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After Jeongjae successfully completed the negotiations for the territory lease from King Richard, two significant events occurred around the same time.

The first was the birth of a prince, the second child of King Richard. Though the prince was a source of concern due to being born to a not-so-young mother in such turbulent times, he arrived in the world healthy, completely dispelling the worries of those around him.

The birth of the prince held great significance for Eramenia. The region was facing unprecedented difficulties, and after Margaret began to falter in her duties as the stabilizing figure, the need for a glimmer of hope became more desperate.

The newly born High Elf prince, Edward, could potentially serve as a symbol of new hope for Eramenia. Princess Margaret was overjoyed upon hearing the news of her younger brother’s safe arrival, feeling a sense of relief flood over her. The fact that her brother was born not only signified joy for the entirety of Eramenia but also provided Margaret with personal comfort, greatly aiding her emotional stability.

The second event that unfolded around the same time was that Jenis had successfully mobilized the Magic Tower’s resources to cut down the timber from the leased territory and succeeded in constructing a second port. Even though the target of 500 ships was far from reach, a large fleet of over 200 vessels was completed, accelerating the execution of Jenis’s plans.

To commemorate these two significant events, King Richard made a sudden move to visit the new port of Eramenia, cradling the newborn baby in his arms.

Caught off guard by King Richard’s unexpected visit, Jeongjae and Jenis were taken aback and scrambled to prepare for the king’s reception. However, King Richard waved his hands, stopping them from making too much fuss.

“No, no. This is my fault for visiting without a heads-up. There’s no need for formalities today. To be honest, I just wanted to come to greet you both.”

Despite the casual tone, it wasn’t easy to comfortably cross one’s legs when welcoming one of the greatest powers on the surface. The area of the new port in Eramenia looked like a barren wasteland. Stumps from cut trees were scattered everywhere, leaving little else to behold aside from the nearby sea and the remnants of recent logging.

Having the king of the Fairy Kingdom sitting in the midst of the timber-cutting debris felt unsettling. Nevertheless, King Richard displayed a nonchalant attitude as he plopped down on a large tree stump.

“Do you know that I am truly grateful for what you both have done? Particularly to the Grand Mage for his outstanding contribution to Eramenia in the recent battles. No amount of gratitude can express the weight of that merit. Given its magnitude, it wouldn’t be an issue to lend this forest; even bestowing it eternally wouldn’t suffice. However, I can only apologize for not being able to do so due to practical constraints.”

“Your kindness is overwhelming, Your Majesty.”

Jeongjae bowed his head in acknowledgment. The Elf King smiled gently and shook his head.

“I rarely offer flattery. In these critical times, I don’t indulge in falsehoods.”

“Is this your son? The one you just welcomed?”

Curious about the small bundle cradled in one of Richard’s arms, Jenis asked subtly. Richard nodded and turned the baby’s face slightly to show them.

“This is my son. What do you think? Will my eldest daughter be the one to continue the kingdom, or could it be this newborn?”

Richard’s question was one that was notably difficult to answer. However, having heard stories from Margaret, Jeongjae realized that Richard wasn’t simply joking about this.

Margaret was seriously, very seriously considering the sacrifice of her claim to the throne for the sake of her heroic endeavors.

Richard likely wasn’t ignorant of this fact either. This baby could very well represent not just a symbol of hope for Eramenia but the true future of the kingdom as well.

Curiosity flickered within Jeongjae as he gently eased up to catch a glimpse of the sleeping baby’s face. Although just born, the baby already had quite the bushy head of golden hair covering its forehead. Apart from the part visible through the bundle, the face was almost entirely concealed, though it was likely to be a cute face with pointy ears.

An involuntary warm expression washed over Jeongjae’s face. Since coming to this world, he had never encountered such a healthy and desirable-looking newborn. Not even during the brief period he spent as a lord in Harriet’s territory.

The Empire’s birthrate likely hadn’t been officially recorded, but it was probably plummeting. The only moments when women could usually conceive were when soldiers returned home during their short leaves amidst the long battles for fleeting pleasures.

