The Baby Isn’t Yours

The situation quickly changed following the events at the conference hall.

Everyone present that day became witnesses, evidence, and testament to what had transpired.

‘We witnessed both despair and hope in that place! It is now our responsibility to decide whether to embrace despair or hold onto hope.’

Among them were nations that made the decision to join hands with Rojas, as well as those who, unable to let go of lingering doubts and fears, aligned themselves with Akan.

Nevertheless, fortunately, there were more who made the decision to stand with Rojas and share the same purpose.

The pivotal role in their decision was played by the power demonstrated by Kalia – the power of purification.

While the unknown chimeras, Akan’s summoned demons, and magic instilled fear, the belief in the power of purification that could counteract them gave them hope.

And it was none other than Kalia Tacskate, who possessed that power, making their faith even stronger.

The nations that made their decision no longer had time to hesitate.

They hastily returned to their own countries or conveyed the news to their homeland’s king.

Thus, the first sparks of war began to spread rapidly.

* * *

“…It’s Kalia again.”

Helena, who had set down her teacup with a clatter, scrunched up her face in a thoughtful expression.

The rumors had spread not only abroad but also within the country.

Helena, too, heard about the events at the conference hall before anyone else.

Why is it always that child?

Despite giving birth to her own son’s child, she didn’t consider Kalia as part of the family.

She had never relied on the comforting word ‘family’ in her life, so she didn’t understand the significance it held.

Moreover, she had lived as an elf, a race that existed in small communities.

To her, family was merely a group within that context.

And even within that group, she had been neglected for decades due to her mixed heritage, so she never knew the warmth of family.

Elf.

They may be a noble race of the grand forest, but what’s the big deal?

There are politics and discrimination within, as well as sacrifices and sorrow.

Helena had come out of that place to survive.

To escape the suffocating misery, she had made her way through the cracks of humans and eventually reached the pinnacle where she stood now.

Just like her grandmother, Titiana.

No, in some ways, Helena thought she had achieved even greater accomplishments than Titiana.

By leaping into the world as a complete outsider, Helena became the epitome of high society in the Imperial Kingdom of Rojas and the mother of the greatest magician in history.

In this way, she became the most radiant person in this place.

…Or so she thought.

“Kalia. That child keeps getting in the way…”

Helena muttered with an expressionless face as she sipped her cold tea.

Helena disliked Kalia.

She disliked her resilience, which stood tall even in situations where one should be unhappy.

She also didn’t like her naive personality, so upright and knowledgeable on such topics.

Most of all, she despised the fact that Kalia never seemed to lose hope in the face of any impending danger.

That child seemed as if she didn’t even realize her own misery.

Whether she was oblivious or just composed.

Or maybe her self-esteem was so exceptional.

Without even remembering her parents or knowing where she came from, she was as clear as a child who had received all the joys and love in the world.

‘Weird child. Why don’t you become stained by unhappiness…’

There were plenty of situations where she could have pitied herself, so why?

She looked at the mirror standing beside the tea table.

She was beautiful.

Still, more beautiful than anyone else.

Her black hair sparkled smoothly like the Milky Way, and her fair skin had no wrinkles or blemishes.

This grand mansion housed dozens, hundreds of such lavish and splendid rooms, and it belonged to her.

There were vast lands with hundreds of tenant farmers, and the number of people who would come running at her call was not small.

Yet, something was missing.

She had to shine more, stand taller, receive more admiration and envy…

“It’s all because Simon didn’t grow according to my intentions.”

That child was supposed to have no one to rely on except his mother.

He should have left behind a great reputation as a thoroughly lonely and isolated magician.

Thus, Helena had hoped for that child to become a being that brought her all kinds of wealth and fame.

But Kalia, that child, came along and ruined everything.

Kalia took precedence over her own glory.

“Stupid child.”

Helena discarded her cold tea and poured herself another hot cup.

As she looked at the rising steam in the white teacup, she pondered on how to cunningly have Kalia killed in this war and have Simon claim even the glory of that child.

To be a magician who had lost both his child and wife, he might now fall into a wretched misery beyond comparison…

With that thought, Helena could smile with relief.

After all, she had fallen a long time ago.

When she first eradicated someone with her own hands, hell began.

Since then, Helena had resolved to become the queen of this hell.

“…I need a plan, I need to think of a plan.”

