It happened one morning.
I was doing my usual training.
Badigadi was nowhere to be seen, but it didn't bother me.
That guy was fickle.
No point worrying about it.
…Well, that was Elinariette's opinion, but it was probably spot-on.
When I got back from training,
The moment I came through the door, they stared me down.
"…Oh."
"
What was this?
Had something gone wrong?
A twinge of unease crept in.
"Um, ahaha, now that it's actually happening, it's a little scary…"
Sylphie was scratching behind her ear, managing a weak smile.
"There's nothing to be scared of! Come on, Lady Sylphie, be brave!"
Prompted by Aisha, Sylphie stepped forward.
She fidgeted with her hands around her chest area, face reddening as she approached me.
Then she placed a hand on her stomach.
And said: "Um, Rudeus. I haven't… had it in the last two months."
Haven't had… what?
I couldn't bring myself to ask.
"And, well, I've been feeling a little off too, so I had a feeling, but…"
I stared at Sylphie's stomach.
Her slender stomach.
No way.
No, surely not.
"So, yesterday Aisha and I went to a nearby doctor, and… they said, um, it's probably a positive result."
"Oh… oh…"
My voice was shaking.
My hands were shaking.
My feet were shaking too.
A positive result.
It had happened.
This couldn't be real.
I pinched my cheek. It hurt. It was real.
I swallowed hard.
Of course. Of course.
Hadn't that pair told me?
If you do it, you can do it.
I'd been doing it with that intention.
It was right on schedule, if anything.
I'd heard that long-eared races don't conceive easily, so I was just a bit taken aback that it had happened sooner than expected.
"Um, Rudeus… what do you think?"
Sylphie looked anxious.
What do I think? How was I supposed to react?
It was all too sudden — I had no idea.
"C-can I… touch it?"
"Huh? Oh, sure, go ahead."
I placed my hand on Sylphie's slender belly.
It felt the same as always when I touched it.
A slim waist, little fat, a taut stomach.
When I touched it, it was warm, and it returned that soft sensation.
Now that she mentioned it, it was probably a little bigger.
No, maybe I was imagining it — it wasn't enough to tell by touch yet.
"So that's it… our child is in here…"
Saying it out loud, I felt something swell deep in my throat.
Something surged up inside me.
What was this?
I wanted to scream.
I was going to have a child.
A child.
It didn't feel real.
But somehow, I was overwhelmingly happy.
No — "happy" wasn't even close to describing it.
What was this? What was going on…?
"Brother. Don't you have something to say to your wife?"
Aisha's words brought me back to my senses.
"Huh?"
Something to say.
What was it?
Congratulations? No, that wasn't it.
Thank you. Right, thank you.
"Sylphie, thank you."
"Huh? Thank you?"
Sylphie smiled wryly.
Was that wrong?
Then what was the right answer?
I racked my brain. What had
What had Paul said when
"Good job."
"You did great."
Something along those lines.
Why did that guy always sound so condescending?
Did he think pregnancy depended entirely on the woman's effort?
That was something Paul would absolutely believe.
…Pregnancy.
Sylphie was pregnant.
This cute, short-haired girl was carrying my child.
I was— Just thinking about it, a thrill of indescribable emotion welled up.
Somehow, tears were forming.
"Sorry, I just… I can't find the right words. Sylphie…"
"…Wha. Rudeus?"
I threw my arms around Sylphie.
I wanted to lift her up and swing her around.
No good — I couldn't be rough with her.
Gently. Gently.
It might hurt the baby.
"…Fufu, Rudeus, you've been wanting a baby for so long, haven't you?"
Sylphie wrapped her arms around my back and gave me a few gentle pats.
I squeezed her tight, then let go.
I looked into Sylphie's eyes.
Her round, luminous eyes reflected my own.
My face was a mess from the tears.
Sylphie's eyes soon closed as I leaned in.
I stroked her head and pressed my lips to hers.
The soft touch of her lips.
Was this what love felt like?
"Ahem."
