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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: The Mercenary King's Surprise Visit
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The Magic Tower Kindergarten was originally an in-house welfare facility created to look after the children of the wizards working at the Magic Tower.
So most of the kids stayed there until one of their parents came to pick them up after work.
Meanwhile, Nibelria and Arep headed out at a set time and climbed into the carriage.
"Time really flies, huh."
But the carriage that was supposed to come didn't show.
"I knew she took after Mom, but Seli sis has a pretty decent face too? No way they teamed up to make this kid, right?"
Instead, some unfamiliar woman appeared in front of the children.
"Who might you be?"
The kindergarten teacher, who always waited with them until the carriage arrived, stepped in front of the kids.
Arep took the opportunity to pull Nibelria behind him.
He gripped her hand tightly, ready to run off together if things went south.
Nibelria, for her part, just blinked her round blue eyes.
"Oh ho."
The stranger glanced approvingly at Arep.
But first, she decided to identify herself to the teacher, who was glaring at her like she was about to pounce.
She'd just become the Mercenary King—no need to stir up trouble right away.
"I'm Armifera Dayamor."
"D-Dayamor...?"
Swallowing a rude thought about how entertaining the teacher's flustered face was, Mercenary King Armifera introduced herself.
"Daughter of Saintess Muniel and aunt to that pretty little lady Nibelria over there."
Her golden eyes sparkled brilliantly.
The daughter of Saintess Muniel and Holy Knight Ardores.
"fera!"
And the granddaughter-like child whom Magic Tower Lord Majia truly cherished.
"Grandpa Majia!"
"Aigoo, my carbonated water! The ungrateful brat from another house who blasts open my insides!"
The moment Majia spotted Armifera, he scooped her up and spun her around in place no fewer than five times.
The wizards present gaped, their eyes nearly popping out.
Some were so shocked they couldn't close their mouths, their jaws practically unhinging.
"Nini too! Spin Nini too!"
Nibelria whined, tugging at the hem of Majia's robe, demanding to be picked up and spun.
With no choice, Majia did the same to Nibelria.
And he didn't forget Arep, who had been subtly waiting his turn.
Only then did the satisfied Nibelria and Arep settle down to listen quietly to the adults' conversation.
"So you've finally become the Mercenary King? You adorable rascal! You're gonna make your dad's face even uglier again!"
"Grandpa, you and Dad are still getting along great, I see."
"Ardores's irritation is my happiness."
"Ahaha!"
Armifera burst into hearty laughter. She was an incredibly beautiful woman.
A woman whose muscles were particularly beautiful.
Her natural features were the classic beauty mold, of course.
But her skin, healthily tanned by the sun; the countless scars visible on every bit of exposed flesh; the pronounced muscular lines of her body.
Now, her beauty was forged not from her face, but from her strength.
"......"
Nibelria stared intently at her aunt.
Feeling the gaze, Armifera whipped her head around.
Nibelria flinched when their eyes met but didn't run away.
Instead, she gripped Arep's hand tightly. Arep squeezed back, refusing to let go.
"Whew, you two get along so well."
Armifera plopped right down on the ground, butt to the floor.
"Good thing I stopped by Aunt Della first. You're Arep, right? The cool guy protecting our Nini."
"Protecting the young lady is my duty."
Arep said firmly.
Mm, Armifera nodded with a satisfied smile.
"And so young, but already assigned a duty."
"Yes. Protecting the boss is a subordinate's obligation."
"Oho, you even know the word 'obligation'? You've learned well at kindergarten."
"This is the Magic Tower, after all," Armifera added.
Majia gazed at Armifera like he was just dying from adoration.
If she were a one-year-old baby, he'd have patted her butt a dozen times over.
A hand thick with calluses extended toward Arep.
"I'm Armifera, Nini's aunt. Call me Fera."
Arep carefully took the proffered hand and shook it.
"Huh? You training with a sword?"
"How did you know?"
"Blisters are just starting to form on your palms. Want me to teach you later? Looks aren't everything—I've climbed to Mercenary King with a single blade."
"Yes...!"
It was a golden opportunity for Arep, who dreamed of becoming a knight.
