As the night passed and the starry sky of the Great Forest emerged, the atmosphere in the house grew more tranquil.
Ruby, the little ball of energy, began rubbing her eyes, drowsy.
With an understanding smile, Selene approached and gently ran her hand through her hair, while Hontar stood up. They had decided it was time to return home.
Shortly after, Linia and Pursena also decided to leave, saying their goodbyes with carefree smiles and the usual teasing jokes.
Then, Zenith and Norn also chose to withdraw, leaving the house even more tranquil.
Aisha, on the other hand, did not follow them. Instead, she announced naturally:
"I'm going out to hunt a bit. I want to test a new magic I'm developing."
She soon vanished among the trees of the forest.
If it were any other ten-year-old child, that would sound absurd. But Aisha was different.
From an early age, she had displayed uncommon intelligence, a keen mind, and an extraordinary understanding.
Everyone in the Kingdom of Gaia knew she was not an ordinary child—and therefore, her freedom of action was greater, as long as she always made her intentions clear.
Aisha was not only strong. Her cunning, her analytical vision, and her capacity for learning placed her above the other geniuses of her generation.
Compared to Rygar at that age, she almost matched him in magical talent.
Her aptitude with the sword was lesser, but still remarkable: at only ten years old, she had reached the Advanced level in Water God Style—the same age at which Eris had become an Advanced swordswoman in Sword God Style.
Reaching higher levels, however, required more than talent. Since Aisha was more focused on mastering the magic schools, she had no time to train diligently in fencing.
Even so, a mage with almost all schools at the Saint level and a swordswoman at the Advanced level at ten years old was something staggering.
Much of her success came from her master: Rygar, the Beast God. Beginning her training so early allowed her to utilize her full potential.
She had been manipulating mana since the age of two, depleting her reserves every day.
Recently, upon reaching ten years of age, her accelerated growth had stagnated, indicating that she had reached her approximate limit in magical expansion.
Still, her mana reserve was already greater than that of Rufus, Lisena, Verdia, and everyone else in the Kingdom of Gaia—with the exception of Rygar.
By Rygar's estimates, her capacity had reached the threshold of God level.
If nothing out of the ordinary happened, Aisha was destined to become a legendary figure, like the Armored Dragon King Perugius or the Flaming Emperor Feroze Star.
The only reason she was not considered the greatest genius of her generation was Rygar himself. His deeds were so grand that they overshadowed any other.
With everyone's departure, only Ghislaine, Verdia, Eris, Leo, and Rygar remained in the house. Ghislaine retired early to sleep, accompanied by Verdia shortly thereafter.
Rygar, for his part, remained on the house's balcony. Seated on a sofa made of animal pelts with his legs crossed, spine straight and eyes closed, he meditated in silence.
The night breeze gently blew through the trees, bringing with it the fresh scent of the forest. He was controlling the flow of his own mana as training while reflecting on the next steps.
At his side, Leo, the Sacred Beast, rested tranquilly, lying in harmony with his master.
The Doldia's Sacred Beast seemed to have grown fond of Rygar since he was just a child.
Their encounters in childhood had been few because Rygar had always been very busy at that time, trying to initiate a change throughout the beast race's society.
Even so, there was a connection there. But it was only when Rygar definitively returned to the Great Forest, now as a young adult, that that bond truly solidified.
Leo—the name Rygar chose for the creature after realizing it did not intend to stray from his side—had become a constant, almost inseparable presence.
Technically, the Sacred Beast was supposed to accompany the hero destined to save the world. When Leo began to follow Rygar and his family everywhere, no one in the Kingdom of Gaia questioned it.
Rygar was already considered a literal God by most of his followers; calling him a "hero" was merely adding another title to his name, a title that, moreover, he had held since he defeated the Immortal Demon King, Badigadi.
Leo's decision to become the guardian of the Beast God's family and his faithful companion was seen as something natural, a perfect fit.
Who was not so pleased with this was Skoll, the Ebony Wolf under Rygar's command. Still, over time, even he grew accustomed to Leo's presence.
After all, following a brief dispute, Leo had proven his superiority, and even Skoll had to accept this hierarchy.
During his stay in Milis, Rygar had access to a few ancient records on Summoning Magic.
They were not many, but enough for him to formulate basic magical contracts with the creatures that followed him: Ezkalor, Skoll, and Leo.
These contracts did not allow him to summon them directly, but they guaranteed him knowledge of each one's location, establishing a magical bond between them.
What Rygar did not yet know was whether Leo was by his side because of him… or because of one of his descendants.
For now, he would believe it was for him, although he had no idea of how to save the world or who he would be fighting against.
Regardless of the origin of that loyalty, Leo was an exceptional companion, a true bodyguard.
As Rygar meditated on the house's balcony, his breathing was calm and even.
And Leo was in perfect harmony, eyes half-closed and alert, as if sharing his master's serenity.
And then, a new presence entered the balcony.
The air was filled with a gentle scent of lavender. Light steps approached, rhythmic and confident. A faint steam still rose from the skin of the figure approaching, a remnant of a recent bath.
Her long red hair was loose, with a dewy sheen that captured the starlight.