Aisha's cough brought me to my senses.
I realized that I'd been fondling Sylphie's chest and backside.
"Brother, sexual relations are strictly prohibited for the time being, as they may be harmful to my lady's condition."
No good, no good.
I couldn't lay a hand on her during this period.
No matter how much I adored her, I had to hold back.
Ah, but thinking about it, we'd still been going at it two months ago, so a little bit wouldn't— No. Absolutely not. I'd exercise self-restraint.
"Of course."
I'd been warned off.
Aisha gave a soft smile and flicked the hem of her skirt up with a flourish.
"In that case, I'd be happy to keep you company during this period, if you'd like."
"Keep your dreams to yourself."
Aisha's shoulders slumped.
I appreciated the offer, but for some reason I had no desire for Aisha whatsoever.
Not that I considered it inherently wrong to sleep with one's sister.
But that was exactly why it was fine.
In this world, I would not do anything that led to the breakdown of a family.
"Then, Brother, I'll be off to inform Princess Ariel of this matter.
My lady should probably take a leave of absence from her duties as well."
Aisha said this with a perfectly composed expression.
Once pregnant, she couldn't serve as a bodyguard.
She did need to take a leave, that was true.
"No, I'll go. It's only proper that I be the one to explain."
"Hah… Big Brother, you should stay with Lady Sylphie and talk things over, you know?"
My sister sighed and gave me a look.
Talk things over. Right — there was so much to discuss about the future.
"Then, I'll be off."
"Right. Leave it to me."
Aisha headed out, leaving just Sylphie and me.
--- I sat down on the sofa beside Sylphie.
Tentatively, I reached for her hand, and she squeezed back.
Then she leaned against me.
"…"
"………"
I didn't know what to say.
The phrase "take responsibility" surfaced in my mind, But we were already married, so— "Um, Sylphie."
"What is it, Rudeus?"
"It's going to be tough from here on, but… let's do this together."
"Yeah, leave it to me."
Sylphie smiled softly and rested her head on my knee.
I stroked her hair with my free hand.
Rustling along the back of her ear.
"Hey, Rudeus."
"Yes?"
"Do you want a boy or a girl?"
The sudden question caught me off guard.
Right — there were two kinds, weren't there, when it came to children.
"…Not like we get to choose, though."
Sylphie giggled, looking bashful.
A boy or a girl.
Which would be better?
Which would it be?
For the sake of inheriting the family name, maybe the eldest should be a boy?
No — it wasn't as though we were some martial household.
There was no problem with letting a daughter inherit.
At this point, my assets were pretty modest anyway.
No — maybe I shouldn't overthink it.
A boy or a girl.
If it were the me from my previous life, I would have said "girl" without hesitation.
I'd probably make some sleazy joke about photographing the girl's developing body every day and keeping an observation diary.
What a pathetic man.
But now, either was fine.
As long as they were healthy. That was all that mattered.
"But you know, Rudeus… I feel like I can finally relax."
"Why's that?"
"I think… now I've really become Rudeus's wife. Properly."
"…"
In any world, Being a wife meant carrying on the family line.
Sylphie had probably been somewhat anxious — or perhaps a little rushed — about it.
Given her body type, it wasn't easy for her to conceive.
Of course, those worries were unnecessary.
"But, I'm going to make you hold back for a while, Rudeus. On that front."
"This isn't about holding back."
It was simply a natural duty.
I was nothing like Paul.
"If I so much as looked at another woman, I'd want you to be genuinely angry with me."
"…I wouldn't get angry, exactly, but I might feel a little lonely."
Just lonely? Was that all?
No — but still.
There was no way I could betray her. That was just common sense.
Imagine it in reverse.
"If you were to get involved with another man, Sylphie — I think I'd be angry."
When I said that, Sylphie let out a little "Mm-hmm."
That smile was directed only at me.
It made me happy.
We sat like that for a while, saying nothing, just enjoying the quiet.
--- That evening, Aisha returned with Norn.
"C-congratulations, Sylphie."
