Ten years passed, and the world’s inhabitants had grown accustod to living without magic. The rn were once again able to walk on land; they no longer wore helts, but instead used a type of headset around their necks to supply air to their gills. Since they actually possessed legs that were normally covered by scales on the surface, special shoes were developed so they wouldn’t stumble while walking on land. Furthermore, the location of the Soratopia Kingdom was finally discovered; it turned out they were on a small island situated between the western, northern, and southern continents, eventually serving as a communication hub and a trading bridge between the landmasses.
After seeing the technological advancents and the peaceful state of life, Ard—now twenty-six years old—gathered Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Claudia, Mirea, and Pyria in his study at the Liberta Imperial Palace.
"What is it, Ard? Why did you call us here?" Eva asked.
"Yeah... it’s unusual for you to gather us all like this," Alicia added.
"It’s like this... our empire is thriving, technology is advancing, and life is peaceful. There’s no chaos," Ard said.
"Yes... and?" Mirea asked curiously.
"Don’t you think it’s ti for us to leave the empire and find a quiet place sowhere... to start our family?" Ard asked.
The room went dead silent. Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Claudia, Mirea, and Pyria stared at Ard as if he had suddenly grown two heads.
"Okay... what did you just say?" Eva asked.
"Please explain yourself; I think I’m failing to understand here," Claudia added.
"Seriously... what does that an? Are you trying to run away from your responsibilities?" Pyria asked.
"It’s not running away from responsibility; it’s handing it over to those who are more competent, that’s all," Ard answered.
"Isn’t that exactly what running away ans?" Beatrice asked.
"Well... yeah, is it really impossible for us to start a family here in the palace?" Rosalind asked.
"Are you having so kind of problem?" Mirea asked.
"Hmm... so what you an is, you want to take an early retirent... at least, that’s what I’m gathering," Milia said.
"I don’t really an an early retirent... it’s just... ah... it’s hard to explain," Ard said, rubbing the back of his head.
The room fell silent again as they all stared at Ard, who looked like he was giving himself a headache. Suddenly, Eva seed to have an epiphany and smiled. She leaned her body forward.
"Because you’ve repeated life nine tis now, you’re afraid you’ll die at thirty-one and this empire will fall apart, right?" Eva asked.
"Exactly... uh... wait... that’s not quite it either," Ard answered, stumbling over his words as he blurted out the response.
"Just admit it, because I’m worried about the sa thing," Eva added.
"Sigh... fine. That is indeed what I’m worried about. This ti, I don’t know what will happen. I just want us to... live a quiet life, while the empire can run without . I don’t want to die and leave a successor who isn’t ready—plus, we don’t have any children yet... so yeah... that’s how it is," Ard said.
The room fell silent once more, but this ti Eva, Alicia, Milia, Beatrice, Rosalind, Claudia, Mirea, and Pyria appeared to be deep in thought. Finally, Mirea spoke up.
"I understand where you and Eva are coming from... but if we all step down from the throne, who will take our place?" Mirea asked.
"Now that is what we need to figure out," Alicia answered.
"You really don’t mind us retiring?" Ard asked, looking at his wives.
"Knowing the reason, there’s no way we’d mind. Every one of us here made a promise to stay with you, didn’t we?" Claudia answered.
"That’s right. You don’t need to worry about that. What matters is deciding who your successor will be," Pyria said.
"And Eva’s successor too. Unlike the rest of us, Eva plays a vital role in this empire," Milia said.
"Not really... Ard is the one doing all the work. I’m just a source of inspiration and aspiration," Eva said modestly.
"So who? One of the senators?" Beatrice asked, deep in thought.
"Hmm... that’s a possibility. But who would be a good fit? Personally, if we’re choosing from the senate, I’d say maybe Abel, Ainsley, or Nikolai," Rosalind answered.
"Hey... why are they all humans?" Milia asked.
"Because we’re humans, obviously," Rosalind shot back.
"Hmm... it’s a good idea, but Abel is out; he’s the representative for the Fredonia Kingdom. Sa with Nikolai—he represents the Durnhill Kingdom, even if their king is our friend. I think the only real candidate is Ainsley. For so reason, he wasn’t chosen as the representative for the Ateras Kingdom—Cain took that spot—while Vahn represents the barbarian tribes. So yeah... he’s the right fit. Besides, he’s smart, detail-oriented, and knows his way around diplomacy. What do you all think?" Ard asked.
"That’s true, Ainsley is a great candidate. Plus, he already has a son, so the lineage and succession are already secured," Eva answered.
"Alright, we’ll present this to the senate tomorrow," Ard said.
