Tia

“…You’re saying a spirit herb sprouted in our guild gardens?”

“Yes. A high-quality low-grade spirit herb, the ‘Crimson Bloom.'”

Millaine doubted her own ears at the unexpected report.

“Why would that happen?”

“Well, that’s the thing…”

It was an anomaly, an inexplicable occurrence.

Spirit herbs did not simply sprout like weeds.

Spirit herbs were akin to miracles, only manifesting when special conditions aligned in places with auspicious grounds and abundant life force.

But for one to appear in the middle of a fully developed city was unheard of.

‘Come to think of it, our mana crystal replacement rate has also dropped recently.’

Mana crystals were stones and gems with the property of absorbing and storing external mana.

They functioned like batteries for various magical facilities, requiring periodic replacement as consumables.

And since mana crystals were quite costly, operating them incurred substantial running costs – even more so for places like the World Tree, saturated with welfare and house defense magics.

Yet the mana crystal consumption rate at the World Tree House had been steadily declining for some time, recently reaching zero.

In other words, the mana absorption rate from the surrounding air had surpassed the consumption rate.

This indicated one thing – the ambient mana density had significantly increased compared to before.

‘The air quality has also strangely improved lately, and mornings feel incredibly refreshing. Submissions for the guild’s healthcare insurance have dropped sharply too…’

Some even claimed their growth efficiency had risen.

These were all noticeable changes that had become prevalent enough for rumors to spread as individual members personally experienced them.

After receiving these reports, Eloah and Doyun sought counsel from Tiamat.

“Didn’t I already mention this?”

“Pardon?”

“The World Tree grounds have already become Razvolnic’s Lair.”

“Ah…! So that’s why…”

“…Is this what it meant?”

They recalled Tiamat’s previous words.

Soon after, this inexplicable phenomenon was announced as the Dragon Lord Tiamat’s ‘Lairing.’

Although it was actually Doyun’s doing, this would be easier for everyone to accept.

Of course, credit for all this went to Doyun, who had brought Tiamat here.

“Wo, wow… So our guild is now a dragon’s lair? The Dragon Lord’s, no less?”

“I never imagined I’d set foot in a dragon’s lair in this lifetime…”

“Woohahah! Incredible! I have to call my family and tell them this is our guild!”

“Fuckin’ A. We were already cool before, but from now on, just saying ‘I’m from the World Tree’ will make shoulders rise in awe. The only case on the continent.”

“I really need to settle down and spend my twilight years here.”

Naturally, the reactions were explosive.

The World Tree swiftly began preparations to extensively promote this externally.

‘If we advertise this well…’

It would grant them a significant advantage in recruiting talents at the upcoming Cradle.

And an unparalleled edge in scouting foreign talents as well.

Millaine fawned over Doyun once more, gushing about how he was truly their lucky charm. She seemed overwhelmingly elated.

And as Tiamat elaborated on the Lairing’s specific effects, she addressed Doyun.

“By the way, Razvolnic.”

“Yes?”

Tiamat grinned at Doyun mischievously.

“…?”

+++

Alone… no, the three of them in the room, Doyun asked Tiamat.

“Is she really hatching today?”

“Yes. It would be good if you could be present. Feeding a newborn quality life force right away is crucial. She is your niece, after all.”

“My niece…”

He gazed at the massive egg before him.

Witnessing a Hetzling’s hatching was a unique experience he had never had in his previous lives. Doyun felt his curiosity piqued.

‘The Dragon Lord’s child…’

Soon, the squirming egg developed prominent cracks.

“Oh…!”

“Brimming with vigor from absorbing quality life force, it seems.”

Something inside repeatedly struck the egg, causing it to shake vigorously in all directions.

The cracks soon widened significantly across the surface.

Crack!

“Ah…!”

“Fufu.”

In accordance with the world’s laws, she inherited her mother Tiamat’s name – the nickname ‘Tia’ emerged.

It was the birth of the Dragon Lord Hetzling’s child.

“Ung, ungh…”

Despite being indoors, the unfamiliar world seemed too bright for her newly opened eyes, blinking adorably.

Had Tiamat cast some sort of magic? The child already possessed a human form.

An utterly adorable appearance that seemed around 10 years old.

Crimson hair and eyelashes like her mother, with round, sparkling eyes.

A short tail and tiny wings she had yet to fully conceal.

Chubby, rosy cheeks and cherry-blossom lips.

Doyun’s utterly adorable niece…

“Daddy?”

“…?”

Doyun doubted his own ears.

+++

“Daddy!”

“…I’m not your dad.”

Doyun denied it with an awkward expression.

But the newly born Tia, cradled in Doyun’s arms instead of her mother’s, simply tilted her head quizzically, unable to comprehend.

“But daddy?”

“I’m not your dad. Say ‘uncle,’ uncle.”

“Why uncle if daddy?”

“…”

Doyun turned to Tiamat with a ‘say something’ look, but the mother simply chuckled amusedly.

“Hey.”

“You were about to say something unwise in front of the child.”

“…”

Giving up on the mother’s help, Doyun tried a different approach.

