Chapter 453 Toward Paternity Leave
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
For a while after that, I focused on producing magic circuits and overseeing my disciples. Eventually, I had to leave them to their own devices as I began scrambling across the country to tie up loose ends. Naturally, it was all for the sake of the children soon to be born.
It felt exactly like a modern professional taking paternity leave-contacting every department, finishing what could be finished, and delegating the rest so things would run smoothly in my absence.
Of course, no such formal system exists in this world, so I couldn’t simply walk away from my responsibilities. However, most of my associates are well aware of my devotion to my children-especially after witnessing the birth of my beloved Lily-so they’ve been surprisingly cooperative.
As for the major events during this period, the first was the arrival of a diplomatic mission from the Kingdom of Coalmine. Unlike their last visit, Princess Ierse was absent. It seems she is pregnant with the Prince’s child, making a long journey out of the question. Furthermore, my brother-in-law, Count Martin Popol, and their lead court mage, Kushe, didn’t accompany the group either.
It seems that even Martin and Kushe have reached a point where they can no longer neglect their duties in Coalmine. Knowing those two, however, they’re probably clawing for any excuse to head back this way.
The one who came in their stead to deliver the news was none other than Prince Gilliam, the husband of Lady Ierse. A royal visit two years in a row seemed like overkill-the previous ceasefire was one thing, but this felt excessive. It turned out Lady Ierse had essentially lit a fire under him to make the trip.
His official mission was to take delivery of the “Ddo-Buddy Cannons”¹-the payment for resolving the “Stampede” incident-and to scout our shop’s latest inventory. Given the sheer destructive power of those cannons, his visit wasn’t entirely unjustified.
In fact, regarding the cannons, we reached a formal agreement: neither nation will deploy them near the borders, and any increase in production requires mutual consent. However, according to the Prince, Lady Ierse was far more interested in our shop’s “latest trends” than the military hardware.
Specifically, she requested a bulk order of “Wriggly-type” products. Apparently, she intends to use them as leverage in her political shadow wars within the palace and against the nobility. I didn’t quite follow her logic, but the Prince looked utterly dejected, clutching a box full of ddos as if his soul had left his body.
I was also told to notify them the moment we developed new products. As a gesture of goodwill, I sent him off with a “Night Light Wand” for a trial run.
He gave me a complicated look, though he managed to force out a polite, “My thanks. I’m sure my wife will be… pleased.” As he walked away, he looked like a man heading toward his own execution. Good luck, pal. Stay strong for your wife.
However, I suspect the true purpose of Prince Gilliam’s visit had nothing to do with cannons or new products. My suspicions were all but confirmed when Lady Unia, daughter of the Duke of Greter, arrived shortly after from the Kingdom of Ferguson to the west.
Her official excuse was a progress report on the post-Stampede reconstruction, but her real target was clearly the next King of our nation: the King’s younger brother, Lord Roland. As soon as Lady Unia entered the palace, she reportedly tried to pounce on him, only to be restrained by General Sachet.
It seems their love blossomed quite aggressively during their time apart; witnesses claimed they could practically see hearts floating in Lady Unia’s eyes. I suppose my efforts in ghostwriting those love letters for Roland were a bit too effective.
With her acting that head-over-heels, it’s no surprise that young Roland couldn’t keep his composure. It would be a miracle for a healthy, virginal boy to stay level-headed while being smothered by a beautiful, sophisticated older woman. He fell just as hard, and the two of them became the palace’s most sickeningly sweet “idiot couple.”
The display was so intense it actually sparked a debate in the palace over whether Lady Unia posed a diplomatic security risk. Fortunately, after the generals gave Roland some “strict guidance” to snap him back to his senses, he managed to shut down the opposition. I swear, I don’t know who he takes after.
However, Her Majesty the Queen noted that the commotion wasn’t entirely without merit. Regardless of Lady Unia’s personal feelings, King William of Ferguson clearly intends to move his kingdom closer to ours.
The letter Lady Unia delivered from the King stated that he had already secured permission for the marriage from her father and her brother, the heir to the Dukedom of Greter.
Previous intel suggested that her father and brother doted on her so much they would never let her go easily. The fact that this was settled so quickly means King William-and likely Unia herself-went to incredible lengths to persuade them.
With most of the nobility and bureaucracy already won over, there are almost no obstacles left. Barring a catastrophe, the marriage will likely be finalized as soon as Lord Roland reaches adulthood.
This makes Lady Ierse’s intentions clear. The Kingdom of Coalmine has a friendship with us, but now their old ally, the Kingdom of Ferguson, is making a massive power play. From Coalmine’s perspective, they’re at risk of being sidelined.
