Marius had two sons, Sieg and Fried.
Only their creator knew the origin of their names, but if they had known, the children might have found them troublesome.
However, there were other things that could be considered troublesome.
The most significant of these were the multiple shadows watching the children intently.
Their names were Zofi, Al, and El.
“Don’t you wish we could have children with our Master?”
“We do,” Zofi’s question was immediately answered by Al and El.
“It’s difficult to conceive children between us and humans,” Zofi sighed regretfully, and El corrected her.
“Our Master is an emperor with the power of a god. Though it seems to have made it even more difficult.”
“It’s unfair that it’s possible with humans,” Al pouted. She was dissatisfied that while the conception rate with succubi was low, it was normal with humans.
“Isn’t that just how it is? Gods and succubi are opposites.”
“I understand that, but I can’t accept that it’s okay with gods and humans.”
Even as El tried to soothe her, Al only puffed out her cheeks. Zofi said teasingly,
“I heard humans can have children not only with gods but also with demons and angels. I just heard it, though.”
“Huh? Really?” Not only Al, but even El was surprised. It seemed they really didn’t know this.
“Yes, their reproductive capacity is astonishing. You could say it’s on par with goblins.” Zofi spoke a judgment that would likely enrage any human who heard it. The high reproductive capacity of humans was because Nyarla had designed them that way. It was an attempt to compensate for their inferiority in basic abilities within the demonic alignment. Of course, the three succubi had no way of knowing this.
“I’m so frustrated, I’m going to go dote on Sieg and Fried,” Al declared, and then flew out of the room. Zofi and El exchanged wry smiles and followed her. It was worth noting that the succubi’s attire was quite revealing, which would not be well-received by any man filled with desire. However, not a single person there entertained indecent thoughts. It was partly because they were known to be touched by Marius, but more importantly, it was because of their immense power. Unbeknownst to them, Zofi had become Demon Lord class, while Al and El had reached the level of high-ranking demons. Even considering the succubi’s racial trait of growing stronger through repeated sexual intercourse, this was abnormal. This meant that the men who slept with them were abnormal.
As for that abnormal man, he was currently playing with his own children. More accurately, he was holding them one after another. It was only recently that their necks had become strong enough to do so. While he wasn’t stopped by common sense for parents, he couldn’t overcome his fear. Even though he could do anything with the power of a god, he felt there was something wrong with actually doing it.
“No, Your Majesty. You need to adjust the hand position slightly more for stability,” he was being instructed by a middle-aged lady-in-waiting. Marius struggled to hold them properly. Naturally, he was no match for women who had experienced childbirth and childcare. This was true not only for Marius, but also for Barra and Lovisa. They were being taught the duties of a mother. Their personalities did not allow them to completely leave the children to wet nurses and attendants.
“Hmm, they seem restless,” Marius said with a hint of disappointment. The babies’ gazes weren’t fixed on one spot. They kept looking around. As a father who wanted to exchange smiles with his children, he found this unsatisfactory.
“Expecting babies to be calm is unrealistic. Even more so than expecting Auraniess to be,” the lady-in-waiting stated.
“Is that so?”
“That is how it is,” with a firm assertion from the battle-hardened lady-in-waiting, Marius had no choice but to concede.
“Hey, hey, was I just challenged to a fight?” Auraniess, who had been idly watching Marius and the others, reacted.
“It’s a metaphor, so be quiet,” Marius said. “Ehh,” Auraniess replied and fell silent. The lady-in-waiting thought his training was progressing well, but decided not to voice it. Sophia and Iris were talking to Auraniess, who was clearly showing her dissatisfaction. Marius regained his composure and turned back to his children.
“Boo, it’s Papa!” He stuck out his tongue and spoke, but Sieg happened to look sideways, so it was ineffective. Marius, undeterred, continued to speak. Thinking that childcare was also a battle. Auraniess, who had been watching the emperor, suddenly shouted.
“Alright, I’m going to have children too!”
“…Huh?”
“Hah?” A chorus of dumbfounded exclamations came from everyone present, except for Iris and Sophia. How could anyone arrive at such a conclusion?
“What did you say?” And Auraniess’s declaration was heard by the succubi, who arrived at just the right, or perhaps the wrong, moment. The Great Demon Lord, noticing quickly, broke into a smile.
“Perfect! All six of us will have a pregnancy festival!”
“…Six of us?” Marius couldn’t help but ask back. Auraniess pointed to Iris, Sophia, and the succubi trio in turn.
“That makes six.”
“Pass.”
“Me too.” Sophia and Iris immediately refused.
“Ehh.” Sophia said to her displeased master, “Please work hard for our share too.” Iris added, “I really want to hold Auraniess-sama’s children.”
“O-oh.” Marius sighed as he saw them easily talked into it.
“Iris, Sophia. You shouldn’t go that far.”
“Impossible,” Sophia replied instantly. “Auraniess-sama’s eyes right now are the kind of eyes that make it useless to say anything.”
“It’s important to give up,” Iris and Sophia offered warm (?) encouragement.
“M-me too! I want a second one too!” Barra, perhaps fueled by rivalry, volunteered.
“I do too!” Perhaps influenced by Barra, Lovisa also raised her hand.
(A child-birthing war?) Marius began to escape reality.
