From the day Elara's pregnancy was confirmed, the entire Frostwind Empire entered what historians would later call the "Excessive Protection Era."
It began subtly.
At first, Arin merely doubled the number of guards around the inner palace. Then he tripled them. Then he replaced half of them with divine constructs that never slept. Within a week, the Empress's residence was surrounded by seven overlapping defensive domains, twelve grand formations, and three hidden spatial barriers.
No insect could enter without being registered.
No breeze could pass without inspection.
Mira stood in the control hall, staring at the glowing defensive map.
"…This is excessive," she said.
Seren crossed her arms. "Excessive? He installed a mini-domain inside her bedroom."
Lyra added quietly, "Even fate has trouble entering now."
Inside the Inner Pavilion, Elara tried to walk to the garden.
Immediately, six shadow guards appeared.
"Your Majesty, the wind speed is unstable."
"Pollen density is dangerous."
"Sunlight intensity is abnormal."
"Recommendation: Return indoors."
Elara blinked.
"…It's a normal afternoon."
Before she could argue, Arin appeared.
Wearing full imperial armor.
In broad daylight.
"Elara, it's too risky outside," he said seriously. "What if Heaven attacks?"
She stared at him.
"…Arin."
"Yes?"
"I just want to touch a flower."
He hesitated.
"…I'll bring it to you."
Auren watched from nearby.
"Papa is weird."
Ardyn nodded. "Ba."
Pregnancy Protection Ritual
Two days later, Arin summoned every grand master, alchemist, priest, and formation expert in the empire.
A massive ceremony was prepared.
Golden pillars.
Moonlight arrays.
Star barriers.
Life-energy pools.
It looked like a god-ascension ritual.
Mira flipped through the plans. "This ritual can protect a planet."
Arin nodded. "Good."
"It's for one baby," she added.
"Exactly," he replied.
The ritual activated at midnight.
Gentle divine light surrounded Elara.
Warm.
Comforting.
Safe.
The unborn child's aura pulsed softly in response.
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Divine Fetus Protection: Activated
Growth Potential: Supreme Tier
Lyra stared in disbelief. "He's raising a future god in a cradle."
Family Comedy
After the ritual, Elara craved strange foods.
At three in the morning—
"I want moonberry soup… with fire-lotus honey."
Silence.
Then—
Arin vanished.
He returned five minutes later.
With ingredients from three continents.
Seren laughed until she cried. "You teleported across realms for soup!"
"So?" he replied.
Auren tried to help too.
He proudly presented a glowing crystal.
"For baby!"
It exploded gently.
Everyone panicked.
Arin calmly sealed it.
"…Next time, ask Papa first."
Hidden Danger
While the palace was filled with warmth and laughter, darkness gathered elsewhere.
Deep in the Void Sea…
A massive cocoon pulsed.
Inside it—
Something ancient stirred.
A weapon created to hunt gods.
"He carries three sovereign destinies…"
"He must be erased."
Arin Feels It
One night, while holding Elara as she slept, Arin opened his eyes.
A faint tremor ran through his divine core.
He looked toward the horizon.
"…They're preparing something bigger."
He tightened his embrace.
"Come if you dare."
Elara murmured in her sleep, smiling.
"I trust you…"