Chapter 14 - Mother

Kailyn gave a quite shocking answer.

Kailyn referring to the child as "that". It was enough to confirm how little affection she had for the child.

As expected, Kailyn is truly trash.

But I wasn't particularly angry about it. Kailyn was always this kind of person, wasn't she? It was right to think that this was exactly the answer I expected.

I'm the fool for expecting anything.

When Kailyn came here, I did have some expectations because it was an unexpected situation. But it wasn’t like I didn't know she was this kind of person. Because I knew all too well how self-centered Kailyn was in the original story, hearing such an answer didn't particularly change my emotions.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing. I'm raising the child," I answered Kailyn nonchalantly. 

Since she asked, I told her that I was raising the child.

"I didn't expect you to be raising the child."

Kailyn did show a somewhat surprised reaction to hearing that I had the child, but that was all.

"I'll take care of it later when I make money."

Kailyn sighed as if it was bothersome. She did say she would take care of it separately later, but...

"So, don't spread any bad rumors. I don't want stories about my background being shady after I become an archmage."

It was all for her own sake. She didn't think about the child at all until the end.

"No. I don't need money. There's nothing you need to do."

I didn't particularly want to receive help from such a Kailyn. The stage where help was needed had already passed. I said it was fine.

"Really? Then what about the divorce?"

"Let's get divorced."

I decided to go through with the divorce. The marriage to Kailyn was truly an accident in the first place. It was right to get divorced now since we weren’t living a normal married life, anyway.

"It's good that you're more understanding than I expected. This is your strong point."

When I answered immediately without hesitation, Kailyn also showed a satisfied expression.

"I'll prepare the divorce ceremony soon. Since I brought it up, it's right that I prepare it."

Then she said she would contact me again soon.

"I'll contact you later. I'm busy now, so I'll be going."

And with that, she left and headed back to the church.

***

A week has already passed since I talked with Kailyn. Kailyn was still staying in the village, drawing magic circles to summon the spirit. During that week, nothing particularly happened.

After that, I did run into Kailyn a few times, but I didn't have any conversation with her. We were truly strangers now. Kailyn didn't try to build any kind of relationship with me anymore.

It's refreshing.

Honestly, I thought there was nothing bad about this situation. No, wasn't it rather a good thing? While I couldn't let go of my lingering feelings for Kailyn because the child needed a mother, this time I was able to completely let go of those feelings.

No matter how much the child needed a mother, a mother like Kailyn might be better off not being there. I had been thinking I should get divorced, too. From my position where Kailyn was going to handle all those bothersome things, I was rather grateful.

Things could be said to have worked out well.

From now on, we'd truly go our separate ways. Of course, Kailyn's path was heading straight for the guillotine, but it was her choice, so I had no intention of stopping her.

Anyway, just as I had completely sorted out my feelings...

"Um... Brother?"

Levia came to see me after a long time.

"Oh, Sister Levia. I haven't seen you in a while."

"Yes. I've been extremely busy."

"Are you okay now?"

"Yes. I don't have anything to do now. I feel like I have free time again."

Levia had been helping the mages from the magic tower draw magic circles. That was why she had been quite busy, too. We couldn't talk because of that, but it seemed she finally had some time now.

Seeing Levia after seeing Kailyn made me feel at ease. But...

"Um... Brother. Are you okay?"

For some reason, Levia didn't look very comfortable. She was looking at me with worried eyes. At first, I didn't know why Levia was making such an expression, but thinking about it a little, I could understand.

Ah... It's because of Kailyn, isn't it?

It was Levia who told me that Kailyn surely hadn't forgotten about the child as a mother. Levia must have been thinking of a normal mother. A mother who has maternal love and cherished her child.

But after meeting Kailyn, she must have realized. That Kailyn wasn't normal. She might have been worried that I, who had talked with such a Kailyn, might have been hurt.

But that worry was completely unnecessary.

"Brother. Please stay strong."

"Is there any reason I wouldn't be?"

"What?"

"I didn't like her from the beginning. We just got married by accident. I think it's rather a good thing."

I told Levia how I felt now. I said that parting with Kailyn was a good thing for me, smiling. So I told her that Levia didn't need to be disheartened.

"Still... Are you really not worried at all?"

Even after hearing my words, Levia still looked at me worriedly, so I had no choice but to mention one concern.

"Well, to be honest, I am a bit worried about the child."

Of course, it wasn’t that I wasn’t worried at all. While there was no problem for me, it was different for the child. The issue of the child's mother still remained unresolved. I really didn't know what to do about this part.

"The child?"

"Yes. After all, she has to grow up without a mother. I'm worried she might go astray."

I confided my concerns to Levia.

"You're such a responsible person, Brother."

Hearing that, Levia smiled gently. As if she was finally relieved.

"I'm just doing what needs to be done."

"That's what being responsible means."

Why are you being so embarrassing? 

Just as I was feeling like Levia was teasing me, I heard unexpected words.

"Shall I become the child's mother?"

"What?"

What are you saying? Is this a confession? 

I couldn't help but be surprised at Levia's sudden confession.

But it didn’t seem to be that.

"Ah... The way I said it might cause a misunderstanding... That's not what I meant...!!! I meant I could take on the role of the child's mother."

Realizing what she had just said, Levia waved both hands and corrected herself. She meant she would just take on the role of the child's mother. Levia emphasized that there should absolutely be no strange misunderstanding.

Of course, that was what it would be, right? I almost misunderstood.

"I would be so grateful if you did that."

"I'll do my best."

"I feel like I'm always indebted to you, Sister Levia."

Anyway, Levia was offering to take on the role of the child's mother. I sincerely thanked her. Having a woman like Levia take on the mother's role was not an opportunity one could easily find anywhere.

I couldn't let this go.

Levia is more like a mother.

I really didn't know how I would have lived without Levia. It was to the point where she truly contrasted with an incompetent mother like Kailyn. One had a child but no sense of responsibility, while the other had no child but was much more responsible.

"I'm the one who's indebted."

"Really?"

"Yes, that's right."

I felt like my mind was much more at ease now that she said she would take care of the child. Anyway, just as a warm atmosphere was about to arise...

"Um..."

There was a mage watching this scene from afar. A mage with purple hair wearing a robe bigger than her body called out to me somewhat awkwardly.

"Mr. Davian. I'm sorry if you're busy..."

A mage who seemed to have business with me. This mage was one who came here with Kailyn to search for the spirit.

What does she want?

I was somewhat surprised. Although I hadn't had a proper conversation with this mage yet, there was no way I wouldn't know who she was. Her name was Daphne, currently second-ranked at the magic tower and the one who would become the mage of the hero's party in the future.

Why would such a person suddenly talk to me? 

I had to ask the reason.

"What's the matter?"

"I wanted to talk about Kailyn... Is that okay?"

Daphne seemed to want to talk to me about Kailyn.