Side: Mako
After installing MARS at the Scholar’s Guild Alegria main branch and returning to the Beast King Castle, everyone seemed to have serious expressions.
I was curious about what happened, but it didn’t seem like an emergency.
If it were an emergency, we would have been informed.
In any case, if it’s not an emergency, I can just ask later.
“The installation is complete without any issues, and the operational checks are also fine. Thank you.”
“Yes, we are relieved that the installation was successful. The remaining two are scheduled for spring, so it will be difficult until then.”
“It can’t be helped, as it depends on the construction of MINERVA. I will also inform the Head Scholar Master not to accept any unreasonable reservations for the time being.”
For scholars who research monsters, MARS is very popular because it allows for safe and accurate investigations.
That’s why there’s a waiting list even in Memoria, with some people having to wait for half a year or even a year.
There are constant petitions to increase the number of MARS units to the Scholar’s Guild, but since they use many materials that are called rare, or even legendary, it’s difficult for us to increase production. Currently, we only plan to install them in Memoria, Float, the capitals of the Three Kingdoms, and the Fraydlancia Baronetcy that Yamato will receive. So, we can only tell them to give up on that.
If we could lower the cost a bit, we would consider installing them in the Three Duchies, but improving the performance beyond the current level would cause the cost to skyrocket, so we’ve also put that on hold.
“Well then, Your Majesty, we will take our leave for today.”
“Indeed. You may think it’s unnecessary concern, but be careful.”
“Not at all, thank you.”
After explaining some precautions, we decided to leave the Beast King Castle.
Even if we know we’re alright, it’s nice when someone shows concern.
A little danger is nothing to us, and if some thugs were to attack, it’s not impossible that we wouldn’t even notice them, let alone defeat them.
However, we’re not always getting into trouble, and this time we’re using the official transport of the Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House, so there aren’t any fools who would dare to bother us.
As such, we left Glacian without incident and immediately teleported to Alka.
Normally, we would have just hunted for a bit and returned, but lately, Yamato has been returning home right after finishing his errands.
The reason for this is because…
“Ah, welcome back. After dinner, I’m going to give Saki a bath, do you want to join, Yamato?”
“I do!”
This is the reason.
Saki-chan, who is just over a month old, had her bath debut the other day.
Technically, until her neck is stable, she should be bathed in a baby bathtub, with careful support. However, the baths at the Hinomoto Mansion in Alka, including the hot springs, are all of that nature.
We do have a baby bathtub, but Yamato and Mana-sama wanted to bathe with her, and I understand their feelings.
So, I processed the skin of a Killer Whale to make it float, placed Saki-chan inside to support her, and then tried my best to think of a way for them to bathe together while holding that baby bathtub.
As a result, both Yamato-kun and Mana-sama were pleased.
Once her neck is stable, we can take her out of the baby bathtub, so it will likely only be used until then.
“Mana-sama, I’ll take Saki-chan for now.”
“Please do, Lydia.”
After finishing our dinner, we, Yamato-kun’s wives and fiancées, all headed to the open-air bath on the 5th floor of the Main Hall.
If there were any previous guests, Yamato-kun wouldn’t be able to use the bath. Moreover, the bath is like a large public bathhouse, so it’s not appropriate to bring a newborn baby there, especially.
The open-air bath on the 5th floor of the Main Hall also has a hot spring-like feel, but that’s the only option. Moreover, the only people who come here besides us are Yamato-kun’s concubines, so there are no problems.
In that open-air bath, Lydia, who had already prepared and undressed, took her in charge of Saki-chan from Mana-sama and headed to the hot springs.
Mina also prepared a baby bathtub. With slightly clumsy hands, she placed Saki-chan in it and used Telekinetic Magic to support her firmly as she bathed.
Just as we finished this, Yamato-kun, Mana-sama, and Lady Hilde arrived at the hot springs after undressing.
“Thank you, Lydia, Mina.”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
“It’s good practice for when it’s my turn.”
Saki-chan is the eldest daughter and the first child, so this is a first for everyone.
There’s no helping it, and I’m even using it as a trial run for when I have a baby myself.
That being said, I have no intention of neglecting Saki-chan or slacking off on her care.
Because she’s the first child, there are many things that are new, and things tend to be done by trial and error. However, that’s irrelevant to Saki-chan.
If we were to neglect childcare or treat her like a practice dummy for such reasons, she might become a delinquent in the future.
Saki-chan is the next Fleidranthia Heavenly Noble House of Lapislazurite, but more than that, I want her to grow up to be an honest and kind child.
“Raising a child is much harder than I imagined. The night crying is terrible, and I never thought bathing her alone would be this much of a struggle.”
“I agree. But she’s so cute, and just looking at her face makes me feel like a day’s worth of fatigue melts away. Yamato is like that too.”
I understand what Athena and Ludia are trying to say.
Normally, Saki-chan sleeps in Mana-sama’s room with her. Mana-sama was prohibited from hunting, let alone any intimacy, until after giving birth.
She herself and Yamato-kun probably thought that the prohibition was until after childbirth. However, in a way, it’s more difficult after childbirth. With night crying waking her up even in the middle of the night, she really doesn’t have the energy for that.
It’s truly regrettable, and we will all experience it eventually, so we’ve decided that those who don’t have any appointments the next day will take care of Saki-chan once or twice a week, allowing Mana-sama to go to the master bedroom on the 4th floor of the Main Hall.
Childcare is tough every day, and some people even develop parenting neurosis. We need to take proper care of that.
It’s a blessing to have multiple wives when it comes to being able to use such methods.
“The night crying is more difficult than I imagined. When she suddenly cries in the middle of the night, I don’t know what to do.”
“That’s true.”
“It might be milk, or her diaper, there are various things, aren’t there?”
“Let me tell you, it’s still better at this stage? Her night crying usually gets worse between six months and a little over a year old.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Seriously.”
While the night crying is indeed tough, it’s only going to get worse from here.
Moreover, the reason for night crying, other than milk or diapers, is unknown.
It’s said that babies cry to communicate discomfort because they can’t speak, but the specifics are not well understood.
It’s said that crying and sleeping are their jobs, so perhaps it can’t be helped. However, for parents, it can lead to parenting neurosis, so it’s not just about how cute they are, it’s tough.
“I heard that raising children is hard, but it really is.”
“Yamato-kun is the youngest, and you mentioned you don’t have any younger childhood friends, right?”
“That’s right. When my second cousin’s baby was born, I came to Helios Orb.”
I heard that Yamato-kun is the youngest of three siblings, with an older brother and an older sister. Also, all his relatives and his parents’ friends whom he associates with are older than him.
I know those people too, and it’s good that they seem to be living happily.
Also, when I think of Yamato-kun’s second cousin, only one person comes to mind. It’s been over 20 years according to Earth’s calendar since I went missing, so it’s not impossible that they’re married.
“Tonight, Ludia and I will be taking care of Saki-chan, but what about you, Athena?”
“I’ll go too. The child that’s born isn’t necessarily a Dragonian, you know.”
Tonight, Ludia and I were supposed to take care of Saki-chan, but I didn’t expect Athena to be invited.
However, the three of them are said to be childhood friends, and as Athena said, even if they are Dragonians, the child born isn’t necessarily a Dragonian, so it will be good practice for Athena.
