Chapter 5
Here, there was a baby who had cried until she passed out and fallen asleep.
Curled up like a baby turtle, breathing softly, it looked pitiful.
“Since Young Master Lewiwood and Young Master Micard were on a mission, we couldn’t stop the young lady’s rampage in time.”
The reception room lights were dimmed as much as possible so she wouldn’t wake up.
Diegon silently listened to Karmine’s report.
“It was power that no one could stop unless they were at their level. If Your Excellency hadn’t been nearby and stepped in, no one would have survived.”
“They would have all been wiped out.”
“Yes. Young Master Ricardo, who was closest, had his Bijou spot badly damaged. It seems he tried to defend himself, but since it was a fight between Awakened… it’s possible his Bijou may never grow again.”
“Then he’ll be disowned. Chesilia wouldn’t keep someone useless.”
Diegon’s tone was cold enough to send chills.
He played absently with the cotton-candy-like pink hair.
Even so, the child did not wake up.
Only her red nose twitched occasionally as she sniffled.
“The crab.”
“Miss Shu’s condition is stable. Honestly, for her first clash, she’s far too fine… The only explanation is that she’s under the protection of a Spirit King. At this age, summoning a Spirit King can sometimes leave a person crippled if they can’t handle the power.”
“That’s true. A Spirit King…”
His voice sounded dry, but there was a slight heaviness at the end.
However, Diegon did not continue.
Karmine also bit his tongue and stayed silent.
The one who commands the Pashayen navy.
A genius among geniuses who manifested his Bijou at seven, and at ten fought the Mermaid King and led the war to its current ceasefire.
His cruelty was like a pack of sharks that had tasted blood.
His battle instincts were natural.
Once caught by him, no one survived.
Now, pirates trembled and fled just at the sight of Diegon’s flag.
However, it was not widely known that this same Diegon once deeply loved a single partner.
A person who was loved dearly by the spirits of this world.
So lovely that it hurt to look at.
Karmine remembered that person.
And also the small daughter she held.
But no one remembered their faces anymore.
One day, suddenly, “it just became that way.”
There was no need to explain how much that drove Diegon mad.
Even after seven years, it was still a forbidden topic.
“A child loved this much by a Spirit King… How strange.”
After a long silence, Diegon muttered slowly.
His tone was full of suspicion.
“Could it be that someone created this child?”
“Spirits are pure beings, Your Excellency. That’s unlikely.”
“That’s right. A homunculus goes against natural law. Spirits wouldn’t follow such a thing.”
When someone becomes an Awakened, they gain abilities beyond normal humans.
A homunculus is an artificial lifeform created using such powers, often used by Bellarion of the Lunar Eclipse during territorial wars.
“Highly refined homunculi are indistinguishable from humans, but we’ve never received any information about one being made as a child.”
At Karmine’s firm answer, Diegon lowered his gaze.
He looked at the child clinging tightly to his thigh while sleeping.
Even when they tried to separate her earlier to take her to the doctor, it wasn’t easy.
“She’s not even a real crab. Why is she holding on so tightly?”
Was she afraid he would leave?
Even though she had boldly said she didn’t want to be his daughter.
“It seems the young lady trusts you, Your Excellency. Seeing how she’s holding onto you like that.”
Karmine added softly at the right moment.
Truthfully, from the moment he went to pick her up from the daycare, he had already fallen for her.
He thought maybe the young lady they could no longer remember once looked like this.
Diegon knew that as well.
His father probably had similar thoughts when he entrusted this “crab” to him.
“I should give her a new name.”
“Oh? What will you name her?”
“Well.”
Diegon raised an eyebrow.
Giving a name meant accepting her as his adopted daughter.
So he couldn’t choose just anything carelessly.
“By now, Chesilia must be making a scene. She’ll try to take this one away.”
“But you won’t give her up, will you?”
“This one follows me well. Look.”
Diegon pointed at the child, now softly snoring.