That explains Prince Gilliam’s sudden visit. Lady Ierse must have sniffed out Unia’s arrival and decided to counter. If Ferguson sends the future Queen of Canaria, then Coalmine sends the future King of Coalmine.
It’s all speculation, but the circumstantial evidence is damning. Knowing the woman who dreamed up the “Ddo-Buddy Trade Zone,” she’s exactly the type to have that kind of tactical foresight.
For our country, it’s a tricky balancing act, but having both neighbors competing for our favor isn’t a bad position to be in. I discussed as much with the Queen.
In other news, negotiations with the maritime nation of Sylvaol to the southwest are moving forward, and work has begun on the North-South Trade Route. Additionally, the factory in the territory of the Viscount of Nixfen has finally gone online.
These are all positive developments, but one event nearly gave me a heart attack: the “Father-in-Law Assembly.”² The former Viscount of Nixfen, Mr. Tail, visited the capital to meet with Duke Badcage, Mr. Ouka of the Garou Merchant Guild, and Slop, the chief of the dog-beastmen.
I’ll work myself to the bone, I’ll devote every waking hour to your daughters, and I’ll be the best father those kids ever had-just please, have mercy. My silent prayers seem to have worked for now; I haven’t been summoned to their “assembly” yet, and they’ve all been perfectly cordial to my face.
It’s not quite on the level of international diplomacy, but I’ll do whatever it takes to keep those terrifying men happy.
As I look back on it all, life has been its usual mix of hectic and exhausting. My only lingering concern is the silence from the East. We sent the Assassin back to the Wielope Empire, and the “Holy City” should be furious that their “Holy Figure” hasn’t returned, yet we’ve heard nothing from either.
The lack of trouble is a relief, but it feels like the eerie quiet before the hammer drops. I’d almost prefer a formal protest or a threatening letter-at least then I’d know what they were planning.
In the end, I was unable to grasp even a shred of information. And so, harboring a faint sense of anxiety, the day finally arrived for our household.
It was time. My beloved elf, Tania, was going into labor.
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Summary:
The protagonist prepares for paternity leave while navigating complex international diplomacy. Both the Coalmine and Ferguson kingdoms are competing for favor through royal visits and marriage proposals. The chapter ends with the start of Tania’s labor.
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Trivia:
- Princess Ierse is pregnant, preventing her from traveling.
- The ‘Ddo-Buddy Cannons’ are military-grade weapons derived from adult goods.
- The protagonist ghostwrote love letters for Lord Roland, which worked too well.
- The Wielope Empire and the Holy City have gone suspiciously silent.
- The ‘Father-in-Law Assembly’ consists of high-ranking men whose daughters the protagonist has ‘conquered’
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Character Insight:
The protagonist shows a mix of modern professional responsibility and genuine fear toward the powerful fathers of his partners. Lord Roland has transitioned from a virginal boy to one half of an ‘idiot couple.’
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes the accidental name overlap between Prince Gilliam and King William, admitting a lack of interest in naming young male characters.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Martin – Lily’s non-blood-related younger brother. Considered the strongest candidate to succeed the Popol family due to his lineage and manifested ‘power. He has pink hair.
• Ierse – The Crown Princess and wife of Gilliam, originally from a foreign land. She is described as lively and healthy with a unique charm. She wants to cheer up her husband. Has long haired hair.
• Kushe – Chief Mage of the Coalmine Kingdom—a blunt, mischievous court mage and Kento’s companion. Dark green hair worn haphazardly under a loose robe, she’s assertive, knee-complaining, and leaks secrets to push things forward.
• Gilliam – The Crown Prince of the Coalmine Kingdom. He is described as simple and naive, often overwhelmed by his lively wife’s energy. He is stressed by the ongoing war.
• Unia – The third daughter of the house of Duke Greiter. Has blonde hair tied in an intricate style, dol-like beauty, and expressionless face.
• Roland – he younger brother of Queen Cecile and the heir apparent to the Canaria throne. Clean, golden-blonde hair, same color as the Queen, innocent, beautiful face that could be mistaken for a girl but dressed in a boy’s formal wear.
• Sachet – A General of the Ferguson Kingdom. An old soldier who is deppuri (corpulent/fat) but possesses thick muscle beneath the fat.
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• Ouka – The middle-aged head of the Garou Merchant Guild, known for leather goods and accessories. He is a prominent figure using his own family’s experience to advocate for the ‘Tremble Ddo-Buddy’. Have gray wolf ears and wear merchant attire.
• Slop – Leader of the hound-kin pack; Laika’s father. Has orange hair and fluffy tail.
• Tail – Former Viscount Nixfen and Ray’s father. A master craftsman with rugged, calloused, and scarred hands. Stern expression, socially awkward, and proud of his family’s ‘specialized’ trade.
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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