Here, a baby lay in a sleep so deep it resembled a swoon, the result of crying until she was utterly exhausted.
She was curled up like a baby sea turtle, her breathing soft and wheezing—a sight that was heart-wrenching to behold.
“Since Young Master Raywood and Young Master Micard were on a mission, we couldn’t stop the baby’s runaway magic in time.”
The reception room was kept as dim as possible, for fear of waking her. Diegon listened to Carmine’s report in silence.
“It was a force that no one but the two of them could have held back. It is only because you were staying nearby, Lord, that everyone survived.”
“If I hadn’t, they would have been wiped out.”
“Yes. Young Master Ricardo, who was closest, suffered significant damage to his *Bijou*. He tried his best to defend himself, but since it was a fight between Awakeners… there is a possibility that his *Bijou* might never bloom.”
“He will be disowned, then. Cecilia would never keep a useless brat around.”
Diegon’s tone was chillingly indifferent. He toyed with the child’s cotton-candy-like pink hair. Even then, she did not wake, save for a reddened nose and the occasional sniffle.
“And the crab?”
“Young Lady Shu is in good condition. Honestly, for her first clash, she’s almost too fine… there’s no other explanation than that she is under the protection of the Spirit King. You know that if a child this young summons a Spirit King, they can sometimes become a vegetable, unable to handle the power.”
“That’s true. A Spirit King, huh…”
A hint of something choking clung to the end of his dry voice, though Diegon did not continue. Carmine, too, bit his tongue.
The man commanded the Pashayen Navy. A genius among geniuses, he had his *Bijou* bloom at seven and fought the Mermaid King the moment he turned ten, securing the current peace. His cruelty was like a shark that had tasted blood, and his combat instincts were innate. Once caught, he never let anyone go alive; now, pirates trembled and scrambled to flee at the mere sight of Diegon’s flag.
But it was a little-known fact that this very Diegon had once deeply loved a companion. She had been loved by the spirits of this world, someone so lovely it hurt to look at her.
Carmine remembered her, too. And the small daughter she once held in her arms.
Yet, no one could recall what she or her daughter looked like. One day, suddenly, “that was how it became.” There was no need to explain how that had driven Diegon to the brink of madness. Even now, seven years later, the subject remained taboo.
“To think she is a child so beloved by a Spirit King. That is… quite the coincidence.”
After a long silence, Diegon muttered slowly, his tone laced with heavy suspicion.
“Is it not possible that someone created this child?”
“Spirits are pure beings, Lord. Surely not.”
“True. A homunculus is a being that defies the providence of the world; a spirit would not follow one.”
Once one becomes an Awakener, they gain abilities different from ordinary people. A homunculus was an artificial life form created through such powers, often used during territory wars at the Bellarion of the Eclipse.
“Though a sophisticated homunculus is so similar to a human that it is difficult to distinguish, there has never been any intelligence suggesting that a baby was created.”
At Carmine’s firm assertion, Diegon lowered his gaze. He watched the little one sleeping, her hand clutching his thigh tightly. Even when they had to pull her away for the doctor, they had struggled because she simply wouldn’t let go.
“She’s not even a real crab, so why does she grip so tightly?”
*Is she afraid I might leave?* It was only a moment ago she was being cheeky, insisting she didn’t want to be his daughter.
“It seems the Young Lady trusts you, Lord. Seeing how she’s clinging to you like that.”
Carmine didn’t miss the chance to slip in a word. In truth, Carmine had been completely smitten the moment he went to the daycare to pick her up. He felt the youngest young lady, whom he couldn’t remember, might have looked just like this. Diegon was well aware of Carmine’s feelings, as his own father likely attached this “crab” to him with similar hopes.
“I will have to give her a new name.”
“Oh? What will you name her?”
“Let’s see.”
Diegon raised an eyebrow. Giving a name meant accepting her as his adopted daughter. He couldn’t just choose any name.
“Cecilia must be throwing a tantrum by now. She will try her hardest to take this little one.”
“But you won’t give her up, will you?”
“This little one follows me well. Look.”
Diegon pointed to the child snoring softly, then added in a low voice:
“She is not a child meant for someone as greedy as Cecilia.”
