Choice

After the conversation ended, Shut and the others were confined in a remote residence within the Imperial Palace. Twenty Mana Web Walkers were assigned to monitor them day and night.

After settling down somewhat in the residence,

Shut was met with complaints from his wife, Iliyas:

"Shut, I told you not to say so much. Why wouldn't you listen? We only needed to stay in some dark, sunless place for at most ten years or so. Now look what happened—you ruined everything!"

His wife's words made Shut lower his head. "I... how was I supposed to know that you would suddenly be carrying our child? We've been married for ten years. I gave up on the dream of becoming a father long ago."

During the nearly twenty years Iliyas had spent roaming the world with Shut, she had once suffered a severe injury and tragically lost the ability to bear children. The doctors had concluded that pregnancy was impossible. Desperate, Iliyas had begged Shut countless times to leave her, but how could the man she loved let her be hurt again?

With their happy, child-free marriage, Shut had never felt any dissatisfaction. He had thought it was perfect.

But unexpectedly, Iliyas still gave him a... shocking surprise.

"Iliyas, when did this happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Shut asked helplessly.

"Last month, I suspected I might be pregnant, but I wasn't sure. I planned to observe for a while longer and then give you a surprise, but you..."

Iliyas shook her head. "Today, you really were... unbelievably foolish."

"I... I..."

Shut smacked his head in frustration. "How was I supposed to know things would turn out like this?!"

He had miscalculated.

Only now did Shut realize that he had completely miscalculated!

The reason he had dared to boldly lay