005
Here, there is a baby who cried herself to sleep, curled up like a little turtle, breathing softly.
It was heartbreaking to see.
“The young masters Leviwood and Mikard were on a mission, so we couldn’t stop the baby’s outburst in time.”
The reception room was dimly lit to avoid waking the baby. Diegon listened quietly to Carmen’s report.
“It was a force that no one could have withstood unless they were at your level. It’s because His Excellency, who was nearby, intervened that everyone survived.”
“We would have been annihilated otherwise.”
“Yes. The nearest person, Young Master Ricardo, has had his bijou severely damaged. It seems he tried to defend himself in his own way, but since it was a fight between Awakened ones… the bijou might not regenerate.”
“He’ll be disowned then. Cecilia won’t keep someone useless around.”
Diegon’s tone was chillingly indifferent as he fiddled with his cotton candy-like pink hair.
Despite this, the baby remained asleep, occasionally sniffling with a red nose.
“And Miss Shu?”
“Miss Shu is in good condition. Honestly, for a first clash, she’s too fine. The only explanation is that she has the blessing of the Spirit King. Summoning the Spirit King at this age could lead to severe consequences, potentially rendering her powerless.”
“Indeed, the Spirit King…”
Diegon’s voice trailed off, catching in his throat, but he said no more.
Carmen bit his tongue as well.
The man who commanded the Pashayen navy, whose bijou appeared at the age of seven, and who, at ten, fought the Mermaid King to bring about the current state of ceasefire—a genius among geniuses. His ruthlessness was like a school of sharks tasting blood, and his combat instincts were innate. Pirates now fled at the sight of Diegon’s flag.
Yet, it was not widely known that Diegon had deeply loved only one partner—a person adored by the spirits of this world, so lovely it was blinding.
Carmen remembered her too, along with the tiny daughter she carried.
But no one could recall what she and her daughter looked like.
One day, they were simply ‘gone,’ and the effect on Diegon needed no explanation.
Even after seven years, speaking of it was forbidden.
“A child so favored by the Spirit King… how ironic,”
Diegon muttered after a long silence, suspicion laced in his voice.
“Could someone have created this child?”
“Spirits are pure beings, Your Excellency. Surely not.”
“Indeed. A homunculus goes against the natural order, so a spirit wouldn’t follow it.”
An awakened being gains powers beyond ordinary people.
Homunculus are artificial life forms created through such powers, often used in territorial battles in the Velarion of the Eclipse.
“A well-crafted homunculus is indistinguishable from a human, but we’ve never received information about someone creating a baby.”
At Carmen’s firm assertion, Diegon lowered his gaze.
He saw the child sleeping, clutching his thigh tightly.
It had been a struggle to detach her even when showing her to the doctor.
“She clings so tightly, as if she’s a real crab.”
Is she afraid I might leave her?
When did she, who stubbornly refused to acknowledge me as her father, start doing this?
“She seems to trust you, Your Excellency, given how she’s holding on.”
Carmen slipped in a comment, not missing the opportunity.
The truth was, Carmen had fallen for this little girl the moment he picked her up from the daycare.
She looked just like the youngest lady he could no longer remember.
Diegon was well aware of Carmen’s feelings too.
His father must have had a similar thought when he attached this little crab to him.
“I suppose I’ll have to give her a new name.”
“Oh, what will you name her?”
“I’m not sure yet,”
Diegon raised an eyebrow.
Giving a name meant he intended to adopt her as his daughter. Therefore, he couldn’t just come up with any name.
“By now, Cecilia must be furious. She’ll probably go to great lengths to take this child away.”
“But you won’t let her, will you?”
“This child follows me well. Look,”
Diegon pointed to the baby who was now softly snoring.
Then he added in a low voice,
“She’s not the kind of child who should go to someone as greedy as Cecilia.”
“Just admit that you want to make her your daughter.”
Carmen muttered, but Diegon ignored him.
At that moment, countless ancient or foreign words with beautiful meanings were spinning in his mind.