The woody, natural scent of the strands mixed with the perfume of her skin. She wore only a white towel, which barely covered her athletic and graceful silhouette, revealing curves sculpted by constant training.
Eris.
She made a silent gesture to Leo, who lifted his head calmly. Rygar had already sensed her approach, but did not react.
The beast, understanding the gesture, stood up and left the balcony with a light trot, going to join Verdia and Ghislaine inside the house.
Now, only the two of them remained.
Eris approached in absolute silence, like a hunter ready to strike. Her eyes were fixed on Rygar.
And, without warning, she sat on his lap suddenly, wrapping her arms around him from behind his neck, the touch of her still warm and damp skin contrasting with the coolness of the night.
Eris's scent and presence flooded Rygar's senses. He opened his eyes slowly, a knowing smile forming on his lips.
The woman before him displayed a provocative smile, her eyes shining with something between challenge and affection. Her arms remained resting on his shoulders, pulling him closer.
He slid one of his arms along her back, passing under her still damp hair, and murmured playfully:
"What do I owe this visit, my lady?"
Eris pouted and turned her face slightly, a light blush spreading across her cheeks.
Rygar found it fascinating how, even after so much time and so many nights together, she still reacted like this to simple provocations.
Eris spoke in a timid tone, averting her gaze.
"You know what I want..."
Rygar moved closer, a smile on his lips, and whispered in her ear:
"But where's the fun in that...? I want to hear you say it..."
Eris's face turned red as a tomato.
But what caught Rygar's attention was not just the blush: for a brief moment, he perceived something more—a hint of confusion, perhaps even fear.
A gleam of insecurity passed through her eyes, and that made him stop.
Gently, he adjusted her position on his lap, fixing her towel and body so that she would be comfortable, as if he wanted to protect her with his own warmth.
Then, in a gentle and serene tone, he asked:
"What is bothering you, Eris?"
She looked surprised by the sudden change of tone. Still trying to hide her nervousness, she turned her face and replied:
"There's nothing. I'm as I always am..."
Rygar smiled, lightly bit her ear, and heard a spontaneous little squeal escape:
"Kyaaah!"
She looked at him with feigned anger, her eyes half-closed.
Rygar found it adorable how, even though she was known as a Dragon Knight and Red Lioness fierce in Gaia, when she was with him, she was just a little lovestruck kitten.
He ran his fingers through her long red hair, and said:
"Sometimes you forget that I can feel people's emotions... Eris, why are you anxious? What is worrying you?"
She hesitated. The silence lasted for a few moments, but then, finally, her voice came out in a whisper:
"Do you think... the two of us can really have children...?"
Rygar understood immediately. That was it. From the beginning of the relationship, Eris had always been the most enthusiastic about the idea of having children.
Verdia and Ghislaine also desired it, but Eris had been talking about the subject since the days at the Sword Sanctuary.
He could understand why. Eris's early years of life were marked by the pressures and values of Fitoa's nobility.
She grew up hearing about heirs, lineage, and responsibility. But for her, it was not just a matter of tradition. She wanted to give an heir to the man she loved.
Rygar also understood the deeper root of that desire. Eris's mother, Hilda, had never shown affection for her.
Her brothers, taken by the main branch of the Boreas family, were kept away from her. Her father was distant and busy.
The true maternal figure in her life was the maid Edna—which unfortunately died in the teleportation incident. Her grandfather, Sauros, was the one who came closest to a real father.
Even with Rygar always trying to reassure her, that insecurity persisted. And now, with Verdia and Ghislaine pregnant, the concern returned strongly.
He looked at her with firmness and affection.
"Of course we can have children, Eris."
But she did not seem convinced.
"You said that before... but it's been a while..."
Rygar did not lose his calm smile.
"We are of different races. It's normal for it to take time. Remember the reports? Many mixed couples take years to succeed, but it happens."
Eris lowered her eyes.
"But what if I... cannot have children?"
He drew her a little closer and gave her a kiss on the forehead. That gesture caught her off guard.
"Do you trust me, Eris?"
She nodded silently.
"I can sense these things with magic. You can, indeed, have children. I guarantee it."
Some of the tension dissipated. Rygar continued:
"We don't need to rush. But if this is so important to you, there are ways to increase our chances."
Eris's eyes shone with a thread of hope.
"Is that true?"
Rygar smiled:
"Yes. It is not a guarantee, but the chances increase significantly."
She was silent for a moment. And then, he added:
"But I want to ask you one thing. If you have any concern, no matter how small, tell me. Always. I will be here for you. And I will love you, and our children, unconditionally. Is that okay?"
Eris smiled, her face relaxed.
"I'll speak up..."
Any trace of anxiety seemed to have disappeared. Now, with a new sparkle in her eyes, she felt at peace. Rygar felt it too.
And while holding her in his arms, a thought occurred to him: by his calculations, this could be Eris's fertile period.
With a slight movement, he gently turned her, laying her down on the sofa. The towel covering part of her body slipped a little, revealing more of her slender and defined form.
Eris looked at him with her eyes locked on his, her breathing slightly labored.
Rygar whispered:
"Then... why don't we continue from where we left off before...?"
The moonlight filtered through the balcony, illuminating the two of them amid the stillness of the night in the Great Forest.
---
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