Chapter 280: The Truth
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 280: The Truth
“Um, Iris?”
“Yes.”
“I really have to go now.”
“Safe travels.”
Surprisingly, by the time I stepped out of Iris’s attic and checked the time, it was already morning. Things had been delayed much longer than expected because Iris had fallen asleep, but it wasn't like staying out for the night would cause any major problems.
“Then you have to let me go.”
“I don’t want to.”
The problem was that Iris refused to release me. She had her arms wrapped tightly around my waist, pinning me to her. How was I supposed to leave when she was holding me like this?
“Uh... Iris? Do you need something else?”
“Not particularly.”
Her expression was the same as always—blank—and her tone was just as clipped. Nothing had changed, yet here she was, snuggling into my chest. I wasn't sure what to make of it.
“When can I go home?”
“Whenever.”
“I told you, you have to let go first.”
I tried to pry her arms off my waist, but she resisted.
“N-ngh!”
“Hey, don't start using strength.”
She was even using physical enhancement magic to cling to me with all her might.
“How am I supposed to... Ah.”
A good idea came to mind. It was a method I wasn't particularly fond of using, though.
“Iris. I’m going to devour you.”
“I’d like that.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
* * *
“It’s refreshing out.”
Calax was located in a fairly high-latitude region. With a vast plain to the left, few mountains nearby, and the sea—though a bit distant—it was the kind of place where summers weren't too hot, but winters were brutal.
If Auntie hadn't picked me up when I fell here back in February, I probably would’ve ended up as a frozen slab of meat.
—Swish, swish...
A broom was diligently sweeping the yard all on its own, without a hand to guide it. Thanks to Tresha’s magic, mornings at the Mounted Goat Inn always began with such whimsical sights.
“Ah, Sera.”
“You’re back? You’re late.”
“Well... some things happened. Can I get some breakfast?”
“Yes, of course. But in exchange, could you help Yura brush her teeth?”
It was Sera, the star beauty of the Mounted Goat Inn, who always greeted everyone with a dazzling smile. The only thing different about her now was that she was a married woman—not that she went around announcing it to everyone...
But Yura was here at the inn. Of course, to an outsider, it didn't look like Sera had actually given birth to her. Sera was too young, and Yura looked to be at least eight years old.
“Yura. Daddy’s home.”
“Mmuuuh...”
Yura was still sprawled out in bed, refusing to wake up. She shared a room and a bed with Sera, and right now, she was lying spread-eagled, drooling.
“Come on, time to get up. There’s a prize if you brush your teeth.”
“Prize.”
At the mention of a reward, Yura sat up, rubbing her half-asleep eyes. Children really are pure; I hadn't even explained what the reward was yet. She scrambled out of bed and headed for the bathroom.
“Sera, nothing happened yesterday, right?”
“Oh, my father isn't here today. He said he was going to the brewery with some friends yesterday and hasn't come back yet.”
“I see.”
At some point, this place had started feeling like a daycare. One relief was that Tresha was growing up fast and losing her childish look. There wasn't a massive change, but there was that subtle shift that comes with growth.
She said she was sixteen, right? That’s the age for growth spurts.
“Sola is working hard, too.”
I felt a strange sense of pride watching the wooden Ents walk themselves into the hearth fire. I doubted they were moving with full awareness of their fate, but from an observer's perspective, it looked like a very extreme life choice.
“Daddy. Give me my prize.”
“Alright, I’ll give you a kiss.”
“I hate you, Daddy.”
“Hey now.”
Aren't daughters this age supposed to still love their dads? They’re supposed to be jealous of their moms for taking the man they want to marry, or say their first love is their dad. Regardless, this early puberty was heartbreaking.
“Yura, can you help me with this?”
“Yes!”
At Sera’s call, Yura ran to the kitchen and began funneling oxygen into the hearth using wind magic.
“Is that safe?”
“Yura is surprisingly good with magic. I tried to stop her, but she said she could blow wind all the way from the dining area to the kitchen.”
“I see.”
I suppose that made sense, given that Horus’s magic range wasn't limited to just a few inches. She could sit at a dining table and stoke the kitchen fire from afar. However, Sera mentioned that was actually more dangerous because Yura couldn't see how large the flames were getting from that distance.