Then he added quietly—
“She’s not a child meant to go to someone as greedy as Chesilia.”
“Just say you want to make her your daughter.”
Karmine grumbled, but Diegon ignored him completely.
In his mind, thousands of beautiful names with good meanings were spinning.
He was trying to find the one that suited her best.
“Ah, then we should inform the young masters as well.”
“No need to contact Micard. He already knows.”
“Then I will inform the second young master.”
“The second… No. Fine.”
Diegon started to say something but stopped.
Karmine carefully suggested—
“Perhaps the young lady’s presence might have a good influence on the second young master. How about letting them meet?”
“He’s already given up on life.”
“It’s only been a year since his condition started.”
“That’s enough. We shouldn’t expect too much from this crab.”
Poke.
Diegon pressed her chubby cheek.
“Mm…”
The child frowned as if she didn’t like it.
Such a small thing, yet so temperamental.
“I told her to bite if someone hits her, not to summon a Spirit King and half-kill them…”
Still, she did well.
Diegon lightly tapped her nose.
At that moment, the perfect name came to him.
“Shuperty. This child’s name will be Shuperty.”
The North Star that guides sailors, and the goddess of battle.
It suited her perfectly.
* * *
“Mom, mom!”
“It’s okay. Mom will always stay by your side.”
“But… but… I won’t be able to see you anymore. Don’t die, mom…!”
“My daughter won’t cry, right? You’ll be brave, right? You’re the class leader.”
“Sniff… sob… sob…”
No.
I can’t.
I can’t do it.
I’m not class leader anymore.
“Sniff.”
When I opened my eyes, bright sunlight was shining in.
I wiped the tears hanging at the corners of my eyes and sat up.
“Oh my! Miss, you’re awake!”
“Rina?”
“Yes, it’s Rina. Do you recognize me?”
“Mhm.”
What was that dream?
It felt sad… but I couldn’t remember clearly.
“Come on, let me get you ready. You’ll be resting from class today, so how about eating with His Excellency and having fun?”
Rina laid out five dresses in front of me.
Since she looked excited, I quickly felt excited too.
“Can we eat something tasty and play baking cookies?”
“Yes!”
Alright!
I wore a blue dress with a white rabbit on it, and shoes with a starfish.
Rina tied my hair into two pigtails.
Excited, I ran toward the dining hall.
Then—
Thud!
“Ouch.”
I bumped into someone and fell on my bottom.
“Hm? Ah, so it’s you.”
A loud voice like a ship horn rang out.
When I looked up, it was Marshmallow Grandpa.
“Marshmehlo Habdi!”
“Yes, yes. Come here, you good child.”
Grandpa lifted me up easily.
I smiled brightly, thinking of strawberry macarons.
I had given some to my Carrot Class teacher… I wonder if my friends ate them all.
“I heard you temporarily summoned a Spirit King? Well done.”
“Spirit King…?”
“You don’t know yet. That’s fine. You’ll learn everything. Hahaha!”
Grandpa pushed open the dining hall doors.
Inside were Dad-uncle and Karmine.
“Where is your seat?”
“Over there, the crab plate is mine.”
“Yes, here it is.”
Grandpa placed me on the chair.
I swung my legs happily while waiting for food.
Everything here was so delicious—I always looked forward to meals.
“Why are you here?”
“You rude brat! I came to see my new granddaughter!”
“…Please sit.”
Ah!
But I fought with my friends…
‘Will I get scolded?’
I looked around carefully, but no one seemed angry.
Relieved, I grabbed my fork tightly.
Then—
Suddenly—
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ gets angry, saying “No one is allowed to scold my child!”]
Shiny light appeared before my eyes, and words formed.
[The Water Spirit King ‘■■■■’ proudly tells others to come and look at my child.]
[The Fire Spirit King ‘■■■■■’ sighs, saying “Here we go again.”]
[The Earth Spirit King ‘■’ nods, saying “It is true that she is cute.”]
Huh?
What is this?
