his hands gracefully. Treating the dirty rag like it was filth, Shiron only lightly touched the edge before narrowing his eyes.
“…Little sir?”
“Yes, little sir.”
“Were you talking to me?”
“Yes, but is there a problem?”
The old gentleman gave Shiron a warm smile in response to his bewildered expression.
“I thought you used to call me ‘Young Master’…”
“Haha. Yes, there was a time for that. But we can’t keep calling the future pillar of this household ‘Young Master,’ can we?”
“…”
“Come, come, the Master is waiting. Please, come in.”
Shiron was practically nudged forward by the old gentleman.
You have arrived, Master.
Good morning, Master.
As he entered the mansion, the greetings from the servants grew even more formal and respectful. At the main entrance, down the hallway, up the stairs—wherever he went, the servants all bowed low.
“……?”
It had been quite a while since he’d shed the “scoundrel” label, but he still felt a bit flabbergasted by such a reception.
Shiron is someone who is quite self-aware.
He’s not someone who indulges in his own greatness, unlike Lucia or Seira.
‘What’s with these people? Did someone tell them I’m a hero?’
[…It doesn’t seem like that, though.]
At last, he arrived in a room where a grand celebration was taking place.
The first to greet him was Siriel.
“You’re back. H-honey… Eek! Mother! I’m so embarrassed!”
“Siriel, you must start getting used to it from now on. Steady your heart!”
But the title felt odd. Shiron’s face soured.
“…What is all this?”
“The head of the household has returned, so this level of welcome is only natural, don’t you think?”
“Head… of the household?”
“Yes.”
“But my uncle and Eldrina are still healthy. How could I be the head? What about Lucia, the young lord?”
“Young lord? What’s that? Glen!”
“Yes, brother!”
Glen approached with a beaming smile, overly enthusiastic.
It seemed not just his energy but his brain was slightly scrambled.
“Shiron, now there’s no one but you to lead this household! You have a great responsibility! Of course! Absolutely!”
“Aren’t you going to explain? I’m leaving.”
“Brother! Look at this~!”
Just as he was about to turn around, Siriel jumped forward, as if waiting for the moment.
…There was a familiar roundness there instead of a slim waist.
He could tell at a glance that it wasn’t from gaining weight.
“I’m pregnant!”
“…”
“It’s a great blessing for our family!”
“Come, sit quickly. Yoru, you must be hungry too? We’ve prepared a feast.”
“Oh… yes.”
“Do you think it’ll be a son? A daughter? I’d like to have a son who resembles you.”
“How about deciding on a name first?”
“Brother, if it’s a boy, how about ‘Huey’?”
[It’s quite overwhelming, isn’t it?]
Hearing an involuntary voice in his mind, Shiron silently agreed.
[But it’s also cause for celebration! Four pregnancies at once—our hero, truly amazing!]
‘…’
With a blank look, Shiron stared at the silly group discussing names for unborn children.
‘Did I mess up?’
It felt so refreshing at the time, but suddenly, the news hit him hard! Babies—so many of them—all at once.
‘Could Lucia be…?’
As he gathered himself, Shiron glanced over at Lucia.
She, too, had a tiny, adorable bump, just like Siriel’s, as she happily stuffed her mouth with delicious food.
Just then, as sweat trickled down his back, Lucia’s gaze met his.
Shiron silently looked at Lucia. Lucia, too, gazed back at him.
It was impossible to tell if that stomach was from a full belly or pregnancy.
Swallowing her food, Lucia spoke up.
“Shiron, don’t worry; I’m not pregnant.”
“…I see.”
“Yep, I’ll keep fighting hard at Arwen Highlands, even covering for Siriel! Ah, and with Yoru around, it’s still like one person’s worth, right?”
“Arwen Highlands?”
When Shiron asked with a puzzled expression, people began approaching him.
“Sir Shiron, my congratulations.”
“…Cardinal, you’re here too. And who is this beside you?”
One was Deviale, and the woman next to him was unfamiliar.
“Nice to meet you, Sir Shiron. I am Iris Cardiore.”
“…”
“Please, feel free to call me Iris.”
“Have you become a cardinal, Your Grace?”
Setting his utensils down, Shiron stood up. Though Deviale knew he was a hero, to the other cardinals, Shiron was just an ordinary priest.
“Your Grace, no need for that. Just call me Cardinal Iris… no, that’s too long. Just Iris is fine.”
However, Iris’s reaction was a little odd.
“Excuse me? Why would I…”
“Well, you’re going to be in charge of the key strategy against the apostles at the Arwen Highlands.”
“…”
- I expect miracles from you, Hero.
Iris whispered into his ear.