Chapter 144

Spring has arrived.

The season where life blossoms anew.

And, the time marking exactly one year since I came to this world has come around.

Thinking back now, not a single thing the System said was wrong.

A world of healing.

As they say, it’s worth enjoying if you’re willing to put in the effort—it really was.

Nowadays, I lead a life where I work and heal multiple times a day.

“Spring already?”

Spring closer to winter.

Warm but still with a big temperature difference between day and night.

A cool chill lingers in the early morning, bringing a cold that feels beyond just being chilly.

“That’s right. Spring’s here.”

Anne’s voice opening the morning carries a hint of fatigue.

I help her up as she rises, slightly pulling back the blanket.

“Spring… but my body feels a bit heavy.”

“Tired?”

“Yeah. My stomach hurts a little too…”

Not great news at the start of the new year.

Then suddenly, a thought instinctively crosses my mind without any connection.

“Could you be pregnant?”

It wasn’t something I had been thinking about or planning to say.

But as soon as the words left my mouth, Anne’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Really?!”

Tiredness forgotten.

With just those words, her energy comes back full force.

“That’s right. Lately, I’ve been going to the bathroom more often, and my sense of smell has become unusually sensitive!”

Is she really pregnant?

It was just a random comment, but Anne seriously contemplates these symptoms.

“Should we check?”

“Can we confirm?”

If there’s life in the belly, it can be observed with magic power.

Gently placing my hand on Anne’s stomach as she quietly entrusts herself to me.

An incredibly faint heartbeat.

The delicate thumping is so soft it almost disappears.

“Ah…”

What kind of feeling should I describe this as?

“Really?! Really?!”

“Yeah. Congratulations.”

“Kyaaa!”

A baby.

One tied by our bloodline.

“Hehe. I’m so happy.”

Her pregnancy isn’t visibly showing yet.

But the life inside is clearly felt.

So small, yet so precious.

Anne gently leans into my embrace.

I softly wrap my arms around her and pat her back.

“Our Yul is getting a younger sibling.”

“Yeah!”

Yul is undoubtedly part of our family too.

Even if not related by blood, he’s a member of the family.

The arrival of a baby won’t change the weight of that affection.

“I need to tell Yul about the new sibling.”

“Good idea.”

“Later, check Dad’s belly too.”

“Huh?”

“We’ve both been having similar symptoms, so we were worried if maybe we caught something from each other.”

She says this while sticking out her tongue and smiling mischievously.

“If anything feels uncomfortable or hurts, let me know anytime.”

“It wasn’t that bad.”

As she mutters an excuse, she avoids meeting my gaze and turns her head away.

Since I wasn’t trying to scold her, I let it slide and head downstairs.

The sound of Yul bounding down grows louder as we descend.

The aroma of food being prepared by Evangelin in the kitchen becomes stronger.

“Yul!”

“Mom!”

“Our Yul will soon have a younger sibling?”

“Eh?”

“There’s a baby in your mom’s belly.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah!”

“Wow.”

I fully understand the desire to boast.

I’m also very happy, I’m just not showing it as much.

Anne shares the joy with Yul through playful banter.

Meanwhile, I quietly approach Evangelin from behind.

The rhythmic chopping sounds as food is neatly sliced on the cutting board.

I softly embrace Evangelin from behind, and she subtly turns her head.

“Good morning.”

“Good morning.”

“Anne’s pregnant?”

Her tone carries a subtle tinge of longing.

Trying to stay calm, but sadness leaks through her voice.

At her adorable jealousy, I gently place my hand on Evangelin’s stomach too.

Similarly,

A very quiet, weak heartbeat is felt.

Just as spring arrived, bringing such wonderful news.

Double the blessings.

I feel like celebrating with a week-long festival.

Though that might not be possible right now…

“Anne isn’t the only one.”

“Huh?”

“There’s a baby in your belly too.”

“…Really?!”

That was the loudest voice I’ve heard from Evangelin recently.

The sound naturally reaches Anne and Yul.

They approach holding Yul, their gazes turning toward Evangelin who covers her mouth.

She finally looks down at her belly, then tenderly touches it.

“You too?!”

“Yeah.”

“Congratulations!”

“Thank you. Congratulations to you too.”

Holding hands and jumping for joy looked so nice.

“Two little sisters?”

Showing fingers one and two.

Smiling cutely after counting, the adorable child.

“Exactly! Our Yul is getting two younger siblings!”

“Wow! Cool!”

Although Yul never explicitly said he wanted a sibling, he might have secretly hoped for one.

Together with the two women, Yul jumps around the kitchen, expressing boundless happiness.

Even I couldn’t help but let out a tiny squeal amidst all this.

When else would I express such emotions if not during moments like this?

The first day of spring.

A truly joyful day for our family.

—

“Such a waste. Did you come all the way here just to deliver that message?”

Despite Gilbert’s sulky complaints, I can’t stop smiling.

I drop off a bunch of sweet treats onto his desk.

Gilbert doesn’t seem to mind and munches on them diligently.

“Good news should be shared.”

“Just take care of your wives.”

“I also have a question.”

“That’s quite welcome news. What is it?”

“Is there any special way to attract mages or alchemists to the village?”

“Nope.”

Unyielding even to Gilbert’s cold dismissal.