Before long, Arep was looking at Armifera with eyes full of respect.
"Well then..."
Armifera's gaze naturally shifted to Nibelria.
She's seriously pretty.
Not just because she was her niece—Nibelria was a genuinely pretty and cute little lady.
Her white silver hair was fluffy like cotton candy, and her bright blue eyes were so clear they seemed untouched by the world's filth.
Her soft chubby cheeks, her adorably sharp features.
"Nini."
"Nini."
Nibelria echoed her own name.
As if to say, I'm Nini!
Amused by how cute it was, Armifera extended her hand to Nibelria this time too.
"Auntie. Nice to meet you."
"Nini happy too!"
Nibelria squeezed her hand tight.
"But Auntie needs a scolding."
"Huh?"
Armifera froze for the first time at the out-of-left-field remark.
"Um, why?"
"You ran away from home."
She'd learned running away was bad. And whenever Auntie came up, Grandpa and Daddy made sad faces.
Even little Nibelria knew leaving home meant hardship.
Back when she was a cat, she never wandered far from her territory.
Why roam when she had tasty food and a warm bed?
"Running away is bad. It worries your family."
"Well, yeah, it is..."
Armifera admitted readily.
"So apologize when you get home!"
"Whoa, to think a kid like this came from your brother..."
"Mom gave birth to me."
"You're hilarious, kid."
Liking that, Armifera leaned in to plant kisses on Nibelria's cheeks.
But Nibelria dodged nimbly, defending herself.
"This cat doesn't let anyone but someone stronger than her touch her head."
Majia jerked his chin at Nibelria's resolute face, signaling Armifera to give up.
"......"
Arep vowed to train even harder with his sword.
Because he wanted to pet Nibelria's head.
Majia, seeing them off, asked,
"So how'd you get here? Where's the carriage to pick up the kids?"
"Broke a wheel. They're probably swapping to the spare by now..."
No sooner had Armifera spoken than the Dayamor family carriage came speeding in.
The coachman spotted Armifera and let out a terrified squeak.
The horses startled too, snorting and stamping their hooves.
"...You steal it?"
Majia stared at her with a 'no way' look.
"No way. They must've just been spooked by my aura."
"Eiygoo, that's my girl. That's why I love you. Show that aura to your dad too! Got it?"
Majia stuffed Armifera's thick, scarred hands full of candy and chocolate.
He didn't forget the special candy that changed flavors every minute.
In the carriage, Nibelria sat next to Armifera.
"Auntie."
"Yeah?"
"You can't eat all that, right?"
The candy and chocolate Majia had packed were too much; she'd wrapped them separately in a handkerchief and set them aside.
Nibelria eyed them covetously.
"Auntie can eat it all."
"Your teeth'll rot, dummy. Want me to eat a little since Nini's worried?"
"No, it's fine."
"......"
A furrow formed between Nibelria's brows.
The four-year-old glaring up at her like a sulky cat was so funny that Armifera let out a booming laugh.
"Puhahaha!"
Her resounding voice made Nibelria and Arep flinch and huddle.
"Aigoo, you cutie! You're too adorable!"
"Nini's always been kinda cute!"
"Yeah, you gotta know you're cute. Otherwise, some weirdo guy'll sweep you off your feet, and you'll end up crying rivers of bloody tears."
I've seen plenty of girls like that.
Armifera made a sad face like it was her own story.
But fortunately,
"Nini's got a man to marry, so it's fine."
Her bold niece already had a guy lined up.
Nibelria hopped down from her seat and went to sit next to primly seated Arep.
And she introduced him herself.
"Arep! Nini's subordinate! And Nini's mate."
"Mate?"
"We're gonna mate later and have ten babies."
"...What?"
Even the worldly Mercenary King Armifera was shocked by the bombshell word.
Kaleo lost his words the moment he saw his little sister stepping down from the carriage with the kids.
"Bro, you need to raise your kids right."
He never expected child-rearing advice from the sister who'd run off on her own to become Mercenary King.
"...Why?"
Still, he asked.
"Nini says she's gonna mate with Arep later and have ten babies."
"Kyaaak!"
A scream of anguish burst from Kaleo's mouth.
