Chapter 2 - Is She Crazy?

"Where on earth did she go?"

Kailyn, who told me not to look for her and left on our wedding day. Three months had passed since she said those words and disappeared. I still had no idea where she went or what she was doing.

I thought she'd come back soon.

I figured she'd return eventually. It wasn't the first time she had left like this only to come back in the end. So I didn't bother chasing after her, thinking she'd return anyway.

This is driving me crazy.

But this time felt different. Even after three months, she showed no signs of returning. To be honest, I was starting to worry.

She's not alone either.

While I was concerned about her, I was even more worried about the child in her womb. She was pregnant, so she absolutely needed to be resting right now.

Isn't it about time for the baby to be born?

Moreover, the baby could be due any time now. She was about 6 months pregnant when we got married. Now, three months later, the baby might be ready to be born.

"I can't just sit still anymore."

I finally got up. I couldn't just wait around for her indefinitely. I headed to places Kailyn might have gone.

***

She's not here either.

I searched everywhere I could think of where Kailyn might be. From her family home to the library where she nurtured her dreams of becoming a mage. Even the mountains behind town where she always practiced magic, even after getting pregnant.

I looked everywhere I could think of. But she was nowhere to be found. I couldn't see her anywhere.

Could she be at the magic tower after all?

The last place I could think of was the magic tower. It was where mages research their magic, and any talented mage dreams of entering. She was no exception. Even in the original story, she would always talk about the magic tower.

So I thought I might find her if I went to the magic tower. With that in mind, I headed there.

"Welcome, visitor to the magic tower. I am Leshu, the current gatekeeper. May I ask your name?"

"My name is Davian."

"I see. Are you a mage?"

"No, I'm not."

"I'm sorry, but non-mages cannot enter."

But I couldn't get into the magic tower. A purple-haired woman in mage's robes stopped me at the entrance. She introduced herself as Leshu, the gatekeeper.

Her reason for stopping me was obvious. Only mages could enter the tower, and even then, only those with considerable talent. There was no way I could enter, having possessed Davian's body with no magical ability or talent.

But I couldn't give up here.

"I'm not a mage, but I came to check if someone I know is here."

"Hmm. What is this mage's name, and what is your relationship?"

"Her name is Kailyn Dwenbell, and I'm her husband. I just want to talk to her once."

I explained the situation to the gatekeeper. I pleaded as her husband, wanting to speak with my wife.

"Hmm... So you're her husband."

The gatekeeper looked somewhat troubled at my words.

"Not a boyfriend, but a husband... You're married?"

"That's right."

Even mages, known for being strict, couldn't easily dismiss the relationship between husband and wife. The gatekeeper thought for a moment, then spoke as if she had no choice.

"Kailyn Dwenbell is indeed here in the tower. She entered about 3 months ago."

So Kailyn had come to the magic tower, after all. It seemed she had headed straight here after running away 3 months ago. She was probably studying magic diligently here.

"I see. I'd like to meet her."

I intended to talk things over with her. Especially about the child. So I told the gatekeeper I wanted to meet her, but...

"I'm sorry, but even if you're her husband, non-mages cannot enter."

Unfortunately, the tower's rules couldn't be ignored. The gatekeeper shook her head, saying it wasn't possible. I was quite disappointed, but...

"However, I can bring her out. I'll let her know Davian is here. That much shouldn't be a problem."

"You'd do that?"

"Yes. Please wait a moment."

Fortunately, the gatekeeper said she'd have Kailyn come out. I suppose it was fine for a mage to leave the tower. The gatekeeper told me to wait and flew off on her broom.

Now I'll be able to see Kailyn again.

I felt relieved. I had been really worried when told I couldn't enter the tower. I was glad things were working out.

But...

"Why are you coming back alone? Where is Kailyn?"

"...She said she won't come."

Why are you alone?

A short while later, the gatekeeper returned without anyone. Seeing Leshu shaking her head at me, I had to ask again.

"May I ask why?"

"She said she doesn't want to meet you."

"What?"

"She just told me to ask you to leave. That's all there is to it."

"..."

She doesn't want to meet after I came all this way?

It was rather absurd, but that was the reality. The gatekeeper looked apologetic, and I had no choice but to leave the magic tower.

***

Unable to meet Kailyn, I returned home. I thought about the situation again.

It's not a bad situation for me, but...

To be honest, this situation wasn't bad for me at all. As I've said before, getting her pregnant and marrying her was just an unavoidable accident. I didn't particularly love Kailyn, and it was actually less stressful and more comfortable not living with her like this.

Is she planning to raise the child alone?

Moreover, Kailyn had taken on the biggest issue —the child. I was in a position where I didn't have to do anything. Crudely put, I had enjoyed pleasure without taking responsibility.

I should live my own life.

So the current situation was really not bad for me at all. She wouldn't even meet me, so what could I do? I decided to live for myself from now on.

Let her do as she pleases.

I thought it was right for me to live ordinarily as I had planned, for Kailyn to do her research at the magic tower while raising the child, and for us to go our separate ways.

So it was time for me to stop caring too. I decided not to think about Kailyn anymore.

But...

There was just one thing that worried me.

Come to think of it, can a child even be in the magic tower?

The problem was the magic tower itself. As I said before, only mages could enter the tower. That condition applied even to 1-year-old babies.

No one was allowed in the tower for reasons other than magic. So I couldn't help but wonder. How was she planning to deal with the baby issue?

Did she have some special plan?

Even though I tried not to care, I couldn't help but be curious about that part.

Knock knock.

But that curiosity was soon to be resolved. There was a knock at the door of my mansion. Someone had come to visit, though I couldn't think who it might be.

I went to the entrance to check on the visitor, and it was someone I had seen at the magic tower recently.

"Gatekeeper?"

"Hello, Davian."

It was the gatekeeper I had spoken with at the magic tower, Leshu I think her name was? She greeted me politely. I wondered why she had suddenly come.

"What brings you here...?"

I had to ask the reason, and...

"She asked me to deliver this."

Leshu carefully took something out from her robes. What she took out was a baby.

"That child is...?"

"Kailyn asked me to deliver it to you. Along with this letter."

What? Kailyn asked her to deliver the baby to me now?

Unable to understand what was going on, I took the letter first. 

What on earth was she thinking, sending me the baby like this?

To find out, I started reading the letter, and...

"Is this woman really insane?"

I couldn't help but get truly angry.