"Thanks, Norn."
Norn bowed her head toward Sylphie.
Sylphie smiled and patted her on the head.
Having her head patted, Norn's expression softened.
She didn't seem to mind at all.
Did she enjoy being patted on the head?
In any case, it was nice to see them getting along.
"I was told to pass along everyone's greetings today, but I've arranged to postpone those to a later date."
Aisha reported this matter-of-factly.
She'd apparently picked up on my preference to keep it just family for today.
That was why she'd only brought Norn back.
I hadn't exactly made that request explicit.
Well, that was fine.
Honestly, being inundated with congratulations right now would just be embarrassing.
A few days' delay was appropriate.
"Princess Ariel has requested that my lady take at least two years of rest. She's also submitted a leave-of-absence form for school. Great-aunt Elinariette has volunteered to take over the bodyguard duties during that period."
"Is Grandmother going to be all right? With the curse and everything…"
"She said she'd manage somehow, so there should be no problem."
Elinariette seemed skilled at self-management, and she had magical tools as well.
It should be fine.
There were plenty of empty classrooms, storage rooms, and other places that could be used during school hours.
"Lord
He'll be staying for dinner, so we'll make arrangements.
Princess Ariel is expected to arrive on the tenth day, also in the evening.
I asked if she'd like dinner as well, but she said it wouldn't be necessary.
Both Lord
Lady Linia and Lady Pursena said they'd drop by at some point, though no specific date was given.
Lady
All delivered in the same calm, steady tone.
Like a secretary.
Aisha really was remarkable.
"Good work, Aisha."
"Yes, Brother."
Aisha gave a small, satisfied hum and glanced at Norn.
Norn glared back at her, clearly irritated.
Aisha seemed to want to show off in front of me — she did this kind of thing often.
There was probably still some lingering resentment over the half-sibling dynamic.
I'd told them to treat each other equally, but— The two of them bickered constantly over trivial matters.
They say fighting is a sign of closeness, and as long as it didn't escalate into a cold war, it was fine.
They'd never said anything truly damaging during their arguments.
"That said, when the baby comes, Dad's going to be pretty surprised."
"Dad!"
At that, Norn's face lit up immediately.
Norn was a total daddy's girl.
She'd probably said at some point that her dream for the future was to marry Dad.
"I want to see Dad's surprised face!"
"Yeah, that guy's going to be incredibly soft when it comes to grandchildren. He'll be thrilled. He was head over heels when you and Aisha were born."
At that, Aisha and Norn both looked a bit awkward.
Talking about times neither of them remembered was a bit uncomfortable, apparently.
"I'm looking forward to it, Brother."
Norn's words put a smile on all our faces.
I and Sylphie were married.
Paul and Zenith and Lillia were out there.
And I had two younger sisters.
This was the ideal I'd dreamed of back in
--- The bad news arrived two months later.
The letter had been sent by urgent express delivery, but the date on it was from six months ago.
The sender was Geese.
It was the kind of ultra-brief message typical of express letters: "Zenith rescue difficult. Requesting aid."
The instant I read those words, everything went white.
--- When I came to, I was in a white room.
I was back in my obese, wretched form.
My spirit bristled with irritation.
I stared ahead.
And there it was — or rather, he was.
Jinrui, hidden behind a mosaic, grinning endlessly.
"Oh, hey."
What the hell was going on?
"What do you mean, what?"
That letter. From Geese.
It said Zenith's rescue was difficult.
What did that mean?
"What do you mean, what — it sounds like things are tough, doesn't it?"
You—!
You told me!
You said I'd regret going to the Begaritto Continent!
What the hell was that about?
Did you trick me!?
"I didn't trick you. You would regret going to the Begaritto Continent.
That hasn't changed even now."
Oh. Right.
I get it.
So that's what you meant.
I'd regret going to the Begaritto Continent.
But I'd also regret not going.
"That's not true at all.
After all, up until yesterday, did you have any regrets?
You made plenty of friends.
You met all sorts of people and grew as a person.
