Chapter: 773
Two days after leaving a guestbook entry in the sky of Saleria, I finished preparing to return home as planned.
During those two days, Rizie also gave a gift to Rodesa. Thankfully, she didn’t drop a meteor from the sky like her master Trixie, but instead a small, homemade treat of cookies and cakes. Apparently, as someone who gets buried in thoughts for a living, desserts help?
Rodesa didn’t just politely say it was helpful; she genuinely looked thrilled to receive the gift.
“Where can you taste desserts personally made by a noble? If I could, I’d use magic to preserve them forever, but since you gave them for eating, I can’t do that!”
Although the reason for her joy was slightly different, it didn’t change the fact that she was happy. I was relieved to give her a gift she liked.
‘Everything went well until the end.’
After saying goodbye to the two writers Rizie adored, making promises of our stories being turned into novels, and handing over all kinds of information for smooth writing, I felt satisfied enough that even a return to the Empire wouldn’t leave me with regrets.
To be honest, the schedule was closer to a writing trip than a honeymoon, but neither Rizie nor I had any complaints. It was a precious memory that only we could experience.
“If we have a second child, I think I’ll name them Ria.”
And it was a monumental day celebrating the potential of a new child between Rizie and me.
Of course, it was uncertain whether Rizie was actually carrying life or not. Still, based on past patterns, I was confident she would have a second child. Perhaps it was the blessings of the three gods, as with my efforts, even the gods seem to generously gift us life.
“Didn’t you say you were going to name them Maple?”
“Maple sounds good, but it’s a city filled with memories of me and Oppa, right? I’d prefer to remember our memories with that name.”
Rizie chuckled and took hold of my sleeve, whispering very softly.
“So, I’ll use Maple when we have our third.”
That was quite a provocative thing to whisper.
As a result, I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Dreaming of a third child when the second one isn’t even confirmed? Should I call this being too greedy, or is it overflowing maternal love?
“I’ve got to prepare the inheritance Ria and Maple will inherit.”
As I whispered in Rizie’s ear, her face blossomed like cherry blossoms.
‘Three, huh?’
At that moment, I imagined the future of the Great Krasius family.
While Rizie’s children would grow, the other wives wouldn’t just sit quietly. If six wives each had three children, that amounts to 18 kids! With 11 main players and 7 substitutes, F.C. Krasius could be formed. If Erich puts in a little effort, we could even have an 11:11 match.
Just imagining it sends shivers down my spine. With combined children from the two brothers, the family would surpass twenty members. Remarkable achievements that nobody could rival, except for the overwhelming Golden Duke!
‘…What if they even have grandchildren?’
While contemplating a future beyond F.C. Krasius, I started to worry a bit. What if I accidentally mix up my grandchildren’s names? That would be quite troublesome.
I guess I’ll have to pre-assign names for the grandchildren from now on. If I lay out about 50 names, I should be able to navigate the tumultuous future successfully.
A grandpa who doesn’t flinch even as clusters of small grandchildren rush toward him. A grandpa who skillfully calls out the names of identical siblings pouring in.
‘That’s the best!’
I think I’d be the grandest grandpa in the Empire. Plus, if I slip in a little allowance, my grandkids would surely adore me.
“Oppa? Why are you like that?”
When I began to giggle to myself, Rizie tilted her head in confusion.
“I was just imagining Ria walking for a moment.”
“What? She hasn’t even been born yet!”
Rizie’s chuckle made me smile awkwardly.
I didn’t quite have the courage to admit, “I was imagining giving my grandchildren allowance.”
*
Not long after arriving at the Capital, I received a summons from the Emperor. I could guess the reason and headed straight to the Sun Palace.
“Is the Minister here?”
“Oh, the Minister of the Information Department. You’ve returned today.”
The Emperor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs greeted me.
‘Was the Minister of Foreign Affairs here too?’
I involuntarily jolted for a moment. While I can be at ease in front of the Emperor, I can’t do so in front of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Honestly, if my life story were to be turned into a novel, I could prominently advertise “the outlandish Northern Region and the Empire that overcame it.” This would benefit the Emperor, so for this matter, he and I are like temporary allies.
On the other hand, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had no vested interest in this matter. Unlike the Emperor, who would take pride in the Empire’s elevated status, he had no reason for the same joy, nor did he have any desire to leave behind his own story in a book.
Still, the Minister had suffered losses due to this situation. He had to persuade the Balkros Ministry with all his might to let me use Heaven’s Cut abroad.
“Thanks to the Emperor and the Minister’s concern, I was able to return safely.”
