Once day broke, I gathered with my retainers in the council chamber to resume our meetings.
First, to effectively govern our expanded territory, we decided to codify the laws in writing and distribute them throughout the land.
After several days of intense debate and deliberation, we finally produced a legal code containing the new statutes.
Shortly after, I learned that my retainers—without my knowledge—had attached my name to the code and spread it to every corner of the country.
"...Those bastards?"
When I demanded to know who had authorized the use of my name for a legal code to be mass-produced via magecraft and distributed, I was told:
"Lady Hecate and Lady Medea took the lead and provided the necessary assistance."
"Ah...."
The moment the names of my beloved wives were mentioned, I had no choice but to back down.
Following the compilation of the laws, the temples of the Olympian gods were completed one after another. Once the construction of the prison I had envisioned was also finished, we immediately began confining prisoners and captives taken during the war.
"Hmm... come to think of it, this war has sparked a great deal of interest in military affairs, and the number of volunteers hoping to become soldiers has surged. While that's not necessarily bad, we can't rely on that alone. Medicine and other technical skills need to advance as well... Yes, I should establish specialized training institutions."
Consequently, I decided to establish a military academy and a technical vocational school to complement the existing academy, which focused on general knowledge and current affairs. I immediately put these plans into motion.
Furthermore, I ordered the renovation of roads in high-traffic areas across our vast territory to ensure seamless travel and transport.
Once the roadwork was complete, Eirene entered a state of unprecedented stability.
People focused on their own lives, and the flow of travelers moving between cities never ceased.
The scars of war had almost entirely vanished.
"...This should do it."
I murmured softly, gazing out the window.
"There shouldn't be any problems for the time being. It's remarkably peaceful..."
Just as I was lost in my own thoughts,
"Your Majesty!"
A servant burst through the door, gasping for air as he spoke.
"...What is it?"
"Well..."
The servant hesitated for a moment before finally finding his voice.
"Lady Hecate... it seems she is about to give birth!"
"...What?"
My mind went completely blank.
It was a shock; even though I knew this day would come eventually, the sudden reality of it left me momentarily paralyzed.
"This is no time to stand there! Hurry...!"
"R-right..! Lead the way, quickly!"
Driven by the news that Hecate's delivery was imminent, I ran frantically toward her chambers, my thoughts in complete disarray.
When I finally reached her door, I stopped abruptly.
I raised my hand to knock, then hesitated and lowered it.
"Haa...."
I gripped the doorknob, took a deep, steadying breath, and quietly opened the door.
"...You're here?"
As I entered, I saw Hecate lying on the bed, looking at me with a gentle smile.
"...You've worked hard. Thank you."
Seeing the beads of sweat on her brow and her exhausted yet peaceful demeanor, I realized she had just given birth.
My gaze drifted down to the cloth bundle cradled in her arms.
"...It's a girl," Hecate said softly, noticing my stare.
"...I see."
I approached her and reached toward the tiny infant, but paused for a moment, hesitant to touch something so fragile.
"...It's alright to hold her. You should have your turn, shouldn't you?"
At her encouragement, I carefully took the child from Hecate's arms.
The first thing that struck me was how incredibly light she was—much lighter than I had imagined.
"...So this is..."
I whispered, staring down at the baby sleeping soundly in my arms.
"...What will you name her?"
Hecate watched me, her question prompting me to fall into deep thought.
"...A name, huh..."
"Uuuhh—"
As I pondered, our daughter wriggled slightly, as if something were uncomfortable. Though she couldn't yet move her body with any real coordination, she shifted herself into a more comfortable position and drifted back to sleep.
"...Noxia. Let's call her Noxia."
Even as I spoke the name to Hecate, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the little girl in my arms.
"Hehe. You're already looking at her with such love."
Hecate chuckled, watching the two of us with a tender expression.
In that moment, looking at Noxia, I felt it for the first time: I had become a father.
========================
The website for reading paid chapters is available on my Patreon. The number of chapters on Patreon: 59
Link: patreon.com/UltraMagnus_T