〈 Episode 198 〉 Blooming (2)
*
“Are you sure? Will having my child lift the curse?”
This was an important issue.
Given her remaining lifespan, Gwen could only have a child once.
It was a one-time opportunity she would be using up.
“I can’t make any absolute assurances, but there’s a high probability of that.”
“How high is ‘high probability’?”
“Allen, not all probabilities can be calculated mathematically.”
That was true.
“But still…”
“I have already agreed to this.”
Gwen’s serious expression made that clear.
Well, if she agreed, there was no backing out.
“…I understand. Then I will help, too.”
“Thank you.”
A moment of silence passed.
The atmosphere felt strange.
I could feel my ears getting warm, and my throat itch.
cough
Gwen was blushing and clearing her throat, too.
—Master, um…
It was just when Albert seemed about to say something.
“Shall we get started?”
It was Luel who broke the tension.
“Get started?”
“Of course, I mean making a child. If both of you have agreed, there’s no reason to delay.”
Wait, are we really jumping into the main event here?
“I mean, isn’t this a bit sudden?”
“Huh? Is there any reason it can’t happen now?”
“Well, this is Gwen’s first time. Shouldn’t we find a better place to set the mood?”
But Gwen shook her head.
“I’m fine.”
“But is it really okay to do this suddenly on this shaky boat?”
“Honestly… I think it has its own charm.”
Can it really be thought of that way?
Moreover, Luel added, “Especially in your case as a hybrid of the first humanity, the odds of successful pregnancy might be significantly lower. So, you’ll need to try multiple times until success is confirmed.”
“Ah.”
That makes sense.
“So there shouldn’t be any problems, right?”
Gwen had already begun to shed her cloak.
But putting that aside…
“Luel, what are you doing here?”
For some reason, she showed no sign of leaving.
Instead, she pulled out a notebook from her pocket and started writing something.
“Just taking notes.”
“Notes?”
“Yes, because information about the first humanity is valuable. Especially details regarding the mating of the first humanity and modern humans… gulp”
She just swallowed her own saliva.
“Sorry. I think due to the influence of the Water Sage, my thirst for knowledge is akin to a desire for food, sex, and longevity…”
“But still, doing this where others can see is a bit inappropriate, isn’t it?”
I looked at Gwen.
She shook her head for some reason.
“I’m fine. She talked to me about this beforehand.”
“That’s right. When I mentioned it to Sara before, she was vehemently against it, but Gwen has given her blessing.”
It seemed Gwen had asked about it from Sara without me knowing.
But I could understand why Sara reacted that way.
Sara’s taste… well, it was not exactly a normal preference for Luel to reference.
“Then I’ll keep my mouth shut and let you proceed.”
Gwen had already made up her mind.
Surely, there shouldn’t be any issues now…
“No, I can’t do this after all.”
I wasn’t really up for it.
“Is this information really necessary?”
“To satisfy my growing thirst for knowledge, it’s absolutely essential.”
Well, that’s true.
“See? You don’t need it after all.”
“Hmph.”
“Get out.”
And while we were at it…
“Take this, too.”
I pulled Albert out of the inventory.
He felt somewhat resistant, but it was pointless.
—Master! I can’t be more than three hours apart from you or the Divine Authority…!
He flinched for a moment, but I observed him and said, “You’re lying, right?”
—Huh?
“When you lie, I can see that your body trembles as honestly as a sword deity.”
While I couldn’t detect it with my eyes, the blessing of the God of Wind made it apparent.
—Gaaah! I shall curse you, God of Wind!
In the end, he was dragged out by Luel.
Of course, Luel didn’t leave quietly either.
As she exited, she continuously turned back, hoping I might change my mind, with her eyes sparkling.
“Leave.”
“Hmph.”
After Luel and Albert left, the room finally fell silent.
All the distractions had vanished.
“Gwen.”
She nodded.
And she started unbuttoning a still slightly oversized shirt that looked borrowed from Sara.
But I still had something to say to her.
“Um, by the way, I can’t move my body, you know?”
“Hmm, is that a big issue?”
“Do you know what to do about that?”
Since this was probably her first experience.
It was only natural that I was supposed to lead, just like with Sara.
But thankfully, it seemed Gwen had some rough knowledge about it.
“Luel informed me. So I have a general understanding of the principles.”
“To what extent do you understand?”
She blushed and said, “They say when sperm meets an egg, fertilization occurs.”
Cancel that.
She only understood the principle way too well.
In the end, I said to her, “I think it would be better if I could move next time.”
“No, I want to try right now. Can’t you just tell me how?”
What she said was not impossible.
But…
“Are you sure? It might be a bit hard to do it all alone.”
“I’m fine.”
She had already climbed on top of me.
‘Is this… instinct?’
Watching her remove her remaining clothes while positioned on top of me, I finally spoke the last thing I needed to say.
“I’m sorry.”
“What does that mean?”
“I wished you could have a child with someone you liked more, but it looks like it has to be like this…”
Then Gwen’s eyebrows raised in surprise.
She likely had some grievances.
Just then…
“Allen, why do you think I wouldn’t have a child with someone I like?”
“That’s because then the curse would be passed down to that offspring.”
“No, it won’t be passed down.”
“Then there wouldn’t be a need for me to—”
And that moment arrived.
I realized Gwen’s glinting eyes were anything but casual.
“I’m sorry, Allen. But I wish you didn’t apologize to me.”
“Gwen?”
“You already have Elsie and Sara as your lovers, right? I shouldn’t intrude on that during my short life. So I tried to suppress my feelings as much as possible.”
Tears glistened in her red eyes under the lantern light.
“Now do you understand? You don’t have to apologize to me. If you’re going to feel sorry, it should be that you didn’t come to rescue me sooner. Because of that, it seems I can only have one child with you.”
“Well… I’m sorry.”
At that moment, she placed both hands beside my head.
She leaned on top of my body, facing me directly.
“Stop saying you’re sorry.”
“Understood.”
“Alright, then tell me how. I feel like my body is itching to have your child right this moment.”
Seeing her like that made me smile.
“Got it.”
“Stop smiling and hurry…!”
“Then first, bend your arms.”
In her eager state, she complied and bent her arms as instructed.
For reference, she was still leaning over me, her hands supporting her weight near my head.
As she bent her arms, her face came closer in an instant.
“Allen? What do I do from this position…?”
I could feel her breath, hot and inviting.
In that position, I slightly lifted my head and kissed her.
*
