Chapter 137: The Love-Starved Tower Lord
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 137: The Love-Starved Tower Lord
"Here, why don't you feel my stomach?"
I stroked Moira’s belly.
"What do you think? I’m pretty sure I’ve conceived. It’s too early for menopause, and I was still having my period as of last month. More than anything, I have a heavy flow, so I’d notice immediately if it stopped. This is... a certainty."
Did she really get pregnant?
Good heavens. It didn't feel real. No, rather, the fact that I had actually slept with her was only just starting to sink in. Ah, this is driving me crazy.
It really happened? I’m going to be a father? I—I’m still in my twenties!
Wait, no. Plenty of people get married and have kids in their twenties, so is this normal?
I don't know. Maybe it’s because I came from a country where the birth rate was hitting rock bottom, but the thought of becoming a father made cold sweat pour down my back.
Can I be a good father?
No, wait. Before I try to do anything as a father, I have to deal with the Labyrinth first. This is maddening.
It felt as if the weight of the Labyrinth conquest had suddenly increased by several tons.
"It really happened, then."
"Yes. I’m slightly worried since it’s a geriatric pregnancy, but it should be fine. My body hasn't really aged. My physical condition now is almost identical to when I was in my twenties. I’m sure a healthy child will be born. Would you prefer a son or a daughter?"
"A daughter would be cute, I suppose."
"I can't exactly choose the gender, but regardless, congratulations, Sion. You’re going to be a father."
"Uh. Right. Uh... I guess so."
Moira pulled me into a tight embrace. She looked incredibly happy. Since she was so overjoyed, I couldn't just stand there like a dazed idiot, so I hugged her back tightly.
Only then did Moira smile, looking relieved.
"I’ll raise the child well."
"Wait. You’re going to raise it alone?"
"Then what, do you intend to tell Yuria about our relationship?"
"Well... uh."
Shouldn't I tell her?
But if I did, Yuria would be absolutely furious.
She had made it very clear that she had to be the one to have the first pregnancy.
"It’s fine. You can just get my daughter pregnant too, can't you?"
"Actually... the thing is... Yuria might already be pregnant as well."
"What? Already?"
"Well, yes. She probably is. I finished inside her so much it would be strange if she wasn't..."
"Hah. To think Yuria is becoming a mother too. My goodness."
Is this right?
This really isn't the kind of conversation one should be having with their mother-in-law.
"Yuria becoming a mother... it feels strange."
"No, I’m the one who can't wrap my head around the situation—having knocked up both my mother-in-law and my wife. What on earth have I done?"
"Why are you asking me that? You’re the one who did it."
"Ah. Aaaah."
Hearing the news that she was actually pregnant made me feel like I was losing my mind. My heart wouldn't settle.
Was a child really conceived this easily? By this time next year, I’d already be the father of two?
"When is the due date...?"
"In about nine months."
Can I finish the Labyrinth normalization by then?
I thought it was impossible. To silence all the nightmares of the Labyrinth before the child is born?
It’s cruel. It’s just too cruel. Why are you giving me such a trial? I hate this world.
To be honest, I had secretly thought there was a high chance I’d fail the Labyrinth normalization. My plan was to try my best, and if it didn't work, I’d just abandon the city and run.
I mean, think about it. How is a greenhorn who hasn't even reached Gold Badge status supposed to descend to the very end of the Labyrinth?
If I failed and the nightmares of the Labyrinth were unleashed upon the world, I had planned to just flee to the edge of the earth.
With my people and every bit of luggage I could carry. I was going to pack everything up—as if stuffing the entire Labyrinth City into a Subspace Pocket—and run until I couldn't run anymore.
Because normalizing the Labyrinth within a year is insane.
But... but hearing that my child had been conceived...
My mindset changed.
I felt like I had to succeed.
It wasn't courage; it was a sense of responsibility.
It was closer to a grim resolve than mere bravado.
"Moira."
"Yes? What is it? You look serious."
"I... I think I need to put myself through the wringer even harder."
"The wringer? You were already doing that."
"No. Differently than before. More. I need to push myself much, much more."
I hardened my resolve.
The time had come to truly grind.
To the point where everything I’d done so far would look like a joke.
I intended to drive myself even more ruthlessly.
It was time to discard the mindset of 'I can't.' I had to do it.
I had to earn the Gold Badge and cross over into the realm of the Platinum Badge.
I had to pacify the Underground City as quickly as possible.
Turn the 6th Floor into a factory.
And then move on to the 7th Floor.
No more dilly-dallying around the city.
I had to make every preparation to bury myself in the Labyrinth.
"Well then. I’ll be going."
"Alright. It seems you’ve had a change of heart. If things get tough, come find me anytime. I’ll have warm tea and my warmed body ready for you."
"Hahaha..."
"Ah, and there will be an emergency meeting the day after tomorrow. I’ve already sent word to Lafnel. Just come to the Land Management headquarters in the East the day after tomorrow."
"Is the agenda only regarding Lafnel?"
"It includes your case for pioneering the Underground City as well. There will surely be those who snap at you like dogs. I’ll take your side as much as possible."
"Understood. Thank you."
"Don't mention it. Only if you do well will the child in my womb be happy."
"Ah... I’ll work hard."
After giving Moira a polite bow, I stepped out of the office.
When I went down to the first floor, Yuria and Ainhel were waiting for me.
"What did you talk about for so long?"
"It was nothing much. Just about entering the Labyrinth next week."
"Really?"
"Yeah. It’s really nothing."
Actually, I got your mother pregnant. I’m sorry. But I can't reveal that right now, so please forgive me.
