Chapter 122
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 122
Chapter Title: Hospitalization - 6
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The imperial family turning a blind eye to vicious criminal organizations that they could crush if they wanted seemed irresponsible at first glance.
But that wasn't the case.
Precisely speaking, the imperial family simply didn't have the bandwidth to focus on mere criminal syndicates right now.
Scattered across the continent were demonic realms untouched by human feet, and those places teemed with beings beyond human comprehension.
Entities that could turn the continent into a wasteland if they so chose.
Demonic beasts that had survived the final war of myth.
The imperial family called them kaesin—monster gods—and spared no effort in vigilance against them.
Because taking down even one required at least three second-rank knights.
From the palace's perspective, warding off the ferocious beasts threatening the house mattered more than some rats nibbling at the grain stores inside.
And now.
The most colossal kaesin known had appeared in the east and begun rampaging.
"Damn it! Those lunatics! They woke the Behemoth?!"
"Send word to the elves! The World Tree might be in danger!"
In the distant past, an organization formed by the alien races created by the outer gods.
The Freedom Independence faction had awakened a kaesin sealed in the east.
They'd hoped this incident would rally support against the empire persecuting them, expanding their front lines.
But—
Boom!
"What?!"
The sky suddenly collapsed, shattering their grand plans.
"■■■!!!"
The Behemoth roared in defiance, a scream more than a cry, but it couldn't escape the entity descending from the heavens—the tiger whose fangs were said to have devoured the sky.
Crunch! Grind!
In an instant, even its magic core was ripped out. The Behemoth thrashed in its death throes with all its might, only to be crushed mercilessly under the black tiger's paw. It met its end as the core was stolen away.
With the magic core secured, the black tiger ignored the empire's elite knights and the Freedom Independence leaders here as if they were mere insects. It clamped the core in its jaws and vanished into the sky.
After that, peace returned to the east for a time.
...
"Hero, what on earth did you pick up and eat?"
"No... I didn't pick up anything to eat."
"Really?"
Ravi pressed me relentlessly.
My battered body had healed completely overnight, after all.
It must have been baffling for her as my personal physician.
"Good things are good, right?"
"Just in case, don't overdo it. You're not fully recovered yet."
"Of course. It's my body—I know it best."
"Someone who knows better pulled that stunt yesterday?"
"...Sorry."
I had nothing to say to Ravi's pointed remark.
Honestly, I was in the wrong there.
"Passion is fine, but Hero, you need to think more about your health. This household stands only because of you."
"Got it. I'll work harder so no one has to worry about me."
"That's exactly what I mean by don't overdo it."
Under Ravi's stern glare, I finally shed my patient status.
Now I can get back to work.
I couldn't push too hard per her orders, but first, I'd tackle the backlog.
"Hm?"
"Nephew, you feeling better now?"
Stepping out, I ran into Colin.
"Colin, you actually doing your job properly?"
"O-Of course."
I'd hired Colin on Elsia's recommendation to protect our family while I was away.
Gregor handled outside the village, Carlson led the militia for village security, and Colin guarded our home.
That was my ideal setup, but Colin—Father's disciple or not—had a flawed personality.
I trusted her somewhat because she was the village chief's daughter. Still, I wondered if hiring her had been a mistake.
My precious platinum coins...
"I'll trust you this once."
"Haha, thanks, nephew!"
"Yeah, whatever. How's your stomach? I think I couldn't control my strength back then because I was sick."
"Ah, uh, it's fine?!"
When I touched her belly, Colin suddenly shuddered.
Is this really okay?
"Eek, what's wrong?"
"Can't have you working while hurt. Get checked by Ravi, just in case."
"Got it."
She seemed genuinely pained.
Unlike her usual wild self, Colin seriously accepted my advice.
No more belly shots from now on.
With that thought, I headed to the living room.
Sylvia and Clia were preparing the meal.
"Sian!"
Sylvia dropped everything and rushed over the moment she saw me.
"You okay now?"
"Yeah, much better."
"Thank goodness. So glad you're recovering quickly."
"That's why I said not to worry. If you're upset, Sylvia, then I'm upset too."
"Right! Mom has to trust big brother!"
Clia toddled over, beaming with pride like it was her achievement.
"I wasn't worried at all. I knew my tough brother would bounce back fast."
"Sure, sure, our Clia's so grown-up."
"Yay~ First praise from big brother ever!"
As I ruffled Clia's hair, she hopped in delight.
Should've praised her more often if it'd make her this happy.
"Sian, hungry? Wait a sec. I'll finish up quick. Clia, go call everyone."
"No, Sylvia, let me. I want to show everyone I'm back in shape."
"Okay. I'll make your favorite stew then."
"Thanks, Sylvia."
We shared a quick kiss, then I went to gather the others.
"Dear, you okay now?"
"Yeah, felt fine by morning."
"Thank goodness."
Chloe was so relieved she wiped away tears.
"A-bu-bu-bu."
"Glad you're healthy again, Hero."
"Not fully yet, but I'll be fine if I don't push."
Helia smiled beautifully as always, while Ciel clung to me unchanged.
"So glad."
Clara wiped tears like Chloe.
Why are the women in this house so sensitive... Gotta be more careful from now on.
I hated seeing them sad.
"Sian, you worked hard."
"You too, Elsia."
Elsia was her usual self.
Of course, I knew better. She just didn't show it.
She'd worried like the others.
Those tear stains proved it.
"Sian bro, you good now?"
"Oh! Elin, you were worried about bro? Yeah, I'm fine now."
"Sian bro, just in case, take this."
"What's this?"
"Lucky petal. Made it with Mom."
Like a four-leaf clover?
"Thanks. Elin's petal will protect me."
"Hehe."
I played with smiling Elin a bit, then headed to Vivian's room.
Knock knock.
No answer, so I cautiously opened the door to the triplets' room.
"Sob sob."
"Vivian?"
There was Vivian crying alone, consoled by the twin sisters.
"What happened?!"
I rushed to her.
Tear-streaked Vivian looked up desperately.
"My lord."
"Yeah."
"I want to get pregnant too."
"Eh?"
She must've overheard Clara and Chloe getting scolded by Ravi.
Feeling left out since it was everyone but her.
I met Vivian's eyes and comforted her.
"Then Vivian, tonight?"
"Yes!"
Her immediate reply showed how much she wanted my child.
"Whoa! Lord bro confessed to sis!"
"Does this mean we're really family now?"
The watching twin sisters celebrated like it was their own news.
Kids, could you step out? Kinda embarrassing.
...
Fall was coming soon, so we needed to wrap up harvest prep.
Heading to the capital in November.
But my body wasn't fully recovered, so no overdoing it.
"Still, I can stick to schedule."
As I finished farm overview, a pair of pink cat ears passed by.
"Nyaa? Sian, something wrong?"
It was Pina.
"Pina, why are you here?"
"Y-You forgot?! You brought me yourself!"
"Oh, right."
Elsia hired her as her adjutant.
"Doing well?"
"Of course! Smartest catkin around!"
"Good to hear you're settling in. With Lugadrian fallen to beastkin, their position in the west sucks. Don't cause trouble—work hard."
"Nya?!"
Shocked by my intel, Pina went speechless.
"I-Is that true?"
"Just what I heard. Seems some like Catkit Merchant Company sided with Hadron."
"Nyeee! We're doomed! Thought beastkin rep was improving, nyaaaa!"
Pina suddenly wailed.
Looks like her crazy kin just paved a rough road ahead for her.