"But wait a second, there’s sothing a little strange here. How co Ainsley already has a child—and I heard Thorena gave birth too—yet not a single one of us has a child? Even Adeline has one already," Milia noted.
"That is exactly why we need to get out of the palace, understand?" Eva asked.
"Huh... oh, that’s right. Because Ard is always so busy, he never has the ti to touch us," Beatrice answered.
"Hey... can we please not talk about that?" Rosalind shot back.
"Hmm... but there is so truth to that. Fine, tomorrow we talk to the senate and keep at them until they finally give in," Mirea said.
"Right. Inaugurate him as Emperor imdiately and let’s get out of here," Pyria added.
"Huh... what are you all talking about? It can’t possibly happen that fast," Ard said.
"It can. We’re impatient to have children, and we’re not getting any younger. I’m sure the rest of you agree, right?" Alicia said.
"Of course we agree," Milia, Beatrice, Claudia, Rosalind, Pyria, and Mirea said in unison.
"Hmm... I agree too," Eva said, raising her hand.
"Why are you joining in too? Fine, just help figure out how to present this to the senate without ntioning my and Eva’s specific worries," Ard said.
Finally, they put their heads together to figure out how to express their wishes to the senate without revealing Ard and Eva’s fears, ensuring the senate wouldn’t misunderstand their intentions as rely running from responsibility or seeking an early retirent. After refining their ideas all night long, they presented the proposal to the senate the following day. Unexpectedly, the senate actually agreed, though Ainsley was a bit hesitant about whether his current abilities were enough to serve as Emperor. But after so persuasion, he eventually understood and agreed to succeed Ard as the second ruler of the Liberta Empire.
***
Five months later, after the transfer of duties, knowledge, and imperial training, Ainsley was finally crowned as Emperor by Ard and the senate. Ainsley’s wife, Hailey, beca the Empress Consort, and their son, Adam, was nad Crown Prince. The passing of the crown and the imperial scepter from Ard to Ainsley took place in the throne room, witnessed by the rulers of every kingdom.
King Alexis of Fredonia, the young King Boris of Rellios—who was Empress Beatrice’s half-brother—King Elr and Queen Grethia of the Diborg Kingdom, Queen Eliza of the Ateras Kingdom, King Geoffrey and Queen Thorena of the Durnhill Kingdom, Queen Tatiana of Lenoria, and finally Queen Cylone, daughter of Queen Aerinis of the Soratopia Kingdom, all traveled specifically to witness the coronation of the new sovereign. With that, Ainsley officially beca the second monarch of the Liberta Empire.
anwhile, after the coronation ceremony concluded, inside a carriage heading out of the capital, "Yay... making babies... making babies... making babies," Alicia, Milia, Pyria, Claudia, Beatrice, and Rosalind sang and cheered. They looked completely free and relieved, filled with joy. Ard could only shake his head as he watched them. Then Eva turned to look at Ard beside her.
"So, where is our destination now?" Eva asked.
"I don’t know, I haven’t thought about it yet," Ard replied.
"What... how is that possible?" Eva shot back, annoyed.
"Just follow the flow... I want to see the world before settling down, maybe for a year," Ard said.
"Huh... typical, you were like that before, too," Eva said with a smile.
"Why are you being so quiet, Mirea?" Ard asked.
"Hmm... maybe this is the right ti to say it," Mirea answered.
"Say what?" Ard asked curiously.
"Just ask Pyria; she was the one who told yesterday," Mirea said.
"Oh, that’s right. She’s pregnant, two weeks along," Pyria replied casually, as if she were simply announcing that the weather was clear today.
The atmosphere inside the carriage went silent instantly. Every eye turned toward Mirea, who looked shy and was holding her stomach.
"Wait... hold on... you’re pregnant?" Ard asked.
"That’s what Pyria said... I heard elves have their own traditional thods for detecting pregnancy," Mirea answered.
"Exactly. She’s been pregnant for two weeks... hmm... I don’t think I need to explain the thod in detail... just trust ," Pyria said, looking like she was too lazy to explain.
"Hey... explain it to , now," Ard said seriously, his heart pounding with joy as he shook Pyria in front of him.
"Alright... alright, I’ll explain... just stop shaking ," Pyria said.
Finally, Pyria explained her thod, and everyone agreed it made sense. Imdiately, the mood inside the carriage turned festive. They all celebrated Mirea’s pregnancy, and then Eva, smiling, nudged Ard beside her.
"Still want to go adventuring first?" Eva asked with a smirk.
"No... we’re settling down. Everyone, help figure out where," Ard answered.
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