A New Addition
Several days had passed since the birth of the baby fairy and the baby pegasus. During that time, the Mercenary Clan had undergone significant changes, primarily revolving around the lives of these two new additions. In essence, Yumi had been persuaded to let the babies get accustomed to the user’s touch. Although she seemed a bit hesitant, Yumi herself had been raised under the user’s care.
Thus, the baby fairy and the baby pegasus began to receive the user’s attention. While this often involved more poking and prodding than actual care, there was little cause for concern. Yumi, still somewhat wary, would diligently follow and intervene whenever necessary.
Given the clan’s experience in raising Yumi and the presence of other children like Nono and Won Hye-soo’s baby, the task of childcare wasn’t particularly daunting.
At least, that’s how it should have been. But…
On this lazy afternoon, right after lunch, the warm sunlight streamed through the office window, casting a glow over the seven shining artifacts on the desk. These were treasures from Pandora’s Box, handed over by Heo Jun-young in exchange for learning abilities.
Yumi, the baby fairy, and the baby pegasus were all gazing at these artifacts with curious expressions.
”…Wooong.”
“Beep.”
”…Huh?”
“Beep beep?”
Listening to the incomprehensible sounds from the baby fairy and the baby pegasus, I habitually tapped the desk. The baby fairy turned its head slightly to look at me, and I met its gaze, resting my chin on my hand.
The baby fairy’s name was Mar, named after its mother, Margarita. After observing Mar for a few days, I concluded that it was quite an extraordinary fairy.
It didn’t behave like a typical baby. Babies are usually known for crying and fussing, but Mar had never cried or whined since birth. Instead, it often sat quietly beside me, watching with curious eyes as I worked. And this was a fairy that had just been born.
For instance… should I try it again?
As I picked up a quill to write something, Mar immediately focused its attention. I scribbled, “Vivian’s bottom is red. If it’s red, smack it,” but quickly erased it when Mar’s ears perked up. It didn’t seem like the best influence on a young mind.
Mar flapped its ears as if urging me to write more, but I turned away, feeling a bit guilty. And then, I was startled.
“Beep beep~.”
In the brief moment I looked away, the baby pegasus had started nibbling on one of the artifacts, the Light and Darkness Crystal, humming a little tune.
I quickly reached out.
“What are you doing? That’s not food.”
“Beep?”
“Stop it, Dodo. Spit it out. Spit it out. Hey, hey! Hey, you!”
“Beep, beep beep?!”
I tried to pry the crystal away from the baby pegasus while it stubbornly resisted, even biting my hand. In the end, I had to lift it by its wings.
Despite my efforts, the baby pegasus continued to open and close its mouth wildly, eventually tiring itself out and glaring at me. I placed it on my shoulder to calm it down, but it showed its defiance by nibbling on my neck.
”…This little rascal.”
“Beep!”
Feeling the ticklish sensation on my neck, I eventually set the baby pegasus back down and covered my face with my hands.
The baby pegasus was named Dodo, a name given by the clan members, not me. Those who approached it, recalling the baby unicorn days, were often disappointed. Though it had improved slightly, initially, it wouldn’t let anyone touch it. If someone tried to pick it up, it would struggle and cry with all its might.
And as its name suggests, its behavior was nothing short of haughty.
Just like now.
Dodo had returned to the Light and Darkness Crystal, but instead of putting it in its mouth, it rested its front hooves on it and stared at me. It seemed to be saying, “I find this fascinating and plan to play with it. Do you have a problem with that?”
Resigned, I waved my hand, signaling it could do as it pleased. Dodo, looking triumphant, began to nibble on the crystal again.
…Honestly. I can’t even scold it properly.
Just then, as I was clenching and unclenching my fists to calm myself, I heard excited voices from the door.
“So cute~.”
“Oppa, that’s not fair~. You can’t keep them all to yourself~.”
I pressed my forehead and looked up. Peeking through the slightly open door were several women, at least seven by my count. Among them, I noticed Yeji shaking her head behind Go Yeon-ju’s long hair. Seizing the opportunity, I gestured for them to come in, intending to say they could take the babies.
“Kyaaa! Mar!”
“Our Dodo! Dodododododo!”
Was this… a storm?
With just a nod, the women screamed and rushed into the office.
Caught off guard, Dodo, who had been happily nibbling on the crystal, looked up in surprise. In no time, the women had scooped up Mar and Dodo and whisked them out of the room. They came in like a tide and left just as quickly.
Gyu-ru-ru-ru…
Finally, Yumi moved. She had been watching with a satisfied expression, but as the babies were taken away, she followed with a displeased look.
Watching Yumi leave, I let my head fall back, savoring the newfound peace. She could have intervened sooner.
After taking a moment to clear my head, I finally managed to organize the artifacts left by Heo Jun-young.
Since they were handed over on a personal basis, all ownership rights were mine. I planned to use Anima Oratio immediately and store the rest in the warehouse. Like Heo Jun-young, I had few artifacts that would benefit me directly. However, as the clan lord, the potential uses were endless.
As I sorted through them, a beautiful sea-colored gem caught my eye. Cordelia.
I picked it up, contemplating its potential. While it held great power, I had already cleansed my body of impurities when I accepted Hwajeong. Thus, Cordelia wouldn’t have much effect on me. I wasn’t particularly interested in its aesthetic benefits.
Suddenly, I thought of giving it to Han So-young. I felt guilty for not looking after her as much as my brother and remembered the incident when she was upset.
Perhaps it could serve as a peace offering? Besides, I was curious about how her already stunning beauty might change with the gem’s effects.
As I pondered, rolling the gem between my fingers, a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I looked up reflexively as the door opened, revealing a slightly weary-looking An Sol.