“Mmm, good job, sweetie.”
“Hehe.”
Sera looked adorable as she crouched down to nuzzle her cheek against Yura’s. Yura, with her soft cheeks squished round, was equally cute.
“Phew. Sera, I’ve done a lot of good work lately, too.”
“E-eh...? What’s this all of a sudden?”
When I tilted my head and offered my cheek, Sera glanced at Yura for a moment, her face turning bright red, before timidly pressing her lips to my cheek.
“That’s it?”
“I-I’ll do more for you later...! You smell like sweat, so go wash up quickly!”
“Haha, alright.”
Come to think of it, I hadn't washed before sleeping last night.
“Daddy is icky.”
“...Daddy is getting sad.”
* * *
“Phew, that’s better.”
After finishing my bath, I came out to find Ravi and Tresha busy serving breakfast to the guests. Auntie had woken up at some point and was now in the kitchen.
“Customer? What can I get you?”
“Tell them I’d like something made with love.”
When I said that to Tresha, who had come to take my order, she pouted.
“Auntie is the one making it.”
“Auntie’s food is great, too...”
It was a peaceful daily routine. I wasn't sure how Sera and Auntie used to handle everything by themselves, but with more hands on deck, their faces looked much more vibrant than when I first met them.
“Ravi, are you not doing appraisal work lately?”
“I-I’m still working hard! Some customers still want to check their skills every now and then!”
“I see.”
In the aftermath of the Southeast incident, Ravi’s Sateria Appraisal Office, which had been on the border of the Southwest and Southeast, had been completely demolished. It seemed she had put it all behind her and made a fresh start here.
“Is the room too cramped or anything?”
“A-actually, the room size is about the same...”
The Sateria Appraisal Office had been roughly the size of a single inn room. That gave me a good idea of how tiny it must have been. Of course, the rooms for the inn staff were a bit larger, but since she was sharing with Tresha, the perceived space was probably similar.
“Here, Aven. A meal made with love.”
“I can certainly feel it. Thank you.”
“H-hmph. You’re welcome.”
Sera had personally come out of the kitchen to bring me my food. Across from me sat Yura on her custom chair—piled high with cushions—eating a smaller portion of a similar meal.
“Yura, Mommy’s cooking is delicious, isn't it?”
“Yes. But Grandma is a little better.”
“Whoops, you shouldn't let Mommy hear that.”
“Okay.”
Walter was perfectly happy as long as I cut up some raw meat for him. He was getting so big that it was becoming difficult for him to spread his wings in the room, so he was living in the backyard now. I’d built him a small roof, so he didn't have to worry about the rain.
He even caught mice on his own, which was incredibly convenient.
“Hey, friend. You come here often?”
“Me? Are you talking to me?”
A guest at the next table, who looked like an explorer, struck up a conversation. If he was asking if I came here often... well, I was here very often.
“Ah, yes. I come here frequently.”
“I figured. You seem quite close with Yura.”
“You know Yura?”
“Of course. She’s adorable.”
I turned my head to look at her. Yura was awkwardly gripping her fork, eating bite-sized pieces of steak. She had sauce smeared all over both sides of her mouth.
“Yura, are the customers nice to you?”
“Yes.”
“I see. I’m getting jealous.”
“It’s okay. I like Daddy more.”
As I nodded at Yura’s words, I noticed the three explorers who had been talking to me looking shocked.
“Wait, you’re Yura’s father?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Whoa, I see...”
It seemed that with many new explorers entering Calax, the clientele at the Mounted Goat Inn had undergone a bit of a generational shift. There used to be regulars I recognized, but these days, I saw mostly unfamiliar faces.
“I heard her dad was an explorer. Does that mean you’re one too?”
“I am.”
“Wow... that’s, uh, surprising...”
Did I not look like an explorer?
After the breakfast rush subsided, Sola’s Ents swarmed the dining area and made quick work of the cleaning. According to Iris, I was officially on vacation for the next two months.
“Sera, are you very busy today?”
“Huh? Hmm~ I’m not sure.”
