Ax’s Worst Day Ever ①
The center of Hydrangea is the center of politics.
Not only are there noble villas, but various related facilities line the streets.
Near the center stands a large, conspicuous, circular building.
It’s the “Hydrangea Grand Hall.”
“The main attraction is the arena. Besides that, there are theaters of large, medium, and small sizes. Large, medium, and small conference rooms. It’s what you’d call a complex with various restaurants, shops, and lodging facilities.”
“Wow, there’s a lot here.”
“Feels like they crammed too much in.”
“Like a hot pot, dabe na.”
“What kind of comparison is that?”
It’s certainly easy to understand, but we are walking along the outer promenade on the second floor.
Temple-like pillars stand at regular intervals, and the view is magnificent.
“According to the letter, it’s just ahead…”
Someone is approaching from the front. A petite Elf woman?
Long green hair. Large orange eyes. Long, pointed ears. Her features are beautiful, as expected of an Elf.
Without exception, both male and female Elves have well-proportioned features; that’s just how they are.
However, even among Elves, there are differences in beauty.
Applying that standard, she falls into the rather cute category, even for an Elf.
Since she looks like an Elf, her appearance is detached from her actual age.
Well, based on appearance, she looks to be in her late teens or early twenties.
The moment she appeared, Ax and Mineha cried out.
“Mom!”
“Master?”
What in the world.
Seeing the two of them, she smiles, waves, and approaches.
And then, all of us froze upon seeing her figure.
Paying us no mind, she drew near and said with a smile.
“It’s been a while, Ax. Mineha.”
“O-Oh…”
“Master. It’s been a long time…”
“And you are Ax’s…?”
“Ah, yeah.”
“I’m Rell.”
“Hoss, dabe.”
“I’m Ax’s mother, Emi. I’m also Mineha’s master. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Yes.”
“Dabe.”
We exchanged greetings, but… th-this is…
Ax, sweating profusely and clearly agitated, spoke up.
“M-Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Th-That stomach… what is…?”
Then Emi-san blushed slightly, looking embarrassed, and said with a little giggle, “Ufufu.”
“Well… I got pregnant.”
Emi-san’s belly was swollen enough for anyone to notice.
It wasn’t the kind of swelling from gaining weight; it was clearly the bulge of pregnancy.
“Eh? Ah, eh?”
“C-Congratulations… Congratulations…?”
“Eheh, thank you.”
“Congratulations.”
“It’s joyous… dabe na.”
“Thanks.”
Emi-san looked embarrassed, yet happy.
I looked at Ax. His face screamed disbelief. Can’t blame him.
“Wh-Wh-What’s the meaning of this, Mom!?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? I got pregnant.”
“B-But, why…?”
“Even if you ask me why…”
Ax. No. That’s not it.
“Wh-Wh-What should I do, Rell? Master got pregnant.”
“Ah, yeah, she did.”
Even Mineha was terribly flustered.
“Hey, what should I do, what should I do?! Should I have Woff’s children too?!”
“Calm down. You. You’re saying something outrageous.”
“How many of Woff’s children should I have?!”
“Calm down. I understand how you feel, but you. You’re saying something incredible right now.”
I know they live together, but are they really in that kind of relationship?
“However, Mineha is 10. Woff is 13… Could it work?”
“Rell, you calm down too, dabe.”
“Ah, yeah. Sorry.”
How could I…
Ax was grilling Emi-san.
“What’s the meaning of this! What the hell! Getting pregnant out of the blue like this!”
“C-Calm down. I’ll explain properly.”
“What have you been doing, ignoring my letters all this time, Mom!”
“I’ll explain that too.”
“I finally decided to face you properly, to talk things through!”
“Ax…”
“And yet you’re casually making babies with some guy I don’t even know!”
“Th-That wasn’t my intention, please, just listen to what I have to say.”
“Like hell I’ll listen!! Hey. Rell. Hoss. We’re leaving.”
“Ax?!”
“Hey.”
“Is this okay, dabe ka?”
“I don’t care anymore. About someone like her. I’m never seeing her again.”
Saying that in a low voice, Ax turned his back and started walking away.
We had no choice but to follow. Anything we said now would be useless.
It was at that moment.
“Wait, Ax.”