In times when the war escalated, even those leaves were strictly curtailed. During the years when they were successfully fending off the Demon King’s army by relying on the walls, Walter had occasionally granted leaves more freely, but after the northern expedition started, it became rare to even hear news of soldiers or officers being allowed to visit home, even briefly.

Even Walter didn’t comfortably implement such emergency measures. The war was shattering lives. For too long, in the most brutal ways.

As Jeongjae looked at the prince of Eramenia, the warmth briefly filling his heart turned dark again. Richard, seeming to read Jeongjae’s expression, nodded as if acknowledging his thoughts.

“You haven’t seen many newborns in the Empire, have you?”

“When the war ends, countless babies will emerge. That’s usually what happens in the post-war generation.”

“Does that common sense apply in the world where the Grand Mage hails from?”

Richard chuckled. Eramenia too had experienced a baby boom after its population had plummeted to 50,000 due to a civil war over a thousand years ago, quickly rising back to 200,000. Though it seemed far away, to Richard, it was still an event that occurred in his generation.

“And that’s the reason we are fighting so fiercely.”

“But, we shouldn’t forget that it’s also time to consider our own plates overflowing.”

Richard stated, and for a moment, Jeannis slightly frowned at his words. Yet, soon realizing that even her expression could be deemed impolite, Jenis lowered her head in humility.

“I will certainly keep that in mind. I will do my utmost to live within my means as well.”

“It’s best you do. I’m not saying this lightly.”

A brief silence enveloped the three of them. It was Jeongjae who broke the awkward stillness with careful words directed towards King Richard.

“Um, Your Majesty. May I share something I’ve been thinking about? It’s regarding Margaret.”

“Speak freely. What’s there to hold back?”

“Watching her on the platform, I felt she was already complete as a queen.”

At Jeongjae’s words, Jenis flinched. Richard nodded knowingly, indicating he understood the meaning behind Jeongjae’s statement.

“I share that sentiment.”

“Then why are you concerned about Margaret as a successor?”

“Because she is already complete as a queen. Even before she offered her hair to the Eramenia forest, she seemed to have already grown beyond my wisdom. However, that has become… peculiar in Eramenia. Grand Mage, what do you think is most vital in a forest?”

“Even if you ask me…”

Jeongjae momentarily bowed his head in thought. After a brief pause, he offered the answer that first came to his mind.

“I believe it’s harmony and balance.”

“Margaret’s words regarding the Baron were not wrong. That was the answer I was contemplating. The king of Eramenia is not a position meant to incite wild enthusiasm among his people; rather, it is closer to soothing and quietly supporting the excited fairies. From the onset of this war, Margaret has chosen a path slightly different from that. I ask for your understanding. It’s not definitively decided that she will forgo the throne, but there’s considerable evidence suggesting that she may abandon her claim to the position herself…”

“If that happens, what position would the princess hold?”

Jenis asked, and Richard replied.

“She would remain a hero. A bridge between humans and elves. A traveler who roams freely across the continent and returns to the forest whenever she pleases. Each time she returns, she is warmly welcomed as the High Elf of Eramenia.”

“That is the future you wish to gift your daughter.”

Jeongjae remarked. Richard silently caressed his son’s face, showing neither agreement nor disagreement with Jeongjae’s words. However, if something were to happen to him before the boy matured, Margaret would indeed be compelled to cut her hair and wear the crown. Such simplistic conclusions were not easy to draw.

“Well then, I shall take my leave now. The baby still needs to nurse, and it would be tough for her to be apart from her mother for too long. Once again, I express my gratitude always. And about that ship…”

Richard glanced over at the HMS Victory docked near the port.

“It’s a fine vessel. Quite sufficient for taking on a sea dragon.”

Having finished speaking, King Richard quietly disappeared into the forest. As Jenis watched the back of the Elf King in silence, she commented.

“It’s a tremendous luxury to allow a human to see the face of a newborn High Elf royal.”

“It’s a sign of trust even for an ordinary human to readily show an infant to others.”

Jeongjae nodded.

“It’s fortunate that Eramenia is our friend.”

“They’re a wise race. I doubt they’ll linger for long.”

“I think so too. Let’s prepare. Let’s pave the way for them to come up.”

 

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