By the time they brought Emily's parents home, Belhard, who had been on his afternoon rounds, had returned.
"Oh, welcome back, Mr. Ralph. It seems that she's already in labor! I heard from the midwife who was resting in the living room earlier."
Beelhard, who was sitting at a four-person dining table, lit a candle on the table and waited.
"Good work, Belhard. Yes, hot water."
The water in the pot on the kettle was already boiling.
Ralph took the pot and headed to the bedroom and knocked on the door.
"Kena, I've brought the hot water. I'll leave it in front of the door."
"Yes, I think we'll still need hot water, so make sure the fire in the kettle stays on. Also, bring lots of water."
A calm, muffled voice could be heard from behind the door.
"How is she doing?"
"She's doing well. I think she'll give birth safely before midnight."
"I see."
Ralph patted his chest upon hearing those words. "I'll wait in the living room then."
When Ralph returned to the living room, Emily's mother, Allie, was making tea.
"Thank you, mother-in-law."
"Well, it takes a while from when the contractions start until the baby is delivered. Let's wait patiently."
"Does it really take that long?"
"Yeah, it took quite a while for me. I'll make dinner too. Dinner's not ready yet, is it?"
"Sorry, sorry for the trouble."
"The kettle is on right now, and we haven't had dinner yet either."
After preparing food for Kana and her assistant, Ralph, Belhard, and Emily's father, Elga, were silently watching the flickering candlelight.
Alie would occasionally go to the bedroom to check on Emily and report to the three men.
"They say the contractions are getting closer and closer. It looks like there's a little more to go."
While relieved by her words, Ralph and Elga continued praying with their fingers crossed.
"Belhard, it's about time for you to go to bed. You don't have to join us."
"No, it's fine. Besides, I don't think I'll be able to sleep until Ralph's son is born safely."
While they were having this conversation, a baby's cries came from the bedroom. At the same time, for some reason, Kana's scream was also heard.
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Hearing this, Elga was the first to stand up.
"The baby's born!"
Elga took the lead and ran to the bedroom. Ralph and Belhard followed.
Earlier, they had said that no men were allowed in, but when Kana screamed, Elga said "Excuse me!" and opened the bedroom door. "What's wrong, Kana?"
Kana held the baby with an expression of amazement.
Emily, who had just given birth, was already covered with sheets.
"What's wrong, Kana!"
Elga asked again.
Kana, holding the baby, muttered incomprehensible words, "The hero... the hero..."
"Huh?"
The three men's eyes widened.
The baby had already stopped crying, revealing its green eyes. Another strange thing was that it had silver hair. Emily had copper-colored eyes and light brown hair. Ralph had black eyes and black hair. He hadn't inherited either of those features.
"The hero?"
"Silver hair and bright green eyes... definitely the traits of a hero!"
"Even if he was a hero, is there something wrong?"
"That's right! We have to let King Kratos know right away!!"
Kena was always calm, but now she seemed extremely confused. She handed the baby over to her assistant, and then ran out of the house in the same outfit, as if she had changed completely.
"What's wrong?"
Belhard muttered, looking at her back.
"I don't know..." Ralph replied.
Elga, who had been strict and silent up until then, took the opportunity to embrace the baby with a warm face.
"Oh, Amy. I'm glad you gave birth safely. My first grandchild, so cute. A boy."
Even though the baby had just been born, Elga was already kissing the baby's cheek.
"Father-in-law, that's my role!"
The assistant, who was left behind in the bedroom, scolded the baby, who was filled with joy.
"There is still post-birth work to be done, so please leave the room, men!"
"Um, okay, sorry..."
Elga, whose grandchild had been taken from her, reluctantly stood up. Then she looked back at her grandchild several times.
"I wonder what's wrong with Grandma Kana."
Ralph remembered what Kana had said as he listened to his assistant's monologue, and left the room.
"... A hero."
Ralph returned to the living room, muttering to himself.