Your health improved.
You reconciled with your sisters.
And you got married and had a child coming on the way."
…That was true enough. Things hadn't been bad.
But still!
You said it!
You said I shouldn't go to the Begaritto Continent!
You lied to me!
"I didn't lie. I'm still saying the same thing.
It's better not to go to the Begaritto Continent.
You'll regret it."
But — my family was in danger.
At least tell me why.
"I can't do that."
Damn it.
Right — that was the kind of person he was.
"What a terrible thing to say. My advice has saved you time and again."
There was a difference between being saved and being deceived.
Come on — just tell me. Give me something.
What would I regret?
This way, I couldn't even weigh my options.
"Most people can't put things on a scale like that anyway.
You're pretty spoiled, huh."
I didn't care about being spoiled.
I didn't want to have regrets.
"Think about it a little and you'll see.
You've spent a year and a half in school.
Your sisters took a year to get here.
The timing was bound to clash, wasn't it?"
No.
My sisters had come all this way because of my letter.
Without it, they'd either still be in Millis or stuck in a port town.
"Actually, even without the letter, Paul would have sent his daughters as far as the
Lillia's family is in that country, after all."
…Come to think of it, he was right.
"Same thing now. If you set off on a journey now, what happens to your child with Sylphie?
Go to the Begaritto Continent and come back.
In that time, you'd be leaving your wife alone, wouldn't you?"
So no matter what I did, I'd have regrets.
"Exactly. Regrets can't be avoided, no matter what you do.
Going to the Begaritto Continent means missing a great opportunity.
That's why it's better not to go."
Tch.
If even he said that, then yeah — I'd probably regret it.
Fine.
"Is that so? So, will you take my advice?"
Yeah, go ahead and tell me.
"Ahem. Rudeus, wait for the next heat period.
Then Linia and Pursena will come on to you.
Sleep with one of them.
That way, you'll become even happier."
Hey — wait, you're telling me to cheat out of nowhere?
I'd made a vow of fidelity to Sylphie!
Those two and I didn't have that kind of relationship!
…will …will …will…
The echo lingered as my consciousness faded.
--- I woke up.
Sylphie was peering down at my face, worried.
I was lying in bed.
"Ah, Rudeus, are you okay? You were thrashing around."
"Yeah…"
What had happened after I received that letter?
I couldn't quite remember.
I recalled being in a state of utter shock.
Maybe everything had been going too smoothly lately.
The blow had hit me hard.
A letter from Geese.
Words asking for help.
Something had happened.
But there were Jinrui's words too.
The possibility of a wasted trip if I left now.
Maybe I was being too optimistic, but that letter could have been sent in a panic.
After all, the sender wasn't Paul — it was Geese.
That newcomer of a monkey.
Why had he sent me this letter?
Because he'd been searching for Zenith.
At the very least, Paul's letter hadn't mentioned Geese's name.
Geese had been searching for Zenith on his own and had found her.
The letter had been sent six months ago.
Perhaps he'd sent it before linking up with Paul.
Maybe he'd sent it thinking there was nothing more to be done.
Perhaps he'd sent a similar letter to Paul as well.
But then he'd met up with Paul right away and everything had turned out fine… or had it.
Everything was "maybe."
From where I was, so far away, I had no way to know.
Then there was Sylphie's pregnancy.
Even if I rushed to the Begaritto Continent, it would take at least a year.
I'd been to Eastport before, so I knew the route.
Perhaps I could cut down the travel time.
But even if I managed the round trip in half a year, that was still a full year.
It was still impossible.
I couldn't leave a pregnant woman behind.
"So that letter is what's bothering you."
"…"
I couldn't answer.
I'd also made a promise to Sylphie.
"Don't disappear on me suddenly."
I had given my word.
Saying I'd warn her in advance wasn't the same as disappearing — that was sophistry.
No matter how much we talked it over.
No matter how thorough a note I left.
The person left behind would still suffer.
"Hey, Rudeus… you don't have to worry about me so much?
