"Hehe, the baby's healthy."
"Thanks, Elia."
After the commotion at the motel, I'd been quickly transferred to Saint Elia's church and safely given birth.
"Giving birth in your forties is considered a late pregnancy, so it must've been pretty tough on you."
I gently stroked the soft hair of the baby suckling at my breast in my arms as I listened intently to Elia's assessment.
"But your uterus is incredibly sturdy, and with such wide hips befitting an 8th Circle physique, the birth went smoothly despite being so close to menopause."
"...Should I be happy about this?"
According to her, even at an age nearing menopause, my womb—worthy of 8th Circle—handled the sudden labor without issue.
And thanks to my ridiculously huge ass, the baby had slipped right out.
"That's not what I meant! I was saying you have the perfect hips for an easy delivery..."
"Same difference."
Anyway, this child was undoubtedly mine and Zephyros's...
But calling us husband and wife felt off, and I had my own circumstances making it hard to raise a kid right now.
"For now, I'll look after the baby with support from the Hunter Association, so don't worry."
"Yeah, thanks."
"Hehe, you have to visit once a week, okay? Otherwise, the baby will forget her mom's face."
"I-I'll... try."
Elia worked as a healer while also running her church and clinic, often serving as a wet nurse for hunters' children.
Hunter couples deployed to the front lines rarely had time for childcare, so they hired lots of babysitters.
With the Hunter Association's backing, Elia's church functioned like a public daycare, tended by numerous nuns caring for the kids.
She truly lived up to the title of "Saint" with her selfless devotion.
"I could raise her, no problem..."
"Zephyros, your place is a mess. It'd be bad for the kid's development."
"Haha..."
Zephyros muttered dazedly to himself, and when I called him out, he scratched his head sheepishly.
Still, since I gave birth to her, I should name her myself, right?
"What should we name our little one?"
"Hmm, not sure."
"How about Epiros? Combining Ersia and Zephyros."
"Haha! Not bad at all!"
He seemed pleased with my thoughtful suggestion, nodding as he gazed at the baby.
...Epiros, so nice to meet you like this.
Let's meet again sometime.
"Feels like I'm fully recovered now. Can I head out?"
"Huh? You're still in postpartum recovery."
"I'm fine, really."
"Hmm! At least have some seaweed soup before you go."
I quickly finished the hearty seaweed soup Elia had prepared with such care, and we said our reluctant goodbyes.
...There was still so much I had to do.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Swishhhh.
"I've definitely gotten stronger."
After giving birth to that man's child, as the status window indicated, my latent mana had awakened, surging even more fiercely than before.
Getting stronger through childbirth, of all things. I couldn't help but let out a wry chuckle.
"Now, who's next?"
But if this is the way to protect everyone, I'll gladly do it.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Male 2 - Birth of S-Rank 10th Zephyros's child complete! Promotion progress: 1/100 people]
As if on cue, the status window popped up to confirm the success.
Meaning it was time to present the next target.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙Select the male you want to get impregnated by.
*Caution! Males outside the choices won't count.
You must select one to proceed to the next!
Unselected males remain in future choices.
1. Goblin Emperor Alexander. 2. Heinous Titty Enthusiast.
"Urgh..."
Why are the choices always like this?
Neither sounds remotely normal.
But... better the enthusiast than a goblin...?
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙[Male 2 - Selected S-Rank 9th Lightning!]
"Huh."
No way... That "titty enthusiast" was Lightning, the guy always trailing behind me like a puppy.
At least he's human... but recalling our dizzying first encounter made my head throb.
Is this really okay?
"Haa..."
And so, I recalled the massive junior from seven years ago, buried in faint memories.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hello! I'm Lightning, the 21-year-old hunter newly joining the Association!!"
"Welcome, newbie. I'll introduce you to the seniors."
The black-haired young man boomed his energetic greeting to the veterans.
Hunters gathered to check out the fresh newbie, and as his senior began introductions...
"Who's that stunning woman with the killer curves?"
"...Of all people, you had to fixate on her."
Lightning's eyes suddenly locked on a distant silver-haired woman, and his senior sighed familiarly.
Their gazes fell on Ersia—her bountiful breasts, slim waist, and voluptuous hips.
Her glossy silver hair cascading to her waist only amplified her beauty...
But the heavy silence and ominous aura around her deterred anyone from approaching.
