"Checkmate, shopkeeper."
"Ahaha... defeated again, Enzo-san…"
"Kyuu!"
It's been weeks since everything changed. And right now, I'm inside the new annex building Enzo and Martha built beside the main orphanage because of something.
It all started when Martha and Enzo had come to me with an offer — they wanted to help when my wives went into labor. Martha even offered to assist directly, and Enzo mentioned he'd use his cart to help with transport if needed. They said it was a way of showing thanks for everything my store had done during the orphanage construction.
Apparently, Martha used to work as a maid in a noble household, and she had experience helping with childbirth, back in a life she left behind when she and Enzo chose this one. They gave up their old roles, adventurer and maid, to start this orphanage together. Of course, me and my wives accepted their offer.
And since last night, all eight of my wives have been in the other room under Martha's care and with the help of her two trusted friends to assist.
As for me... I couldn't sleep no matter how hard I tried. I couldn't stop pacing, waiting, and worrying. Which is why Enzo came by and challenged me to chess, saying it might help take my mind off things.
But it didn't help either. I still can't shake the memory of yesterday when my wives started feeling off. They couldn't finish their meals and winced at every movement. When it all came crashing down last night, I panicked and teleported straight to Enzo, begging to use the cart. He didn't ask questions, and we rushed back to the house, loaded everyone in, and returned here. And Enzo immediately called for Martha's friends and got everything in motion.
Enzo sighs from across the board, looking at me and Puck on my shoulder.
"Yaah... I still can't believe it, shopkeeper. You're gonna be a dad soon."
"I can't believe it either, Enzo-san. We've been through so much, and I don't even know what I'm supposed to feel."
Then, I pause and smile at him.
"Thanks again, Enzo-san. For everything."
"You've said that at least a dozen times, shopkeeper. It's fine, I just wanted to return the favor. That's all."
"You're right."
Then suddenly, the door creaks open and Martha steps in, and I immediately spring up.
"How is it, Martha?"
"It's done. The process is over. Your babies are safe, sir."
"Haa... thank you..."
A breath escapes me, all at once, like I've been holding it for hours. Relief crashes through my body, leaving me lightheaded and dizzy with gratitude.
Then, Martha speaks again, which causes me to stammer.
"You can see your wives now, sir."
"R-Really?"
"Yes, I'll bring you to them."
Enzo stands up and pats my shoulder.
"Go on, shopkeeper. They're waiting for you."
"Yes, Enzo-san."
With that, I turn to Martha.
"Please, take me to them."
"This way, please."
Then, we walk together down the quiet hallway. When we reach the door, she stops and gestures forward.
"You can go in now, sir."
"Thank you, Martha."
With that, I take a breath, steadying myself and wrapping my fingers around the doorknob. The moment I open it, I'm greeted by a sight that I never, ever imagined I'd see in my life, not even back in Japan.
Eight beds, sunlight streaming softly through the windows. And on each bed, sitting upright with the gentlest care, are Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, Salacia, Manas, Lilith, and Brunhild. Each one holds a tiny infant in her arms. And all of them are glowing. There's this warm, radiant aura around each of them, a maternal charm so deep and powerful it freezes me until I can't move.
There's too much happening inside me at once — shock, joy, awe, disbelief, and the kind of love that doesn't even have words yet. I want to laugh and cry all at the same time because I don't even know what to do.
Then, Yomogi's voice calls out first.
"Motegi-chan. Why are you just standing there? Come here, look at our daughters."
"Daughters, you say…?"
And Chantal confirms it.
"Yup, all of them. Mine too."
No way...
I swallow hard and finally force my feet to move. I walk to Yomogi first, still half-floating in disbelief.
She gently lifts her bundle of blankets and holds it out to me. I take the baby from her with both hands carefully… and the moment that little weight rests in my arms, something in my chest just cracks wide open. She has fluffy little orange wolf ears just like her mother, twitching slightly in her sleep. Her eyes, when they flutter open briefly, are a familiar brown like mine. And her skin is lightly beige, exactly like ours.
