Chapter 30: Ivern’s Decision
“Meileen! Please, just stay still!”
“But Mr. Bennett said, right? Even pregnant women need to get some exercise.”
“That may be true, but I’ll handle the heavy chores like laundry, so please keep your exercise to light walks. You’re already in your final month, you know?”
Time has flown by, and Meileen’s belly is now round and taut, ready to give birth at any moment.
Despite this, Meileen seems restless and insists on doing housework, prompting Mona to rush over every time.
“Meileen, I can’t believe how much you can still move around. I feel so heavy that I don’t want to do anything,” Yulia said, her own belly noticeably larger as she lounged on our sofa.
“You’re not moving enough, you freeloader.”
“Hey, Kenta, that’s harsh! Tell Ivern!”
“Oh, really?”
“Ugh… how can someone so strong be so annoying? All my verbal attacks just get blocked!”
Yulia complained, turning to Meileen for comfort.
“Oh dear, Kenta, you shouldn’t be so mean. Yulia is pregnant too, so you need to be gentle with her.”
“Considering I’m letting her live here without any stress until she gives birth, I’m already being plenty nice, right?”
As I said this, Yulia, who had been pretending to cry, suddenly broke into a bright smile.
“Thanks to Mona, I really have no stress! I can just lounge around without working, and it’s the best!”
“I’m honored.”
Mona, praised by Yulia, bowed gracefully like the former lady-in-waiting she was, though a hint of happiness radiated from her.
It seemed that she viewed Yulia, who was recognized as a close friend by her beloved Meileen, as a benefactor, treating her with utmost respect.
As we continued to chat in the living room, a knock echoed from the door.
“Yes, I’m coming!”
Mona opened the door without questioning who it was.
To reach here, one must pass through a Barrier, and only one person can do so at a time.
Yulia was here with her pass, and since I had gone to fetch Mr. Bennett, no one else had come on their own.
“Hey.”
Naturally, the only one who could arrive was Ivern.
After giving me a casual greeting, Ivern headed straight for Yulia.
“How are you, Yulia?”
“I’m great! Really energetic! Thanks to Mona taking care of me!”
“I see. Thank you as always, Mona. And you too, Meileen.”
Mona received Ivern’s gratitude but remained silent, bowing only because Ivern was also thanking Meileen, not wanting to interrupt her.
What a well-mannered lady-in-waiting she is.
“Hehe. Yulia brightens up the house. I’m grateful to have you around; every day is fun!”
“Hey, Ivern. What about me?”
Since I wasn’t included in the earlier thanks, I protested, and Ivern glanced at me before letting out a light chuckle.
“Oh? You’ve got some guts, huh? I could ban you from here anytime.”
“Is that so? If you ban me, who will bring supplies here?”
“Ugh…”
Ivern, you little…
“You’re getting a bit too cocky for someone like you!”
“…I don’t know why, but I feel like I just got hit with a really annoying comment.”
Ah, I need to rein in my inner brat.
“Well, whatever. Here, this is the supply for today.”
Ivern said as he placed a larger-than-usual backpack on the table.
“This one’s bigger than usual.”
“Well, Meileen’s about to give birth, right? Mr. Bennett said to bring a ton of fabric scraps and diapers.”
Opening the backpack revealed it was indeed filled with fabric items.
No wonder he could carry such a large load.
“And this is the food.”
He placed another backpack he had been holding in front of him onto the table.
“Thank you as always.”
After checking the contents, Mona bowed to Ivern and took the supplies to the refrigerator.
The refrigerator was a magical tool I had created myself.
Of course, I wouldn’t spread the word about it in this world.
Why should I help this world develop?
“It’s convenient, that refrigerator. You should make one for my house too.”
“Huh?”
For Ivern’s house? That might be a bit tricky.
As I hesitated for a specific reason, Yulia’s voice turned sad.
“Huh? You’re not going to make one for me? Why are you being so mean?”
“Yeah, why not just make it for them?”
Not just Yulia, but even Meileen chimed in.
I wasn’t trying to be mean, though.
“Just so you know, refrigerators don’t exist in this world, right? If someone found out about one in a house, it would make a great target for thieves.”
As I said this, all three of them looked shocked.
“That’s true. A refrigerator is a revolutionary magical tool. If word got out, it would quickly become a target for thieves.”
“Oh, I see. That’s too bad.”
Ivern nodded in understanding, while Yulia still looked disappointed.
Suddenly, Yulia exclaimed, “Oh!”
What was that about? I wondered, and then she proposed something unexpected.
“Hey, Meileen! Can we live here too?”
“Huh?”
“Of course, we’ll build a separate house. If we’re here, there’s no worry about thieves, and the kids can grow up safely, right?”
Yulia suggested they move in together.
I had never considered that since Ivern was essential as a bridge to the town.
“Wait, wait, Yulia. What about your work as an explorer?”
“Can’t you just quit?”
“Huh?”
“Because the materials Kenta gives us are worth a lot, right? Honestly, it’s safer to be the connection between Kenta and the town than to risk being an explorer.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
Now that I think about it, she had mentioned something like that before.
Ivern had been making multiple trips back and forth, so he must have saved up quite a bit.
Yulia’s argument was very persuasive, but Ivern seemed unconvinced.
“What’s up, Ivern? Are you really that proud of being an explorer?”
When I asked, Ivern shook his head.
“No, it’s just… if I follow Yulia’s suggestion, I feel like I’d really become a merchant.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
“Come on, that’s fine. It’s not that different from what you’re doing now.”
“Ugh.”
Oh boy, Yulia was really going for the kill now.
Just when I thought she was about to finish him off, she suddenly changed the mood and started rubbing her belly.
“And besides, the baby is coming soon, right? If there’s a safer and more profitable job than being an explorer, I want you to switch to that.”
Yulia looked at Ivern with pleading eyes.
After a moment of contemplation, Ivern sighed, “Alright, I get it. I don’t have any pride or attachment to being an explorer anyway. Sorry, Kenta, but can we build our house next to yours?”
“Yeah, that’s fine.”
As I said this, Meileen took Yulia’s hand, looking delighted.
“I’m so happy, Yulia! I thought once you gave birth, we wouldn’t see each other often. But if we’re neighbors, we can always be together!”
“Yeah! I’m happy too!”
As the two pregnant women held hands and giggled, suddenly…
“…Ah.”
“Huh?”
Meileen, who had been laughing, suddenly stopped and looked down at her feet.
“…Kenta.”
“What is it?”
Her tone was serious, a stark contrast to her earlier joy.
Concerned, I looked down as well…
“Could you call Mr. Bennett for me?”
There was a puddle forming at Meileen’s feet.
“My water just broke.”
The moment I heard those words, panic erupted throughout the house, and I hurriedly teleported to the town, dragging Mr. Bennett back with me like a kidnapper.