524: The Seven-Colored Magic Eyes, and the Mother and Son

"[Seven-Colored Magic Eyes]?"

"Yes. My two eyes each contain seven different magic eyes, and I can activate them at will."

Hearing this from Kuon, I was shocked. I had never heard of someone possessing multiple magic eyes. And seven, no less.

Normally, magic eyes are possessed in one eye, and they often manifest in different colors compared to the person's original eyes. For example, Homura, one of the three ninja girls with the Far-sighted Demon Eye, has one eye that is slightly brown, so at first glance, it appears as if both eyes are the same. But in Kuhn’s case, both of his eyes are clearly black.

"Could you show me how they work?"

"Sure. Can you use [Light] for me?"

[Light]? I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I created a small magical light in the air as instructed.

Kuon stared intently at the glowing ball. His eyes shifted to a golden hue with a slight tinge of blue, and the light instantly disappeared. This...?

"That was the [Nullifying Magic Eye]. It can nullify magic. It doesn’t work unless the target is in the line of sight, though."

Magic nullification, huh. That’s impressive. It’s a bit like my Absorb magic.

"That's amazing, Kuon! What other magic eyes do you have?"

Yumina’s excitement went through the roof. It seems she was overjoyed that her son had inherited her magic eyes. I get it, but come on, settle down, mom.

The Seven-Colored Magic Eyes, Kuon explained, were as follows:

• Green: Subjugation Magic Eye — Controls animals and magical beasts.

• Yellow: Immobilization Magic Eye — Stops the movement of objects.

• Blue: Nullifying Magic Eye — Disables magic.

• White: Truth-Telling Magic Eye — Can sense if someone is good or evil.

• Red: Destruction Magic Eye — Destroys objects.

• Orange: Foresight Magic Eye — Can see the future.

• Purple: Illusion Magic Eye — Creates illusions.

The [Truth-Telling Magic Eye] and [Foresight Magic Eye] were most likely inherited from Yumina.

All of these magic eyes seem extremely useful, but there are some limitations.

For instance, the [Immobilization Magic Eye] wears off if you blink, and the [Subjugation Magic Eye] doesn’t work on humans, nor does it last more than 24 hours on a single creature. Even so, they are incredibly handy abilities.

"Can you use any magic?"

"Only non-elemental magic. [Slip] and [Paralyze]."

Oh, looks like he inherited the spells I use often. Both are quite useful, right?

"As expected of our son, Touya and mine! Hehe, I’ll give him some good head pats!"

"Um, Mother, that’s a bit embarrassing..."

Yumina, sitting beside Kuon, pulled him close and began petting his head. Kuhn looked uncomfortable, but he just let her do it.

"How sweet...""I’ve never seen Yumina like this before..."

I could hear Yae and Luu commenting from the side, and honestly, I felt the same way. To outsiders, it probably looked like Yumina was doting on her younger brother.

"But something’s a bit stiff about him. It’s great that he’s polite, but wouldn’t it be better if boys were a bit more energetic? I wonder what kind of education Yumina gave him?"

"Humph. It’s fine! A prince should be polite and elegant, with a dignified presence! As expected of me! I taught him well!"

Elze retorted to Yumina's comment, but then Asia spoke up against her.

"Actually, Yumina-sama was often busy with state affairs, so Kuon’s education was mostly handled by someone else..."

"Eh!? Who!?"

Both Yumina and I exclaimed at the same time, and all the children’s gazes turned to one point. There, on the sofa, lay a white tiger cub sprawled out.

"Huh?"

"Kohaku!?"

"Since birth, Kohaku has always been by Kuon’s side. He learned to speak from Kohaku," Asia explained.

Ah, now that I think about it! Kuhn’s way of speaking is similar to Kohaku’s! So that’s it—he must’ve mimicked Kohaku’s speech!

According to Asia, it wasn’t just speech. Kohaku had been teaching him everything—manners, education, combat skills, and even dance. Everything a prince would need to know, all taught by Kohaku.

"Now that I think about it, Kohaku was supposed to be Kuon’s bodyguard... but I didn’t realize he was also his tutor."