"I… I can't believe this is really happening..."
"It really is, Motegi-chan."
"She's so soft... and fluffy..."
Yomogi then giggles quietly, and I laugh back at her.
"Fufufu... just like her mom?"
"Yeah, but her mom's not just soft. She's plump too."
"Mou... you tease."
"Hahaha..."
As I pass the baby back to her, she pulls the child close and nuzzles gently.
Then, I step over to Chantal. She hands me her baby, and I cradle the infant and look down. Her little panther ears match Chantal's exactly, her skin is a warm bronze-olive blend between mine and hers, and her eyes, when they open, are also brown.
"She already looks wild. Just like her mom."
Chantal then snorts.
"Is that a praise or an insult, Motegi-kun?"
"Praise, of course."
"Hahaha... fine, then."
Then, I hand the baby back to Chantal and move on to Kimberly. Kimberly gently lifts her child toward me, and I accept the baby and cradle her close. Her delicate, pointy ears peek out from tufts of fine blonde hair. Her little brown eyes flutter open like mine. Her features are a perfect blend of both of us.
"This one… might be the most beautiful."
Kimberly's expression melts as I say that.
"This… wouldn't be... possible… if not for you… Motegi-sama..."
"Hehe... you're right."
I hold the baby for another few quiet seconds, then pass her back into Kimberly's waiting arms. I move on to Pinna and take the baby, holding her close. She has the same disk-like antenna ear as Pinna and brown eyes that match mine perfectly. The skin is also a careful blend of Pinna's porcelain tone and mine.
"Hard to believe we've got two geniuses at home now."
There's a small pause before her lips part slightly.
"This is my most precious experience, Master. It surpasses all recorded parameters of emotional learning. In terms of sensation, value, and human connection… this may be the pinnacle of my data collection. I wish to continue storing this memory indefinitely."
"We will, Pinna. We will."
As I hand the baby back, Pinna looks down at it with such a glow, just like all the others.
Next, I walk toward Salacia. She gently lifts her baby and holds her out to me, cradled in both arms, and I accept her carefully.
Her skin is a delicate blend of the lightly bronzed glow from Salacia's peach-gold undertone, softened by the paler shade of mine. Her brown eyes flutter open for just a moment, and they're unmistakably mine. She doesn't have much hair yet, so I can't even begin to guess whether she'll inherit Salacia's flowing blue tentacle strands or something closer to me.
"So this is what a human and kraken baby looks like…"
Salacia leans in slightly, her eyes gleaming.
"Isn't she beautiful, darling?"
"Yes, she really is. The daughter of land and sea…"
"Fufufu..."
She lets out a soft giggle that sounds like happiness given form, and I gently hand the baby back into her arms. Salacia cuddles her close, nuzzling her with her cheek.
From there, I move to Manas. She lifts her baby and passes her to me, and I cradle the infant gently. Her skin is the same as ours, but her eyes are brown and soft. And like Salacia's hair, this one has no antlers yet.
"So what will she be? A dragon princess?"
Manas lets out a low laugh.
"Hahaha... but of course, mine king. 'Tis obvious, is it not? She is our dragon princess — born of a magnificent king and a dragon queen."
"Yeah, good to know that."
She accepts the baby back with care. Her hair shifts as she lowers her head, kissing the child softly on the temple.
Next is Lilith. She offers her baby to me, and I take it and hold her close. Her skin is a soft blend of her tone and mine. Her eyes blink open, brown and deep. But again, no horns or wings yet.
"Think this one's already packing lethal charm?"
Lilith giggles under her breath.
"Fufufu... maybe. She still has succubus blood after all, honey. So it's definitely possible."
"Let's just hope it's not in her eyes. If it is, we'll have two Liliths in the house."
And her eyes sparkle.
"Mmm, now that sounds like a delicious idea… I can't wait to see her wearing glasses like mine someday..."
"Please, no..."