Thus, I politely bowed to the Emperor and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
To the Emperor with customary respect; to the Minister with sincere apologies.
“Oh, to say I was worried! What a shameful thing to say. Who in this continent would dare harm the Minister? In fact, I was quietly hoping you’d bring back travel gifts.”
Seeing the Minister of Foreign Affairs chuckle further deepened my sense of guilt.
Though it was a superficially ordinary joke, it carried an underlying tension. It was basically a lament of, “You had me help with your honeymoon, and you repay that with Heaven’s Cut? How dare you!”
I’m sorry. I didn’t expect to split the sky in a foreign land…
“Must I have a reason to give gifts to the Minister? If there’s something I should give, I will always give it.”
As I smiled, the previously sorrowful eyes of the Minister of Foreign Affairs turned a bit more at ease.
It was a promise to lend a hand as an apology for the incident. At the very least, it was worth as much as the struggle the Minister had faced.
“Well, how should we react if the two ministers are openly colluding in front of His Majesty?”
“Pardon me, Your Majesty. I will take responsibility and resign—”
“Sit down before you become the permanent chair of the Assembly.”
“Yes.”
At the Emperor’s stern warning, the Minister quietly took his seat.
What a shame. It was a perfect opportunity to retire legally.
“Pfft, Minister! What is so great about being the head of the Imperial Assembly? It’s a glorious position other nobles would long for but cannot attain!”
“I’m so honored that I wouldn’t even dare dream of it.”
Hearing that, the Minister of Foreign Affairs further brightened his smile.
I’m glad. It seems his previously gloomy heart has calmed down a lot.
“More importantly, Minister. Thanks to the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s efforts, we successfully split the sky in Balkros. Did we achieve sufficient results for our efforts?”
At the Emperor’s following inquiry, the Minister of Foreign Affairs quietly looked at me. It seemed he hoped for decent outcomes in consideration of his and his subordinates’ hardships.
“Yes, Your Majesty. Alren promised me the best work, so it couldn’t be better than this.”
“Is that so? That’s a relief.”
“Also, I handed over the sword that split the sky to Alren. Even if my vow to him becomes hazy, seeing that sword will remind him, so it’s a promise to be together with Alren forever.”
Upon hearing that, the Emperor slightly flinched and then burst into laughter.
“Before long, a new national treasure will be announced from Balkros. What does it say on this sword?”
“It says, ‘One swing of the sword can kill one, but one stroke of the pen can topple a nation.’”
“You certainly wrote something impressive again.”
Even I awkwardly smiled at what I thought was a significant statement.
However, the sword was meant for a great writer from a cultural powerhouse. It deserved a literary quote that suits the gift.
*
An event came without any warning.
Just an hour ago, the day had seemed utterly ordinary. A regular lunch, an average tea time, a standard check-up on Via’s condition, and a usual stroll through the garden with Sera.
A day nothing special, just like yesterday. It was definitely that way.
“Huhhhh—!”
“Vi, Via!”
“Sister!”
Yet, that ordinary life shattered in an instant.
The moment Via clutched her belly and groaned. The moment she broke into a cold sweat and grimaced.
It felt like my mind went completely blank. The information coming through my eyes and ears didn’t reach my brain.
What do I do? What should I do? It seems the baby is about to come, our firstborn is about to arrive—what should I do?
“Count!”
“Bring the Count! Call everyone who’s on standby!”
But before I could even open my mouth, the maids tending to Via started shouting as if the mansion would tumble down.
‘Ah.’
I remembered. Those maids—they were the ones my brother sent right after marrying Sera. Professionals skilled in assisting pregnant women, so they’ll handle things smoothly during the delivery. I could just stand there biting my fingers and let them do their thing.
Back then, I thought my brother was worrying for nothing. But it was not needless worrying, but the wisdom that comes from experience.
“Baron!”
“Uh, uh?”
“Count Horfelt! We’ll take you to the delivery room right away! We’ve been preparing for weeks, so the medical team will be here shortly!”
I nodded dazedly at the maid’s competence.
“And if you’re alright, should we contact your family—”
“I’ll handle that myself.”
“Yes, Count!”
Hearing my answer, the maid dashed down the corridor.
My head still felt dazed. It felt like a storm had just passed over me.
No, it was not the storm just passing; it was just beginning.
‘Contacting the family…’
Trembling, I attempted to take out the communication device from my pocket, only to drop it.
The device rolled away, annoyingly far from me. Luckily, it didn’t crack, but it rolled frighteningly far.
‘This is driving me crazy.’
Sighing as I stared at my trembling hand, I wondered how my brother had endured this six times.
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