Ch.358Spiritual Being (3)

Among the pains humans experience, the greatest is first burns, and second is amputation.

The third varies for each person, but most prioritize the pain of childbirth, and after that, it differs by statistics.

However, the pain a man feels when hit in the testicles ranks at least in the top 10. If we limit it to males only, it would definitely be in the top three.

Even though they’re exposed outside, testicles are undeniably organs. When an organ is hit directly, the pain is beyond description.

Occasionally there might be people who seem fine after being hit in the testicles, but they’re not trained—they’re just accustomed to pain itself.

Anyway, if an average person takes a direct hit, they’ll be incapacitated for over 5 minutes, and in severe cases, they might become like that famous meme character.

Just a light flick with a finger brings excruciating pain, so what happens when a stronger impact comes?

It’s not just terrible pain—stars will spin before your eyes. Moreover, this pain doesn’t come immediately but gradually builds up.

That means you shouldn’t hope for the mercy of “fainting.” In other words, you must feel every bit of the slowly approaching waves of pain.

“A-Are you alright now?”

“… …”

I couldn’t answer Arwen’s concerned question. Currently, I couldn’t even scream.

Cold sweat poured down, and drool dripped from my open mouth onto the ground.

I wrapped my arms around my stomach trying to reduce the pain somehow, but it was far from enough.

If I had to describe it, it felt like someone had stabbed my stomach with a knife and was twisting it around.

“Appa?”

A cute child’s voice rang clearly in my ears. The culprit behind my suffering.

After that quick thought, I barely managed to lift my head. The pain persisted, but I wanted to see the child’s face.

As I raised my head, I saw two pairs of eyes looking at me. Contrasting silver-gray eyes and golden eyes.

The silver-gray eyes held deep emotion, while the golden eyes were bright and curious.

Apparently, she had no awareness of what she had done wrong. Well, that’s understandable.

I wanted to smile for their sake, but the pain was too intense, so I lowered my head again.

I couldn’t even make it to the bed. It seemed I would have to wait like this, clutching my stomach.

“Phew……”

About 5 minutes might have passed. As the pain somewhat receded, I exhaled deeply.

Fortunately, the impact area wasn’t as small as a baseball—if it had been, I might never have been able to have offspring for the rest of my life.

I wiped away the cold sweat that had poured down like rain in that short time and raised my head.

As I looked up, I saw Arwen and the child’s faces. I forced a smile and pretended to be fine.

“…I think I’m okay now.”

“Are you sure? If you’re in pain, we could call a physician or priest…”

“No, I’m really fine.”

If something had ruptured, I would have called a physician or priest immediately. But from my check, my precious eggs were intact.

Moreover, I had just finished talking with Luminus, who must have given a warning. From the gods’ perspective, my descendants would be important too.

I wiped my sweat-drenched forehead once more and looked at the child.

The child, though just born, seemed to understand her mistake and wore a gloomy expression.

Even the sprout that had been standing tall was now drooping. It seemed that sprout expressed emotions, similar to elven ears.

“Child.”

“Mm.”

“From now on, run slowly when you run. And don’t jump at people like you did to daddy. Understand?”

“Mmm?”

The child tilted her head and blinked at my request. I stared blankly at that reaction before laughing helplessly.

Come to think of it, she was born not long ago, so there’s more she doesn’t understand than what she does.

I made a mental note to explain gradually when the opportunity arose and stood up with strength in my legs.

My abdomen still throbbed as if stabbed with a knife, but it wasn’t unbearable.

“Oof.”

“Hm?”

I lifted the child up and adjusted my posture so she could rest her arms.

Then I met her alert golden eyes. The child blinked and stared back at me.

How could such an adorable creature exist? Besides the wings on her back, the sprout on her head was especially cute.

‘But what should we name her?’

Before considering her treatment, we needed to give her a name first. We couldn’t keep calling her “child” forever.

As if reading my thoughts, the child blinked a couple of times and then exclaimed energetically.

“Name?”

“Yes. Name. We’re going to decide your name now.”

“Name!”

She definitely doesn’t know what “name” means. I chuckled at the cute child’s reaction and looked at Arwen.

Arwen seemed to agree with giving her a name, as she smiled indulgently when our eyes met.

“Do you have any good names in mind?”

“Well……”

Arwen hesitated at my question instead of answering immediately. At first, I thought she might be embarrassed to suggest a rustic name.

“Baby?”

“Hm?”

The child spoke with a puzzled voice. Arwen and I immediately looked at her upon hearing those words.

The sprout was now standing straight up, and the child was staring at Arwen with bright, curious eyes.

Then, the child put her thumb in her mouth, sucked on it, and spoke one word at a time with clear pronunciation.

“Issac.”

“That’s daddy’s name……”

“Between. Born. Baby. Name?”

“… …”

As everyone knows, the child has mind-reading abilities. She had cursed with slurred pronunciation after reading my thoughts.

In other words, those words were Arwen’s inner thoughts that she had read and spoken aloud.

After processing that thought, I slowly pieced together the words the child had uttered.

‘The name of the baby born between Issac and…’

It’s just a guess, but it seems Arwen had already decided on a name.

The name for the child in my arms now, the child born through pain.

