While they were returning inside the house, Ghislaine seemed visibly ill‑tempered. Her steps were heavy, her eyes half‑closed, and her arms crossed beneath her breasts.
Next to her, Aisha watched the woman with a worried expression, until she sighed deeply.
"Ghislaine... you know your pregnancy is not ordinary. There are only three months left until the birth. We have to be cautious..."
Leo barked in approval. The Sacred Beast walked just behind the two, with his snout raised and his gaze attentive.
Ghislaine's pregnancy had proceeded relatively normally until just over a month ago. But then complications began.
The child moved a lot inside the womb, kicked forcefully, and twisted frequently.
Even at only five months of gestation, the movements were intense enough to cause internal injuries in an ordinary woman and, under normal circumstances, could even lead to a miscarriage.
But Ghislaine was far from an ordinary woman. She was one of the most deadly warriors of the current era.
Despite the pain and discomfort, she endured with relative ease.
Still, the best thing was that Verdia was there to help. She had become much stronger in the last year; perhaps she was the one who had grown the most among Rygar's wives.
She used Healing Magic to heal Ghislaine's wounds and the crisis was more or less averted.
Less than five minutes later, Rygar appeared like lightning at the entrance of the house, claiming he had a bad feeling and returned at full speed.
Upon being informed of the situation, he began spending much more time by Ghislaine's side, often not going to the Combat Temple and training nearby, or studying magic instead.
Ghislaine, for her part, was forbidden from engaging in any kind of intense training.
The decree was issued by Rygar, supported by Verdia, by Selene, and even by Eris — a union of forces that Ghislaine could not overcome.
"I've now gone a full month without practicing!" she said, grinding her teeth. "Do you remember how long it's been since this last happened?"
She looked at Aisha, who responded only with a curious glance.
Ghislaine huffed.
"You wouldn't remember... because I don't even remember!" she exclaimed, exasperated.
"As far as I can remember, I've never gone so long without practicing swordsmanship..."
Aisha tried to suppress the laughter that welled up.
"Well, that's how pregnancy works. Yours is special even among the special."
The two continued walking, now near the entrance of the house. When Ghislaine discovered she was pregnant, her happiness was immediate — albeit contained.
But the one who truly exploded with emotion was Rygar. The ear‑to‑ear smile that spread across his face that day seemed glued on and refused to leave it.
He was so excited that, not knowing what to do with so much accumulated energy, he ran into a forest and destroyed everything in his path... fortunately without using magic.
The level of happiness Rygar exuded was so great that it spread throughout the Kingdom as a blessing.
For several days, everyone enjoyed a Beast God at the peak of good humor. He spent long minutes simply watching Ghislaine, his eyes full of emotion, without saying a single word.
His family and closest friends could swear they had never seen Rygar so happy in their entire lives.
Eris, in turn, became even more active by Rygar's side. She also wanted to produce an heir for him.
But even with Rygar's incessant libido and his restless nights, Eris had still not become pregnant. The lineage barrier still prevented her.
But Eris was persistent. She did not give up easily. Because of that, the nights in the house sometimes became quite loud, especially when Verdia and Eris both went to Rygar's room at the same time...
Ghislaine and Aisha gradually arrived at the main room of the house. Inside, a beast‑like woman with silver hair and light red eyes was serving the table with a variety of foods.
She wore a simple but clean apron. It was Selene Adoldia, Rygar's mother.
Noticing the entrance of the two, she raised her eyes and commented:
"Hm? Ghislaine, what were you doing out there?"
Before Ghislaine could respond, Aisha laughed in a mischievous tone:
"She was training..."
At that moment, a human woman with blond hair entered the room, carrying more trays of food. It was Zenith Greyrat, who was helping in the kitchen.
Behind her appeared a little girl of about five years, with hair as silver as Selene's, but with eyes of a vibrant, almost shimmering red.
The girl ran through the room with contagious energy.
"Sister Aisha! Sister Aisha!"
Aisha crouched down with a gentle smile.
"Hello, little one! What's wrong?"
The little girl smiled widely.
"I managed to use Sonic Boom! Now I'm an Intermediate‑level mage?!"
Aisha's smile froze. Leo immediately lowered his ears and hid under the table, as if he knew what was coming next.
Ghislaine, taking advantage of the distraction, tried to slip out of the room stealthily.
But it was too late.
"Ghislaine. Ruby. Aisha."
Selene's voice cut through the air like a blade. The three girls froze in place, immediately recognizing the tone of warning.
Zenith sighed, continuing to set the table as if she were already used to it. The three being reprimanded assumed motionless positions in front of Selene.
Ghislaine was being reprimanded for training while pregnant — a serious infraction, given Selene's intense concern for her future grandchild's safety.
Selene would not accept excuses. Ghislaine, even being a Legendary Swordswoman, dared not go against her mother‑in‑law.
Aisha and Ruby were also in trouble, but for a different reason. Rygar had taught basic magic to the younger sister from an early age.
Ruby was not a natural prodigy, but she was not bad either. Starting young had given her an advantage.
Aisha had assumed the responsibility of supervising the training, with the clear rule: no Intermediate‑level magic yet.
But Ruby had learned one. And that meant Aisha had taught it.
And what's more, Ruby dared to practice magic without a responsible tutor watching her!
The three listened to the scoldings in absolute silence.