She giggles again, clearly enjoying herself.
"Hehehe... I understand. I'm just teasing."
I smile and return the baby to her arms. She cradles her daughter close and sways gently.
And finally, I walk to Brunhild. She offers me the child with both hands, and I gently take the baby. Her skin is as pale as her mother's, but with just a trace of warmth from my side. Her brown eyes open slowly like the others. And again, no halo yet.
"She looks the purest of them all. Maybe it's the angel blood?"
Brunhild lowers her eyes slightly, her voice soft and reverent.
"I cannot answer that question, my Lord. This is my first time witnessing a child born from a resident of Turivel. And to think... she is mine. I can scarce believe it still."
"Me too, Brunhild."
As I gently return the baby to her, I lean down and kiss her forehead and whisper to her.
"Thank you, Brunhild… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
A soft red creeps across her cheeks, and for a moment, she simply gazes at me in silence before she speaks.
"Your words bring me joy beyond anything I have known, my Lord. Never in my life have I felt this kind of happiness. And it is only because of you."
"Thank you, Brunhild. Again."
Leaving her side, I turn toward Lilith and lean down, kissing her forehead gently.
"Thank you, Lilith… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
Her eyes widen slightly. A rare blush colors her ivory cheeks as she exhales softly, almost like a sigh she didn't expect.
"Honey... I never thought a succubus like me could actually have something like this. Someone like her. But now I know it's real, and I'm so, so thankful…"
"Thank you, Lilith. Again."
I reach out and rest my hand briefly on hers before moving on to Manas and doing the same.
"Thank you, Manas… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
Her cheeks turn a soft, burning red as she speaks.
"My king, thou art too kind. I shall raise this child to become the most fearsome dragon princess this world hath ever known. That... I vow."
"Hahaha... I can't wait for that."
From there, I move to Salacia and repeat the same gesture.
"Thank you, Salacia… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
Her cheeks flush with a soft warmth as she whispers back.
"Darling, you've already given me everything. And I can't even imagine asking for more…"
"I'm glad to hear that."
My hand rests gently on hers as I give her a quiet smile before stepping toward Pinna. I kiss her forehead, and her body stills.
"Thank you, Pinna… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
A slow, clear red creeps across her cheeks as her voice turns soft.
"I appreciate the input, Master. This child will serve as a new bridge. One that allows me to collect unprecedented emotional data. I intend to process and store this experience for as long as possible. Ideally… permanently."
"We'll do it together, remember?"
"Understood, Master."
Next, I kiss Kimberly's forehead, blooming her cheeks red.
"Thank you, Kimberly… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
"Fufufu… you're right, Motegi-sama. Even an old elf... like me... can still… give life... to something this... precious…"
I smirk back at her, and she smiles again.
"You really are an old elf. Maybe I should tell our daughter her mom's actually a granny."
"That's… a little too much, I suppose."
"Hahaha..."
I squeeze her hand gently before moving to Chantal. When I kiss her forehead, she looks at me with wide eyes and a bashful grin.
"Thank you, Chantal… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
"Ahaha… I don't even know how to describe this. It's too good, too beautiful. It still doesn't feel real, Motegi-kun…"
"I feel the same way too."
Finally, I reach Yomogi. She's already looking up at me as I kiss her forehead.
"Thank you, Yomogi… for giving birth to such a beautiful baby."
Her cheeks flush a deep red as she exhales shakily.
"I still can't believe this is happening. After everything I've been through, I can have a family again. With you, everyone, and now our daughters. I'm more grateful than you could ever imagine, Motegi-chan..."
"I know. And none of this would've happened if we hadn't met."
She smiles, her eyes gleaming.
"You're right."
Yeah, I'm not lying. These girls, these babies, and this future wouldn't have existed if she hadn't walked up to my little street stall that day and timidly asked for soap in exchange for that Green Coil tendril back then.
Because that single moment has bloomed into everything, as Yomogi becomes the spark toward this paradise we now call life…