episode_0092

After returning from meeting Carmene, we stayed in the village of Ende until Lechel was born.

Arna’s body was getting heavier, and the day when Lechel would be born was getting closer day by day.

“Jihuya. When Lechel is born, how old can we raise her?”

“Well.”

“Are you feeling anything strange in your body these days?”

Contrary to Orvia’s worries, several months have passed and there have been no significant changes in my body. Since there was no need to fight, there was no need for dangerous powers to be revealed.

If I just live peacefully like this in the future, I will be able to keep Arna out of danger.

“I hope it’s okay until Lechel grows up.”

“It’ll be okay. I’ll try to be okay. Continue.”

I held Arna’s hand and stroked her belly, which had already grown huge. When I put my ear to it, I felt like I could hear the baby’s heartbeat.

Even though quite a bit of time has already passed, it still doesn’t feel real.

I didn’t really feel it, but I was so happy just looking at Arna.

“What do you want to eat today?”

“Today… Well, today, I want to eat strawberries.”

“Okay.”

At that time, Larissa and Cheshire came to our house.

“We are here.”

“Arna, I brought you strawberries. Cheshire is making dinner tonight too.”

I can’t believe you came at such an opportune time.

While I was in the village, I continued to receive a lot of help from these two people. These days, I come here often every evening after finishing the store.

Just looking at the two of them made me smile now.

“It sounds delicious. Hehehe, I wanted to eat it.”

“I’ll start by preparing dinner.”

Cheshire rolled up his sleeves and went straight into the kitchen, and Larissa laughed as she looked at Arna’s enlarged belly.

“Sister, the Remia test results came out this time.”

“Huh? What happened? Of course you will pass, right?”

“Yes!”

Larissa carefully took out the academy acceptance certificate from under her clothes and showed it to her.

“I borrowed it for a moment to show Arna. Awesome, right? Is it worthwhile to teach you?”

“Yes, it’s amazing.”

I don’t know roughly what age people entered the academy, but it was the highest educational institution here.

Since it was such a place, it was certainly an incredible place for Remia, now seven years old, to pass.

“I guess I can enter in 3 years when I turn ten. Still, it’s important at what age you passed the academy… If you pass the exam at age 7, you will be treated as the greatest talent ever.”

“At what age did you pass the exam?”

“Huh? Me?”

Larisa was a little taken aback by my question.

“I, I am… .”

“Tell me honestly.”

Cheshire, who was in the kitchen, joined in, and Larissa nodded, biting her lip.

“I’m fifteen. Still, you did the best you could after graduating, right? As Jihoo knows… Huh.”

“Oh, that’s right. True.”

“So. Admission is important, but what you do afterwards is also important.”

In the end, there was no Remia who needed to hear that sound, so Arna changed the topic by holding Larisa’s hand.

“By the way. So when are Cheshire and Larissa getting married?”

“Yes? What is that… Okay, why are you swearing all of a sudden? Sister?”

Cheshire, who was bringing out the fish dish for dinner at that time, also shook his head.

“Why are you doing this to Arna?”

“Your mom sent you a letter before too. When are you getting married to a girl named Larisa? I heard Cheshire said that when I went there before.”

Despite their refusal, the two have been living together ever since they met here. People who didn’t know well thought that they were already a couple or dating.

“Anyway, I don’t really want to date an orc. I don’t like it because it’s too big… … .”

“Try it. It is delicious when eaten while warm.”

“Yes, sister. Let’s eat.”

Arna opened her eyes round and nodded.

It was a dish where all the fish’s bones were removed, grilled in butter, and then drizzled with Ende village’s unique strawberry sauce.

Although I’ve lived here for quite some time, dishes like grilled fish with strawberry sauce were still a bit unfamiliar to me.

Still, seeing Arna with a smile on her face as she ate the fish flesh, I took a bite too.

“Delicious.”

“Cheshire! It’s delicious!”

“Then I will finish it.”

Cheshire entered the kitchen and gave Larissa a look. It seems that the time spent between the two has changed.

“I’ll return this and come back. He said he would bring it back soon and came.”

“Come quickly. Because I have to eat dinner.”

Larissa got up and left.

In our quiet house, the only sounds and smells of Cheshire cooking were in the air.

–

After dinner, the two returned.

I went outside with Arna and walked around the village.

“Whew, I think walking is a bit difficult now.”

“Shall we go in?”

“Yes, let’s go in quickly.”

Arna walked away while holding my arm tightly. We headed home again, arriving home just as the night wind was getting colder.

