> Kira PoV

“Good morning Kira!” (Ellie)

I wake up to Ellie practically beaming at me. She’s overly excited, isn’t she? Well, it’s to be expected. It’s a big day for her.

“Hmmnn... Happy Birthday Ellie ~♡!” (Kira)

“Thanks Kira!” (Ellie)

She narrows her eyes and somehow manages to smile even wider. Today marks exactly one year since Ellie came here. One year since she was ‘reborn.’ Well, it’s true for both of us I suppose. I reach over and stroke her cheek with my palm. She puts her hand over mine as our faces slowly draw closer together, inevitably ending in a deep kiss.

*MMMmmmmmnnnnnnn*

Oh my! Starting with the tongue so early! Ellie really is frisky today isn’t she? I wouldn’t be much of a wife if I didn’t return the gesture ~♡!

Our tongues greet each other and share a dance for what feels like hours. Judging from the way Ellie’s tongue wriggles against mine, she’s not exactly ‘in the mood’ but just really really happy. Well, today I promised to spoil her as much as possible, so I’ll gladly do just that!

*Smack*

We finally separate with an exceedingly loud, wet noise. A string of our combined saliva is hanging between our slightly open mouths.

“Gross…” (Lara)

“Uck! Lara! Sophie!” (Kira)

I panic and pull the covers up over my chest! Oh wait, I’m actually wearing my nightgown for once, right?!

Let’s quickly check under the covers.

I am! Oh thank goodness! I got so used to sleeping in the nude with Ellie that I thought I was completely indecent for a second there! Well… that kiss was anything but chaste, but it’s still just a kiss! It’s innocent enough, right?!

I turn my gaze back to Lara and Sophie who are standing in the doorway. Looks like they’re still in their pajamas.

“What are you two doing here this early?” (Kira)

“Mommy wanted us to spend the whole day together, so here we are!” (Sophie)

“You could’ve waited until breakfast at least.” (Ellie)

“Huh?! But we don’t wanna waste any of our special day, right?” (Lara)

That’s right, it’s not just me. This day is going to be all about our family. Just us four. Oop! Make that five!

“Looks like our youngest is getting excited too!” (Kira)

“Oh! Is it kicking!? Let me feel!” (Ellie)

“What? Can we do that too?!” (Lara)

“Of course! I’m sure the little one will be happy to be surrounded by a loving family!” (Kira)

Lara and Sophie run up and onto the bed. Before I know it, there’s a multitude of hands all swarming over my gravid belly. Come to think of it, today makes exactly two months since this whole thing started?

“It moved, it moved!” (Ellie)

“Wow! It really is in there!” (Sophie)

“So this is our new baby sister?! I’m so excited!” (Lara)

“Hm? We won’t know if it will be a boy or girl though?” (Ellie)

“What are you saying, Mom?! Both of you are girls so how can it possibly be a boy?!” (Lara)

“Ah!” (Kira and Ellie)

We didn’t even think of that before! It’s so simple. It actually makes sense. Well, that’s pretty much the only thing that makes sense about this whole thing, but it’s something!

“Could it be Lara is growing up into a genius!?” (Ellie)

“Yeah! Big sis has gotten really smart lately!” (Sophie)

“My, my! That just might be the case!” (Kira)

“Hehehehe! You shouldn’t underestimate an adventurer’s daughter!” (Lara)

Aww, how precious! She’s actually given this whole thing some thought, huh? And she’s genuinely looking forward to meeting her new sister! I feel silly for thinking she might worry we’d throw them away or something. To have overcome her pessimistic mindset, I’m so proud of her!

“Oooh! It moved again!” (Sophie)

“Looks like our daughter is going strong!” (Ellie)

“Yeah! I bet she’s going to be an amazing person just like Mom!” (Lara)

“Which one though?” (Sophie)

“Uhm… Both of them!” (Lara)

“C-Can someone that amazing actually exist?!” (Sophie)

We spend a few minutes enjoying this quiet little moment together. It feels like I stole the attention away from Ellie, though. Well, judging from that expression she doesn’t seem to mind one bit. We should probably get dressed soon, wouldn’t want to laze around all day in here.

Well, I kind of want to, but we already did that on my own birthday.

* * *

“Ready to leave, girls?” (Kira)

“Yeah!” (Lara and Sophie)

Coats, boots, gloves, hats, scarves - yep, they’re ready!

“Ellie, you okay?” (Kira)

“Ugh… I will be…” (Ellie)

She stumbles forward slowly, hunched over and clutching her stomach.