“…Instead of ‘dad,’ try calling me ‘brother.’ Brother.”

“Daddy?”

“Brother.”

“Daddy?”

“Yes, brother.”

After some repetitive drilling, Doyun finally managed to get Tia to call him ‘brother.’

“Daddy!”

But to Tia, ‘brother’ was simply a synonym for the similarly pronounced ‘daddy’ – something both Doyun and Tiamat easily recognized.

“Phew…”

Doyun decided to be content with this for now. He could continue educating her gradually.

Watching this unfold, Tiamat spoke to Doyun.

“Isn’t she just adorable?”

“…I suppose she is quite cute.”

“Me?”

Cradled in Doyun’s arms, Tia wagged her short tail, thinking he was referring to her.

“Razvolnic. You have the ability to view others’ status windows, correct? Let’s see what talent our child possesses.”

“Ah, so Tia has also received the system’s blessings.”

Upon hearing her words, Doyun lowered his gaze to meet Tia’s eyes.

“Ungh?”

Gazing into her sparkling golden reptilian eyes, Doyun activated his trait.

[Status Window]

Name: Tiamat

Race: Dragon / Divine Beast Subspecies

Affiliation: –

Talent: Genius

Stats:

Strength – Level 1

Agility – Level 1

Vitality – Level 2

Endurance – Level 1

Mana – Level 7

Innate Traits:

[Hetzling’s Dragon Heart]

[Tiamat]

[Child Beloved by Mana]

[Hetzling]

Acquired Traits:

[Life Force Replete]

“…!”

Doyun froze in shock.

‘She just hatched, yet her Mana is already Level 7?’

Moreover, her traits were exceptionally impressive.

Seeing Doyun’s reaction, Tiamat smiled with satisfaction.

“It seems she meets the Great Hero’s approval.”

“…Are all dragons born like this?”

“She’s my child, so she’s a bit special. The quality life force she absorbed from being by your side towards the end of her incubation played a role too.”

Doyun felt newly awed by the sheer greatness of the dragon race.

And simultaneously, his eyes sparkled at the prodigious talent before him.

‘With this child…’

Although just hatched, if nurtured properly, wouldn’t she be perfect for the team’s mage position?

“…”

Doyun looked at Tiamat, who immediately understood the implications of his gaze.

“I can already guess what you’re about to propose.”

“…Tiamat.”

“Do as you wish.”

“Hm?”

He questioned her unexpected response.

“Don’t dragons absolutely abstain from interfering in human affairs?”

“As I said, I had already resolved to subjugate the Demon Lord as this continent’s guardian. I simply failed.”

“Ah.”

“While I cannot directly join you due to my wounds, if my daughter can be of assistance, I would be glad. For her future to exist, the continent’s future must be secured.”

“…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. But her own will should take precedence, no? Try your best to persuade her.”

Tiamat shrugged nonchalantly.

“Well, if you do end up becoming her companion from an early age, Tia will probably cling to you like gum no matter where you go.”

“…”

Doyun gazed at Tiamat with slightly teary eyes.

So that’s why she had polymorphed the newborn child…?

Reading Doyun’s expression, Tia grinned like a mischievous snake.

“The Great Hero Razvolnic as my son-in-law… it couldn’t be more perfect.”

“…Until I save the continent, I have no spare attention for anything else.”

“Who said anything? Dragons have long lifespans. I can wait patiently for grandchildren, so don’t rush things.”

“…”

Doyun decided to drop the conversation altogether.

Lowering his gaze to the wriggling tiny body in his arms, Tia seemed to greatly enjoy Doyun’s embrace, incessantly squirming and nuzzling her face against him, hugging him tightly.

“Daddy, nice smell!”

“…It’s ‘brother,’ I said.”

And she would occasionally look up at Doyun, beaming whenever their eyes met.

Doyun stroked Tia’s adorable forehead gently.

“Hihihi.”

Tia giggled delightedly, squirming happily.

“They did say dragon children grow remarkably fast.”

“Yes. This one stayed in the egg far longer than necessary, so she’ll develop much quicker than other Hetzlings. She’s already 70 years old, age-wise.”

As Doyun stroked her, whenever Tia squirmed restlessly in his arms, he would playfully tickle her soft sides.

Like a typical child, Tia displayed an abundance of delighted reactions, giggling joyfully with her ‘daddy.’ Her elation was truly overwhelming.

“Hehehe! Kkya-“

“You little rascal!”

“Kkyaruk!”

By now drenched in sweat, Doyun cradled Tia close, caressing her damp forehead.

‘A child…’

It was a thought he had felt many times before when watching Eloah and Brudhild… but having a child of his own someday would truly be wonderful.

Observing the adorable Tia rekindled those feelings once more.

Soon, Tia dozed off in Doyun’s embrace, and he voiced a thought that had occurred to him, addressing Tiamat.

“But aren’t you the dragon sovereign? If you’ve decided to participate, why aren’t the other dragons aiding the war effort? Where are they?”

“Hmm…”

After a momentary ponder, Tiamat responded.