Although Liya said that, Arthur still saw a trace of disappointment in her eyes.
After all, Snape had more or less treated her like a tool. Even though she knew she was only a substitute for Lily.
"Sigh."
Arthur sighed, took a delicate little vial from his bosom, and handed it to Liya.
Seeing Liya's puzzled look, he explained, "It's an aphrodisiac I developed myself — colorless and tasteless. Even Snape wouldn't notice. After you've had the baby, if he refuses to touch you, you can try this. Men, once they have the first time, they'll want a second."
Arthur motioned for her to keep it.
Liya hesitated for two seconds, accepted the vial, and tucked it into her clothes. "Thanks. You don't act like a child at all — are all wizards like this when they're young?"
"Ha, don't compare me to others. I'm a genius."
Arthur's remark made Liya snort with laughter. "You're amusing. No wonder he took you as his apprentice."
Mention of that made Arthur sour. He'd been inexplicably labeled Snape's disciple. He didn't exactly dislike it, but nobody got to make that decision for him without his permission. He wouldn't let it go quietly — he'd make sure to dig into Snape's pockets. No — his wife's dowry was about to be handed over; he'd go after Snape's coffin money instead.
At that moment Snape returned with others. He'd brought not only a female biologist but also a whole team of gynecologists. After some fuss, the operation began. As for the unused Lily cells, they were destroyed — one does not keep them around to be used for foul reincarnation.
Two grown men were left outside the operating room, killing time with idle chatter.
"What do you plan to do with her after this?" Arthur asked.
"I bought the house next to yours. Your caretaker is a doctor; they'll take care of her." Snape's tone was light, even pleased.
Arthur: ???
"Is there something wrong with you or with me? The Grangers are dentists. Do you know what a dentist does? They work on teeth! That's not near gynecology. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the house next to mine is a crematorium!" Arthur's veins stood out on his forehead. "Do you even understand the concept of 'neighbors'? In your mind, is the funeral parlor the only building near your house?"
He admitted that not checking the Grangers' profession carefully was his fault, but he also thought Arthur's brain worked oddly.
(System: Finally someone who understands my pain!)
Who would think of a crematorium when mentioning neighbors? Are you saying no one lives next door?
Fortunately the operating room door opened then. It had been a small procedure, ten-odd minutes at most — and it succeeded.
Arthur and Snape split up. Arthur cleaned up the experimental gear; Snape sent the medical team home. It didn't take long for Snape to return — Arthur guessed he had cast individual memory charms and dumped them by the roadside.
Once they got home, Snape brought Liya to call on the Grangers. The two families had a simple introduction. After Snape left, Hermione clung to Arthur, prying for details. Arthur told the story of Liya and Snape, but he omitted the test-tube baby part and instead said that Snape had finally accepted Liya's pursuit. That version reduced everyone to tears — Mrs. Granger and Hermione were moved to pieces; even Mr. Granger praised it. Arthur could only say, "If you like it, that's fine."
When Snape asked the Grangers to look after pregnant Liya, the two adults agreed without hesitation.
…
Night fell over the Lands Between. After nearly two weeks of fishing around, Arthur finally returned here again. He was atop Divine Tower of Liurnia, looking out and summing up how far he'd come. Staring at the top of the tower, a question suddenly popped into his mind.
"By the way, system. How does one beat this game?"
The system gave an exasperated noise — good heavens. It had been wondering when Arthur would remember to ask. After all, he'd used every big rune in the Lands Between as fertilizer. Wanting to repair the Elden Ring now was basically unrealistic. In other words, the ending that involved fixing the Elden Ring was no longer within his reach.
[Host must defeat the Elden Beast.]
Hearing that, Arthur breathed easier. He'd already realized he'd wrecked the Great Runes, but that didn't change things much. He'd intended to pursue Ranni's ending all along. In that ending, Ranni herself scatters her father Radagon's ashes.
Arthur didn't think further. With a Blessing he teleported to Rennala's mage tower. There he found a witch's set of clothes — Rennala's garments. He considered it, then put the outfit into the system space. Pretty as it was, it was women's clothing; he preferred armor or leather. The "Alpelich" set in the capital would be better.
They knew little about Renna — only that she was Ranni's magic tutor. But hadn't Ranni learned the Dark Moon magic from her mother, Rennala? Renna and Rennala differed by only one character in their names; Arthur felt he'd glimpsed the truth. He recalled that the previous owner of Torett's mount had been Rennala, hadn't they? So that meant he was riding his mother-in-law's horse?
Arthur shook his head and tossed the strange thought aside.
Through the portal he arrived at the mainstream of the Ainsel River. Opening his eyes, he saw a little doll lying on the plank next to a coffin lid.
Arthur: ?
So they'd given up pretending. The "petite Ranni" that used to be kept in the coffin was now just left outside. Arthur picked her up and began the summoning ritual. "Ritual" was generous — it was mostly him talking non-stop to her.
"Hello?"
"Are you listening?"
"Miss Ranni is the cutest in the world!"
"I'll be your dog, Miss Ranni!"
Ranni: …Is this person some kind of pervert?
"…Sigh. I didn't expect you to be so clingy. Or do you have a habit of talking to dolls?" she said.
"Mm-hmm. No matter the form, aren't you just a doll?" Arthur's words left Ranni momentarily at a loss. She continued, "Sigh — I originally didn't plan to let this form be seen by the world…"
"This is the reason you left Petite Ranni out here?" Arthur cut in again. This time Ranni flushed with anger.
"That's enough! Since you've discovered me, you won't get off scot-free. I want your help — go search out and destroy the blight-shadows on this land. …You've made Witch Ranni ashamed; I won't allow you to refuse!"
Arthur heard the heat in her voice and answered, "As you wish, my lady."
"Hmph! Flippant fellow." Ranni was too annoyed to say more and fell silent. No matter how much Arthur teased her, she remained mute. Arthur had no choice but to set off on the path to hunt the blight-shadows.
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