Book 5: Volume 3 Chapter 5, Constitution

Translator: Kazumi

Editor: Silavin

 

A large Full Moon floated in the night sky. It should have been strange to see the Sun and Moon even on the Tower floors, but to Floria and her children, it was a completely normal sight. If someone asked them, ‘Why is the Moon floating in the Tower?’ they would probably respond, ‘Why would you think it wouldn’t?’

 

To those living within the Tower, this was simply something they took for granted.

 

Floria and her children were currently sitting on the veranda of a room at an inn run by foxes. Kousuke was not there, but Floria and all three of her children were present. There was wine on the table.

 

“Hmm. This wine is delicious, as always.”

 

“Yes. It’s fruity and easy for me to drink.”

 

Mia agreed with Floria and nodded. The wine the four of them were sipping was made by Vampires.

 

“It seems the Vampires have their production system in order, and I’m finally able to get some regularly.”

 

“Oh. That’s excellent. Ideally, it would be wonderful to make it a local specialty, but that’s probably asking too much.”

 

The wine Vampires made was produced almost as a hobby. The time and effort required to make it was what gave it such excellent flavor, but they simply couldn’t increase the quantity. It was impossible to produce enough to export overseas.

 

“Well, I suppose that’s impossible. But let’s be grateful that we’re even able to taste it.”

 

“That’s true.”

 

Towa said this with a look of enjoyment, and Floria nodded with a smile.

 

After that, they chatted about Towa and Riku’s recent activities and what had been happening among the management staff. Then Riku suddenly said,

 

“By the way, is Mother not going to have any more children?”

 

*Pffft…!?*

 

Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, Floria had just taken a sip from the last of her glass of wine. She barely avoided spitting it out, but it was inevitable that some of the wine went down the wrong way. Floria coughed for a while, then finally calmed down enough to glare at Riku.

 

“What’s with that question, all of a sudden!?”

 

“I’m sorry… I didn’t expect you to react quite that badly.”

 

Floria’s reaction was unexpected even to Riku, and he looked embarrassed. He had only mentioned it out of curiosity; he had not expected the usually composed Floria to lose her composure over something so straightforward.

 

Towa seemed to share the same thought, as he looked at Floria with a puzzled expression.

 

“Do you really need to be so flustered? You’ve probably heard that question from all sides before I was even born.”

 

Towa, who was currently hoping for marriage and children himself, understood Floria’s situation all too well. But despite that, Floria blushed slightly, quite unusually, as she looked at her two Sons.

 

“…That’s true, but somehow it feels a bit awkward when my own Sons ask me about it.”

 

Towa and Riku, who had rarely seen Floria blush, blinked in surprise. Mia’s reaction, however, was different. Having seen her Mother show that expression while bragging so many times before, she looked a little annoyed.

 

Knowing that the conversation wasn’t progressing, Mia sighed and looked at Floria directly.

 

“Mother, I don’t mind you feeling pleased, but the conversation isn’t moving forward. Could you please answer?”

 

Towa and Riku looked surprised at Mia’s words. They had not expected Floria’s expression to suggest she was actually pleased rather than embarrassed.

 

Floria’s expression turned slightly sullen at the remark.

 

“I’m not trying to feel happy or anything…”

 

“Your face says it all. But are you planning to have more children? It’s not like you can’t, is it?”

 

Floria glared at Mia briefly, then sighed in resignation before answering.

 

“That’s true, but it’ll be quite difficult.”

 

“Why?”

 

“Because it has to be balanced with the others.”

 

Floria’s Sons nodded in understanding. Everyone knew that Collete had recently become pregnant, but they also knew that Shrein and Peach were still childless. Floria sensed that it would be difficult for her to want more children while those two remained without any.

 

But Mia was skeptical.

 

“Is that all?”

 

“What?”

 

“Isn’t there something else going on besides being considerate to Mother Shrein and Mother Peach?”

 

Floria stared intently at Mia, who tilted her head as she spoke.

 

“…Why do you think so?”

 

“I don’t have any particular reason for thinking so. I just had a feeling.”

 

Mia could not articulate why. But for some reason, she felt almost certain, so she voiced it aloud.

 

Floria watched Mia for a while, then her expression softened.

 

“You really are Kousuke’s child, aren’t you? You’re really perceptive in strange ways.”

 

“…What do you mean?”

 

Towa tilted his head at Floria’s words, wondering if there was something he had not noticed at all.

 

“It’s not a huge issue. I’m doing my best, but I just haven’t been able to conceive since giving birth to Mia.”

 

“Huh!?”

 

As expected, Mia was surprised by this answer. Towa and Riku wore similar expressions of shock.

 

Floria had said it casually, but her face showed that she suspected it might be a serious problem.

 

“I told you it’s not a huge issue, right? It’s not like I can’t have children at all, so don’t worry.”

 

Floria said this, but the expressions on her three children’s faces didn’t change. Seeing this, Floria shook her head in exasperation.

 

Realizing she could not hide the truth from her ever perceptive children, Floria prefaced her explanation by saying, “I’ve discussed this with Sylvia, and we’ve come to a conclusion.”

 

Simply put, as High Humans, Floria and Sylvia had constitutions different from those of ordinary Humans. In short, since they already had children, their bodies were unconsciously regulating further pregnancies.

 

This seemed like a very convenient explanation, but since neither had actually conceived again, it was natural to consider it seriously.

 

The current generation of Kousuke’s children, led by Towa and the others, had been recognized by the Goddesses as a new Race. They still didn’t know what kind of Race they were, but they did know that they had longer lifespans than average Humans.

 

For this reason, Floria and Sylvia had concluded that it was best to assume they weren’t always in a state where they could conceive, unlike average Humans.

 

“This is only a guess, but I think Lady Shrein and Lady Peach are in a similar situation.”

 

Floria concluded with this, and the three of them looked thoughtful after hearing her explanation.

 

“So it’s self-regulating to prevent the birth of too many powerful offspring?”

 

“That’s what I mean, frankly. It’s all speculation, so I’m not certain it’s completely accurate.”

 

“I see…”

 

This was merely a conclusion based on their current situation, so it was unclear whether it actually fit the truth. However, judging from Sylvia’s reaction when they had discussed it, Floria was convinced that her speculation was not far off the mark.

 

It was not as if Sylvia had confirmed it with Elisa Meir directly. But Sylvia occupied a unique position as a shrine maiden, and she was confident that her speculation would not be far from the truth.

 

“Well, anyway, I don’t think it’s what you originally worried about, so there’s no need to be unnecessarily concerned.”

 

Floria concluded, and the three children nodded in agreement.