"Indeed... And if that's the case, I should be proud of it. I ought to congratulate my future self for a job well done!"

Kohaku, who seemed proud of himself, contrasted with Yumina, who had slumped her shoulders, looking disheartened.

"Well, Mother, you’ve been supporting Father and working hard to improve this country. I greatly admire your sincerity."

"Touya! Our son is so cute!"

Once again, Yumina hugged Kuon tightly, rubbing his head affectionately. I worried that his hair might be thinning from all that petting.

Just as I was concerned about Kuon’s head, the living room door slammed open, and Kuon’s bodyguard, Kuhn, entered from the underground city of Agartha.

"Where’s the silver ‘Crown’?"

At Kuhn’s first words, everyone’s expression turned disappointed. First, pay attention to your brother, who has just arrived!

Kuhn walked straight to Kuon and picked up the silver item that had been placed beside him.

"This! I never thought the silver ‘Crown’ would be a weaponized golem. A Chrome Lanches weaponized golem... Hehe, even though the Gigantes were taken by the researchers, this is a good find!"

"Young master! This lady... she’s terrifying! Especially her eyes! Those eyes are so scary!"

Silver, trembling in Kuhn’s grasp, looked ready to dash straight to the research lab. But Kuhn’s mother, Leen, stopped Kuhn.

"Hey. First, say ‘Welcome back’ to your brother. And that sword belongs to him. Don’t take it without asking. As his sister, don’t you think that’s embarrassing?"

Thud!

Leen smacked Kuhn on the head. Yeah, that attitude deserved a scolding.

"Ah, um, I’m sorry... Welcome back, Kuon. I’m glad you’re safe. By the way, could I see that sword?"

After being scolded, Kuhn seemed a little down, but still, she was keen on the sword. She turned to Kuon with an apologetic look.

"You..."

"Mother Leen, don't worry about it. This happens all the time with Kuhn-anesama. And that sword was originally a gift for Kuhn-anesama..."

"Oh!? Young master, young master, young master!? We are one in spirit, aren't we?! I believe that you wouldn't do something so horrible as letting me go!? Because I can believe that!?"

"Ah... I was originally planning on having Kuhn-anesama look into it. Yes."

So, I guess he was about to say "gift" earlier.

With his desperate pleading working, Kuon didn’t give up the sword. However, it seemed like he was still going to let Kuhn check it out.

"Just don’t break it, Kuhn-anesama."

"I won’t. I know how valuable this is. I’ll have the researchers analyze the fine details."

Analyze, huh? I can use that spell, but I don’t have the knowledge to understand what I’m looking at.

For Silver, it might be like getting an MRI scan, I suppose?

"I’m so worried..."

Trembling, Silver was emitting sword sounds from Kuhn’s grip. That’s a skilled little golem.

"More importantly! Kuon’s clothes are a mess! We need to take him to Zanac’s shop right away!"

"Eh? Is there something wrong with my clothes?"

Yumina’s sudden remark made Kuon look down at his clothes. Well, maybe they were once decent clothes, but after the long journey, they were a bit wrinkled. Perhaps Yumina couldn’t bear to let her son wear such clothes.

“Oh, then I’ll go too! I’ll pick out a nice outfit for you, Kuon!” Alice raised her hand and offered to accompany them. Alice, behind you—your father’s making a face like he just bit into a bitter insect.

Kuon’s smile looked forced as well. It seems that Ende’s reaction is just as typical in the future.

“Oh, then I’ll go too. Elna, let’s go, alright? I’ll buy you a cute outfit!”

“Eh? But you just bought me some clothes recently...”

Elze’s words made Elna look uncertain. I think Elna is the one who gets the most clothes bought for her among the children. Elze always buys her clothes, saying they suit her, they’re cute, and so on.

Indeed, everything she buys looks good and cute, so I have no intention of stopping it.

It’s probably the same for Yumina. She likely wants to dress her son in various outfits. If that’s the case, there’s only one thing I can do.

I opened a [Gate] to the alley near Zanac’s store.

“Go ahead. Kohaku and Yakumo will go with you. I’ll leave the return to you.”

“Understood.”

