Chapter 23: Oh No, Am I Going to Be a Father?

After a short while, Senice hummed a little tune as she got up, while Lilya emerged from the bedroom looking weary, beginning to help Senice prepare breakfast.

“Good morning, young master.”

“Good morning, Lilya.”

Rudy passed through the corridor, greeting Lilya cheerfully.

“Lilya, you don’t look well today. Are you unwell?”

Lilya’s pupils flickered with a hint of panic behind her glasses.

“I didn’t sleep well last night... Thank you for your concern, young master.”

Rudy blinked and passed by her.

At that moment, Allen came down the stairs, bare-chested with a towel draped over his shoulders, droplets of water still clinging to his hair.

“Morning, both of you.”

Hearing Allen’s voice, Senice peeked from the kitchen, folding her hands apologetically.

“Good morning, Allen. Sorry about yesterday—Paul was a bit upset and went a little too hard on you! I checked your neck and there’s nothing serious, but you seemed too out of it to wake up properly, so we brought you back here. There was still blood on you, and since we couldn’t help you bathe, we just laid a mat for you on the floor. Paul told me last night that once he got up, he wanted to properly thank you... apologize, I mean. He should be up soon.”

Allen squinted at her radiant face, muscles twitching involuntarily at the corners of his eyes.

‘This energetic lady—if you really feel sorry, might I suggest you only sleep at night and avoid disturbing others with your games? And didn’t you just say “thank” rather than “apologize”?’

‘But come to think of it, I should be the one thanking you. If not for you, I wouldn’t have known the antidote magic could be used that way. Truly impressive.’

“No worries. After all, it was because of me that Rudy and the others got poisoned... By the way, was Selphy brought home by Uncle Rolz yesterday? Did he get angry?”

Senice blinked.

“No, he just looked a bit helpless. But it seems he has a good impression of you and Rudy! He asked me to tell you not to feel too guilty and hopes you’ll look after Selphy well in the future.”

Allen scratched his head.

“That’s as it should be... Glad he wasn’t angry.”

Nearby, Rudy listened to their conversation, somewhat dazed.

‘So, Paul took it upon himself to teach Allen a lesson yesterday? He got knocked unconscious? When was that altar made? At dawn? Allen looks a bit tired... This guy keeps my secret and even made me an altar—turns out he’s unexpectedly a good person. Hmm, I must find a way to repay him.’

“Knock knock knock!”

Suddenly, urgent knocking sounded at the door.

Allen glanced toward the entrance in surprise, exchanging looks of astonishment with the others.

---

“I’ll get it.”

To everyone’s surprise, outside stood a somewhat short but well-proportioned young woman, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she raised her slightly upturned eyes toward the room.

Seeing it wasn’t the sturdy knight they expected but a complete stranger, Allen froze for a moment. Then he quickly scanned the woman’s gaze, which lingered on his strong features—his neck, broad trapezius muscles, and then his chest.

She silently pinched her nose.

“Where’s Paul? By the way, who are you...?”

Allen blinked, searching his mind but failing to place this woman among any characters he knew from the story’s childhood phase.

He instinctively brushed his damp hair back and frowned as he asked,

“May I ask who you are...?”

Before he finished, Allen paused, his head tilting slightly toward the figure beside the woman.

It was the chubby boy she had intimidated yesterday, looking embarrassed as he gazed at Allen.

‘Wait, this plotline seems to be...’

[Immediate Task: The Temptation of the Big Lady, activated.]

[Mrs. Somar fancies Paul’s strong physique and often finds excuses to seek his attention. At this moment, you have caught Mrs. Somar’s eye. She seems to find your youthful yet sturdy build uniquely appealing compared to Paul’s twenty-five-year-old vigor...]

[Task Reminder: Senice often complains internally about this lady’s harassment. Now is your chance to repay the antidote magic favor.]

[Reward: If handled well, you may further gain Senice’s favor with 2 points of participation rating. Meanwhile, you might also win the favor of a charming married woman.]

[Go for it, host! How can you resist a blond like this!]

Allen had no time to entertain the system’s teasing, which was clearly not issuing a task but mocking him. He simply stared blankly at the embarrassed chubby boy before him, his expression gradually stiffening.

Because he suddenly remembered what he’d said to that boy yesterday.

“She’s a demon, and I’m your dad.”

Oh no... big trouble...

Looks like I’m about to become a father...

Mrs. Somar looked at Allen’s stunned expression as he exchanged gazes with her child. In an instant, she realized this handsome, sturdy youth was the very culprit bullying her child.

She smiled faintly at the corner of her lips but furrowed her brow, speaking in a low voice,

“So, you’re the one bullying Somar? Quite the tough guy~ Using your height and age to pick on a kid?”

---

Allen blankly glanced at the big lady who, with great interest, was eyeing him... No, his height alone was enough for the “big lady” factor? Damn, what am I thinking!!

He hurriedly looked at Somar, who had buried his head, utterly speechless, and suddenly felt a surge of anger.

“Stop just standing there! Did I bully you? Speak up!”

Somar shivered and lowered his head even more.

Allen was stunned.

Seeing Allen like this, Mrs. Somar’s eyes gleamed. She grabbed Allen’s ear and began to pull him outside.

“You still dare say you didn’t bully him? Come back with me and explain. Somar’s father died early—I can’t let anyone bully my child...”

The senior water spirit swordsman, caught by the widow’s light-touch ear tug, felt utterly defeated.

So your Somar bullies others too! And now there’s a widow buff stacked on top of this—danger, danger, save me, Paul, save me!

“Wait!”

Allen’s eyes lit up as Rudy hurried out.

Didn’t expect you to be reliable after all! All that late-night effort making an altar for you wasn’t wasted. Come on...

“Mrs. Somar, could you please let him return before noon? I have swordsmanship class in the afternoon.”

Rudy bowed deeply, the utmost politeness, then half-raised his face and winked at Allen.

‘What perfect timing to repay a favor! With Allen’s skills, there’s no way Mrs. Somar will hold him by the ear for long, so he must be doing this on purpose! Huh, never thought you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes, would be this kind of guy... But everyone has their quirks. Since I’ve taken you as my little... big brother, it’s only natural to help a big brother out!’

Allen: ????

“Wait!”

Just then, Paul finally arrived, fashionably late. Allen saw his figure and felt as if a savior had appeared.

‘Paul, you are my god!’

But just as Paul stepped through the door, mouth open to speak, Rudy hurriedly pushed Allen inside.

With a loud click, the door shut, leaving Allen, Mrs. Somar, and Somar himself in silence.

The gentle late-spring breeze brushed over Allen’s skin as he stiffly turned to look at Mrs. Somar, who was squinting and glancing sideways at him. His heart felt icy cold.