Meanwhile, Zenith finished arranging the dishes on the table. It was at that moment that Norn Greyrat entered the room and came face to face with Aisha being reprimanded.
A satisfied and amused smile immediately appeared on her lips.
"Hm. This day is being wonderful..." she whispered under her breath.
---
What had gathered them all in that house today was Rygar.
He had called them all to announce an important piece of news.
Selene lived with Hontar, her husband and Rygar's father, and also with her daughter Ruby. Their house was not far from Rygar's, which made visits frequent.
Rygar's house was home to Eris, Verdia, Ghislaine, and Rygar himself. Aisha also had a room there, and although she often slept there, she also lived sometimes with Zenith.
The situation of some of these people was complicated, emotionally speaking.
Zenith and Norn, for example, were living in their own house in the Great Forest.
Zenith had spent a long time resentful towards Rygar over Paul's death, even understanding the reasons that had led him to make that decision.
Deep down, even if she hid it deeply, she still held resentment. Paul was not the most exemplary man, but Zenith loved him, and knew she was loved by him.
Over time, Zenith resigned herself. Rygar had spared her and her family.
Furthermore, members of the Latreia family who had not committed serious crimes were kept alive, though without titles or power. Zenith understood that Rygar had not killed Paul on purpose.
It was a war, and he had made a quick decision in a moment of crisis. She knew there were not many options at that moment.
However, the real reason she kept a certain emotional distance was another: no one in that house seemed especially friendly towards her son, Rudeus.
At first, she was unaware of the details of the conflict between Rudeus, Sylphiette, and the Iron Legion, but that changed over time. She discovered that it began when they tried to kill Rygar.
That was unforgivable for many there. Ghislaine, a great friend of Zenith, declared openly that she would kill Rudeus if she saw him. Aisha, Rudeus's half‑sister, also expressed the same desire.
And that without counting the other superiors of the Kingdom of Gaia, who considered Rudeus a mortal enemy after the attacks they suffered at his hands.
Rudeus and Sylphiette killed several members of the Legion during their passage through Milis. Such a blood feud was not resolved with words, but with more blood.
Tallhand, now residing in the territory of the dwarves, declared that he would not take sides. Elinalise was missing, having set out to find Rudeus and inform him of his family's safety.
Zenith was anxious. She knew her son was powerful, but she also knew he was still far from being able to face Rygar. Unless he had reached a new level of strength, facing him would be suicide.
Despite all that, Zenith's current life was not bad. She grew very attached to Aisha, and treated her with the same affection as a daughter.
To her surprise and joy, she also managed to develop a strong relationship with Norn. After the war and many 'lessons in humility' passed by Aisha, Norn changed.
Her difficult personality had been shaped, and one of the results was her seeing Zenith as a true maternal figure.
Aisha treated Zenith as a second mother. And, in a way, treated Selene as a third.
Zenith realized that Aisha's concept of family was quite unique. She did not remember her original family, only her mother when she was a baby, and then she had the Beast God group.
Lilia was her biological mother, of course.
But Ghislaine and Eris were older sisters, strong and inspiring. Rygar was her master and mentor, who taught her all kinds of skills.
The late Eidar was like a father figure, teaching her values and morals. Geese Nukadia, an eccentric uncle who taught her tricks and deceit.
Skoll, the Rank A wolf, was her faithful pet.
Although an unorthodox family, Aisha absorbed the best of each... probably.
Overall, Aisha had learned from all of them that relationships are worth as much as the dedication invested in them.
She gained friends, allies, and respect.
But for Zenith, the act of treating her genuinely as a mother was what warmed her heart. And at the same time, generated conflict.
How could she be so close to Aisha when she wanted to kill her half‑brother?
Zenith loved Rudeus, after all, he was her son. But she also knew that he had always been somewhat distant with her. Aisha, on the other hand, was warm, helpful, caring. And much more present.
Some months before, they had learned that Lilia was traveling to Milis, after learning of Paul's death and Zenith's situation.
She had not yet found Rudeus, wherever he was.
Had everything gone as planned, he would be studying at the Ranoa Magic University, with Sylphie and perhaps Roxy, having already rescued Sylphie's mother.
Zenith feared. How would Rudeus react to knowing all this? To learning of his father's death? Would Elinalise encourage him to take revenge?
There were many questions. No answers. For now, all she could do was take care of Norn and Aisha. Take care of the family she still had close to her.
In the end, she had no power to change the situation. Neither strength nor a clear conviction of what she wanted to change.
Her hope now resided in Lilia. Maybe she, who had at least some influence over Rygar, could mediate some reconciliation. Maybe...
As Zenith finished serving the table and Selene continued reprimanding the girls, the door opened discreetly.
The man, seeing the situation before him, tried to retire, closing the door slowly as if he had never appeared.
"Hontar!" Selene's voice resonated.
A resigned sigh was heard. The door opened completely, and a middle‑aged beast‑man entered smiling, as if nothing had happened.
It was Hontar Adoldia. He looked around, pretending not to see his daughter's pleading look, and said:
"Leo, come with me. Let's play a bit."
The Sacred Beast hurried over to him, wagging his tail. The two disappeared to another room of the house.
Ruby watched in silence, with narrowed eyes. That paternal betrayal had been noticed. And, silently, it was marked in her heart.
---
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