He wondered which one would suit her best.
“Oh, I should also inform the two young masters.”
“No need to contact Mikard; he probably already knows.”
“Then, I’ll only inform the second young master.”
“The second one… no, wait, yes.”
Diegon started to say something but stopped himself.
Carmen cautiously suggested,
“Perhaps this child’s presence might have a positive effect on the second young master. Why don’t you let them meet?”
“He’s already given up on life.”
“It’s only been a year since the symptoms first appeared.”
“Enough. We shouldn’t expect too much from this little crab.”
Diegon poked the chubby cheek of the child.
“Mm.”
The baby frowned as if displeased.
Such a small thing, yet so full of temper.
“I told you to bite if you’re hit, not to summon the Spirit King and half-kill them…,”
He thought, feeling both impressed and proud.
Diegon gently tapped the child’s nose.
The perfect name suddenly came to his mind.
“Shupetty. This child’s name will be Shupetty.”
The name was inspired by the North Star, which guides during a voyage, and the goddess of battle.
It seemed like a fitting name for her.
***
‘Mom, Mom!’
‘It’s okay, honey. Mommy will always be by your side.’
‘But… but… I won’t be able to see you anymore. Please don’t die, Mommy…!’
‘Sweetie, you won’t cry, will you? You can stay strong, right? You’re the class leader.’
‘Hng, hng… Huuuuu!’
No.
Even so, it’s no use.
I can’t do it.
I’m not the class leader anymore.
“Sniff.”
When I opened my eyes, bright sunlight was streaming in.
I wiped away the tears hanging at the corner of my eyes and sat up.
“Oh my! Miss, you’re awake!”
“Lina?”
“Yes, it’s Lina. Do you recognize me?”
“Mm-hmm.”
What kind of dream did I have?
It was something sad, but I couldn’t quite remember.
“Now, let’s get you ready. There’s no class today, so how about having a meal with His Excellency and then playing together?”
Lina held out five dresses in front of me, all in a row. Seeing how excited she was made me excited too.
“Shall we eat something delicious and then bake cookies together?”
“Yes!”
Great!
I wore a blue dress with a white rabbit on it and shoes adorned with starfish!
Lina also tied my hair into pigtails.
Feeling thrilled, I dashed to the dining room.
And then…
Thump!
“Ow.”
I bumped into someone and fell flat on my bottom.
“Huh? Ah, it’s you.”
A deep, booming voice, like a ship’s horn, reached my ears.
When I looked up, there was Grandfather Marshmallow.
“Grandpa Marshmallow!”
“Yes, yes. Come here, you little darling, let me hold you,”
Grandfather said as he lifted me up.
I smiled broadly, thinking about strawberry macarons.
I had given them to my teacher in the Carrot class. I wonder if my friends ate them all?
“So you summoned the Spirit King, even if just temporarily? Impressive,”
“The Spirit King…?”
“You don’t know what that is yet, do you? No worries, you’ll learn all about it soon. Haha!”
Grandfather opened the dining room door with a strong push.
There were Dad, who is also like an uncle, and Mister Carmen.
“Where’s your seat?”
“Over there, by the little crab.”
“Ah, here it is.”
Grandfather sat me in the chair, and I started swinging my feet as I eagerly waited for the meal.
Everything served here was always so delicious, and I looked forward to mealtime.
“What brings you here?”
“You cheeky brat! I came to see my new granddaughter’s face!”
“…Please have a seat.”
Gasp!
But I got into a fight with my friends…
‘Am I not going to get scolded?’
I glanced around nervously, but no one seemed intent on scolding me.
Breathing a small sigh of relief, I firmly gripped my fork.
But just at that moment…
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ is furious, declaring that no one can scold his child!]
Shimmering lights appeared before my eyes, and words began to write themselves.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ proudly boasts, telling everyone to come and see his child.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ sighs, saying here we go again.]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ nods in agreement, acknowledging that the child is indeed adorable.]
Huh?
What’s going on?
