The evening two days after the entrance ceremony for Memoria General Academy ended, I was on my knees, dejected, in Rika’s room at Hinomoto Mansion.
“Well, what can you do? Such things happen,” Ed and Raus’s attempts at comfort stung.
“It happens often, you know. Rather, rejoice that they were born safely.”
“I know, but I wanted to be there if I could have been.”
Today, a meeting was being held at Amagi Castle to discuss the state of Memoria General Academy and the future of Retysentia, and I was in attendance. However, after the meeting, I received word that Rika had given birth safely. I wished they had told me sooner, but Father insisted on stopping the butlers, saying his work was also important, and Rika and Mana had agreed. Because of that, I was only informed after the meeting concluded.
Indeed, today’s meeting was extremely important for both me and the Federation Heavenly Empire. Memoria General Academy is the first general academy on the Philia Continent, and despite it being its inaugural year, nine members of royalty have enrolled. There was supposed to be one more, but that fool messed up right after the entrance ceremony, resulting in their expulsion and subsequent confinement in a tower in Count Enlo Istlias’s territory.
Fortunately, thanks to that fool, it was made clear that even royalty would not receive special treatment, so the children of nobles are now behaving themselves. Raus and the others also informed me that, although it’s still early days, no major problems have arisen.
And then there’s the other issue: the Retysentia Empire. This situation is not as optimistic. Towns and villages in Retysentia, excluding the imperial capital Kobaldia, have been annihilated along with their residents. Even Kobaldia, the only remaining city, cannot receive any supplies. Everyone, from royalty to commoners, has turned into a demon. Moreover, the demons’ magic power is even affecting the Treasure Tree, so we cannot simply leave this situation unresolved.
Therefore, Kobaldia will be annihilated along with the city itself using the mythical-tier magic circles of Blau Solaris and Agatholam, which we recently succeeded in generating. This will happen after Father and Mother return, and I have no intention of telling them about it.
But for now, that is secondary.
“Work is work. For the child’s sake too.”
“I understand. Rika, I’ll ask again, are you alright?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
In Rika’s room, besides Mako and Apricot who helped with the birth, a dark-skinned Elf boy was sleeping in a crib next to the bed. Rika, who has evolved into a High Elf, has pure white skin, but before evolving, she was dark-skinned, a so-called Dark Elf. Her mother, Elisabeth, is also a Dark Elf, so this child likely inherited that trait.
“Like Saki, are the children who are born more often of the mother’s race?”
“No, that’s true for Yokai and Dragonians, but it’s not the case for other races. It’s purely a coincidence.”
Well, both of my children are Elves, so I understand what Mother means. It’s not a 50/50 chance due to the possibility of half-bloods, but whether the child inherits the father’s or mother’s race is purely a matter of luck.
“And what about the name?”
“Asuka Shin.”
The child’s name was decided a long time ago. We didn’t know if it would be a boy or a girl, but we prepared separate names for both genders, and we also have them ready for Prim and Flam’s children. By the way, Asuka’s name borrows from Father’s name.
“You took Father’s name? That sounds like it could be a lot of pressure.”
“I don’t intend to put that much pressure on him.”
Father and Mother have become somewhat famous, but their fame is limited to the country’s upper echelons and certain circles. It has spread among Hunters too, but those not directly involved in the war only believe half of it, or even less. So, I don’t think Asuka will feel too much pressure. Besides, if I said that, Saki also took Mother’s name, and it could turn out to be a similar situation.
“Huh? Saki used Mother’s name?”
“Yeah. Wait, I didn’t tell you the origin of her name?”
“I haven’t heard it.”
Is that so? Well, unlike Asuka Shin, Sakura-hime’s name just uses the character for “cherry blossom.”
“Anyway, putting that aside. Rika and Asuka seem fine, and it would be a bother to make too much noise here.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Rika just gave birth, and Asuka is also newborn. There’s no good reason to make a commotion. I want to stay here a bit longer, but right now, I need to let Rika rest properly, so I should quietly withdraw.