“To think Kira’s special pork roast would be that good… Truly a formidable opponent…” (Ellie)

“Nano?” (Kira)

{I’m working on it. She should be alright in a few minutes.}

Nano is convenient like usual. Taking care of Ellie’s body is an important job, it’s good that there’s someone reliable to handle it whenever she goes overboard.Still, I wonder what Nano means by ‘working on it.’

“*Brrarp* Ugh… Sorry…” (Ellie)

… I’m sorry I asked.

I really should have stopped her after the third helping. But she kept insisting, saying things like ‘Today’s roast is 40% more delicious!’ and ‘It’s my duty to eat all of it!’ so I let her indulge herself as much as she wanted. Maybe I shouldn’t have cut the carrots into a heart shape and written ‘For Ellie ♡’ on the side of it with the sauce…

“Kraa.” (Fluffles)

“Kakaa. Kuhaa!” (Puff)

They both have a point! This is Ellie’s special day! We shouldn’t be wasting our time!

“You heard them, everyone on board!” (Kira)

Lara and Sophie deftly clamber onto Fluffles’s back and start strapping themselves to the saddle. He keeps a close eye on them to make sure they’re doing it right. Still, Fluffles and Puff just keep growing, huh? Any more and they might start towering over Zublos when they stand up straight! Still, they’re both more or less at about Shull’s size so they should stop growing soon.

“Ready!” (Lara)

“Yeah!” (Sophie)

“Kwaa.” (Fluffles)

Good, they’re all prepared. Looks like we can go now!

Hmm? Me? Ellie already lifted me onto Puff and carefully strapped me in with her abilities. She’s still suffering a bit, but seems to have secured herself as well. I mean, she’d probably be fine even if she fell, but we’re not setting a good example for our kids otherwise.

“Ellie, are you feeling better?” (Kira)

“Yeah, much better. Thanks again, Nano.” (Ellie)

{Any time.}

“Alright, let’s go! Onward and upward!” (Ellie)

Following her command, Puff and Fluffles spread their wings and lift off with a few good flaps! The royal capital spreads out beneath us before I know it. I wanted to celebrate in Runetap along with everyone else, but unfortunately Ellie has to participate in the tournament tomorrow. We won’t be able to make it back here if we-

“EEEHEEELIE! EEEHEEELIE!” (Crowd)

“Wha-?!” (Kira)

There’s a thunderous noise coming from below?! Gah! There must be thousands of people down there! They’re filling up the streets and plazas in almost every direction and chanting Ellie’s name!

“Woooah! So many!” (Ellie)

“How did-? Claaaraaaa!” (Kira)

That girl! She probably leaked Ellie’s birthday to her fan club! I mean, of course she knows, but that’s supposed to be personal information! Did she gather all those people here?!

“EEEHEEELIE! EEEHEEELIE!” (Crowd)

Most of them are wearing clothes with the same rich blue color as Ellie’s hair! There’s even a bunch of them wearing pure white that spell out ‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY’ in one of the plazas outside the Adventurer’s Guild!

“EEEHEEELIE! EEEHEEELIE!” (Crowd)

I expected that ‘top-ranked adventurer team’ to have some effect, but this is ridiculous! Wait, it’s already early afternoon, did they all camp out here since morning just for this moment?! This is way beyond the scale of a fan club, it’s basically a cult, isn’t it?!

“Puff! Let’s give them a little service! Show them your stuff!” (Ellie)

“Kraaaa! Huuuuuu-KUHAAAAAAAAAAAH!” (Puff)

Puff lets out a gigantic blue fireball into the air above us! It must be at least 6 meters in diameter and floats in place without dispersing into smoke!

“KUH! KUH!” (Puff)

He lets out two smaller flames that seem to attach themselves on the big blue one! Wait… isn’t that shape basically a slightly deformed head with cat ears?! I mean, I know his control over his fire has gotten quite good, but is that really the kind of thing you should be using it for?!

The crowd below us is stunned into silence. I mean, why wouldn’t they be? There’s a gigantic cat-eared fireball in the sky! Ah, it seems to be slowly turning into smoke now...

“THANK YOU ALL!” (Ellie)

Ellie’s crisp voice penetrates the surrounding silence, seemingly echoing into the distance. Ah, that no-good king probably saw and heard everything. He’s either going to be mad at us for disturbing the order, or he’ll want to do this whole thing again.

I’m not sure which is worse!

“HURAAAAAAH!” (Crowd)

They let out a huge cheer and applaud loudly as Ellie waves down at them. Well, as long as she’s having fun, then it’s all good, right? Looking to the side, I see Fluffles and the kids seem to be enjoying the situation too. Alright, let’s read the mood and go with the flow!

“My, you’re so well loved! Aren’t you glad, Ellie?!” (Kira)

“Hmm? Of course I’m well loved. It’s natural.” (Ellie)

“Ah… Is that so…” (Kira)

The fame won’t go to her head, right?