Well, you’d have to be a prophet to know exactly how many guests would show up on any given day. That wasn't really my point, though; I wanted to see if Sera could spare some time.
“Shall we have dinner out tonight?”
“W-what?!”
Lately, I felt like my relationship with Sera had been a bit neglected. I’d gone to the social gathering with Dora, so I didn't feel that way with her, but Sera was always so busy with the inn that it was hard for her to go out.
“Is it too sudden?”
“N-no! I’ll tell my mother!”
“Alright, go ahead.”
“Daddy, what about me?”
“Um.”
Come to think of it, what should I do about Yura? If we went out for dinner, it would likely lead to the kind of time Yura couldn't be a part of. This was a bit awkward. Is this why people say they have no time once they have kids?
‘Wait, I think I have a pretty good idea.’
* * *
“You want me to look after the little one?”
“Yes, please. I have some plans.”
Lady Lymain—Tiamat—really liked Yura, and Yura followed her well. It might be awkward to put it this way, but life at the inn was a bit monotonous.
Spending a night at the home of one of the wealthiest families on the surface wasn't a bad deal.
“Great-Auntie.”
“Yes, child. Come here.”
I wasn't entirely sure how it happened, but the titles had stuck. Theodora was 'Auntie,' and Lady Lymain was 'Great-Auntie.' I wasn't sure if that was the correct way to describe their relationship, but it didn't seem to be a problem.
“Sweet girl. Shall we go see something fun?”
“Yes! I’d like that.”
“Good, good. Very well.”
“Then I’ll leave her in your care.”
“Aven, stop by the Southeast District. I believe Dora is there.”
“Dora? Understood.”
It had only been a day or two, but it was always nice to see her.
I headed to the Southeast with a light heart.
“You’re free tonight, right? Let’s eat.”
“Huh?”
“We’ve already shown our faces at the social gathering, so what does it matter? Everyone’s heard the rumors by now anyway. There were several people from Calax there.”
“Ah.”
What was I supposed to do? I already had a dinner date with Sera.
“What? Do you have plans?”
“Well... I promised to have dinner with Sera.”
“Sera? Hmmm...”
Dora narrowed her eyes and stared at me. This was a temporary real estate office owned by the Lymains in the Southeast, handling land acquisitions within the district.
“What, were you planning to do 'that' tonight?”
“Well, you know. Ahem, for now, yes.”
I thought it would be fine since Dora wasn't in her fertile period yet.
“What about me?”
“Uh...?”
“When are you going to do it with me?”
“But... Dora, your fertile period...?”
“Do I have to wait for that? Just because I’m a beastkin doesn't mean we only do it during the fertile period, you know? You did know that, right?”
I had no idea.
“T-then what should I do?”
“I’m free this evening.”
“Ssshh...”
I was stuck in a hellish dilemma. I had a prior engagement with Sera, and now Dora was specifically free tonight, especially since I’d already dropped the kid off.
“Wait, tactical timeout.”
“I’ll allow it.”
As I stepped outside to agonize over the decision, one person came to mind.
“Iris.”
“Yes.”
“Wait, don't cling to me.”
After spitting out the Iris I had devoured, I hurriedly pulled the leather curtains to make sure no one could see and helped her get dressed.
“Is it possible for you to split your body into two?”
“That’s an interesting thought.”
“I’m being quite serious here. For now, why don't you head back to the magic item shop?”
“I don’t want to.”
“Ah.”
She probably didn't know, but it felt wrong to keep Iris 'devoured' while I was on a date with Dora or Sera. And more than anything, I didn't want them to find out about what I’d been doing with Iris. At least, not yet...
“Aven?”
“Oh, uh, Dora.”
“What the—Iris? When did you get here?”
“Well, you see. She just arrived—”
“We were one body.”
Theodora had stepped out of the office, and Iris followed up with a sudden, bombshell statement.
“What is she talking about...?”
“One body.”
“Iris. Just be quiet for a second...”
“Why.”
“Aven, what does that mean? One body?”
There was no helping it. It might be a bit much for them to process, but I had no choice but to tell the truth.
“Dora, you see, with my skill—”
“Mating.”
“No.”
“Mating...?”
Theodora’s eyes began to glow a deep, blood-red.