Someone was standing in front of him.

“It was here.”

Heclena was waiting for us, holding something. Is this an errand for Orvia?

“It’s been a while. Wow, time flies.”

Heclena smiled brightly as she looked at Arna’s stomach. Come to think of it, this is my first time seeing this person since I was invited by Orbia.

“What’s going on?”

“Orbia sent it. They say it’s baby clothes.”

Baby clothes… .

“It is put on when elves are born. Carmene was supposed to take care of it, but she’s not there now.”

“Thank you. Please be sure to tell Orbia.”

I received the box, and Arna immediately opened it and checked the clothes. It was a really small and cute outfit, like doll clothes.

It is a soft clothing made of bright, dark green fabric that reminds me of the green leaves of the forest. Here and there, flower shapes were beautifully embroidered with white thread.

“He asked me to tell you that he did it himself.”

“Ah, it’s pretty.”

“Right?”

Heclena looked at Arna, who was smiling happily while looking at the clothes, and then turned around.

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Arna looked at the clothes and laughed.

I realized that it was really time for Lechel to be born.

“Let’s go in. It’s cold.”

Arna and I entered the house holding hands.

–

And after some time.

Inside Arna’s room on her due date, I was holding Arna’s hand tightly, and Serena accepted the baby.

“Ugh!”

Every time I heard Arna scream, my heart trembled. It was difficult to look at Arna’s suffering face, so I closed my eyes tightly and prayed while holding her hand.

Then it was some time later.

“Wow! Ugh!”

I heard a baby crying.

Serena wrapped the newly born elf in a clean cloth and gave it to Arna, who stood up.

Blonde hair, pointy ears, and black eyes. Anyone can see that she is Arna and my daughter.

“Jihoo… hey… .”

When I saw Lechel, I couldn’t say anything.

This moment when I actually met Lechel felt like a dream. Did this really happen to me? To me too… .

“Jihoo, are you crying?”

“… … Yes.”

When I realized that tears were coming, I covered my eyes and nodded. Although I was crying, a smile kept coming from my mouth.

“Why are you crying? Hehehe… Makes my sister want to cry too.”

“So, so pretty.”

I just raised my head and hugged Lechel. Lechel looked at me and smiled prettily. You know I’m your dad, right? Who do you resemble? You’re really smart.

“Let’s stay together in the forest until at least our age.”

Now, if Leshell enters the elf forest, he will not be able to come out until he is tested by the guardian.

“Now… You can teach them one by one. I’m worried about what to tell you first. Hehehe… .”

–

It’s already been a long time since Lechel was born.

Jihu and Arna left the forest after helping Lechel just long enough for her to live alone.

To the no-man’s land in the north, where I decided to leave at that time.

After that, Isella took care of Lechel, just like Arna did.

Early in the morning, Isella came to the house where Arna and Jihu lived. I had been hearing something crunching since morning.

Isella stood in front of the house and waited for a while.

“Lechel, are you ready?”

“Yes! Wait a minute!”

Lechel hurried out of the house with a bow and sword. These were the weapons that Arna and Jihu gave to each other.

It was a bow decorated with gorgeous shapes and a clean, sturdy elven sword. Lechell laughed as she recalled training with her parents with these weapons.

“Wow, is it really okay?”

“Your mother beat the guardian and went out of the forest when she was around your age.”

“I heard you and your dad fought together back then. I’m alone… .”

“Instead, I have been looking after you for several years already. A talent like yours is enough.”

As Isella encouraged him, Lechel nodded.

Thinking of her parents who left after living together for 30 years, Lechell smiled confidently at the thought that they would finally be able to meet again.

“I’m already looking forward to seeing mom and dad for the first time in a while.”

“Let’s go.”

Isella smiled and took the lead.

“Has your aunt met your mom and dad since then?”

“I didn’t see it either.”

“Wow, I’m looking forward to it. I don’t think I’ve seen you for a while, but I really want to see you.”

The two stood at the border leaving the forest.

“Aunt and grandmother!”

“Yes, just do what you learned. I’ll be watching from behind.”

Isella took a step back and crossed her arms, and Lechelle crossed the confines of the forest with her sword drawn. An arrow landed in front of her feet.

As the fight began, Lechell’s nervous eyes immediately showed fighting spirit.

For Arna, the daughter of Carmene, and Lechelle, the daughter of the human hero Jihoo Kim, this level of ordeal was nothing.

“Mom, Dad! I’ll go see you!”