“Alright, Kuon, let’s go! A little outing with your mother!”

Yumina grabbed Kuon’s hand and vanished into the [Gate]. Afterward, Alice, Kohaku, Elze, Elna, and Kuhn followed, and just as Ende was about to enter, I closed the [Gate].

“Wait a minute!?”

“If you went, Kuon wouldn’t be able to choose calmly. Be considerate for once.”

“Ugh! I only want to buy Alice some clothes! I’m not gonna stand around watching you two get cozy with my son!”

Well, your true feelings just slipped out there, buddy.

Ende jumped down from the balcony leading to the living room and ran off. He’s probably going to Zanac’s shop in the town below. With his speed, he’ll get there in a few minutes. Sorry, Kuon. Your idiotic father is coming, but hang in there.

“But Ende really is such a doting father. He should learn to accept one or two of his daughter’s boyfriends.”

As I muttered that, I received exasperated looks from Frey, Kuhn, and Asia. What?

“That’s a serious boomerang, you know...”

“I can’t believe the person who used to glare at every boy who approached us is saying this.”

“Should I record that for you?”

The children were saying something, but I wasn’t listening, not hearing it at all.

“By the way, Kuhn. Should I put the iron we got from Gandiris in the ‘storage room’?”

I asked Kuhn, who was swinging Silver around wildly. Hey, stop swinging that indoors. Look, you’ve been smacked by Leen again.

The iron that Gandiris was supposed to sell me at a low price was actually given to us for free as part of the condition to discover the underground city Agartha and the transfer of Gigantes (we will analyze them together, but the item itself was transferred, as there was no point in accepting broken goods). Given the quantity, I was thinking of being modest about it, but since it was said to be that valuable, I gratefully accepted it.

“Ugh… Just put everything in the storage room. The design’s ready, so we can start the production right away.”

Once again, Kuhn, who had just been struck by Linne’s chop, replied while holding his head.

"However, the amount of iron I received is massive... What exactly are you planning to make with it? This is for Albus’s Overgear, right? Are you planning to make several of them and combine them like Gigantes?"

"That’s a surprise for when it’s completed. Now, I’ll analyze the silver 'Crown,' so I’ll be off now!"

With a whoosh, Kuhn vanished like the wind. From the looks of it, it seems Albus’s Overgear won’t be made that quickly...

"Honestly, that boy never settles down... I wish he’d learn from his younger brother. If Kuhn ever has a child, I might ask Kohaku for help with the education..."

"That’s a special case for Kuon, I think. Also, according to Tokie-obaasama, the spirit of time won’t let the future change, so it’s probably useless. But she also said this force doesn’t compare to the power of the gods."

"Meaning, if it's related to an evil god, the future might still change. Of course, I won’t let that happen."

Tokie-obaasama also mentioned that she can’t return the children to the future just yet because they need to take care of the evil god problem first, to eliminate the worries before doing so.

"Well then! Since Kuon is here, let’s make tonight’s dinner a grand feast! Mother, shall we have a competition to see who can make Kuon happiest?"

"Goodness, you never learn, Asia... It seems you’ve forgotten that you already lost once."

"Hehehe, Mother doesn’t know Kuon’s preferences, does she? I’ve known what he likes to eat ever since he was born. This time, I’ll win!"

"Hmph..."

They stared at each other with fierce glares, Asia and Luu both showing sly smiles as sparks seemed to fly between them.

"Ah, Asia-chan is still as cunning as ever..."

A sigh and a resigned voice from Frey echoed.

◇ ◇ ◇

"Oh... It suits him, suits him perfectly. Like a prince."

"Heheh, no matter what Kuon wears, it suits him! He’s truly my son!"

"Haha..."

With a smug look, Yumina beamed proudly while Kuon gave a strained smile. "Mother, your son’s embarrassed..."

Having just returned from Zanac’s shop, Kuon was dressed in a white shirt, a navy vest, a navy ribbon tie, and black trousers, exuding the aura of a prince. Hmm, my son is truly handsome... Ah! I can’t talk too much about Yumina now.

Of course, this wasn’t the only outfit she bought; she seemed to have brought back a mountain of other things in paper bags.