Aisha's here too, right?"
Sylphie said this with a slightly pained expression.
There was no way she wasn't anxious.
She had no experience with pregnancy.
Her belly would grow day by day.
Climbing stairs would get harder.
And I — I might die on the road.
I might not come back.
She would have to fight that kind of fear.
"…I'm not going. I'll stay with you."
When I said that, Sylphie looked troubled.
Jinrui's words lingered in my head.
In the end, whichever I chose, regret would remain.
Those words.
--- And so, three more days passed.
Sylphie, Aisha, and Norn — they all wore anxious faces.
I had declared that I would not go to the Begaritto Continent.
But whether that was truly the right call — I didn't know.
I couldn't tell.
I'd made the declaration, but I was still wavering.
There weren't many people I could talk to about it.
One of them was Elinariette.
And she said this: "I believe you should stay here."
You should.
Those words told me everything about what Elinariette truly intended.
"Elinariette — you're going, aren't you?"
"Rudeus. Sylphie is my granddaughter.
Please, allow me to do this much for my grandchild and her husband."
It seemed the letter requesting aid had reached her as well.
But she was going — despite the fact that someone would be left behind.
"What about Princess Ariel's protection?"
"While she's at the school, there's almost no danger. It would be silly to have a bodyguard."
Even if the risk was minimal, things could always go wrong.
But that was Princess Ariel's decision to make.
Elinariette had been guarding her out of kindness — there was no reason for me to hold her back.
"What about Cliff?"
"We'll be parting ways. He may resent me for it, but there's nothing to be done."
"Why not explain things to him? If you told him the truth, he'd understand."
Elinariette smiled quietly.
It wasn't her usual alluring smile.
It was a lonely smile.
"Cliff is a pure-hearted boy. He has talent, and he's forward-thinking.
He may one day become Pope.
As for his feelings for me — it's best if we leave that as a youthful infatuation."
That seemed cruel to Cliff.
The Millis faith had a doctrine that one should love only a single person.
If Elinariette disappeared, Cliff's faith might waver.
He was a man of conviction, but losing his faith — there was no telling what that would do to him.
"And besides," Elinariette added at last.
"I was the one who told you to stay in this land.
Let me at least clean up my own mess.
So just leave everything to me and wait patiently.
When I return, all I ask is that you show me a healthy great-grandchild."
She laid down the law, crystal clear.
Elinariette's resolve was unshakable.
--- I also consulted with Zanoba.
He listened without so much as changing his expression.
"I see. If it's Master, I'm sure he'll resolve the matter and return swiftly."
He said this with complete nonchalance.
"I'll remain here and continue my research, so I eagerly await your return."
"I figured you'd either tell me not to go, or insist on coming with me."
When we'd parted ways at Shiron, he'd clung to me.
Maybe I'd been hoping for something similar this time.
But Zanoba's response was the opposite.
"If Master desires an escort, I would not refuse… but I'm not accustomed to travel, so I'd likely be a burden. Besides…"
His gaze flicked briefly toward
"I can hardly drag her along on a long journey."
Julie was still young.
We could leave her here with Ginger, sure — but that would stall the research.
And if I did set off on a journey, using magic right up to my limits would be dangerous.
"Zanoba… should I go?"
"That is for Master to decide."
For me to decide.
It sounded like he was pushing me away.
I was looking for advice.
Then Zanoba added, almost offhandedly: "But Master, if I may say one thing."
"Hm?"
"Whether the father is present or not, the child will be born. If you're worried, then perhaps you should go.
While you're away, I'll take full responsibility for protecting my lady."
There was genuine weight behind Zanoba's words.
Right.
Kings didn't stay by the side of their queens and concubines every time they were pregnant, after all.
"Of course, I would prefer to always be at Master's side."
"Thank you, Zanoba."
Sylphie wasn't alone.
Aisha was there. Ariel and the others were there.
She wasn't alone.
She wasn't alone.
--- Should I go to the Begaritto Continent?
Or shouldn't I?