“Why don’t you just say you want to make her your daughter?”
Carmine grumbled, but Diegon ignored him. His mind raced with ancient and foreign words, searching for one with a beautiful, noble meaning that fit her.
“Ah, then I should inform the two young masters as well.”
“No need to contact Micard. He will already know.”
“Then I shall only inform the second young master.”
“The second is… no. That’s enough.”
Diegon stopped himself mid-sentence. Carmine cautiously suggested:
“Perhaps the baby’s presence might have a positive influence on the second young master. Why don’t you have them meet?”
“He has already given up on life.”
“It’s only been a year since he fell ill.”
“That is enough. One shouldn’t expect too much from a little crab.”
*Poke.*
Diegon poked her chubby cheek.
“Nng.”
At that, the child furrowed her brow in displeasure.
*The little thing sure has a temper.*
“I told her to bite if she gets hit, but I never told her to summon a Spirit King and beat them half to death…”
Though, it was impressive.
Diegon gently tapped the bridge of her nose. A fitting name had just popped into his head.
“Superti. This child’s name shall be Superti.”
The North Star that guides the path during a voyage, and the Goddess of War. The name seemed to fit her perfectly.
***
‘Mommy, Momma!’
‘It’s okay. Mommy will always be by our daughter’s side.’
‘But… but… I can’t see you anymore. Don’t die, Momma!’
‘My daughter, you won’t cry, will you? You can be sensible, right? Because you’re the class president.’
‘Hic, h-hwaaaaah!’
No.
I can’t.
I can’t do it.
I’m not the class president anymore.
“Sniff.”
When I opened my eyes, bright sunlight was streaming in. I wiped the tears from my eyes and sat up.
“Oh my! Young Lady, you’re awake!”
“Lina?”
“Yes, it’s Lina. Do you recognize me?”
“Umm.”
What kind of dream was it? Something was sad, but I couldn’t remember it well.
“Come now, I’ll get you ready. Since classes are canceled today, shall we have a meal with the Lord and then play to our heart’s content?”
Lina spread out five dresses. She looked so excited that I soon felt excited, too.
“Can we eat something yummy and play at baking cookies?”
“Yes!”
Yay!
I wore the blue dress with a white rabbit on it and shoes with little starfish on them! Lina even tied my hair in two bunches. Excited, I ran to the dining hall.
That was when it happened.
*Thump!*
“Ouch.”
I bumped into someone and fell onto my bottom with a *plop*.
“Hmm? Ah, it’s you.”
I heard a voice as resonant as a ship’s horn. As I tilted my head up, there was the Marshmallow Grandfather.
“Marshmallow Gwandpa!”
“Yes, yes. You clever little thing, let me have a hug.”
Grandfather lifted me up. I giggled, thinking of strawberry macarons. I had given one to the Carrot Class teacher; I wonder if my friends all ate theirs?
“So, you summoned a Spirit King, even if only temporarily? You are very capable.”
“Spirit King…?”
“You don’t know what it is yet, do you? That’s fine. You don’t need to. You will learn everything in time. Hahaha!”
Grandfather swung the dining hall door open vigorously. Inside were Dad-slash-Mister and Carmine-Mister.
“Where is your seat?”
“Over thewe.”
“Look, there’s a crab.”
“Indeed, here it is.”
After Grandfather sat me down, I kicked my feet back and forth, waiting for my meal. Everything I ate here was so incredibly delicious that I always looked forward to mealtime.
“Why have you come?”
“You insolent brat! I’ve come to see my new granddaughter!”
“…Please, take a seat.”
*Gasp!*
But wait, I got into a fight with my friends earlier.
*Am I not going to get in trouble?*
I glanced around cautiously, but it didn’t seem like anyone was planning to scold me. Letting out a tiny sigh of relief, I gripped my fork firmly.
But at that very moment:
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ exclaims in a rage, “No one is allowed to scold my precious little baby!”]
Sparkling light appeared before my eyes, and words began to form.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ is bragging, “Come quickly and look at my precious little baby!”]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ sighs, saying, “There he goes again.”]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ nods in agreement, “It is true that she is cute.”]
Hm?
What is this?