The days after Lilia's arrival passed quietly.
Ghislaine's pregnancy proceeded relatively "normally," within what could be considered normal for someone like her.
Rygar or Verdia were always nearby, attentive to any excessive movement from the baby, ready to use Healing Magic if necessary.
According to the two of them, and even Ghislaine agreed, that child definitely did not possess an ordinary strength.
Verdia commented with nostalgia that she had gone through the same experience when Selene was pregnant with Rygar.
He had always been a restless baby inside the womb, moving as if he wanted to fight the world even before being born.
However, it seemed that Ghislaine's child was even more impetuous than Rygar had been.
The reason for this, in fact, was simple: it was not just one baby, but two.
But Rygar did not know that detail yet. He had already accepted the fact that his children would not be ordinary.
Verdia was still in the early stages of her own pregnancy, so she had not had many concerns about that for now.
Moreover, after a few days using the fertility-enhancing spell with Eris, Rygar began to suspect that she might also be pregnant.
On noticing this, he did not hesitate to ask her to temporarily stop her training.
He explained how intense physical exertion could interfere with the early development of the fetus.
Convincing Eris was not simple; her stubborn nature did not easily accept being kept away from training.
But she finally gave in when she realized Rygar would not back down.
If his suspicions were correct, that would mean his three wives would be pregnant at the same time.
Rygar realized he might have to restrain himself a bit sexually for a while.
Not that having sex was impossible during pregnancy, but this was another world, with other laws and mysteries, and his children would not be ordinary kids.
Rygar did not want to risk anything.
Outside his loving family life, the Kingdom of Gaia advanced on all fronts.
But there were also some problems that arose: religious fanatics originating from Milis had formed a secret organization, acting like rats in the shadows and creating disturbances in different regions.
The Iron Legion was already working actively to hunt them down and neutralize their actions.
Meanwhile, the newly formed Academic Council consolidated the Star Rise Academy.
An official curriculum was being structured, defining seven academic years until graduation, similar to the Ranoa Magic Academy.
The fundamental difference was that Star Rise did not limit its teaching to magic. Knowledge expanded into multiple areas, covering combat, strategy, sciences, history and much more.
The warriors of the Combat Temple, in turn, were also improving at an accelerated pace.
With Demon King Gretta's departure from her position among the Twelve Kings, everyone below her rose one rank, and the last post was quickly occupied by Nina Farion.
Jino Britz, under Rygar's direct guidance, was growing exponentially, becoming an increasingly fearsome swordsman.
Alongside him, many other talents were emerging, training daily, reinforcing the kingdom's military base.
The Kingdom prospered.
Friendly relations with the neighboring Kingdom of the Dragon King further strengthened its political position.
Warriors, mages and travelers from various origins joined the ranks of Gaia, attracted by the ideal of unity.
Beasts, dwarves, elves, hobbits, humans and even some demons lived under a single banner.
Each race offered the best of its heritage, forming an unprecedented mosaic of diversity.
Under the leadership and protective power of the Apocalypse Beast, the continent of the beasts experienced an era of prosperity never before recorded.
And then, solidifying this promising future even more, new news spread.
The Beast God's three wives were pregnant.
And among them, Ghislaine Adoldia was about to give birth.
The First Generation of the Beast's Heirs.
Thus they would be called in the future.
The birth of this generation would not only be a reason for family celebration, but a historic milestone for the entire Kingdom of Gaia.
For it was from that moment that a new period officially began — an era of battles and fights even more brutal than the Iron Legion's insurrection against the holy country of Milis.
---
POV: Rygar Adoldia
An unprecedented terror was hitting me at that very moment.
Since I saw the Dragon God kill Eidar in front of me, I do not remember feeling so anguished and nervous in my entire life.
I was circulating my mana through my muscles, trying to stop it from leaking and revealing my emotional instability, but apparently, I was failing miserably.
The pressure emanating from my body was evident, even though I did not want it to be.
By my side, watching me pace back and forth in that huge marble hall, with large doors that opened directly to nature, was Ornthorn.
I walked as if I were ready for battle, the steps reverberating across the floor, when I heard his irritated voice:
"Dude... can you stop walking?!"
I furrowed my brow when I realized I was walking in circles again and stopped suddenly.
Ornthorn sighed, exasperated, his patience wearing thin:
"You are the Beast God! The Apocalypse Beast! Magician Emperor! Is that familiar?! Why are you so nervous about... a child?!"
My eyebrows drew together even more, forming a heavy scowl. I was anxious, agitated, unable to find calm.
My self-control seemed useless at that moment.
And although I had already retorted to Ornthorn, the North Emperor, more times than I could count, he had been surprisingly understanding for the first two hours.
However, the overwhelming intention that escaped me without control, while I paced in circles in that closed room, seemed to be consuming his patience quickly.
"That's right!" I said gravely, my voice full of determination.
"I am the Beast God! So I can help with the birth of my child, right?!"
I began to walk rigidly toward the door. And stopped.
A vein popped on the short Emperor's forehead, and he almost shouted:
"How many times are you going to say that?! Just sit and be quiet! It's not as if you can't hear what's going on in there with your monstrous senses!"
My expression closed even more into a severe frown, while confusion took hold of me.
Right... why was I so nervous?
As soon as Ghislaine went into labor, a certain panic hit me.
I immediately entered combat mode.