She stopped turning her finger along the teacup as she heard a knock on the door.

“Madam, a guest has arrived.”

A guest? No one had ever called for her, so who could it be?

She had a strange feeling about it.

Staring at the closed door, Helena personally went out and asked the maid.

“Who is it?”

“That… They didn’t specify exactly who they are.”

The hesitant maid spoke cautiously.

“It was an elf.”

An elf?

Helena furrowed her brow as she stood still and immediately went to the lobby.

Descending down the long, spiraling staircase, she spotted someone standing in the center of the lobby.

The figure, tall and majestic, with a flipped robe, was both unfamiliar and familiar.

As he descended the stairs with a dignified stride, he turned around to face her.

A part of his face was visible beneath the robe.

Halfway down the staircase, Helena stopped and froze.

Had she ever been so startled in her entire life?

In a trembling voice, Helena called out the name of the person removing the robe.

“Titiana…”

* * *

Stepping out of Helena’s mansion, Titiana paused for a moment and turned around.

The grand and beautiful building. She could feel Helena’s gaze through the window of the highest and widest room on the top floor.

‘Helena.’

Thanks to her superior vision as an elf, even at this distance, she could clearly see her granddaughter’s expression.

A face devoid of any discernible emotions, a blank expression.

Even without looking away, her gaze was as cold as her eyes.

Silently, she turned her back to face Helena.

“Why have you come? We are not close enough for you to inquire about each other’s well-being, grandmother.”

“It seems that a war is imminent.”

“…And what does that have to do with you, grandmother?”

“If demons are involved, it won’t be a war exclusive to humans.”

Titiana wanted to help Helena, even now.

The past where she pretended not to know about the child during the twenty years Helena spent in her forest had gnawed at her and become thorns embedded in her chest.

This war involving demons was dangerous.

Especially if that child, the human Archmage, was Helena’s son, Helena herself could be in even greater danger.

That’s why Titiana wanted to help Helena at least this time.

It wouldn’t change the past, and her actions might be hypocritical, but it didn’t matter.

She just wanted to extend a helping hand, even if only once.

“You want us to retreat to the forest? Why should I do that? What does my son being an Archmage have to do with my safety? I am just a powerless half-elf, and that child is simply fulfilling his role.”

“The child’s spouse is not an innocent person either. The key to this war lies in that child’s hands.”

“…Kalia, that child? Why?”

Helena hesitated, furrowing her brow, but soon found the answer herself.

“The power of purification… That child, could it be a descendant of the Fairy Race?”

“Not all fairies can wield the power of purification.”

“Then… You’re saying they are a high-ranking fairies. If there’s someone among the high-ranking fairies that you would know, grandmother… Could it be, a member of the Fairy King’s lineage?”

As Helena asked with a pale face, she chewed on her lips.

Her expression wasn’t simply one of surprise.

She seemed uneasy, anxious, and anger could be sensed.

Why on earth was Helena emitting such wicked emotions towards that child?

Titiana narrowed her eyes and observed Helena.

The eyes of an elf who had lived for hundreds of years were calm yet sharp.

“…You won’t die easily. I always thought you were quite resilient… I never knew you had such a mischievous secret.”

At Helena’s words, Titiana sensed a mixed emotion.

“Helena, do you hate that child?”

In response to Titiana’s question, Helena stared at her intently and smiled brightly.

“No, why would I? Now… that child will become a part of our family. Why would I hate her? It’s just that the child always surprises me, and that’s amusing.”

Did Helena know?

Back then, when the child looked at Titiana and smiled for the first time?

“You said you wanted to help me, right? Well… please grant me one request.”

“A request?”

“Yes. I won’t go to the forest. This place is my home. But… I need a weapon to protect myself. I may have a great son and a great daughter-in-law, but I’m just a powerless half-elf.”

“…”

“A weapon, lend me one. A strong one that can protect me from any race… You have one, grandmother.”

Titiana watched Helena, who spoke with a desperate expression, for a long time, then took something out from her embrace and handed it to her.

“This is…”

Greed sparkled in Helena’s face as she recognized what Titiana had given her.

That was their final conversation, and without looking back, Titiana left the mansion.

“…My past, where I pretended not to know you, is coming back like this.”

Recalling their final conversation, Titiana slowly crossed the gates of the Duke’s estate.

Behind her, the massive iron gate closed.