[—System Notification—]
Name: Edward Artoria
Identity: First Daughter
Date of Birth: Sea Circle Calendar, February 3rd, 1469
Innate Talent: S+ |
Red Dragon King Potential Rating: S+
Argus stared at the system panel hovering before his eyes, his eyelid twitching.
One word came to mind: Monster.
Compared to her…
[Edward Argus]
Identity: Head of the Edward Family
Innate Talent: B | Above Average
Potential Rating: B+
He lit a cigarette with a dead expression. "What the actual hell is this power gap?"
His daughter—an S+ talent, the literal incarnation of the Red Dragon King.
Himself? Just a B.
Pathetic.
The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to dig a hole and bury himself.
He lowered his gaze, staring at the infant swaddled in his arms.
She didn't even look like a normal newborn. Her skin was smooth, flawless, almost porcelain-like. No wrinkles.
More bizarre still—she already had a full head of golden hair. Thick, fluffy, shining under the candlelight.
And at the center of it— "…What's with that ridiculous ahoge, looking hair standing straight up?"
A single rebellious strand of hair defied gravity, wobbling proudly atop her head.
Argus narrowed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Seriously, Red Dragon King? You reincarnated into my daughter like this?"
He rubbed his chin, the image in his mind inevitable: a certain legendary King of Knights from distant, half-forgotten myths.
The name slipped out without thought: "…Artoria?"
A maid nearby perked up.
"My lord! Are you naming the young miss Artoria? What a noble name!"
Argus blinked. He hadn't meant to say it out loud—but hearing it now… It fit.
"Yeah," he muttered, then with more certainty: "This child's name will be Edward Artoria."
"Understood, my lord!" the maid squeaked, dashing off to spread the word.
Argus smiled faintly, gazing down at the sleeping baby. "Edward Artoria…" A powerful name, for a future without limits.
He gently handed her back to the waiting nursemaid and stepped out of the birthing chamber.
Both mother and child needed rest.
Though, judging by the gleam of life in Artoria's wide, intelligent eyes... rest might be a battle of its own.
Outside, Newgate rushed forward, his heavy steps shaking the floor. "Argus! How's the baby?!" he barked, voice cracking with emotion.
Argus smirked. "Relax, big brother. Mother and daughter are safe. Serena's resting, and Artoria's healthy. Stronger than a sea king in springtime."
"Artoria?" Newgate repeated, testing the name. His grin spread wide. "HAH! I love it! My first niece, eh?!"
Argus's expression turned slightly serious. "Not just any niece. Artoria's got monster-level talent. If all goes well, she'll surpass even you one day."
Newgate's eyes bulged. "You serious?!"
"Dead serious."
The giant threw back his head and roared with laughter. "THEN WE CELEBRATE, YA BASTARD!"
"Damn right we do!"
The castle erupted into a full-scale banquet. Doctors were rewarded handsomely. Servants and concubines gossiped furiously, their imaginations running wild. Pregnant women rubbed their bellies with new hope, wondering if their child would also carry divine blood.
The festivities raged until midnight, only ending because Newgate insisted he needed to be fresh-faced to meet his niece properly the next morning.
That night, for the first time in months, Argus lay alone in his chamber. No warm body curled beside him. No lingering scent of perfume or passion. Just… silence.
He exhaled, staring up at the dark ceiling. "…A daughter." His voice was soft. Disbelieving.
Even after everything—the system, the second life—nothing compared to this simple, overwhelming feeling.
His first true child.
A knot twisted in his chest. Joy. Terror. Responsibility. Pride.
Then—
[System Notification: Eldest Daughter Edward Artoria successfully born.]
[Detected: S+ Talent | Red Dragon King | S+ Aptitude]
[Resonance Detected — Lock Lifted: Regenerative Constitution to designated kin...]
[1st Child: Milestone
Life Energy Reward: Edward Argus]
A sharp ring echoed in his mind.
An instant later—agony.
Emerald light engulfed the room as pure life energy slammed into him like a tidal wave. Argus dropped to the bed, convulsing as the energy invaded his muscles, bones, organs—reshaping him from the inside out.
An hour of brutal, soul-tearing transformation. By the time it ended, the bed was soaked with sweat, and every inch of him ached.
But even through the pain, he could feel it: His body was stronger. Sharper. Alive like never before.
He pulled up his status window with trembling hands.
[Edward Argus]
Identity: Patriarch of the Edward Family
Children: 1 Daughter | 0 Sons
Spiritual Energy: Level 5
Life Energy: Level 9
Conqueror's Haki: Level 5
Argus let out a ragged laugh.
"…Not bad. Not bad at all."
After, staring at the Interface for a while.
[>POWER TRANSFER LOG]
Regenerative constitution
Target: Edward Newgate
(YES) (NO)
—Elsewhere—
[System Resonance: Transference Protocol Complete.] [Target: Edward Newgate — Confirmed. Initiating Transfer of Regenerative Constitution. Enhancing Life Force, Granting Traits Regeneration]
Newgate suddenly froze mid-laughter as a burst of crimson-gold energy surged through him.
His pupils contracted. His muscles rippled.
"HOOOAAHHH—!!"
His Conqueror's Haki exploded outward, shaking the walls. Servants fell to their knees. Even Doma and Hiroshi braced instinctively.
"What the hell?!" Doma shouted.
But not everyone was afraid. Artoria, from within her cradle, giggled.
Newgate's laughter returned with full force. He roared, beating his chest.
"GWAHAHAHA!! Now THIS is what I call family spirit!"
He clenched his fists, breath ragged. "So that's it… My obsession with family finally bore fruit. My strength grew because of it! Family really IS everything."
He looked to the heavens.
"Wait 'til the world sees what the Edward Family can do."
[Edward Newgate — Updated Status]
Regenerative Constitution: Acquired
Life Energy: +2 Levels
—Whole Cake Island—
Jozu stared at the sky, feeling an invisible pressure. "Brother Doma… something just changed."
Doma's eyes narrowed. "Yeah… The world just shifted."
Hiroshi grinned. "Heh. Looks like we missed one hell of a party."
—Inside the Castle—
In the shadows of the hallway, Kureha leaned against the wall, arms folded. Her eyes locked onto the cradle holding Artoria.
The infant's eyes briefly flashed gold.
Kureha's lips curled into a rare smile. "Well now… things just got interesting."
She turned away, coat fluttering behind her.
"Let's see what this little dragon brings to the world."
(CHAPTER END)