Blessings of the Baby Boom, and the Sacred Spirit’s Heated Gaze
The birth of Kina’s healthy baby boy bathed Akio’s town in pure celebration.
The infant, with Kina’s reddish-brown hair and a faint trace of Akio’s gentle features (his own hair now fully black and gleaming with youthful sheen), had instantly become the village’s newest idol.
And to everyone’s amazement, Kina’s recovery as a beastkin mother was nothing short of miraculous. Barely a week after giving birth, she was already back to full energy—and declared to Akio with her usual, spirited grin:
“Hubby! We wolf beastkin heal up real fast after birth, y’know! We’re even ready to start makin’ the next one right away! So, um… starting tonight, I can keep ya company again, yeah?”
At that, Akio could only manage a complicated expression—half joy, half concern for his own physical limits.
As for child-rearing, midwife Martha was teaching them how to handle night care, and Ayane had firmly volunteered:
“Kina-san, please rest well at night. Martha-san and I will take care of the baby!”
Thanks to that support, Kina could rest easy… and be “prepared” for her evening duties once more.
Meanwhile, Celestina, having witnessed Kina’s safe delivery and confirmed that her own pregnancy was now stable, remained just as devoted to Akio as ever.
In fact, knowing that Sylvia, Leonora, and the recently delivered Kina were all unable to attend to Akio at night, she continued—sometimes by his request, sometimes on her own initiative—to serve him with her usual dedication and… awakened enthusiasm, right up to the very brink of her due date.
“Akio-sama… it feels as though the child within me rejoices at your warmth. I am quite all right, truly…”
Seeing her gentle smile, Akio couldn’t help feeling a deep love—and a profound respect—for her devotion and stamina.
(Celestina… you truly… give me everything, don’t you? I’ll make sure to be worthy of that love—no matter what!)
Amid such busy yet blissful days, Leonora’s own due date drew near.
With the calm of a seasoned knight, she awaited the moment without fear, though Akio, Celestina, and everyone in the village watched over her with bated breath.
Sylvia, witnessing Kina’s childbirth, Celestina’s pregnancy (and her unwavering dedication), and Leonora’s approaching delivery, felt nothing but joy—and as Akio’s lawful wife, as the matron of this ever-growing household, she renewed her resolve:
“Akio, everyone… our family will only keep growing from here, and our home livelier. To raise our children well and let Akio focus on developing this town in peace, we wives must stand as one—supporting each other, and supporting Akio in both body and spirit.”
Her words stirred deep emotion and determination in Ayane, Kina, Celestina, and Leonora alike.
Their love for Akio, and their devotion to this family, were the strongest bonds tying them together.
Unbeknownst to them, the Sacred Spirit was watching from above the Tree of Life—or sometimes through the steam rising from the hot springs—gazing upon them with an oddly intent, almost feverish curiosity.
(Hmm… Akio’s life force is burnin’ brighter than ever. Sylvia’s child, Kina’s, and now Leonora’s on the way—and Celestina, in her state, still manages that much? To be blessed with so many children… The power of an otherworlder truly can’t be underestimated. Still, that overflowing vitality of his… I wonder how long Sylvia’s strategy will hold. Perhaps it’s time I personally step in… and ‘harmonize’ things a bit myself…)
The Sacred Spirit could, if she wished, take human form and involve herself directly in Akio’s life.
If she were to join with him, a new kind of life might even be born… but the risks of such an act were great.
For now, she restrained herself—but as Akio’s “vigor” and his wives’ devotion grew ever stronger, so too did her mischievous curiosity… and her sense of duty as guardian of the forest’s balance.
As for Akio himself, caught between gratitude and mild bewilderment over this wave of pregnancies and devotion, he threw his energy into strengthening the village’s food supply—particularly into cultivating soybeans.
The first harvest was still a ways off, but as he looked over the healthy young plants, he dreamed of recreating the comforting flavors of home—miso, soy sauce, tofu…
(So that my children—and my wives—can eat well, smile, and live in peace… I’ll keep pushin’ forward!)
Whether or not he sensed the Sacred Spirit’s watchful, heated gaze, Akio’s energetic efforts only continued to grow.
What do you think about this chapter?