"That's current S-Rank 1st Ersia, the legend of the hunter world and our spiritual pillar. Countless hunters still walk the path of justice under her guidance."
"She's smoking hot. Can I confess?"
"She's 40 now, and thanks to her untouchable vibe and overwhelming power, guys who hit on her fled in terror. The idiots who didn't learn ended up regretting it hard."
"Watch closely, then. Lightning's first act."
"You mad bastard."
Ignoring his senior's warnings, Lightning boldly approached her.
"Lady Ersia! Love at first sight!! Date me!!"
"Huh...?"
The icy beauty Ersia tilted her head in confusion at his sudden confession.
"Didn't your senior tell you? I'm..."
"I know! But I couldn't hold back after seeing those massive tits!!"
"Eek?!"
Far from flattered, she responded with a sour expression.
...Silently covering her prominent chest over her clothes.
"Kid, how old are you?"
"21."
"When you were in kindergarten with snot running down your nose, I was already rolling in the trenches."
"..."
"Whatever, young people make mistakes..."
"Totally doable."
"?"
But his shameless reply made her eyes widen.
"Hearing that made my dick rock hard. Take responsibility."
"Uh..."
"To me, women are like wine—the riper, the more intoxicating the aroma!"
Only then did Ersia realize the man before her was deranged.
Getting horny over older women? Definitely not normal.
Best to brush him off vaguely here...
"Haa... Fine, if you hit S-Rank, I'll think about it..."
"Rakkiiiyaaaaahouuu!!!!"
"..."
Even to her half-hearted reply, he danced with joy, and Ersia stared in bewilderment.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
After that, the man threw himself into countless battles.
- Kaboom!!!
"Kuhahaha! Lightning, was it? Rookie daring to..."
Of course, the world was full of the strong, and Lightning suffered defeats...
- Thud!!
"Ahhh!!! I wanna fuck Ersia so bad!!!!"
"What."
Yet even battered, he rose with iron will, charging fiercely at foes.
All for her acknowledgment—and to claim Ersia.
"Die! Atomic Bomber!!"
- Kwaaaaa!!!
Time passed, and rookie Lightning earned A-Rank fame, but he still got trampled and took lethal hits.
"I'm tougher than ever now, like my dick when I think of Ersia."
"What?!"
But no matter how wrecked, he endured by picturing his beloved.
"What the hell is that? Scary."
Naturally, Ersia felt chills every time he rampaged.
Going all out for one 40s auntie—what was his game...?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
"Hahaha!!!! Lady Ersia, I've finally reached S-Rank."
"Huuuaaa..."
Just a month ago, Lightning ascended to the S-Rank ranks he'd craved.
A feat in mere six years, unprecedented outside Ersia.
"Now! Let me savor that aged wine!"
"Ah... ugh..."
Before the promotion ceremony even ended, he bolted to Ersia, yelling.
His face lit up like a kid eyeing Christmas gifts, brimming with excitement.
Why didn't I just reject him then and there!
"Ahaha... I need to promote my circles soon, so I'm busy. Can you give me a little time?"
"Ooooh!!! You'll ripen more first?! I'm all for it."
"..."
Of all the monsters she'd faced, this man terrified her most.
How was every word laced with madness?
Thus, while stalling their "promise" and seeking alternatives...
"Rakkiiiyaatttthooooouuu!!!! Damn it! Ersia, into my arms!!!!"
"Eh...?"
In the end, with the status window singling him out, escape was impossible.
Anyway, with the Association's help, I met him and explained everything. Lightning was overjoyed before my eyes.
"L-Lightning, you sure? There are plenty of young, pretty girls..."
"Tsk tsk, those are factory wines, not properly aged. Worthless compared to your 47-year vintage, Lady Ersia."
"What's with the wine obsession..."
His words still baffled me, but since I needed his child, I nodded along.
"Hehe, Lady Ersia."
"Hm?"
As I zoned out, Lightning suddenly knelt with soulful eyes, offering his hand.
"It's an honor to be with a beauty like you. I'll make this the happiest memory of your life."
"O-Okay."
Yeah, like with Zephyros... this is all karma.
So, time to man up and face it.
"Before we date, wear this outfit for me."
Swish.
But seeing the clothes he handed me, I couldn't hide my shock.
"This is the Hunter Academy uniform..."
"Rahahahaha!!!! Nothing beats a mature woman blushing in age-inappropriate clothes!"
...Should I run now?