Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Sudden Grandfatherhood
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The word "grandfather" wasn't just unconventional—it was downright shocking.
I blankly stared at the girl in front of me, who resembled an elf and referred to herself as my granddaughter... then turned to Ceres beside her.
[Ceres. Please explain.]
-This child is my first branch, created to protect me. She's my first creation... and Dad's granddaughter!
"Please take care of me, Grandfather."
It had been just over a year since I was born into this world, not even two years yet.
And now, I'd gone beyond having a daughter to meeting a granddaughter.
[Krrrk...]
-Dad?
"G-Grandfather?!"
For some reason, my head grew heavy, and before I knew it, my body toppled backward.
Along with my eyelids slowly closing and the fading voices of Ceres and my granddaughter..., I ended up passing out right in front of the children.
-...Was it too much?
"...Does Grandfather dislike me?"
-...She was just surprised, dear.
Oh no, did I faint without realizing it?
The memories right before passing out flooded back the moment I regained consciousness.
They weren't blurry at all—vividly sharp details that already made me dread opening my eyes.
'But I can't just lie here forever.'
Either way, since this wasn't an illusion but reality, I'd have to face it eventually.
Maybe confronting it now, at this timing, would be better for me and for the kids.
Srrrrk.
In the end, I made up my mind and sat up.
But when it came time to speak, I hesitated over what to say first.
I had no idea what words would come out of my mouth.
Even after opening my eyes and lifting my head, my lips remained tightly shut.
-Dad. Are you okay?
Perhaps my stillness frustrated her.
Ceres called out to me first, trying to lighten the mood.
A faint smile crossed my lips at her concern, and with a calmer heart than before, I replied.
[Yeah, so this child is the one you personally created, right, Ceres?]
-Yes.
[But your speech suddenly feels more formal.]
-Now that there's a child I need to look after, a too-casual tone wouldn't seem dignified.
So that's why she's speaking in a similar tone to when she addressed the Wind Spirit King.
Still, she could be a bit more relaxed with me.
A twinge of bitterness hit me at the sense that she'd matured too quickly, creating distance between us. I turned my head toward the source of the issue—my granddaughter.
[So, my granddaughter.]
"Yes, Grandfather!"
She looked utterly tense, brimming with determination.
Maybe it was her striking appearance, or the aura of Ceres I sensed in her. Or perhaps the word "grandfather" itself. Whatever it was, my words came out unexpectedly gentle.
[What's your name?]
"......"
Did I say something wrong?
Her face froze the instant I asked her name.
Lips pressed tight, she looked lost, which only made me more flustered.
'No, I just asked her name—why react like that?'
My gentle tone shouldn't have made her tremble like this.
-It's because... she doesn't have a name yet.
[No name?]
"Eek."
No name?
Wait, why?
I stared blankly at Ceres.
[Did you just give birth to her moments ago?]
-No? It's been about three days since I made her...
[You idiot!]
-D-Dad?
Three days, she said?
Feeling my blood pressure rise, I glared at Ceres.
Even so, not naming a child like your own for three whole days? Are you sane...?
'Wait, when did I name Ceres again?'
Past memories surfaced.
The day I named Ceres was definitely when I sparred with Hoya.
And that day was when Ceres sprouted... uh... let's see...
[Ahem. Anyway, granddaughter, is there anywhere you feel unwell?]
"Ah! I'm fine, Grandfather."
-No, Dad. Why did you suddenly yell like that?
[Must've been disoriented from just waking up.]
-Hehe... sure, let's go with that.
She seemed to have figured out what I was thinking while making excuses.
Turning away from such a Ceres, I decided to name my elf-resembling—no, purely elven—granddaughter who still lacked one.
[Then, Ceres. Hurry up and name our granddaughter.]
-You named me, Dad...
[Granddaughter. Don't you want a name too?]
"Uh... um... I-I'd be happy if you gave me one..."
Her shy, bowed head prompted me to shoot Ceres a look urging her to get on with it.
-I have no naming sense, so please do it yourself, Dad.
[Me?]
-Yes. Or you could discuss it with Cheong and Silpi.
[Hmm...]
