Not only had Claudia's wounds disappeared, but her vision had also cleared. The eye she had kept hidden behind an eyepatch was now as bright as the other, shimmering with golden clarity. She blinked in astonishment, realizing that the albinism that had haunted her for years was truly gone.
"Thank you... you've given me a second chance at life," Claudia said, standing up slowly. Her voice trembled with emotion as she stepped forward and hugged Akiyama Ren tightly. "I will become your wife, and if you wish, I'll bear you many, many children."
A gentle smile curved on Ren's lips, and he returned the embrace without hesitation. For the first time in years, Claudia looked genuinely happy, her once sorrowful expression replaced by radiant bliss.
Watching them, Natalia couldn't help but muse silently, "So this is Master's type... I wonder if he had similar thoughts when he rescued me back then on that mission."
Ren, of course, heard it all. With his Six Eyes and his unique spiritual perception, even a whisper in one's soul wouldn't go unnoticed.
He turned his gaze toward Natalia. She was undeniably attractive—a stoic beauty with a cool aura and sharp instincts, though she did have the tomboyish air of someone who'd smoked too many cigarettes. Still, she had her own charm.
As Claudia was led away to bathe and change by several artificial maids, Ren addressed Natalia, "Take me to the facility where the homunculi are made."
"Yes, Master. This way, please," Natalia responded quickly, pushing aside her previous thoughts and assuming her usual professional demeanor.
The two made their way through the Einzbern stronghold to a high-tech underground lab. There, dozens of glass cylinders were filled with glowing liquid, each housing female artificial beings in varying stages of development. Tubes and wires linked them to complex machinery.
In the center chamber lay a prominent capsule. Within it, curled in artificial slumber, was a breathtaking silver-haired woman with delicate features and a serene expression.
Ren stepped up to the capsule and placed his hand gently on the glass. "So this is the clone of Justeaze Lizrich von Einzbern... The vessel of the Little Holy Grail, Irisviel von Einzbern."
"She can be awakened at any time," Natalia said, stepping beside him. "Shall I give the order?"
"Yes," Ren nodded. "But make sure not to insert the Little Holy Grail into her core yet. I want her clean—untainted."
"Understood."
Natalia summoned two homunculi maids to begin the awakening process. As they approached the control terminal, Ren suddenly recognized them.
"Wait... those two..."
"The one with long hair is Sella. She's now the head maid of the artificial attendants," Natalia explained. "The short-haired one is Leysritt, the latest combat-model."
Ren's lips curled into a nostalgic grin. "So they really are the same ones from Illya's time..." He turned serious. "Assign both of them to protect Irisviel. From now on, they will be her guardians."
"Yes, Master."
The maids began the procedure. Tubes detached, nutrient solution drained, and finally, the oxygen mask was removed. A gentle beeping sound echoed as the chamber's systems completed the revival.
Slowly, Irisviel finally opened her eyes. Her crimson pupils shimmered with innocence, like a newborn gazing at the world for the first time. They were filled with purity—and a subtle curiosity, as though she were trying to comprehend her existence.
"From now on, your name will be Irisviel von Einzbern," Akiyama Ren said gently, brushing aside a strand of silver-white hair still damp with nutrient solution. He didn't flinch at the sticky residue clinging to her strands.
"I... I... Iris...viel?" she mumbled, haltingly pronouncing her name for the first time.
"That's right, Irisviel," Ren replied with a warm smile.
The wife born just moments ago, still untouched by the world—a living canvas of purity and perfection.
Emiya Kiritsugu... sorry, but I'll be taking her first, Ren thought mischievously, his inner monologue tinged with villainous satisfaction.
Turning to Sella and Leysritt, he issued his next command. "You two, take Irisviel to bathe and dress her. Then bring her to me."
"Yes, Family Head," the two artificial maids responded in unison with mechanical grace. One held Irisviel's arm gently while the other supported her from the other side. Together, they guided her out of the capsule and toward a cleansing chamber.
Ren watched them leave, eyes narrowed in thought. Then he turned to Natalia. "Have our operatives in Fuyuki investigate something for me."
"What do you want them to look into?" Natalia asked, tilting her head slightly in curiosity.
"Check whether the Zenjou family's daughter has already married."
His words carried a playful wickedness that Natalia couldn't miss.
Having already claimed Karen's mother and Illya's mother, now he only needed Rin and Sakura's mother to complete his bizarre "collection."
Three wives from three major lineages... not one less, Ren mused, eyes glittering.
Natalia gave a half-sigh. "Understood," she replied, though her inner thoughts betrayed her. Master… aren't two enough already? Just how greedy are you?
She didn't hate it, though.
Ren may have been shameless, but he was also powerful, handsome, and capable—more so than any man she'd ever met. In a way, he was a walking embodiment of charisma.
And besides… what woman didn't want to be cherished by someone like him?
But then a question crept into her heart. Why hasn't he shown interest in me yet? Am I not good enough?
Her heart sank a little, but the answer came swiftly.
Ren suddenly walked over, placed a hand on her shoulder, and said calmly, "Natalia, from now on, stop smoking. Once the stench is gone, you'll be a perfect woman."
With that, he walked away without looking back, leaving Natalia stunned in place.
She blinked, then processed his words. So he... doesn't like the smell of smoke? That's it?
Natalia glanced at the cigarette pack in her pocket. She hesitated... then pulled it out and stared at it like it was a long-lost lover.
She brought out a lighter, ready to toss them both into the trash bin. Her hand trembled.
Just one more... just one last one, she told herself, lighting it up. The first drag instantly relaxed her, a blissful sigh escaping her lips.
