Things had settled down after Sakuya’s birth. Since his had taken so much longer than Riu’s, he’d come into this world late at night, close to dawn. The women had been pretty tired, and they’d fallen asleep right away after bathing and eating. It wasn’t until the next evening that everyone’d recovered enough to go about their normal routines again.
During that time, I’d taken care of the two babies. All I’d done during the birth was wait in the inn, so it was the least I could’ve done. Just part of being a dad. Fortunately, I didn’t get tired that easily while in the dungeon, meaning I didn’t need to sleep much. I was thankful once again for the strength and resilience of this demon lord body.
Iluna and the rest of the girl gang were actually supposed to be at school today, but since they were tired from waiting with me, and more importantly, they wanted to be with their new baby brother, I’d let them take the day off, citing family circumstances. We’d had Zena stay with us again this time too, all of us having thanked her profusely and done our best to be hospitable. Once she’d been sure Lefi and Sakuya were in good hands, she’d left. I’d be forever grateful to her. All the elderly people I knew in this world were just so damn cool. Maybe their long lives in this harsh world explained their strong convictions and how they’d established their own way of life. I hope I can be a cool old man someday too...
“Looking at them like this, Riu and Sakuya really are siblings, huh?!”
“Just like Riu, his eyes resemble Mr. Yuki’s, but his facial features are similar to Lefi’s! I can already tell he’ll grow up to be a beautiful man!”
“Gah ha! Pray do not call him that or ‘cute,’ for there is a chance he will pout in the future.”
“Tee hee, a future I can easily imagine. Considering this is an all-women household, Riu won’t mind such compliments at all, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Sakuya feels embarrassed.”
“Aha ha ha! That’s very possible, Leila! He’ll scrunch his face in displeasure, but he won’t actually say so for fear of hurting our feelings! And then Riu will say something like, ‘How did I get stuck with such an odd little brother?’”
“I think it’s so funny that we’re already predicting what kind of person Sakuya will grow up to be.”
“Sakuya, hiii! It’s your big sister, Iluna!”
“And other big sister, Shii!”
“Don’t...forget En.”
“Gosh, I hope he and Riu get along too.”
“It would be great for the siblings to enjoy life together.”
“That is where we come in. We must keep a close eye on them, raise them both so they do not become twisted like Yuki.”
“As parents, we bear tremendous responsibility, hm?”
Next to the women, the wraith sisters, still excited, circled above Sakuya’s head.
Well, my son. I have a premonition that your fate is to be the women’s plaything, but please do your best regardless. Your father is on your side!
Anyway. I had a new mystery on my hands as I stared at Sakuya, who was waving his hands and feet around like he didn’t know what to do with them while babbling the nonsense sounds babies did. As far as race went, Riu took after Lew, with Analysis telling me hers was Werewolf. As for Sakuya, though, it said “Draconian (??)” That extra bit in the parentheses, the one I, of course, couldn’t read. Even though I’d leveled up a shit ton. That was the new mystery.
But wait, there’s more! Another thing he had that Riu didn’t was that one of his title slots was already filled. It said, “One Who ???” Again, something I couldn’t read. Is it just me, or has this been happening a lot lately?
Apparently, my kid had some kind of secret. I mean, it obviously didn’t matter to me what he was. Even if something like “Dragon God” or “Demon God” had been written there instead, I wouldn’t’ve cared. Because I knew that in this world, gods, with the exception of Dominus, were just people who possessed great power.
And then Rir, who I’d brought back for a meet-and-greet with our newest addition, let out a quiet rumble while staring at said addition.
“Grr.”
Translation: “This child will become someone great.”
“Oh, really? What makes you say that?”
“Grrrr.”
Turned out, Rir could sense some kind of unique magical power coming from Sakuya. He said it was similar to my magic and Lefi’s, but mixed together, creating a kind of captivating, gravitational force.
“Hmm, I believe I understand what Rir is trying to say. The energy this child emits is indeed a bit unusual. The closest equivalent would be...the Spirit Emperor. That old man.”
Huh... Looks I wasn’t so far off the mark with my wild guesses. If his magical signature was trending in the Spirit Emperor’s direction, that meant...
“Well, it doesn’t really matter what he is, right, my lord? There are very few things or people in this house that are normal.”
“Ha ha, very true. I doubt another family exists in the whole wide world with so many strange items and such a diverse mix of races.”
“As an ovine woman who has learned quite a bit, I can say with almost complete confidence that you are correct, Nell.”
“Especially when the head of our family is no exception.”
“Oh, does my dear Lefi have something to say? Then say it to my face.”
“Fine. Yuki. You are...what is the word? Ah, yes. You are a weirdo.”
Gasp! How dare she! She actually said it to my face!
“Hey! You’re not pregnant anymore! That means I’m done going easy on you! I’ve been considerate and gentle with you until now, but that stops today! Prepare yourself!”
“Oho! Such nerve! Then let me tell you this! I am a true mother now that I have given birth to Sakuya! Therefore, whatever rubbish passes for your brand of ‘consideration’ matters not to me!”
“Fine, have it your way! Let’s settle things right here, right now! The power of a father versus the power of a mother!”
“Very well! It seems I must teach my naive husband a lesson! Gird your loins, Yuki!”
“Lefi, my lord, we’re not going to put a damper on your passion, but get any louder and the babies will cry, so take it to the inn, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am,” the two of us answered in unison.
“Goodness, Lew. Look at you, showing them who’s boss.”
“Mothers are strong, hm?”
Nell and Leila smiled innocently.
And so, our family grew by one more. Riu, Sakuya, and Setsu. Grow up together, big and strong!