Someone called out.
When I noticed, a young man I didn’t recognize was standing next to the trembling, downcast Emi-san.
At that moment, I felt a strange sensation.
The young man had flaxen hair and light brown eyes.
Small white horns grew from his head. A Faun.
He was of medium build and height, looking to be in his twenties.
“Huh? Who the hell are you?”
“Ens. Ens Heiland.”
“So you’re the one…”
Ens. The Seeker getting promoted this time?
Still, what is this feeling…?
Emi-san said in a weak voice.
“He’s the father.”
“Is that so. It’s got nothing to do with me anymore. Go ahead and do whatever you want with your new family.”
“No, that’s not it. He’s your father.”
“I said! Just go have fun with your new husband!!”
“That’s not it! Listen! He’s your real father!!”
“…Huh?”
That’s right. They resemble each other.
He, Ens, looks very much like Ax.
Ens spoke with a complicated expression.
“Ax.”
“Wh-What do you mean? You said my old man was dead.”
“Yes, that’s right. Twenty-three years ago. He went missing in the Dungeon and never came back. That’s the truth. But… a few months ago, when I went to visit his grave, I found them. Your father and his companions, frozen in ice deep within the Dungeon.”
“Frozen in ice?”
“Yes, we managed to thaw them out somehow. And when we did, they were alive. A lot happened after that, but here he is, safe. We’re together.”
“…No way.”
“Master. So that means he’s Ax’s…”
“Yes, his biological father.”
“Whoa, dabe.”
“So things like that can happen.”
“Master. But even so, getting pregnant…?”
Mineha looked exasperated, almost angry.
“That’s… because… I just couldn’t help myself, I really couldn’t…”
“Well, can’t really say anything, dabe.”
“Yeah.”
A husband and wife reunited after more than twenty years.
It wouldn’t be strange at all if they conceived a child then; it couldn’t be helped.
“Like I care.”
“Ax. When Emi found out she was pregnant, she tried to terminate it right away.”
“…So what?”
“She felt terrible towards you. But I was the one who stopped her.”
“You did?”
“Terminating it would only cause you more pain, Ax.”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Ax glared at Ens. There was killing intent in his eyes.
Mineha asked.
“Master. Why didn’t you reply to the letters? If you had just said something in a letter… Honestly, I can’t accept this.”
“I’m sorry. Because of everything with Ens and the others, I couldn’t return home for a long time. I stopped by just before coming here and was given the letters. So it’s not like I intentionally kept quiet about my husband or the pregnancy. There were circumstances.”
“I see.”
“So you’re saying it wasn’t your fault?”
Ax said in a growling voice.
“That’s not it.”
“Hey. Ens.”
“Yes?”
“That Tsukaeshi thing of yours. There’s no way I’m doing it.”
“Understood.”
“So let me punch you just once!”
Ax lunged at Ens, throwing a punch. But his fist was caught.
Even though he punched with all his might, it was stopped easily.
“Ax. Just wanting to punch me won’t be satisfying enough, will it?”
“You bastard…”
Ax looked like he might draw his sword at any moment.
But Ens, despite noticing this, remained calm.
“Dear…?”
“During the Great O’Browns, there’s an Exhibition Match. Shall we fight there? Have ourselves a little father-son quarrel?”
“Fine. I’ll take you on. And we are not father and son.”
Ax withdrew his fist.
Hoss and I sighed.
Suddenly, I noticed Mineha and Emi talking a short distance away.
Master and disciple. They probably had a lot to talk about.
“Mineha.”
“Yes?”
“Do you despise me?”
“I think it was rash.”
“Yes.”
“But I feel like I understand. That doesn’t mean I accept it, though. Even so, I won’t stop being your disciple, Master. But I can’t say the same for Ax.”
“Yes, that’s right. You’re right.”
“Ax tried to reach out.”
“Yes, I read the letters.”
“But really, this time… are you okay with how things might end up?”
“Mineha. Even if I’m disqualified as a mother to the point he disowns me, even if I’m despised and hated, even if he refuses to ever see me again, I still love that child. I will never, ever forget that I am his mother.”
“—Master. I won’t tell him. I won’t tell Ax a single thing.”
“Yes, that’s fine. I’m sorry, Mineha.”
