第２８６堀：空の旅 (Part2)
"Well, because of that, if I were to meet the children while still feeling under the weather, I might pass the illness on to them. To prevent that as much as possible, even after a cold clears up, I make sure to wait a while and confirm that I’m completely recovered before seeing them. You know how it is—sometimes these things have a way of coming back, right?"
"Ah, yes, that does happen."
"I see. That’s a good lesson to learn."
While that conversation unfolded before me, I chewed and swallowed the mandarin orange that had been tossed into my mouth.
"My apologies. You saved me."
Realizing I had nearly let something unnecessary slip, I thanked Samantha, who had followed up for me without a hint of panic.
"Not at all. But I must say, I didn't expect a slip-up like that from you, Deryu-san."
"Indeed. It is strange even to me. Perhaps because Amanda is my disciple, I have become a bit too soft when it comes to her."
"I understand. I haven't taken on any disciples myself yet, but it is difficult to keep secrets from those you consider family."
"That may well be true."
We whispered back and forth, and I sent a glance around to apologize to everyone else. They all returned looks that told me not to worry about it.
*Hmm, have I grown a bit lax since giving birth?* I thought. I’ll make sure to apologize again when I get home today.
"U-um, Master Deryu. Do you happen to have any photos or videos of your child?"
"Hm?"
Before I knew it, Amanda was leaning in, looking at me with expectant eyes.
"Deryu, you had photos of your child with you, didn't you?"
"Oh, my apologies. Eris and I left without bringing any videos or photos of our children."
"I showed them mine, but it seems Amanda-san would like to see your children as well, Deryu-san."
Ah, I can't show them the daughters of Eris and Ratz. They aren't human, but demi-humans. Of course, saying I don't have any is a lie. Naturally, I carry photos of all the children, along with a picture of Yuki and me together, tucked safely inside a locket pendant. It seems Rurua didn't show the photo from her locket, but instead pulled a separate one from her item box. She likely did that to avoid any chance of someone asking to see the locket, which would reveal the children of Eris and Ratz.
Following Rurua's lead, I reached into my bosom and then into my item box to retrieve a photo.
"Here. This is Yuyu, the fruit of the love between Yuki and me."
"Wow... she's adorable. Her name is Yuyu-chan, right?"
"Indeed. She is a girl."
"Hey, Eoid. I really think our first child should be a girl."
"No, even if you tell me that..."
"Personally, I was hoping for a boy."
"Eh? Why is that?"
"My combat style is martial arts, you see. It’s easy to get scars on my body. For a man, scars are badges of honor, but for a woman..."
"Ah, I see."
I have become ageless, and my regenerative abilities have increased dramatically, so any scars from after I became ageless have vanished. However, the scars I earned from training before that remain. It’s fortunate that I didn't have any on my face or chest. Even so, it took courage to let Yuki see me naked. Well, Yuki didn't care about such things; if anything, he loved me all the more for them.
Whether I teach Yuyu this martial art will depend on her own attitude. Martial arts isn't necessarily the path a woman should take. Seraria’s swordsmanship, Ratz’s spear techniques, Eris’s archery, or Rurua’s magic—I think those are safer paths.
"Well, calm down, Amanda-san. Before children, shouldn't you decide on a new home first?"
"Ah, you're right. Eoid, as soon as this mission is over, we're going to look for a house."
"Eh!? I-I don't have the funds for that right now!?"
"Ugh, now that you mention it, that's true. ...Well, first we have to earn some money. Until then, I suppose we'll stay at my parents' house. But then we won't be able to be lovey-dovey..."
"Even if you say that..."
*Haha*, ordinary people really have to worry about these things. We, on the other hand, have husbands with plenty of means. Hm? But didn't Popuri and the others say they would support the new home?
"Say, Eris. Didn't they say they would provide some support regarding the new home and funding?"
"Yes. Principal Popuri is planning to provide support."
"Is that true!?"
"Yes. But Amanda, that is merely support. You cannot rely on it forever. It is important to earn your own money and become capable of protecting your family yourself."
"Yes!! Eoid and I will do our best!!"
"That's right. You're a married couple, so work together and aim to be a couple like us."
As I spoke with the young ones happily discussing their future, I noticed a village in the distance.
"Say, Cleena. Is that the village you mentioned as today's stopover?"
I asked Cleena, who was serving as our guide.
"Mm. That's right. That is Larai Village. It's a village on the journey from the Academy to the Royal Capital of August. Amanda, we've sent word ahead, but we don't want to frighten the villagers. Let's land a bit further away and head there by land."