Bad news: Miss Irene is pregnant.
Good news: Her husband is dead.
The great ups and downs of life, the extreme joy and sorrow, are nothing more than this.
Reiya instantly regained his usual confident and flamboyant appearance, flicking his flowing long hair.
"Her husband is deceased, and the child isn't even born yet. Right now, Miss Irene must be at her most psychologically fragile, the time when she needs a MEEN~ to take care of her most!"
Everyone: "..."
Please, which eye of yours sees her as fragile?!
Could a fragile person complete over thirty S-class missions in a single month?!
I'm too embarrassed to even expose what you're thinking right now!!
Reiya turned a blind eye to the disgusted looks from his companions, completely immersed in his own fantasy time.
"How could a lady as delicate as a flower lack the protection of a knight by her side?"
"It's decided! I must let Miss Irene see my sincerity and accept my love. I will become the man who looks after her for the rest of her life! I will become the future father of the child in her womb!!"
"Mm-hmm... I feel like I'm fired up now!"
You're fired up over ghost!!
Don't get fired up in such weird places!!
That catchphrase isn't used like that!!
Looking at the confident, hot-blooded Reiya, whose face was red and neck veins were bulging, the crowd didn't even know where to begin roasting him.
"Hey, hey... Reiya, wake up. It's impossible for Miss Irene to take an interest in you!"
"Don't bother. This guy has forgotten reality and is completely immersed in his own world. He's beyond saving!"
"I really want to punch him."
"Forget it, let's not dampen his spirits while he's on a roll."
"Thinking about it, this guy is actually quite pitiful..."
Time is like fine sand in the wind; if you aren't careful, it slips through your fingers.
In the summer of year X692, Irene gave birth to a baby girl in Magnolia who had the same hair color as her.
To show her gratitude to Weston and the others for the grace of her rebirth, she gave the right to name the child to Mavis. Ultimately, at Weston's suggestion, Mavis named the baby girl Erza.
Erza Belserion!
Because Weston saved Irene ahead of time, the "Titania" Erza of the original work was born over seventy years early in this world!
In this life, she would not experience the suffering of the "Tower of Heaven," nor would she encounter Jellal—the nightmare that tortured her for half her childhood.
Though she still had no father, she had the care of her biological mother, and there were many uncles and aunts in the guild who could provide her with paternal and maternal love.
If there were any regrets, it would be that she wouldn't be able to form a team with Natsu, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, Happy, and Carla.
However, she wasn't without peers.
In year X693, Weston and Mavis had a son, named Darwin.
In the same year, Weston and Zera had a daughter, named Chris.
Along with Makarov, who was born earlier, the four became the representatives of the new generation of Fairy Tail.
In year X700, Fairy Tail officially stepped into a new century.
BANG—!!
The guild doors were kicked open from the outside, and two small figures rushed in, one after the other.
"Idiot Chris, stand still!!"
"Stupid big brother, I'm not stopping!!"
Although the little girl leading the way was small, her speed was as fast as a cat. After bursting into the guild, she used her small stature and agile footwork to weave rapidly between the tables and chairs.
The boy chasing her was red-faced with anger. Despite running with all his might, he remained one step behind his sister.
The two children who suddenly barged in caused the Wizards drinking and chatting in the guild to freeze for a moment.
A few seconds later, everyone laughed, either out of helplessness or amusement.
"My, my, these two little rascals are at it again..."
"Hahaha, they really are energetic!"
"Chris run faster! Your brother is catching up!"
"Go for it, Darwin!"
"Place your bets, place your bets! Those who think Chris will win again today, bet over here; those who think Darwin can win today, bet here..."
"I'm taking Chris! Wagering one drink!!"
"Darwin has lost so many times, it's about time he takes a round back, right? I'll bet a drink on him too... no, add a roast chicken!!"
"Then I'll..."
These indecent old geezers in the guild didn't stop the siblings from making a ruckus; instead, they cheered and egged them on from the side.
Even worse, after someone started a gambling pool on the outcome, the rest of them actually pulled out money to join in, showing absolutely no decorum as elders.
In fact, similar situations had occurred almost every day for the past six months. The Wizards in the guild were used to it, which was why they were so relaxed.
The reasons for the siblings' quarrels changed every day, but today's reason was obvious at a glance—
Chris was holding a palm-sized plastic box in her hands, and inside lay a fragrant slice of strawberry cake.
As Chris ran, the scent of the strawberry cake gradually drifted through the guild; everyone could smell its sweet aroma.
For a moment, the smell of alcohol dissipated, and the air seemed filled with sugar.
"What, so it's just Chris stealing Darwin's snacks again..."
"Oh wait, this time she stole Darwin's favorite strawberry cake? It looks like today's battle will be a bloodbath!"
"Chris is clearly a girl, but she's more mischievous than the boys! She's exactly like Zera was when she was little..."
"Hahaha... isn't that good? If a girl is a bit mischievous, she won't be taken advantage of later!"
"Where did you get that distorted logic from?"
While everyone was laughing and talking, Darwin's eyes suddenly turned red. He gripped his head with both hands and let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.
"Wait! Don't!"
Everyone looked closer and saw that while Chris was dodging Darwin's "pursuit," she had already opened her mouth wide, preparing to take a bite of the cake!
"Stop! Hurry up and stop!!"
"That's my cake!!"
Hearing her brother's collapsing wail, Chris turned around and triumphantly made a face: "Bleh—!! I don't care! Since I snatched the cake, it's mine!!"
With that, there was a splat sound as she buried her entire face into the cake.
When she lifted her head again, the young girl's eyebrows, the tip of her nose, and her cheeks were covered in creamy white frosting. Her mouth was bulging as she chewed.
Her eyes were full of the playfulness of a successful prank, and the curve of her lips was impossible to suppress.
And that slice of strawberry cake was already more than half gone!
"Aaaaaah—!!"
Despair instantly washed over Darwin's face. His eyes were red and tearing up, his fists were clenched, and his whole body was trembling.
"My cake... was eaten..."
Everyone: "..."
Suddenly, I feel this kid is a bit pitiful...