“Rika, I’ll come back later. Please rest well now.”
“Yes, thank you.”
I’ll let her rest well today and talk properly tomorrow. Ah, Asuka is also the heir to the Marquis Amatista family, so I need to announce it to Memoria and the rest of the territory and serve celebratory sake. It’s late today, so I’ll have to arrange it first thing tomorrow morning.
After that, I need to prepare souvenirs for Father and Mother to take back. There’s also a wedding gift for my Older Brother, but I need to find and consider items that can be used there, which is quite a difficult task. But with only a few days left, I need to make a decision soon.
***
Side: Prim
The day after Rika safely gave birth to Asuka, Yamato immediately rushed to Memoria. With the butlers serving the Marquis Amatista family, he announced the birth of the heir and served celebratory sake. With Saki, only Feel and Float were present because Mana didn’t own territory yet. However, the Marquisate of Amatista has five towns and villages with deputy governors, so notifications and preparations were necessary for them as well. That’s why, even now, past noon, Yamato, Meena, Lydia, and Ludia have not returned.
“Newborn boys are so cute, aren’t they?”
“I agree, but shouldn’t I be able to hold him by now?”
“Eeeh, wait a little longer~”
After lunch, at the request of my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law, I was guided to Rika’s room. For them, it was their second grandchild, and more importantly, Asuka is the long-awaited male heir for the Marquis Amatista family. Rika’s mother, Elisabeth, was also moved to tears. She’s been staying at Hinomoto Mansion since yesterday and is now happily discussing the territory and Asuka’s future with Rika.
“By the way, Asuka is the heir to the Marquis Amatista family, correct?”
“Yes. Given he was just born, the presentation to the citizens will be next month.”
“Next month? Isn’t that a bit soon?”
“Perhaps, but it’s just a ride around Memoria in a Beast Carriage. It’s customary for the lord’s child to have a presentation one month after birth.”
It seems to be tradition to ascend to Amagi Castle and report to His Majesty if there’s enough leisure. The actual ascension typically happens between six months and one year after birth, but in Asuka’s case, Yamato and we can use Traveling, so it won’t take that long.
Incidentally, Saki’s presentation did not take place. The reason is that neither Mana nor Yamato have been granted territory yet. Although both will eventually become lords, without a defined territory, there’s nothing to present. I also don’t plan on having a presentation for myself for the same reason. However, Flam has been appointed as Prada’s deputy governor and has been acknowledged by Prada, so it seems he has to have one.
“Ah, did he fall asleep?”
“Again. Honestly, it was like this yesterday too?”
“Well, he’s just so cute…”
According to my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law’s conversation, Asuka seems to have fallen asleep. Well, newborns sleep most of the day, so it’s understandable that he’d fall asleep at this timing. But didn’t my Father-in-law not get to hold Asuka yesterday? Still, he’s not genuinely complaining to my Mother-in-law; rather, he seems to accept it, which is remarkable. It’s like they’re a devoted couple who have been together for many years, isn’t it? Yamato actually says they are very close. It’s a great learning experience for us.
“I’m sorry, Asuka. And Elisabeth, I’m sorry too.”
“Please don’t mind it. Asuka-sama and Maoh-sama will be returning to their original world in a few days. So, please cherish Asuka while you can.”
As Elisabeth said, my Father-in-law and Mother-in-law are returning to Earth in five months. Yamato and Mako are apparently preparing various souvenirs, but they seem to be having trouble choosing, as it’s uncertain whether Storage Bags and Mirror Bags will work there. My Father-in-law and Mother-in-law have saved many images of us and Saki using an Engraving Tool, and Yamato and the others call them photos. We’re also looking for something, but we can only think of monster meat.
“In that case, we should take our leave as well.”
“Yes. Rika-chan, please rest well.”
“Thank you.”
My Father-in-law and Mother-in-law left their room. We also can’t stay too long. So, the rest is up to Mako, Mother, and Elisabeth.