“After all, I have Kira, Lara and Sophie with me. What more could I ever need?!” (Ellie)

“R-really? But what about those people?” (Kira)

“Hm? Ah, it was nice of them, but their feelings are shallow. Especially when compared to all the love you, Sophie and Lara have given me. I can never repay that amount, but it won’t stop me from trying!” (Ellie)

Kyaaaa! How can she brazenly say such cool things! I can feel my face grow hot from embarrassment! If Sophie and Lara were to hear this, they’d probably have no idea what to do! I mean, I’m pretty lost myself!

“Kraak!” (Puff)

“Oh! Sorry Puff, that was bad of me. Of course I care about you too! And Fluffles as well! And Esteemed Father, obviously! Kelly and Ariel can’t be left behind either! Then there’s-” (Ellie)

“Ellie. I think you’ve made your point.” (Kira)

“Krah.” (Puff)

If we started listing off anyone and everyone who’s ever helped us out we’ll be here all day.

“Anyway, we won’t be able to enjoy ourselves like this. Puff, head east towards the shore!” (Kira)

My old secluded spot will hopefully still be, well, secluded.

* * *

“---------- [High Freeze]” (Kira)

The ebb and flow of the ocean stops dead as I turn a huge chunk of it into ice. This is a trick I learned during my Magic Academy days - if you freeze it next to the cliffs like this, the ice won’t shake when you step on it and you won’t disturb the fishermen.

“Woah!” (Ellie)

Right, let’s proceed with the next step. I crouch down a bit, making sure of my footing and hold my staff horizontally against the icy surface.

“----- [High Beam]” (Kira)

The thick beam of light shoots out, cutting a path through the ice. I slowly move it sideways, shaving off the frozen waves.

“There, finished!” (Kira)

The ocean is now a stable, perfectly flat slab of ice. Well, except around the edges. If you lose control, the rough and uneven ground will stop you from sliding off into the cold water.

“That was so cool, Mom! I forgot how amazing your magic was!” (Lara)

“Can we really go and play on this?!” (Sophie)

“Yep! I used to do this all the time!” (Kira)

Well, I had to smuggle a few staves out of the Academy and be extra careful not to overdo it, but it was a great way to kill some time while practicing my ice magic.

“I had Nano prepare ice skates for us especially for today!” (Kira)

I point towards Puff who’s idly lying down nearby. Ever since he got bigger it makes it easier to bring more luggage with us whenever we go out. Plus, something tells me he really enjoys the exercise.

“Is this okay? You won’t be able to join us like that, right? I feel bad leaving you behind.” (Ellie)

“Why not just carry me like you always do? You know I actually don’t mind that one bit ~♡!” (Kira)

*CRRRACK*

“Huh? Wait, what was that?” (Kira)

“Kraaa!” (Puff)

“Kira! Stand behind me!” (Ellie)

Puff and Ellie leap in front of me! Ellie draws her sword from its place on Puff’s back and gets ready for action.

*RRRUMBLE*

The ice start shaking furiously as cracks spread through it! I ready my staff and I see Fluffles is already ushering Lara and Sophie to take cover in the nearby grotto.

This doesn’t make any sense though, there’s no monsters in this area! It should be completely safe!

*KAKROOM*

There’s an explosion of ice and water as a white mist spreads out near the edge of my improvised plateau! I see something moving around in there and focus my attention. I may be pregnant, but I can still support Ellie and Puff should the need arise!

“AAAAH THAT’S WAY TO FREAKING COOOOLD!” (Grandmaster Kilroy)

The one that burst out of the ice was a three meter tall, half naked mountain of a man. Well, a mountain giant to be precise. One I know too well.

“That was close! I was just having my afternoon swim when all of a sudden the water froze! Thank goodness something thinned out the ice! Haaah, that scared the crap out of me!” (Grandmaster Kilroy)

“K-Kira…” (Ellie)

“Yeah, let’s leave quietly before he notices us!” (Kira)

“Puff, we’re retreating. Quick and quiet, just like I taught you.” (Ellie)

“Kruuu.” (Puff)

We start going back up the sandy beach towards the grotto where the others are hiding. We manage to slip behind some rocks before the Grandmaster notices us. Normally I should take responsibility for such a blunder, but I really don’t want to spend the afternoon getting scolded! Not on Ellie’s special day!

“Oh well. Time to resume my afternoon swim. My dinner won’t catch itself!” (Grandmaster Kilroy)

Without missing a beat, he makes his way off the ice and dives back into the cold water with a huge splash.

I see, he’s not the Grandmaster of the Adventurer’s Guild for nothing, huh?