Waking up in the morning, Kiana opened her eyes and stared at the clean white ceiling.
Hugging a soft pillow and lying on a plush bed that felt like it could swallow her whole, Kiana rubbed the lingering sleep from her eyes.
She sat up, stretched languidly, and the hem of her light pink pajamas lifted, revealing a cute and playful belly.
"It's eight o'clock already..."
Glancing at the alarm clock on the bedside table, Kiana jumped out of bed and walked over to the wardrobe, slipping off the thin gauze nightgown she was wearing.
However, just as she was about to pull open the wardrobe to get her White Comet armor, she caught her reflection in the mirror.
She placed her hands on her hips.
"Hehe, this young miss is a natural-born beauty!"
After striking a few alluring poses, Kiana giggled, then wrapped her graceful figure in the White Comet armor before putting on Otto's jacket over it.
There was no helping it. Otto was bigger than her, so when she wore his jacket, the hem was just long enough to cover her rear.
She gathered her belongings, putting everything back into her backpack. Noticing a small tear in the fabric, she took out a sewing kit and stitched it up.
Once she was done, Kiana picked up her bag and looked around the luxurious room.
Honestly, just a few days ago, she would never have imagined she could stay in a place like this. In the past, she had either lived in cheap hourly-rate motels or slept out in the open.
Leaving her room, Kiana walked to the door of the adjacent room, where her current boss was staying.
He's a good person.
Although Otto's first impression hadn't been great, Kiana had discovered that he wasn't the unrepentant villain she had imagined.
He was just a simple old rogue.
For the past two days, thanks to him, Kiana had been living very comfortably.
But why is he so good to me? Is it just because he knows my stinky old man?
Kiana didn't believe anyone would be that kind to another person for no reason.
However, she had already boarded this pirate ship, and it was too late to turn back now.
And even if she did turn back, where could she go? Back to aimlessly searching for Siegfried like before?
When you offer a single straw to a drowning person, she will grasp it without hesitation, regardless of whether it will actually help.
Kiana was exactly like that.
Just then, Kiana noticed that the door to Otto's room wasn't closed. It wasn't that he'd forgotten; the occupant had intentionally left it ajar.
Pushing the door open, Kiana saw that Otto wasn't in bed but was sitting on a chair.
His head was lowered, his golden hair obscuring much of his face. He only looked up when he heard the door open.
For some reason, as Kiana looked at Otto, she felt a strange sensation wash over her.
His deep, emerald eyes met hers, and Kiana's lips parted.
"Mo..."
The moment the word escaped her, Kiana came to a sharp realization. Why did she suddenly feel like Otto was a bit like her mother?
Am I an idiot?
She didn't even have any memories of her mother; she had lived with Siegfried her whole life. So why did looking into Otto's eyes give her the urge to throw herself into his arms?
Could it be that Otto is actually my...
No, no!
Kiana, has your brain broken!?
Kiana shook her head violently. Seeing her strange behavior, a faint smile appeared on Otto's face.
However, his smile was tinged with a complex emotion.
He, Otto Apocalypse, a bachelor for over five hundred years, was now qualified to be a mother.
Giving birth, breastfeeding, bathing, lulling to sleep—he had experienced all the essential childcare skills through Cecilia's perspective.
When he had first emerged from the Stigmata's memory, he had almost believed he was Cecilia.
When he asked the System about it afterward, it had simply replied.
[The Stigmata contains powerful memories. During the inscription process, the Host will experience the residual memories within the Stigmata, which will help increase the Host's compatibility with it.]
[The Cecilia Stigmata contains memories of three important nodes in her life.]
[As a child, being led by you into Schicksal. This was the beginning of Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie.]
[As a young woman, giving birth to Kiana Kaslana. Cecilia obtained the most precious treasure of her life.]
[And the third memory node is Cecilia's demise.]
The System had thoughtfully spoiled the memories of the Cecilia Schariac (T) and (B) stigmata, as if to say, Host, you're the one who pulled the (M) piece, so you can't blame the System.
Otto grimaced, but he could feel that his power had increased considerably, so it wasn't all bad.
He just needed to not lose himself and remember who he was.
"Why are you... why are you carrying your bag?"
At first, he spoke with Cecilia's gentle, water-like tone. The Stigmata's influence still lingered, and he quickly corrected himself.
He struggled to shed Cecilia's influence.
I want to be a daddy, not a mommy.
"D-Didn't you say we were going to Senba Academy today?"
"You can just leave your luggage here; you aren't staying in a dorm. Go put your things away, I'll wait for you. We'll head to Senba Academy after breakfast."
"Oh, oh." Kiana finally understood. So they were still staying here. "Wait for me a sec."
She ran back to her room with her bag. Otto watched her clumsy, hurried back and smiled.
He recalled the memory of Cecilia he had experienced.
"Cecilia was a good woman."
Otto remarked.
Was that the radiance of a mother?
Otto tried to recall his parents from before his transmigration, but he could never remember their faces or their names. Perhaps he had been an orphan?
He didn't dwell on it. There was no going back now anyway.
Remembering would only add to his sorrow.
Right now, Otto felt an inexplicable sense of open-mindedness.
Perhaps this was the feeling one gets after experiencing motherhood.
"Still, I really would like to have a child."
Kiana, having put her things away, returned just in time to hear Otto's words. Her expression froze.
Good grief, why is this guy always trying to get me pregnant?
"No way in hell."
Kiana said, covering her stomach. Otto raised an eyebrow at her, a playful smile on his face. He stood up and walked toward her.
For every step Otto took forward, Kiana took one back.
This continued until Kiana's back was pressed against the wall in the hallway, with nowhere left to retreat.
"W-What are you doing!?"
Realizing her reaction seemed a bit cowardly, Kiana grew flustered and angry. She put her hands on her hips and took a step toward Otto.
But Otto didn't retreat, and Kiana didn't dare to take another step.
Because if she did, her ample chest would press against his.
"Don't you want to experience it? The feeling of home?"
"No, no, no, no." Kiana waved her hands frantically. "I don't want to experience it."
"Why not? Aren't you looking for Siegfried precisely for a family?" Otto asked, feigning confusion. "But, even if Siegfried isn't here, I can give you the feeling of home."
"That's different!" Kiana cried out. "And... it's too much trouble."
Ten months is way too long.
Besides, you're just a good person.
"Why would you think it's troublesome? All you have to do is open your mouth."
Otto continued to tease Kiana.
"I-It's that simple? Do you think I'm an idiot!?"
Kiana was stunned. She wasn't some naive simpleton who didn't understand anything.
"Of course." Otto flashed a mocking grin. "Can't you just call me 'Daddy' to immediately experience the feeling of home?"
"Eh? No way, no way?"
"My cute little kitten, could it be that you were thinking of something else?"