Swallowing those words, I smiled at Yuria and told her it was no big deal.
"Oh, and Ainhel."
"What is it?"
"Use this to stay at a different lodging until next week. Don't do anything weird. Just stay quiet until we enter the Labyrinth. Once we’re in, I’ll let you eat ectoplasm."
"Money, I see. Understood. I can't walk under the sunlight anyway, so I have to stay indoors. Don't worry."
Since I couldn't bring Ainhel into Yuria’s house, I handed him a pouch filled with silver coins.
Ainhel said he would find a place near the guild. It would be easy to keep an eye on him. Besides, I had the Spirit Chain tied to his heart, so if he tried anything funny, I could rupture his heart instantly.
"Then, Yuria, you go home first. I’m going to stop by the Magic Tower before I head back."
"Okay. You have to come back quickly."
"I’ll be as fast as I can."
I kissed Yuria on the cheek. Then, after seeing her and Ainhel off, I headed straight for the Magic Tower.
I ran. The sun was setting, so I had to hurry.
"I’ve been waiting quite a while. You’re late."
"I’m sorry. Something came up."
When I went up to the 3rd floor of the Magic Tower, the Tower Lord was waiting for me. Since I arrived at sunset, she must have been waiting for a considerable amount of time.
"Excuses are unnecessary. Here, Roy’s modification is finished, so take a look."
The Black Iron Golem now had a mouth.
To be precise, it was more like a hole had been bored where a mouth should be.
"Roy, can you talk now?"
"Yes. It is possible. Isn't this truly incredible? A body of steel that doesn't shed a single drop of blood even if it breaks! It has only been a day, but I have fallen for the coolness of this physical form. This... this is a revolution."
"Oh, damn."
He couldn't speak in the golem body, but she had finished the modification in just one day.
Even better, now that he could speak, Roy started acting even crazier than yesterday. He seemed intoxicated by his own coolness, striking all sorts of poses.
He looked extremely happy, perhaps because he had obtained the powerful body of a golem.
"Now then, let’s head down. It’s too late for Arrow Catching today anyway."
"True."
I’d have to do the Arrow Catching tomorrow.
I couldn't train now that it was almost night.
"Roy, is it okay if you spend one more day in the lab?"
"I am very satisfied. The researchers are all kind. And... Miss Rien as well..."
"Did Rien come to see you today too?"
"Yes. Well. Hahaha. So this is what unrequited love feels like."
"Hah."
Rien had absolutely no interest in Roy. She was just head over heels for the coolness of the golem.
Roy would likely continue his sad, one-sided love alone.
Wishing him luck in his future, I headed to the underground laboratory with the Tower Lord.
Walking down the basement hallway, I suddenly remembered yesterday and asked the Tower Lord what had happened with Leo.
"By the way, Tower Lord. About Mr. Leo."
"Hmm? Oh, that slick bastard."
"Pardon?"
"I talked to him, and he’s just not it. How should I put it... his mindset is too aristocratic, so he doesn't mesh well with me. I was hoping for someone with a more free-spirited worldview. Well, it’s a shame. I suppose he missed his chance to become my partner."
"...Mabel, by any chance."
"Porter. That’s enough. Don't try to bring that up anymore. Just... just leave it at that."
"Yes. Understood."
She got rejected. Well, I knew it wouldn't work out.
It seems she was rejected flat-out. Seeing her list his flaws like this, it looked like the Tower Lord’s heart had been deeply wounded.
"In the first place, I’m not into guys who are that perfect. There needs to be a bit of a submissive quality, don't you think? If they’re too strong-willed, they’re hard to handle. Right?"
"Uh, I guess?"
"Exactly. Right. A guy like Leo might be a good business partner, but he’s not someone to fall in love with. Right? Agree with me."
"Right. You’re absolutely right."
"See? There needs to be this kind of submissive quality."
"Huh? Me?"
"Ahem. Well, I wasn't specifically talking about you. I’m just saying."
"I already have three wives."
"Dammit! I know! I’m just saying!"
The Tower Lord snapped at me and walked away with a scowl.
She was starting to get hysterical. The desperation of a woman who had missed her prime marriageable age was palpable.
How would she react if she heard the news that Moira was pregnant? Especially if the father was me.
She might even hold a grudge against me. Because I rejected her so coldly while accepting Moira.
But Moira was an act of God. There was nothing I could do when she jumped me while I was drunk and asleep.
"We’ve arrived. Now, show me. A dragon that follows orders... the future of the Magic Tower... no, the future of the Labyrinth City depends on you!"
While chatting with Mabel, we had arrived at that laboratory from before.
Now I just had to bring out Helena and show her to Mabel.
"Just a moment. I won't be able to keep her out for long. There isn't much mana."
"It’s fine. Hurry! Quickly!"
"Uh, Halcy. Do you want to come out for a bit?"
Since I had to hide Helena’s name, I decided to call her Halcy. You could think of Halcy as a nickname for Helena.
"Ooh...!!"
Helena, who had been curled up inside the Bracelet of Growth, finally manifested in reality.
Jet-black scales and clear, bright eyes. And teeth that, while not yet sharp, looked like they would hurt quite a bit if they bit you.
Her wings were still small. They would grow larger as she matured.
"Yes. This is it. This is what I wanted to see. Something like this."
Tower Lord Mabel was moved to tears, overwhelmed by the sight of a living, breathing dragon.
Helena, who had been staring blankly at her face, suddenly spoke up.
"Does seeing me make you that happy? You look like you’re dying of joy. I’m glad to see you’re doing well."
"Huh? Why is her tone..."
The Tower Lord’s expression turned strange at Helena’s way of speaking.