Afterward, the dinner that Asia and Luu had prepared was laid out on the table in a grand fashion. Asia seemed to have known Kuon’s food preferences, having gathered information from Yoshino and Linze, who were bribed with sweets, while Luu had made equally impressive dishes.

"Ugh... That’s unfair!" Asia complained.

What a cheek, coming from her.

When both women pressured him to choose which meal was better, Kuon replied cheerfully, "Both are family recipes, so I can’t choose between them."

He skillfully dodged the question with that line, and I wish I could learn that technique from him...

After enjoying the delicious meal, Kuon was about to be taken to the bath by Yumina, but it seemed he was now too old to bathe with his mother, and he firmly refused.

Instead, he was dragged to the bedroom with a cheerful, "I’ll sleep with you!"

Well, Yumina had been looking forward to seeing Kuon again, so I suppose it’s only fair for him to indulge her a little.

"It’s so nice... I wish I could see Stephania soon as well," Sue said, watching Yumina and Kuon head towards the bedroom with envy.

The only one missing was Sue’s daughter, Stephania. It’s no wonder Sue felt envious.

I hugged my little bride and comforted her.

"It’s okay. Since Kuon’s here, Steph will be here soon."

"Yeah... When she comes, I’ll spoil her like crazy. We’ll take a bath together, play together, and sleep together."

"Mm-hmm. Let’s sleep in a row like a family."

"Yeah."

Though still a bit down, it seemed like Sue had calmed down a little.

Linne and Elna, who had been watching her, came to her side and each took one of her hands.

“Sue-okaasan, today I’ll sleep with you.”

“W-well, me too. I want to sleep with Sue-okaasan…”

“W-what are you two doing? I’m not lonely or anything, you know!? …Ahem. But, if you both insist so much, then I suppose I’ll sleep with you after all…”

Seeing that, Elze and Linze shrugged with a wry smile. Sue, with a beaming smile, hugged Elna and Linne.

I’m a fortunate man to have such kind daughters.

◇ ◇ ◇

The next morning.

Kuon was quickly taken to the training grounds by Yae and Hilda, where he was made to join in the early morning training.

It was a sword match without using magic eyes, but it seemed pretty strong. While not quite at Kuon or Frey’s level, he was far stronger than the average adventurer.

According to Kuhn and the others, Kuon had been trained by Yae, Hilda, and Moroha-neesan since he was young. No wonder.

By the way, it seems that when magic eyes are used, even Kuhn and Frey find it troublesome. Apparently, the "Immobilization Magic Eye" can freeze one’s movements in an instant.

Though it’s called a "Immobilization Magic Eye," it doesn’t completely stop someone. If one puts all their strength into it, they can still move (though for ordinary people, it’s almost impossible). They said that blinking can erase the effect, and in those cases, you aim for the eyes... But seriously, what kind of training did you guys go through…?

“Kuon—! We’re here!”

Shouting loudly, Alice came running from the other side of the training field. She sure is full of energy in the morning… Hmm? Behind her, three women, who seemed to be her mother and others, followed. Mel, Nei, and Rise—the trio from the Fraze species.

While Alice headed straight for Kuon, the three women came over to me instead.

“What brings you three here together? Where’s Ende?”

“Endemion is busy with guild work today. We came to check out the man Alice has become so infatuated with.”

“I can’t just let her marry some strange guy, even if he’s your son.”

“We need to verify. This is important.”

Ah, so they came to check him out? Not just Ende, but even the mothers are overprotective, huh…

Maybe my thoughts showed on my face, as Mel chuckled lightly when she saw me.

“If Alice has chosen him, I won’t oppose it. However, as he might be my future son-in-law, I think it’s only natural to want to see him for myself.”

“Well, I get it, but still…”

Mel and the others’ gaze turned toward Kuon, who was fighting Yae in the training ground.

Kuon and Alice getting married, huh… That’s talk for far in the future. Who knows how many years down the road?

But if that happens, does that mean Alice would become Queen of Brunhilde someday? …Is that going to be okay?

Maybe it would be better to have her trained alongside my daughters in etiquette for young ladies, I thought, considering what the future might hold.