Ceres had passed the naming of her child—essentially her own offspring—over to me.
But sorry, I couldn't.
Me, Silpi, and Cheong... none of us had any talent for naming.
My name and Cheong's were decided through laborious brainstorming and sheer luck.
-My first branch. Follow Grandpa.
"But Mother, I have a duty to stay by your side and protect you."
-I'll be fine? I still have plenty of power left.
"B-But still..."
She seemed eager to send her daughter to me this chance, to familiarize her with Cheong and Silpi. But the child herself spoke of her reason for being born and her future duties, insisting on staying with Ceres.
[Then I'll bring those two here.]
-Oh my, Cheong might come, but Silpi probably won't.
[Then I'll drag her along with Cheong.]
-Poor Silpi.
[On the contrary, her king would love this behavior of mine.]
Even back when I first saw her, Silpi was thrilled just hearing she'd gone outside and moved around.
If she read my thoughts now, she'd probably applaud.
[I'll be right back. Wait just a moment.]
-Have a safe trip.
"I-I'll wait."
With that, I lifted my body with the wind and flew toward home at high speed.
Whoooosh.
[I wonder if that guy's arrived already.]
The wolf spirit beast I'd parted with before reaching Ceres.
I'd told him to return home and explain the situation to Cheong and Silpi. By now, they should've wrapped up their talk.
[S-Sorry!!]
[Hm?]
But what was this now?
Upon arriving home, I saw the wolf spirit beast inexplicably kowtowing on the ground, Cheong riding atop him, and Silpi trying to pull her off.
[What happened here?]
"El!"
-El? This guy said he'd be late today.
Cheong beamed and jumped toward me upon seeing me.
Silpi poked the fallen wolf spirit beast to check if he was still alive.
Fwoosh.
[Why were you tormenting him?]
Cheong boldly pointed at the downed wolf spirit beast.
"This guy took you away!"
[Ceres asked me to come.]
-Oh yeah. But why'd Ceres suddenly call? She was blocking you from coming lately since she's been busy.
To Silpi's words, I nodded briefly, recalling my elven granddaughter.
Yeah, better to explain on the way there together than just tell them to come.
So I explained the situation to Cheong, Silpi... and the wolf spirit beast pretending to have his eyes closed.
-Eh? Ceres created life? Wait, is that even possible...?
Silpi was stunned that Ceres had made an elf.
She must've been shocked by the life-creation part.
[Haha. Impressive indeed. As the master of paradise, she naturally possesses the power of creation as well.]
The wolf spirit beast, who'd slyly adjusted his posture, nodded as if Ceres's actions were a given.
But wait, didn't this guy know Ceres made an elf?
There was a bump on the back of his head, but probably fine.
"......"
Finally, Cheong quietly pondered with her mouth shut, eyes sparkling.
Her blue eyes, gleaming captivatingly and drawing my gaze, parted her lips ever so slightly and cautiously.
"...So, I... already have a granddaughter?"
Her expression—what to call it?
Shocked, but not the usual kind; shocked over something else.
I couldn't quite explain, but her shock rivaled mine upon first confirming the elven granddaughter's existence.
[So, Cheong and Silpi, come with me to Ceres.]
-Eek. I don't wanna.
[You can go out without much issue now, right?]
-Only right up to the house entrance. Going all the way to Ceres still needs mental prep.
Fair enough.
I turned to Cheong.
[Cheong.]
"...Grandma. I'm already a grandma?"
Oh dear. I'd thought she'd kept her wits unlike me, but she was just awake with her mind gone.
Dragging Silpi alone without Cheong's help would consume too much power.
[Hey.]
[Yes!]
Right, there was another guy here besides Cheong.
[Grab Silpi.]
[...Pardon?]
-I said I don't wanna go!
Without Silpi, just me and Cheong would be a disaster for our already abysmal naming skills.
Silpi was essential personnel.
Surrounding her with flames and lightning, I shouted at the wolf spirit beast.
[Cover us now!]
[N-No! Lord of Black Despair! Why me?!]
"If I'm with El, I'm a grandma. Nghhh. Not just mom anymore, now grandma too..."