“I’m considering setting up a magic guild or a mage tower.”

“Hah. What do you plan to lure mages with?”

“The postal system… or potions, lots of gold investment?”

“Hmm?”

“What about that?”

“What’s this postal system you speak of?”

“It’s a system I set up in the village. Would you like to come see it sometime?”

“That sounds intriguing. Don’t explain it to me. I’ll check it out myself.”

“Alright. After you’ve seen it, let me know if it has any merit.”

“Foolish. Sure. Don’t get your hopes up. My standards are extremely high.”

“Of course.”

No matter what he says, today I’m just in a good mood.

Gilbert may be putting on airs, but I’m not worried at all.

This was just a casual story while boasting, so no big deal.

Ultimately, the important thing was delivering the news that my wives are pregnant.

Having accomplished that, I don’t need to stress over the extra stuff.

Next, I headed towards the beach.

Unlike the old days when I used to fish frequently, lately I haven’t been fishing much, so I rarely visit this place.

When I first came to the village, someone handed me a silver fishing rod which greatly helped my growth.

I move towards the spot where Maxim resides.

The warm sea breeze blows.

A salty scent brushes past my nose, but even that feels endearing and welcoming.

They say there’s always a time when everything seems beautiful.

For me, today is exactly such a day.

Happy enough to laugh off scams with a grin.

“Long time no see.”

“Oh! Isn’t that the noblest baron of our village!”

Cheerful like a fairy.

Meeting the jovial sea man fills me with warmth.

“Are you doing well?”

“Couldn’t be better. Thanks to you, I’m using the postal service happily. Hahaha!”

Hearing that makes me feel accomplished.

The postal system, designed for people living on the outskirts or remote areas of the village, works well.

A delivery system for transferring items.

And a system that makes selling things easy.

I created the postal service thinking it could keep the domestic economy running smoothly, and it’s working far better than expected.

“Great to hear.”

“Why did you come all the way to the beach?”

“To deliver some good news.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Saying that, I pull out a fruit gift set from my bag.

Taking out five generous sets, I stack them neatly in front of Maxim.

“Ah! Congratulations. This calls for me to catch some good fish and send them over. There are certain fishes that are especially beneficial for pregnant women.”

“I won’t refuse that.”

“Haha! Truly wonderful news. The villagers will rejoice!”

“Right?”

“Definitely!”

On top of that.

This story was merely my way of boasting, but I had another story to share with Maxim.

Someone I’ve seen who loves fishing deeply and is passionate about such matters.

“Maxim.”

“Yes!”

“Are you interested in working for the merchant guild?”

“I prefer catching fish.”

I knew he’d say that.

Without hesitation, he casts his float while smiling and answers.

“Figured you’d say that. How about a job you can do while fishing?”

“I don’t want to sell fish.”

“It’s teaching others how to fish.”

“Umm?!”

His disinterested demeanor changes upon hearing my words.

“Interested in being a teacher?”

“Do we really need a grand title like ‘teacher’ for fishing?”

“You’re the most skilled person I’ve ever seen, Maxim. You deserve the title of ‘fishing master.’ How does that sound?”

“Honestly, that tempts me… Hahaha!”

“If you’re capable, why not give it a try? We’re thinking of selling marine resources through the merchant guild. To establish that foundation, I’d like you to teach the basics to potential fishermen. What do you say?”

“Isn’t that putting too much pressure on me?”

“I believe you’ll do well.”

Upon saying that, Maxim retracts his cast.

The fishing rod is gathered without any catch.

After pondering for a moment, he nods agreeably.

“As long as my fishing time is guaranteed, it’s fine!”

“Not a problem.”

“Looking forward to working with you!”

“Same here. Master Maxim.”

“That’s a good title.”

Given the proximity to the coast, utilizing marine resources is only natural.

It could be developed as a tourist spot or for protein supply.

It might even be useful for future trade.

Previously, I would have joked about needing a fishing teacher.

But there are indeed skills and knowledge that grow with practice.

While establishing a school, filling it with teachers for various subjects is my responsibility.

Choosing what to learn is up to the students.

Currently, since options are limited, everyone is learning everything.

“Later, I’ll send some people over. Counting on you.”

“Absolutely! Just leave it to me!”

Watching him confidently pound his chest makes me chuckle.

He’s a cheerful guy.

To the point where seeing fish makes me think of Maxim.

When I have free time, I should go fishing again.

Recalling the days when I went fishing madly in spring and made money feels nostalgic.

Thus, I casually wandered around the village sharing the news of my wives’ pregnancies and returned home as the sun set.

After boasting about everything, I can’t deny how thrilled I am with the news.

Being a father to a child.

Of course, I’m already Yul’s father.

“Hey. Yuri is getting a younger sibling?”

“Hello, demon kid.”

“Squirms around cutely.”

“My clothes look nice, right?”

The adorable scene greeting me at the entrance.

The conversation between the fairy and Yul runs parallel.

Neither understands the other, nor do they seem to care.

Each speaks their own thoughts, and somehow, they’re satisfied.

I don’t know why it works, but repetition brings them closer.

Maybe that’s how the world of fairies and children works, even to me.

“Welcome back!”

Evangelin greets me joyfully.

“And Anne.”

Between them, I smile broadly.

“Back.”

The first day of spring filled with laughter quietly fades into night.

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