I scanned all the surroundings within a ten-kilometer radius, ensuring there was NO interference.
I asked Jino to patrol the area constantly until the delivery was concluded, and I assigned Ornthorn to stand guard with me.
Even knowing that alone I was much stronger and probably more than enough, some paranoia made me want to do everything to protect.
Apparently, I was too agitated, because Verdia came to advise me directly.
She said I should leave the birth to her and the other specialists and stay out of it.
Aisha seemed to agree with Verdia. The two managed to convince me not to participate, even against my will.
Okay. Everything would be fine. Everything was under control. And yet... why couldn't I get rid of this knot in my stomach?
I did not feel any danger. My sixth sense remained absolutely normal.
My combat senses were on alert, but nothing indicated a threat.
It was not fear of enemies, not fear of invasions. I was simply... nervous.
In my previous life... one of the things I most desired was children. Something I never had the chance to achieve.
It had been more than eighteen years in this world until it finally became reality.
And it was only now, at the moment that this desire was about to come true, that I realized this longing burned stronger than I thought.
Perhaps my racial instincts were amplifying it. I had no way to measure such a thing.
Hours passed, and my nervousness grew exponentially. Ornthorn, increasingly incredulous, mocked:
"Dude, seriously, I will never look at you the same way after this!"
Is this the same relentless warrior who tamed a Red Dragon with his bare fists? The same who has the ambition to kill the strongest being in the world?
Disbelief was written all over his face. It was almost comical. He was probably wondering if the world still made sense.
After all, even before the siege of the most fortified city in the world, I had remained calm. Now, in that marble hall, I was practically in shreds.
I ignored the provocations, but the energy I accumulated inside me left me desperate for a pressure release.
After a while, part of me almost wished someone had the audacity to invade that space and try to disrupt the birth.
Any excuse would serve for me to release all that overwhelming and anguishing energy. But no one appeared.
And then, another idea began to seem dangerously acceptable: beat Ornthorn up. He was tough. A thrashing would do no harm... right?
Seeming to notice the malicious look I cast in his direction, Ornthorn flinched and stared at me angrily:
"What are you thinking, you scoundrel?! Be quiet!"
His tone was between fear and fury. He seemed incredulous at my nervousness.
I did not care. Suddenly, an electric shock ran through my entire nervous system, paralyzing me. But... it was not an unpleasant feeling. It was... a good premonition. Very good.
At that moment, the marble doors slowly opened, and there was little Aisha. The huge smile on her face lit up the room.
She placed her hands on her hips and spoke excitedly:
"Now you can come in, Master."
My nervousness turned into expectation. The knot in my stomach increased, but now it was more like anticipation.
I covered the distance to the door in the shortest possible time, without disturbing the wind, and entered the room.
I spread my senses across the entire room in an instant.
The environment contained a gentle warmth and a welcoming atmosphere.
The layers of Magical Barriers that I myself had raised outside were still operating at full capacity.
Inside the room, Eris was on guard, her expression serious and at the same time protective.
Lilia was nearby, ensuring everything remained in order, Verdia and Aisha were close to the bed.
A midwife of the Rabbit Tribe was collecting clean towels and jars of medicinal herbs.
Leo, the Sacred Beast, remained at the side of the bed, alert.
And then… Ghislaine.
She was reclined on the bed, her breathing calmer now, though covered in sweat.
Her body was not injured thanks to Healing Magic, but she was exhausted.
On her face, there was a serenity I had rarely seen in her hard and firm expression.
In her arms… were two children.
Two.
Twins.
For a moment, all the nervousness that had eaten away at my body for hours dissolved like smoke carried by the wind.
A smile bloomed on my face, impossible to contain.
I felt as if an entire sun had been born inside my chest, burning with so much joy, illuminating every corner of my soul.
Never, in my entire life — neither in my previous life nor in this one — had I experienced such happiness.
I approached Ghislaine gradually.
She lifted her eyes to me, tired but smiling. On seeing me approach, she looked at the two children in her arms and, in a soft and tender tone, asked:
"So... what shall we call them?"
I could hardly contain my happiness, my whole body seemed to vibrate. I even forgot to use my Demon Eyes, my senses, and I even forgot about the other people around.
At that moment, only Ghislaine and the two children existed.
A boy. A girl.
Before the birth, I tried to discuss names with Ghislaine, but she said I should choose the name.
I had already thought of a boy's name and a girl's name, and it seemed I could use both.
The boy had silver hair and a fluffy tail, his ears resembled mine more. The girl also had silver hair and the same soft tail, but her ears resembled Ghislaine's more.
Both slept deeply.
Normal children would cry, move — but they rested, as if they had spent all their energy even before being born.
I smiled even more, and said:
"So their names will be... Perseus and Diana."
Perseus, which meant Son of Fire, was a hero of mythology acclaimed for his bravery and courage.
Diana, which meant Bright, Divine, was the Roman Goddess of the Hunt.
Both names carried strength, but also grace. I did not intend to force them to follow glorious paths, I did not want to impose my own ambitions on them.
But I would be lying if I said I had no expectations about what their future would be like.
Ghislaine repeated the names softly, committing them to memory.
"Perseus... and Diana..."
Hearing those names, I, Rygar Adoldia, who had already fought against Divinities and Monsters, felt that I was living the greatest triumph of my life.
-----
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