Gray's Resolve: I'm Going to Be a Father

When we returned to the estate, everyone came out to greet us. But the moment they saw Gray behind me, all their expressions changed.

Although Gray had her face hidden beneath a hood, one glance was enough to tell that she was a little girl.

Some wore expressions of "just as expected," some looked as though they had been waiting for this, while others exchanged knowing smiles. Everyone reacted differently.

Another one. Am I no longer cute now that I've grown up? When will anything ever be Fujino's turn?

He really does like children. I want to bear him one too.

The elders all thought the same thing: The clan head was good in every way, except his tastes were a little different from ordinary people's. He did not like young women; instead, he preferred mature married women and underage girls. What were they supposed to do about that?

For the time being, I had no intention of letting everyone see Gray's face.

Of course, returning home meant taking a bath. This time, I gave advance notice, and at last I was able to enjoy a comfortable soak without being interrupted halfway through.

The next day, I called Gray over and said, "I do not know whether bringing you out was right or wrong. Your fate will soon change. Even if I explain too much now, you may not understand it. In some time, you will understand. When that time comes, I will explain the reasons in detail, and you can make the decision yourself."

Less than two days after that conversation, Gray's transformation began. There was no discomfort at all. She simply woke up one morning with a changed face.

Gray stared silently at her reflection in the mirror. I said, "The turning point of your fate has begun. It is time for you to know the truth and make a choice regarding the rest of your life."

"Gray, your true identity is this: you were created as a vessel for the body of Britain's King Arthur, whose true name is Artoria Pendragon."

"But you do not need to worry too much. This magecraft ritual has been carried out for a thousand years and has never succeeded. As long as you hide here peacefully, you will be fine. I can protect you in the future."

"But I do not want to decide your future for you. You have your own choices."

"You now have two options. First, you can stay peacefully in Japan as my disciple and abandon the mission others forced upon you."

"The second option is to work hard at learning magecraft. I will arrange a renowned teacher to instruct you, then send you to study at the Clock Tower. When the time is right, you will return to the village and inherit your mission. However, I cannot guarantee what the outcome will be."

Whether the clan that intended to revive King Arthur still existed was another question entirely. I tried to scare her a little. "Perhaps they will capture you and use you as a sacrifice to revive King Arthur."

Young Gray did not hesitate. "I choose the second one."

I asked, "Why?"

Gray replied, "I do not want to stay here for the rest of my life. I want to go home and take a look."

It was unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable. I said, "You probably have less than ten years. Prepare yourself mentally. I want you to participate in the Fifth Holy Grail War."

"At that time, your fate will face another turning point."

Afterward, I met with Aozaki Touko and Araya Souren. They stated that as long as I funded the construction of a Magic Workshop for them in Tokyo, they could settle there permanently.

When they had nothing else to do, they could help the Genji Clan handle certain matters. However, the Genji Clan was not to interfere with their travels and had to cover the Magic Workshop's daily expenses and material consumption. In return, they would inform the Genji Clan whenever they left or returned. If the Genji Clan had a request or came under attack, it could ask them for assistance.

It looked like an unequal agreement, but being able to hire a Grand Dollmaker and a boss-level figure over two hundred years old was an absolute steal.

Unfortunately, they did not understand the purpose of Chaldea's equipment. Otherwise, I could have simply asked these two to handle it.

Once everything had been settled, I assigned them their first task. I said, "Before the Magic Workshop is completed, please help me teach my disciple." Then I called Gray out to meet them.

"In about two years, I will send her to the Clock Tower. Until then, I will have to trouble you two with her introductory education."

They had not expected to get work so quickly. Aozaki Touko immediately complained that she was getting the short end of the stick.

I also gave them a rough explanation of Gray's circumstances, concealing certain critical details. Once I finished, I handed her over to them as though I were tossing aside the burden.

Before leaving, I turned back and said, "Inorai Balueretta Atrum asked me to send Touko her regards. She also asked me to say sorry. But she still will not regret it."

Aozaki Touko sighed. "Teacher really has not changed at all."

Araya Souren added, "That is what a Caster should be like."

Next came the family meeting. I showed everyone Marisbury's Chaldea proposal. Their reactions were more or less identical after reading it. They believed there was no need to invest, and none of them recommended putting money into such a bottomless pit.

I said, "For certain reasons, we must invest. We need to prepare for the worst. However, we will only invest in some of the projects first. As for the rest, we will send technical personnel to inspect them on-site before making a decision."

"At that time, we can reject some projects on the grounds that the technology is immature or lacks prospects. At the same time, we can have our people study those technologies."

"Once the investment is confirmed, I will become the director there. So long as it is reasonable and does not affect the Genji Clan's financial chain, it can be considered."

The First Elder said, "Since the clan head has already resolved to participate, we only need to select some top technical talents."

"When do you expect to depart for the inspection? We can make the appropriate preparations."

"We are expected to leave in around three months. I hope the personnel will be chosen before then."

"Then I will leave the remaining matters to all of you. The Genji Clan's future will depend on you as well."

Once the official business was done, it was time to handle personal matters. After making sure no one was secretly watching, I went to find Aoi.

In truth, the entire Genji Estate already knew about Aoi and me. Only I thought I had hidden it well.

Fujino hid behind a pillar by herself and muttered resentfully, "Men are all scumbags."

The days that followed were spent supervising Gray's studies, confirming the recruitment of talent, deepening my relationship with Fujino, opening my heart to Aoi, and finally making a trip to Mifune City to visit Shiki Ryougi.

The days passed one after another. I had thought they would continue like that forever, until one day.

Ding! Congratulations, host. Aoi Zenjou is pregnant. The host has been rewarded with ten draws. Additional rewards will be granted after the child is born. May the host spread his branches and leaves, with many children and much happiness.

I never expected it. I was going to be a father.

I had the system, so I knew immediately. But Aoi might not have known yet, and I did not point it out. Afterward, I instructed the kitchen to make future meals more nutritious.

Even when I set off for Chaldea, Aoi seemed not to have discovered that she was pregnant. It was indeed difficult to notice anything during the first month.

On the plane, I wondered how long this trip would take. I hoped I could be there to see the child born and that we would not get dragged into anything strange.