“An Sol?”
“Yes… Brother… I have something to tell you… Yawn…”
”…Did you just come back from volunteer work?”
“Yes. Volunteer work… Yawn… But the temple has a message for you… They asked me to pass it on.”
Volunteer work involved priests staying at the temple to provide free treatment to injured users. They took turns covering 24-hour shifts, and it seemed An Sol had been on the early morning shift.
But a message from the temple?
“What is it?”
“They’ve completed the investigation of the mountain range where the dragon sleeps in Istantel Low. They want to discuss the clan rank…”
“Oh, clan rank?”
“Yes. And…”
An Sol nodded, rubbing her eyes as she continued.
“The angel overseeing you has delivered a revelation?”
”…A revelation? An Sol, are you sure? Did they really say it was a revelation?”
“Yes? Yes. I don’t really understand what it means, but they said to come as soon as possible. If you ignore it again, they’ll leave it to you… Oh, that last part was the content of the revelation.”
”…”
I gazed at An Sol intently. While the clan rank discussion was plausible, the revelation was hard to believe. Revelations were reserved for teachings or significant matters, not mere summons. In the first round, there had only been two revelations.
Yet, An Sol’s face showed no signs of deceit, only exhaustion.
This meant it was indeed something important.
“Got it. I’ll prepare and head out right away. You should rest too. You look exhausted.”
It had been quite some time since I last visited the summoning chamber. Come to think of it, was it nearly a year since I last saw Seraph?
I quickly got up, only to notice Ansol staring intently at my neck. I wiped it with my hand.
Oh, drool.
The first-floor lobby of the Mercenary Clan House was unusually lively today. The women of the clan had gathered around a table, fussing over Maru and Dodo.
Not that the two were causing the commotion. Maru was naturally gentle, and Dodo was too aloof to care. But their mere presence seemed to delight the women, who chattered incessantly around them.
In the midst of this lively chatter, Maru’s ears suddenly perked up. He turned his head sharply, staring intently at something. Seeing Maru, who had been still until now, react, Nam Da-eun quickly responded.
“Maru~. What are you looking at~?”
Maru pointed in a direction—straight at the stairs.
Maru opened his mouth.
“Pa.”
“Pa? What’s that?”
“Oo. Pa, Paa.”
“Could he mean ‘Papa’? Haha.”
Nam Da-eun tilted her head, and Hannah chimed in. The women, thinking it was a joke, all turned to look at the stairs.
Coincidentally, Kim Su-hyun appeared at the top of the stairs. Dressed to go out, he descended with a pensive expression.
“Paa! Paa!”
Maru, who had been quiet until now, beamed and reached out his arms.
At that moment, the women’s expressions changed dramatically.
Nam Da-eun was the first to act. She swiftly scooped Maru up with both hands, closing the distance with a solemn face.
“Maru, Maru? Say ‘Ma~’ to me. Come on. Ma~.”
“Oo?”
“Mom~! Ma! Mommy’s here~?”
“Uh?”
Despite Nam Da-eun’s repeated emphasis on “Ma,” Maru only tilted his head in confusion. A look of disappointment crossed Nam Da-eun’s face.
While Nam Da-eun despaired, Hannah took her turn, but the result was the same. No matter how much she emphasized “Ma,” Maru just kept tilting his head. Yet, the remaining women were not ready to give up.
Not everyone was caught up in the frenzy, though.
Amidst the sudden “Mom” craze, Kim Han-byeol quietly observed the situation from the start.
In fact, Kim Han-byeol wasn’t even watching Maru. From the moment she sat at the table, her attention was on Dodo.
Dodo had quietly slipped away from the table and was heading somewhere.
Dodo stopped right at the bottom of the stairs where Kim Su-hyun was descending. Trying to hide by the left railing, Dodo crouched low, peeking out to watch Kim Su-hyun with hawk-like eyes. Kim Han-byeol sipped her steaming tea, watching Dodo with interest.
Moments later, just as Kim Su-hyun set foot on the first floor, deep in thought—
“Beep!”
Dodo sprang up, as if waiting for this moment, and bit Kim Su-hyun’s ankle.
“Whoa.”
Kim Su-hyun was taken aback. Already preoccupied with his thoughts, he hadn’t noticed the ambush. It didn’t hurt much, but… He looked down, half surprised, half exasperated.
“What the—what are you doing?”
“Beep.”
“Let go. I don’t have time to play with you right now.”
“Beep beep.”
“Seriously, let go. I need to leave right now. Come on, please.”
“Beep beep beep?”
Kim Su-hyun tried to shake Dodo off, but despite being swung around, Dodo clung to his ankle with determination. Dodo’s actions went beyond mere playfulness, showing a resolute will.
It was as if Dodo was saying, even if it meant giving up his soul, he wouldn’t let go of this ankle. No matter what happened, he was determined to hold on.
“Sigh.”
In the end, it was Kim Su-hyun who surrendered. With a deep sigh, he started walking towards the entrance, letting Dodo have his way.
Yet, even as he walked, if his steps seemed cautious, was it just an illusion?
”…Heh.”
Watching Kim Su-hyun’s unsteady steps, Kim Han-byeol let out a faint chuckle. She took a sip of her slightly cooled tea.
It was just a little, but…
She couldn’t help but think her brother had changed.
---------------------------= Author’s Note ---------------------------=
Reader: A pervert! A pervert has appeared! A perverted author!
Roh Yoo-jin: You guys are too much… How could you think that? I swear I had no such intentions! You’re all possessed by impure thoughts!
Reader: Damn author XX! Everyone, throw stones!
Roh Yoo-jin: Ack!