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.

Though Gray had her face hidden beneath a hood, anyone could tell at a glance that she was a little girl.

Some wore expressions of "just as expected," some looked as though they were thinking, "Another one?", while others gave knowing smiles. Their reactions varied.

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

Aoi Zenjou thought, He really does like children. I want to have one for him too.

The elders all thought, The clan head is good in every way, except his tastes are a little different from ordinary people's. He doesn't like young women; he likes mature married women and underage lolis. What are we supposed to do about that?

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

Naturally, the first thing to do after getting home was take a bath. This time, I gave everyone advance notice and finally enjoyed a comfortable soak without being interrupted midway.

The next day, I summoned Gray and said, "I don't know whether bringing you out was the right choice or not. Your fate is about to change very soon. You may not understand even if I tell you too much right now. After some time has passed, you'll understand. Then I'll explain the reasons in detail, and you can make your own decision."

Less than two days after our conversation, Gray's transformation began. She suffered no discomfort; when she woke up after a night's sleep, her face had changed.

Gray stared silently at herself in the mirror. I said, "The turning point of your fate has begun. It's time for you to learn the truth and make your choice for the rest of your life."

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

"But you don't need to worry too much. This magecraft ritual has actually been going on for a thousand years, and it has never succeeded. As long as you hide here peacefully, you'll be fine. I can protect you in the future."

"But I don't want to decide your future for you. You have your own choice."

"You now have two choices. The first is to remain peacefully in Japan as my disciple and abandon the mission others have forced upon you."

"The second is to study magecraft diligently. I'll arrange for famous teachers to give you your foundation, then send you to study at the Clock Tower. When the time is right, you'll return to the village and inherit your mission. However, I can't guarantee what the outcome will be."

Whether the clan that intended to revive King Arthur even still existed was a question in itself. I tried to scare her a little. "Perhaps they'll capture you and use you as a sacrifice to resurrect King Arthur."

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

I asked, "Why?"

Gray answered, "I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life. I want to go home and take a look."

It was unexpected, yet 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 once again reach a turning point."

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

When they had nothing else to do, they could help the Genji Clan deal with certain problems. However, the Genji Clan could not interfere with their travels and would provide the daily expenses and consumables for their magecraft workshop. In return, they would inform the Genji Clan whenever they left or returned. If the Genji Clan had commissions or came under attack, we could ask for their assistance.

It seemed like an unequal agreement, but being able to secure the services of a Grand Puppeteer and a boss-level figure over two hundred years old was an absolute bargain.

It was just a pity they did not understand the uses of Chaldea's equipment. Otherwise, I could have simply sent these two out directly.

Once everything had been settled, I assigned them their first task. I said that before the magecraft workshop was completed, I would need them to teach my disciple. Then I called Gray out to meet them.

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

They had not expected work to come so quickly. Aozaki Touko immediately cried that she was getting completely ripped off.

I also gave them a rough explanation of Gray's circumstances, concealing some crucial details. Once I was done, I handed her over to them like a hands-off shopkeeper.

Before leaving, I looked back and said, "Please give my regards to Inorai Balueretta Atroholmto, Touko. And tell her I'm sorry, but she still won't regret it now."

Aozaki Touko sighed. "Teacher really hasn't changed at all."

Araya Souren added, "That's what a magus should be like."

Next, I convened a clan meeting. I showed everyone Marisbury's Chaldea proposal. After reading it, everyone had roughly the same reaction: they believed there was no need to invest in such a bottomless pit.

I spoke up. "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'll send technical personnel to inspect the 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 learn those technologies."

"Once the investment is confirmed, I'll be 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 made up his mind to participate, we only need to select some cutting-edge technical talents."

"Approximately when will we depart for the inspection? We can make the necessary preparations."

"We're expected to depart in around three months. I hope the right people can be selected before then."

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

After handling official business, it was time to deal with private matters. Once I made sure no one was secretly watching, I went to see Aoi.

In truth, the entire Genji Estate knew about Aoi and me without my realizing it. Only I thought I had hidden it well.

Fujino hid behind a pillar by herself and muttered in complaint, "Men are all pigs."

The days that followed consisted of supervising Gray's studies, confirming the recruitment of talent, nurturing my relationship with Fujino, sharing my heart with Aoi, and finally making trips to Mifune City to visit Shiki Ryougi.

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

Ding! Congratulations, host. Aoi Zenjou is pregnant. The host is rewarded with ten lottery draws. Additional rewards will be given once the child is born. May the host spread his branches and leaves, with many children and abundant blessings.

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

I had washed my hair, so I was the first to know. But Aoi might not have known yet, and I did not point it out. Afterward, I arranged for the kitchen to increase the nutritional value of her meals.

By the time I set out for Chaldea, Aoi still seemed not to have noticed that she was pregnant. It was true that it was difficult to detect during the first month.

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