Drifted Into a Reversed World ~ The One Method for Me, a Japanese Guy, to Survive in a World Where Men and Fertility Are Scarce ~ - 31

Chapter 31: Happiness

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“Eh…?”

That single syllable was uttered by everyone present. Sota, the Queen, Elraine, and the Royal Guards all leaned forward. Only one person remained still: Firis.

“Um, is that… is that true? Firis-san.”

“Yes. I-I won’t know for certain until a priest examines me, but I believe that is the case.”

What came over Sota was a mixture of joy, surprise, and anxiety. These three emotions circulated simultaneously from his head down to the pit of his stomach. Since he had poured so much semen into Firis, it was a natural conclusion. However, Sota was far too young to easily process this fact.

“…Hehe.”

…However, when he saw the bashful Firis looking truly happy, Sota felt his negative emotions vanish like a receding tide. In their place, a powerful energy and a sense of resolve filled his body. Becoming a father and forming a family with Firis. He was trying to accept this reality, which felt almost too surreal to be true. Mamula stroked Firis’s stomach. Her expression was tinged with a rather stern look.

“Firis, if it is true that you have conceived a child, I have several things I must confirm with you.”

“…Yes, Your Majesty.”

Firis’s expression tightened as well. It was her face as a Knight of the Kingdom.

“First, congratulations on your pregnancy. That said, we need to have you go to the temple and confirm it properly. It might just be your imagination, and if you truly are pregnant, there are many things we must do from here on out.”

Seeing Firis nod, Mamula said, “I shall continue,” and went on with her words.

“You engaged in sexual intercourse with a male despite being in the middle of a mission. Furthermore, if this occurred without Sota’s consent, you would be guilty of a serious breach of discipline. You understand this, do you not?”

“…I am aware.”

Firis was not ignorant of the gravity of an act that betrayed the Kingdom. She intended to shoulder whatever blame she must. However, as if to protect her, Sota stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, please allow me to speak.”

“…Of course.”

There was a strong determination in his eyes. Even before the Queen, Sota did not show a shred of intimidation. He would say what needed to be said. He would protect what needed to be protected. Because Sota was a “man.”

“Your Majesty, this was something I wanted to do. I wanted to… d-do it with Firis. If anything, it was my fault for recklessly engaging in the act with Firis, a vital asset to the Kingdom, despite it being wartime. Please, do not blame her.”

Saying this, Sota bowed his head deeply. At those words and that action, the Royal Guards began to whisper. A man so desirable that anyone would drool over him had not only declared that he wanted to have sex with Firis—who was considered past her prime by the standards of this world—but had also claimed that the responsibility lay with himself.

…It was impossible. Based on the common sense of the “men of this world,” such a statement and such a sequence of events were unthinkable.

“I beg of you.”

However, Sota’s attitude was impeccably sincere. In a situation where Firis would be severely punished if he had simply said it was disgusting, he didn’t want to do it, he was coerced, or he only did it because he had no choice, he was instead shielding her. The Royal Guards could understand that it truly had been consensual. At the same time, these women, who were starved for male attention, felt a dark excitement tickle their loins as they imagined this beautiful man coupling with Firis. And, from the bottom of their hearts, they envied Firis. They were hopelessly jealous.

“Sota…”

“…I understand. I have confirmed that Sota-sama’s consent was obtained, and above all, since Sota-sama himself says so, it would be quite misplaced for me to pass judgment. Therefore, I shall leave this matter unquestioned. However, Sota-sama, if there is anything you feel hesitant to say here, please let me know later. The Kingdom is the ally of men.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty…”

Sota bowed deeply once more. The atmosphere in the room relaxed. The tension began to melt away, and Mamula wore a gentle smile. It was the smile of a single human being rejoicing in Firis’s pregnancy.

“You did it, Firis. Everyone in the castle will be absolutely shocked when they hear.”

“I myself still think… surely not, but…”

To the bashful Firis, Sota posed a simple question.

“But, how were you able to realize you were pregnant so easily? It’s only been a short time since we met, and to know so quickly…”

However, Firis answered with a puzzled look.

“The common belief is that one can tell by sensation immediately after implantation, and this timing is quite standard. It was my first time as well, but it just clicked. It was like… receiving a divine revelation.”

“Is that so? Well…”

Sota had never heard of such a thing. This, too, must be the mystery of the female body in another world. Realistically speaking, Sota could do nothing but accept it. Firis then stated an even more shocking fact.

“Yes. But once it reaches this stage, it happens fast. I will likely be able to give birth in a week at the latest.”

“A-A week…!? You will give birth in a week…!?”

Sota’s eyes were wide and practically bulging out of his head. In Sota’s original world, the gestation period was said to be about ten months. Giving birth only about ten days after implantation was far too fast. It was incredibly fast, but he could vaguely sense why the humans of this world had not gone extinct. Still, the prospect of his child letting out their first cry and him becoming a father in just one week was more than his mental preparation could keep up with.

“I see… I’m going to become a father in a week…”

“D-Do you dislike the idea…?”

“No, no! Of course I’m happy! If anything, having a beautiful person like Firis-san give birth to my child… it feels like a dream…”

“A dream… You are right. It truly is like a dream…”

Firis said this as if savoring the words. She repeated them quietly to herself several times. Stroking her stomach where the child resided, she turned her cherished gaze toward Sota.

“…Sota. I have received so many, many truly precious things from you. So many irreplaceable things that I could never thank you enough for.”

“Firis-san…”

“I thought having a child was just a dream. That I was no longer capable of being blessed with one…”

Firis’s voice trembled slightly. It was clear she was trying to choose her words carefully. How could she offer the finest words within her? How could she appropriately express this swelling feeling of gratitude? Trying to choose from millions of words, she then…

“Thank you… Oh, I wonder why. I’ve received so much, and I want to give so much thanks… but I…”

Only the words “thank you” would come out. Even though they were the most appropriate words to convey gratitude, Firis couldn’t help but feel they were trite.

…These had been golden days. She had spent twenty-eight years since being born into this world, but these days—not even a full week since meeting Sota—shone brilliantly to her. For Firis Aigur, life had truly “begun” after meeting Sota.

Sota Akitsuki was truly like a god to Firis. Kind, beautiful, and treating her with a pure love almost like that of a mother. An ideal man who appeared only in fairy tales or erotic fiction, who would smile and forgive her no matter how much she ravaged his body. She was forgiven even though she had pinned him down and toyed with his body… and by coupling with him repeatedly, she had been given the irreplaceable honor of protecting her beloved. These were nectar-like days, as if honey had been poured over sugar.

…On top of that, she had now been blessed with a child. It was an excessive happiness for someone like herself, an “old maid” who was good for nothing but fighting. This painfully sweet joy of conceiving Sota’s child, the frustration of being unable to repay him no matter what, and the golden reality nestled beside her… the emotions overflowing from Firis were expressed simply as tears.

…Simply as tears.

“Sota, thank you… Thank you…!!!”

Firis could find no words other than “thank you.” As she bowed her head amidst her sobs, she looked almost like a sinner forgiven by God after an eternity… Supported by the Sota she loved as her body collapsed in tears, and with her head stroked by her liege, Mamula, Firis could only tremble like a puppy in the face of such overwhelming happiness.

“…”

Elraine, who was watching from the side, gripped her trembling fists tight, so very tight. No one noticed the change in the color of her eyes behind her glasses.

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