But after finishing, she looked down at the smoldering stub and lighter in her hand with conflicted eyes.
Then, with resolve, she tossed them both into the trash.
For him, I'll quit. Even if I have to go cold turkey...
Later, inside the grand study of the Einzbern estate, Ren flipped through several volumes on magecraft and the structure of the Grail System. Before long, Natalia returned, accompanied by Claudia and Irisviel, now clean and dressed in elegant white robes.
The sight made Ren raise an eyebrow in approval.
They were stunning.
Claudia's once sickly form had been nursed into gentle vitality, her golden eyes now glowing. Irisviel's innocent expression carried a natural nobility, enhanced by her graceful bearing. Even Natalia, free from her usual fatigued look, radiated new charm.
Of course, Ren wasn't going to act hastily.
Their bodies are still adjusting... I'll wait until they've fully recovered. No use damaging such fine works of art.
"Starting today," Ren began, looking at them seriously, "you three will manage the internal affairs of the family. Handle both large and small issues. If anything too complicated arises, wait until I return."
He turned to Natalia. "You'll be responsible for teaching Irisviel magecraft."
Then to Claudia. "You'll guide her in basic human interaction and life skills. And all of you—don't forget the priority mission: locate Avalon, the sheath. Also, continue investigating the Zenjou family."
All three women nodded obediently.
Satisfied, Ren summoned the Star Gate.
"Take care of things while I'm gone."
With those words, he stepped through the portal and vanished.
Claudia stood in awe. "That… was divine…"
Even Irisviel tilted her head curiously. "Papa Ren… disappeared?"
...
Dungeon World, Orario!
Akiyama Ren stepped through the Star Gate and returned to his villa. Ten days had quietly passed in this world while he was away. As expected, adjusting the time dilation between the Dungeon World and the Type-Moon World to a 1:20 ratio worked perfectly. Half a day spent in the other world was equivalent to ten days here.
It was all intentional, of course. With Maki-san away on her solo expedition, Ren didn't feel like lingering in Orario all alone. This little time trick let him fast-forward through the dull waiting period.
According to his estimate, Maki-san's training should be wrapping up right about now.
After changing back into the standard Orario adventurer attire, Ren headed out. Today's mission? Buying some fresh ingredients. A man still had to eat, after all.
He strolled toward North Street, humming softly to himself, but the moment he arrived, his gaze locked onto an unexpectedly familiar figure.
Petite frame. Enormous chest. Fluffy twin tails bouncing with each step. A white dress paired with a blue ribbon tied under her chest—yes, that blue ribbon—the infamous Boob String.
Hestia.
The busty loli goddess stood by a street food stall, struggling to sell potato croquettes with an exaggerated smile and endless energy.
Ren raised an eyebrow.
"Oi, that ribbon is doing more heavy lifting than most adventurers in the lower floors," he muttered to himself.
Currently, Hestia should've already been booted out by Hephaestus-sama, left wandering Orario trying to make ends meet. That meant it wouldn't be long before she earned the legendary title—'North Street Calamity.'
Ren smirked. "What a perfect time to intervene."
After all, while he personally favored Ryu-san in the anime, he couldn't deny the charm of Hestia. Besides, he wasn't about to let her fall into the hands of Bell Cranel—the rabbit kid. If Freya liked rabbits, she could keep that one. He'd take the goddess instead.
Tugging his collar straight and smoothing his expression into something warm and trustworthy, Ren approached the stall.
Hestia's vibrant blue eyes met his, and the moment she saw him, her expression shifted to one of recognition and surprise.
"Eh? You're a fellow God, aren't you? Even with your divinity sealed, I can still tell!" she said, puffing up her nonexistent height and throwing a croquette into the air like it was a sacred offering.
Ren chuckled. "Sharp as ever, huh?"
"Fufufu~ You bet! So, are you here to buy a croquette? Two for 500 valis today!" she said, striking a pose like a street merchant out of a gacha game.
He shook his head. "Actually, I'm not here to buy croquettes. I'm here to hire someone."
Her eyes sparkled. "Oho? Hiring? For what kind of job?"
"Head housekeeper. My place is too big, and I'm gone often. I need someone to manage things. Salary's one million valis a month."
Hestia dropped the croquette.
"One... one million!? A month!?" she shrieked.
Before Ren could blink, she jumped over the stall counter, grabbed both his hands, and looked at him with puppy-like eyes.
"Please hire me! I'm super good at... uhm... yelling at people to clean! I can even taste-test food! I'm perfect for this job, I swear!"
Ren laughed inwardly. Yup. Just like the anime. Hestia was pure chaos, but oddly adorable.
To her, one million valis probably felt like winning the lottery. And given how Dungeon World's economy paralleled modern Japan, it wasn't actually that outrageous—more like a 450,000 yen monthly salary in his past life. Still high, but not absurd.
He decided to tease her a little.
"I don't know..." Ren said with mock doubt. "Can I really trust someone who nearly burnt water the other day?"
"I said that was a fluke!" she pouted.
Ren smiled. "Alright then, welcome aboard. From now on, you're my head housekeeper."
"Yattaaaaa~!!" Hestia cheered, spinning around like she'd just unlocked an SSR.
No more greasy croquettes, no more street corner sales. A proper house, a huge paycheck, and all the crepes she could ever eat—this was paradise!
She puffed up her chest—no small feat given its size—and announced proudly, "Leave it to me, Master! I'll make your home sparkle brighter than Freya-sama's smile!"
Ren chuckled as he watched her enthusiasm. This was going to be a chaotic ride, no doubt.
But that's just how he liked it.