After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 212

Chapter 212: Gretel’s Premonition

“So, Beato has decided on something like that, huh?”

“Yeah. She’s determined to meet the Forestfolk and ask for their guidance, all for Fanny’s sake.”

As usual, we were having a drink after our meal. Well, ever since we found out Gretel was pregnant, her wine had been replaced with grape juice, but the atmosphere remained the same.

“She must be really concerned about Princess Franziska. I understand how she feels… If it were for this child’s future, I wouldn’t hesitate to clear the entire Forest of Evil.”

No, no, absolutely not. Let’s not cut down the entire forest. Even if it’s a terrifying place for the people of Baden, there are those, like the Forestfolk, who live peacefully within it. We’re planning to develop parts of it, sure, but I want to coexist with the forest, not destroy it.

“If she’s going to challenge the Forest of Evil, I’ll, of course, protect Beato and you, Lutz—after I’ve had this child and my body is ready for battle again.”

As she spoke, Gretel’s usually sharp gaze softened. She lovingly stroked her belly, her hand moving gently over it, murmuring something quietly.

“Are you channeling magic into the baby?”

“Well, about that… Like I mentioned before, it’s not that I’m giving magic to the baby. Instead, it feels like magic is flowing out from my belly. The more I do this, the more strength I seem to gain—it’s strange.”

“But isn’t it because when you conceive my child, the baby levels up? Maybe that’s why you’re feeling it that way.”

“No, that’s not it.”

Gretel’s gaze sharpened again, fixing directly on me.

“I’ve talked about this with Ayaka many times and thought it over. But what I’m experiencing now is distinctly different from what Ayaka described during her three pregnancies. The flow of magic feels similar to when I charge up from you, Lutz, but Ayaka firmly denied it. She said the strength and speed of the magic flow from the child are entirely different from what she gets from you.”

I had no clue what she meant. I can’t sense magic flows myself, but… could it be?

“Hey, if it’s like when you get magic from me, could it mean the baby is a boy?”

If the child were a boy, maybe my magic-charging ability got passed down to him. That would mean they’d be able to recharge anytime, anywhere, right? Feeling confident in my logic, I presented my theory, but Gretel quietly shook her head.

“No, the baby is definitely a girl. I knew it the moment I realized I was pregnant. My magic level rose by more than one class—it’s unmistakable. If the child were a boy who couldn’t use magic, that wouldn’t happen.”

“Oh… I see.”

Yeah, that makes sense. Boys can’t use magic, so the concept of magic levels doesn’t apply to them. So it’s a girl, after all. Plus, since Gretel’s magic level increased significantly, this might be her last chance to have a child. Of course, she’d want a girl.

Gretel must have sensed what I was thinking because she smiled faintly.

“No, whether this child is a boy or a girl, I’ll love them the same. I don’t care about things like being the next marquess or serving the country. This is our precious love child, Lutz—the one we finally, finally created together. I’m going to protect them, raise them strong, and shower them with praise.”

Let’s keep it balanced, okay? If Gretel, who’s already as strong as a hero, gets too intense with training, any normal child might not survive.

Speaking of which, Gretel said her magic level increased by more than one class during this pregnancy. Previously, children conceived by mothers with B-class magic or higher only leveled up one class. But Gretel, starting at S-class, might’ve jumped not to SS but to SSS-class. That’s kind of terrifying.

The next morning, Gretel went off to her job as the “Queen of the Lumberjacks.” Her belly was starting to show, so I wished she’d avoid physical labor, but she didn’t seem to care.

“Ever since this baby came along, I haven’t had to use my physical strength at all!”

And she wasn’t wrong. All Gretel had to do was stand at the forest’s edge, pour magic into her mithril axe, and give it a light swing at ground level. That one swing sent a platinum-colored arc of light through the forest, cleanly slicing through the base of nearly a hundred trees. By the time she exhaled softly, the trees were already falling in a tidy line.

She did this two or three times a day, and it produced more timber than the workers could haul and process. It was incredibly efficient and didn’t strain her body at all. Magic really is amazing.

“It’s not just one class—it’s way more. According to records of past SS-class light mages, no one ever performed such grand feats. And… if I were to compare my magic to Ayaka’s right now, I’d probably surpass her.”

What? Ayaka had leveled up to SSS-class after having three of my children. What’s beyond that?

Honestly, Gretel’s upcoming delivery was starting to scare me. Will everything really be okay?