Elinariette said she'd go in my place, so I should wait.
Zanoba said he'd handle things here, so I should go.
What should I do?
Should I go?
Zanoba's words made sense.
If the mother was healthy, the child would be born naturally.
Whether the father was there or not.
No — that was ridiculous.
I wasn't some king.
Of course it was better for the father to be there.
Sylphie told me not to worry and to go, But this was her first pregnancy. She had to be anxious.
She probably wanted to beg me not to go.
And after all, I'd been telling Sylphie again and again that I wanted a baby.
Whether I'd truly wanted one that much — even I wasn't sure.
But Sylphie had taken it seriously.
And now that she was pregnant, I was going to leave on a journey.
Wasn't that a betrayal?
But on the other hand, I'd been putting Paul and the others off.
Putting myself first.
I'd gone to school under the pretense of treating my ED.
So wasn't this precisely the time to go — to help Paul, to help my family?
Wasn't this the moment to settle the accounts I'd been putting off?
…I didn't know.
Either way, I felt like I'd regret it.
--- I spent four days lost in thought.
I couldn't sleep. The sleepless nights piled up.
Early in the morning, I didn't even have the will to train, so I just lingered by the front door.
This city was quite cool, even in summer.
In the early mornings, it was almost chilly.
I stood there, staring blankly at the rising sun.
"…Ah!"
A voice suddenly came from behind me.
I turned. The front door was open.
Standing there was Norn.
She was carrying the large travel bag I'd used in my days as an adventurer.
It was stuffed full, suggesting a long journey.
But given that she was only ten, she looked more like she was heading out on a picnic…
"…"
I stared at her in silence.
Norn averted her eyes, looking guilty.
She had the expression of someone caught in the middle of a prank.
"Where are you going?"
"…"
Norn didn't answer.
I asked again.
"Where are you going?"
Norn looked at me, steeled herself, and spoke.
"I-if you won't go, Brother, then I thought I would."
I stared at her again, hard.
Go — go where, exactly? To the Begaritto Continent?
I looked at Norn once more.
Norn was small.
Far too small.
She was only ten years old.
"…"
The supplies she'd prepared — were they even sufficient?
She seemed to have money, but did she know how to manage it?
Did she know the route?
Did she have any means of avoiding danger?
The moment she left this city, wouldn't she be snatched up by traffickers?
"Norn, you can't do this."
"But, Brother… Mom and Dad are in trouble!"
Norn's eyes were brimming with tears.
"Why — why won't you go save them?!"
Why.
Because I was going to have a child.
Because I had a family.
"Brother, you're so strong, and you can travel! Why…"
I could travel.
I'd been an adventurer for five years — not as accomplished as Elinariette, but still.
I had the know-how.
I might still be short of the strongest, but I was decently capable.
Right now, even without
"…"
She was right.
I was capable.
I'd been thinking in terms of a binary — go or don't go.
But unlike Norn, it wasn't that I couldn't go even if I wanted to.
I had the ability.
I had the ability to travel to the Begaritto Continent and back.
That was exactly why Geese had sent me that letter.
Not to anyone else — to me.
"…Norn. I understand."
"B-big brother…?"
Sylphie had other people who could look after her.
But for the rescue — only I could go.
No one else.
Cross the Begaritto Continent and make my way to the labyrinth city of Lapen.
Solve whatever problem was happening there.
"I'm going, Norn. Can I leave the house to you?"
Norn's face lit up.
Then, just as quickly, she pressed her lips together.
With a serious expression, she nodded.
"Yes."
"Don't fight with Aisha, and help take care of Sylphie."
"…Yes!"
"That's a good girl."
I felt like I'd be doing something terrible to Sylphie.
And to the child that was coming.
She might even lose faith in me.
No.
That wasn't right.
This was where I had to trust.
"I'm going to the Begaritto Continent."
I would save my family there.
That was my decision.
Volume 11 — Adolescence, Norn Chapter — End Next Chapter Volume 12 — Adolescence, Begaritto Continent Chapter