We had our first night less than a week ago, but she had already decided on the name for our second child—that’s so like her.

“… …”

Of course, having her inner thoughts completely exposed, her face turned red in real-time.

I smiled weakly at Arwen, who was beginning to blush like a red sunset. She must be truly embarrassed.

And that feeling soon translated into action. After looking at the child with an expression on the verge of tears, she threw herself toward the bed.

Burying her face in the pillow to hide it—that’s Arwen’s typical reaction when she feels ashamed.

“Er…… Er…… El……”

“Hm?”

“El…… risha! Elrisha!”

That’s the name of the Elven Queen from the Biography of Xenon. Could she have been planning to name the child Elrisha?

Looking immediately toward the bed, I saw Arwen writhing like a freshly caught fish. She was even kicking her legs, expressing her feelings.

With all her hidden thoughts exposed, she probably wanted to hide in a mouse hole.

During the last grand battle with Cecilly, it might not have been Elvish communist statements, but her desires were revealed without filter.

“Stupid…… idiot. Want to…… die?”

“Hey now.”

She’s still reading thoughts. I gently scolded the child and approached Arwen.

For the child’s emotional well-being, I needed to calm her down quickly.

“Arwen.”

“Uuu……”

“I’ll use that name for the child born between you and me, so don’t worry. But first, let’s name this child.”

Even Marie hasn’t decided on a name for our child, yet Arwen has—she’d face immediate execution if this got out.

Arwen seemed to calm down at my consolation, as she stopped flapping like a fish.

Then she turned her face to look at me and the child. Her ears were red too—she must have been quite embarrassed.

“…Don’t tell anyone.”

“If I do, I’ll die.”

“Appa die?”

“Not right now.”

But soon enough. I swallowed the rest of my words and placed the child on the bed. Looking at her like this, she’s truly gentle.

I’m glad the child isn’t mischievous like some potato-headed kid from somewhere. If her personality was like that too, it would be hell.

“Let’s see…… what name would be good?”

I seriously contemplated while looking at the child sitting quietly. Arwen also carefully sat up.

Meanwhile, the child maintained her characteristic blank expression, looking back and forth between me and Arwen.

The translucent wings on her back fluttered slightly, and the sprout on her head stood straight.

Her appearance was so unique that it was difficult to easily choose a name. I had created the Biography of Xenon as a fictional story, but this required careful consideration.

Since she’s a girl, it’s certain we’ll give her a female name. But finding a name that suits this child is very difficult.

“Hmm……”

“Oof.”

While I was deep in thought, the child who had been sitting quietly stood up on her two legs.

Seeing that action, I had to put aside my contemplation for a moment. I was on edge in case the child might do something strange.

Then the child approached me on her two legs and……

“Appa.”

She snuggled right into my arms. I stared with wide eyes before wrapping my arms around her.

“Hehe.”

The child smiled brightly and seemed happy as soon as I hugged her. She was rubbing her face against my chest—apparently, she likes being in my arms.

I looked at her and smiled contentedly while stroking her head. She’s truly so lovable it’s maddening.

As the gods said, I’ll raise her with love, but it’s clear she’s a child who would be loved regardless of whether it was me or not.

“…Ariel.”

“Hmm?”

“I think Ariel suits her best.”

In my previous life, there were the 7 archangels, very famous angels. Although Ariel wasn’t included among them, she was still a very powerful being.

What symbolizes her is none other than nature. She’s an angel who especially loves animals and nature.

For a child born from the World Tree’s seed, isn’t this the most appropriate name?

I told the child again as she looked at me with brilliantly shining golden eyes.

“Your name is Ariel. Understand?”

“Ariel?”

“Yes. Ariel.”

“Ariel!”

The child seemed to like it too, shouting with an energetic voice. As I was smiling contentedly at that sight……

Flash!

A light flashed in Ariel’s translucent wings, and then a change occurred. I stared with round eyes at the wings.

The wings were enveloped in a pure white light, but soon it gradually faded. And I immediately realized what change had occurred.

The originally translucent wings became more defined, and their color noticeably brightened.

It seems that by receiving a name, she properly established her identity. The sprout on her head remained the same, though.

‘Will the sprout grow when her body develops?’

I looked at Ariel, who seemed closer to an angel than before, and silently stroked her head.

Angel or not, I plan to raise her with plenty of love, so what does it matter?

I’ll probably get beaten up by Marie, but I’m willing to accept that. If I say the child was given by Lord Hirt, she’ll reluctantly accept it.

“Ariel.”

“Hmm?”

“Daddy’s name is Issac. Issac.”

“I…ssac?”

“Yes. Issac.”

“Appa!”

That’s right. Just call me daddy. That’s easier.

I smiled slightly and turned the child’s body to face Arwen.

“The elf in front is Arwen. Do you know who she is?”

“Mama!”

“Yes. Call her comfortably.”

“Mmm……”

As soon as Arwen answered, Ariel stared intently at her. The sprout also tilted slightly toward her.

It seems she’s reading her thoughts. I wonder what Arwen was thinking.

“…Stupid?”

“…Huh?”

“Stupid. What should I do?”

“… …”

It seems she only reveals the bad things.