CH 152

Jay’s unique appearance at birth was something that surprised everyone worldwide.

But when I was protected, I also received the same astonishment, so there wasn’t much confusion specifically regarding Jay’s appearance.

He inherited the powers of an Akinist with weaker capabilities than the other children but possessed enough magical power to become a mage.

Just like the other children, Jay was also exposed to danger.

However, Jay, unlike the other children, cannot move on his own.

That’s why we, the parents, or my father-in-law, or El, always stay by his side.

Cal is 4 years old, and Dee is around 3 and a half.

Although they’re said to have enough strength to rival other species, I, who can only recognize them as “babbling children,” don’t intend to burden them with a newborn brother, even if they are siblings.

…Or perhaps it’s due to my learned behavior from Japan.

I had a five-year age gap with Sou.

When I was four years old, I had no concerns about anyone and just relied on my parents.

Perhaps that thought is crossing my mind now.

“Jay sleeps a lot, right?”

“Yeah, when Mom was a baby, I used to sleep a lot too.”

“Really?”

El looks at me with a puzzled expression, looking adorable and age-appropriate.

Although recently, he had become more dignified and dependable.

“In Mom’s species, babies require a lot of attention. They can’t walk as quickly as you and your siblings, and even if they can walk, it takes them longer. It takes time until they can run, and even then, they can’t catch up to you and your siblings. …Being Dad’s child, he may not be as weak as Mom, but please help take care of him, okay?”

“Yeah! I’ll protect both Mom and Jay. I’ll become stronger to protect them better.”

“That’s right. Thank you.”

The reason why Cal and Dee’s names aren’t mentioned was probably because they were said to become as strong as El in the future.

Although Akinists were generally believed to be stronger in females, there were individual differences.

…Or rather, it seems that I would be exempt from being a protector.

…Is this how it should be as a parent?

“Ugh, feeeh…”

“Are you hungry? Just wait a moment.”

Jay suddenly started crying.

I hurriedly prepared the milk.

The baby bottle for Jay was given to me by His Majesty.

Although most children are born in their beastly form, there are species that require baby bottles.

I’m lucky to be able to use magic to heat the water easily, but I can imagine how challenging it must be for parents in this world.

I’ve actually witnessed it before.

Waiting for the water to cool down to the right temperature, and finally being able to give it to the baby.

But until then, the crying child had to wait.

“Here, it’s your milk.”

I offered the bottle, and Jay eagerly drank from it, just like any other child would.

(How adorable.)

It tickled my maternal instincts.

…Even though my body is male, I guess it’s fine to call it “maternal instincts” since I’ve given birth to children.

While Jay was drinking milk, El was watching with interest, while Carl and Dee were playing as if nothing was happening.

Rodo still didn’t take me off his lap.

In the past, I would have insisted on being put down since it was difficult to take care of the children while being held, but lately, it didn’t seem to bother me anymore.

…Or rather, I’ve just gotten used to being held for long periods of time.

“It’s about time we went for the unveiling.”

A few days had passed since Jay could get off the bed—-although most of the time, I was still being carried by Rodo.

It’s about time we showed Jay to His Majesty.

Our family has grown, and I considered using a carriage, but El, who can’t transform into a human yet, is too big to ride in it.

I know that El is fast when running, and his physical abilities are different from those of ordinary children.

However, I didn’t feel comfortable with the idea of the parents riding in a carriage while the children run alongside.

But it’s also difficult to put the growing children on the backs of Sekisva and Sig, which Rodo rides.

Until Jay was born, I used to ride on Sig, and Rodo would ride behind me to support me, ensuring that the children wouldn’t have to run.

We would then walk slowly.

Alternatively, the Sekisva and the others would stay behind while I used teleportation magic for transportation.

…Rodo and my father-in-law said it would be fine to let the children run since it would be a good exercise for them.

Maybe I should request permission to use teleportation magic to move to the audience chamber at a specified date and time.

That way, I wouldn’t have to worry.

His Majesty and the others are aware that I can use teleportation magic.

Appearing directly in front of them might be an issue, but it should be fine in the waiting room, right?

…I think it’ll be okay if I inform them in advance.

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On the day of the unveiling, our entire family used teleportation magic to move to the waiting room in the castle.

The date and time were adjusted to accommodate His Majesty’s schedule, so it didn’t take long for the attendants to appear.

Jay still seemed to prefer sleeping in the basket as usual.

Sometimes I carried him, and sometimes Rodo did, but El was probably the one who carried him the most.

I think it must be quite challenging because he had to hold the handle of the basket in his mouth, but El insisted on doing it, saying he was fine.

Even when Jay wasn’t in the basket, El carried it around because he never knew when it would be needed.

I don’t think there’s anyone else who is such a great older brother.

After all, he has to hold it in his mouth all the time, so he can’t talk, and his throat must get dry.

Even though El understands the inconvenience, he never says he doesn’t want to do it.

He does it voluntarily without me even having to ask.

Every day, when I praise El for doing that, it turned into a competition between Cal and Dee, with both of them wanting to carry the basket.

But El is currently the strongest.

El always comes out as the winner.

Jay still can’t walk on his own, so someone needs to carry him.

I’m a parent, and Rodo is a parent, so it’s fine for one of us to carry him all the time.

However, my father-in-law refuses to carry him, saying it’s scary until his neck is stable.

Even so, El spends a lot of time carrying the basket.

Even though he shouldn’t be the type to endure for someone else’s sake…

It’s nice that he cares so much about his siblings, but I wonder if his Akinist instincts haven’t fully awakened because half of my blood is in him.

El used to be clingy when he was younger, but now he’s a responsible and caring older brother.

Cal is laid-back and a bit tsundere.

Dee is mischievous and talks a lot.

Jay hasn’t even been born for half a month, but he seems relaxed.

Even when he’s awake, he doesn’t make much fuss and seems like the type to fall asleep without realizing it.

I wonder what kind of adults the four of them will become in the future.

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“Your Majesty, this child is our fourth child, Jeremiah.”

“…I’ve heard about it, but he looks similar to the previous Ko.”

That must be referring to when I was first taken in.

Back then, I couldn’t speak well and was scared of His Majesty, clinging to Rodo and crying.

— Jay isn’t crying though.

“He was born in a different form, still like an Akinist, but also similar to me. We are weaker compared to the other children, so he still can’t walk or sit.”

It’s natural since his neck hasn’t stabilized yet.

In this world, I don’t know what his growth rate will be, so it’s hard to predict.

“Jeremiah seems to have the potential to become an exceptional magician, even as a half-Akinist.”

“That’s certainly a possibility… It will ultimately be Jay’s decision.”

The future path is something that Jay will determine.

As long as he doesn’t become a criminal, I think he can choose any profession he wants.

…In this world, there is a custom among Akinists where killing someone is not considered a major crime.

Even if an Akinist kills someone they don’t like, it was often overlooked.

Akinists themselves have the mindset of “if you don’t want to be killed, don’t provoke me,” from what I know.

Despite having different personalities, they still possess similar instincts.

They only see it as “brushing off sparks that come their way” and don’t feel any guilt.

…I feel like I’m developing similar traits as well…

— It’s not just my imagination, right?