“No. Master. Once again, congratulations on your pregnancy.”
“Thank you.”
“Hey. Mineha, let’s go.”
“Well then, Master. See you later.”
“Yes.”
And so, after parting ways with Mineha en route, we returned to the hideout.
It left me with a truly indescribable feeling. I needed a drink.
Ax must have felt the same way.
We immediately left the hideout and headed for the Cidre Tavern.
If that didn’t work out, there were other places.
Anyway, I wanted to drink myself stupid.
I wanted to drink and drink and drink.
Returning home, I felt incredibly exhausted for some reason.
It was a relief to feel safe upon entering the house.
“Na?”
“Oh, it’s you. You were here.”
“Na!”
Dagaa came close, so I hugged him.
He’s so fluffy and feels nice. Instead of going to the Tower, I went straight to Woff’s room.
For some reason, I’ve really taken a liking to this place recently. Even though it’s small.
Maybe it’s because he often makes breakfast here.
Woff wasn’t there. Was he at the Lab, out eating, or at the Witch’s House?
“It’s nice that things have gotten more convenient, but…”
Being able to use the bath whenever I want thanks to the Teleport Gate connecting to The Witch’s House is great.
Although, I don’t mind washing up in front of my room either.
“Alright. Dagaa. Let’s go take a bath.”
“Na!”
We passed through the Teleport Gate to The Witch’s House.
On the way to the bath, I bumped into the owner, The Witch.
“Oh my, Mineha. Taking a bath?”
“Yes, today… Something incredibly tiring happened.”
“Ho ho. And what might that be?”
“My master’s pregnancy announcement, and the fact that Ax’s father was alive.”
The Witch gave a faint, wry smile.
Her reaction told me. Ah, so she knew after all.
“And so, and so, what happened then?”
“Things got complicated, Ax was seriously considering disowning him, and it ended up with his father and Ax fighting in an Exhibition Match.”
“Good grief. It seems the worst was somehow avoided, then.”
“I wonder about that. Hey, Witch, what did you think when you first heard about it?”
“Hmm, hmm. Well, first off, congratulations, I suppose.”
“Right.”
“And then, and then, I thought it was rather rash. Just like you, Mineha, I thought this time it really wouldn’t work out.”
“Master was prepared for that.”
“Oh my, oh my, she’d have to steel herself at least that much. Emi is by no means a good mother. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the truth. There’s no doubt she loves Ax as her son, that’s likely true. And she’s an excellent Seeker. If that hadn’t happened, she undoubtedly would have been First Class. But as a mother, she wasn’t good.”
“That’s right. It’s a fact that she ran away instead of facing her son.”
Back then. When Master said she was prepared, that she loved him, that she wouldn’t forget… I wanted to slap Master… Emi’s cheek as hard as I could. I think I did well to hold back. Instead, I glared at her, so Master probably understood.
The Witch swished her Tail and crossed her arms.
“Oh my, how harsh.”
“I can’t help but say that much. She’s my benefactor, and I respect her, but that’s exactly why I want to say it. Why? Why did she have to go and get pregnant?”
“Now, now, it’s also true that Emi suffered greatly. When her beloved husband shows up alive, she wouldn’t have had time to think about what might happen.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“Both, both, I suppose.”
The Witch laughed.
Really, this woman… A grin spread across my face.
“Hey, Witch. Changing the subject,”
“Yes, yes, what is it?”
“Me? I’ve been sleeping in Woff’s bed.”
The Witch froze. Her reaction was comical.
“W-w-w-wh-wha-what, what, what in the world does that mean!?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. Well then, I’m going to borrow the bath.”
I ignored The Witch, who was still saying something behind me.
I felt just a tiny bit better.
But my feelings were still unstable, vaguely irritated and frustrated.
After bathing, without drying off properly, still wrapped in a towel, I jumped into the bed in Woff’s room and burrowed under the covers.
“‘Pregnancy…’ ‘Giving birth to a child…’ ‘The person you love…'”
Aah, geez! It’s just, somehow! Aah, enough! Aah, enough!
I knew it, Master… I should have slapped that happy look right off that woman’s face back then!
I should have hit her as hard as I could!!
So irritating. I’m going to sleep.