Inside a restaurant in a small town on the way back to Magnolia.
Weston, Mavis, Zera, and Irene sat at one table.
Having traveled all day, the three women were burying their heads in their food, eating heartily. Only Weston left his food untouched, staring intently at Irene across from him.
Thud—!!
Under the table, Zera kicked Weston hard, her eyes glaring at him like a cat officer spotting a mouse.
"What are you looking at?!"
"You're a man who has already married two wives. Isn't it a bit too rude to stare that way at a woman who is about to become a mother?!"
Weston still didn't look away, only whispering to himself: "It's not right. I still feel like something is wrong."
"Is there a problem?"
Sensing that she had been watched for too long, Irene felt uncomfortable and put down her utensils to look up.
Weston explained: "I consulted Senior Elefseria yesterday. According to him, the Restoration Magic I used on you was indeed only enough to return your appearance to human form. In essence, your body should still be in a 'Dragonized' state."
"Therefore, logically speaking, you should be suffering from 'Hyperesthesia', making it impossible to eat or sleep peacefully."
"While it's a good thing you haven't had a mental breakdown due to Hyperesthesia, I just don't understand it!"
Zera tilted her head in confusion: "Hyperesthesia? What's that?"
"...This is why I told you to read more books. Now you're embarrassed."
Amidst Zera's increasingly unfriendly gaze, Weston let out a helpless sigh: "Hyperesthesia is a condition where the senses become extremely acute! Every Dragon Slayer suffers from this to some degree."
"The essence of Dragon Slayer Magic is to allow humans to gain the power of dragons. This power exists in a special form within the human body. Magic scholars vividly call this power the 'Dragon Seed'."
"The deeper the mastery of Dragon Slayer Magic, the larger the 'Dragon Seed' becomes. Like a plant seed, it absorbs energy from the Wizard as nutrients to grow, eventually 'bearing fruit'—which is the Wizard's Dragonization."
"However, the power of a dragon is far too strong for a human. It's very difficult for a human physique to bear this level of load. It's like putting a massive cargo on a small boat; the boat cannot withstand the weight and eventually sinks into the sea."
"There are differences between human senses and dragon senses."
"Visual differences lead to motion sickness;"
"Tactile differences lead to extreme sensitivity to the external environment, causing insomnia;"
"Taste differences lead to the inability to consume normal human food..."
Zera and Mavis turned their heads toward Irene in unison.
They knew Irene did indeed suffer from motion sickness.
On the second day after meeting Irene, when the group was preparing for the return journey, Irene stated that she was "unable to ride in a carriage." Because of this, Mavis and Zera decided to walk back to Magnolia.
But aside from that, Irene ate and slept every day, showing little difference from a normal person. The two girls had no idea she was hiding such a condition.
Hearing Weston's explanation now, they immediately became worried for her.
"Irene, is what Weston said true?"
"Have you really been unable to sleep or eat well these past few days?!"
Seeing how much Mavis and Zera cared for her, Irene was deeply moved. She gave them a gentle smile, whispered 'Don't worry,' and then looked at Weston: "So that's why Mr. Weston has been watching me these days..."
"In fact, you are right. After I restored my human form, it has indeed been difficult to sleep, and eating feels like chewing wax—there is no taste at all."
"So it really is like that? Then... why can you still act so relaxed?"
"It's because of 'love,' of course!"
Irene gently stroked her lower abdomen: "Because this child is here, no matter what kind of suffering I encounter, I can endure it and live with my head held high!"
Hearing this, Mavis and Zera were instantly moved to tears, which began to fall rapidly.
Weston, on the other hand, was struck dumb with shock.
No...
Is the power of maternal love that strong?
To even overcome such terrifying physiological effects?!
This is quite ridiculous!
No, in real life it would be impossible, but since this is the world of manga—the world of Fairy Tail—then it's not so strange...
Thinking of this, Weston suddenly felt a sense of relief.
He subconsciously looked toward Irene's belly. It was already slightly protruding, noticeably larger than when she first regained her human appearance. He just didn't know if it was because the child inside had resumed development, or because Irene had been eating so much lately...
To be able to keep eating like that when the food has no taste—that truly is remarkable!
Speaking of which, do pregnant women always have such large appetites?
Or is it the influence of the Dragonized body?
"I'm talking to you!"
"Now that your questions are answered, stop staring at her like that!!"
Zera's head suddenly popped up from the side, blocking Weston's line of sight.
"Eat quickly! We have to hit the road after finishing!!"
"Alright, alright..."
Weston gave a gentle smile and began to eat.
Mavis, meanwhile, started chatting with Irene.
"Once we reach Magnolia, I'll help arrange a house and a doctor for you!"
"Would that be too much trouble? I can manage on my own..."
"Don't be polite! Despite how we look, our family is actually quite wealthy. Besides, it's not convenient for you as a pregnant woman!"
"Then... then thank you very much!"
"By the way, how much longer until the baby is born?"
"I don't know, but her development seems much faster than I expected. After all, she's been in there for over 300 years; I think she probably can't wait to come out..."
"You just said 'her'? Is the baby a girl?"
"I don't know, but I hope so!"
A girl is good!
If it were a boy who grew up looking like his irresponsible biological father, Irene wasn't sure if she'd be able to resist the urge to strangle him one day.
So, let it be a girl.
If it's a girl, she should look like me, and then I can love her without any burden!
But what if it really is a boy?
There should be some magical spell in this world that can turn a man into a woman...
A sudden, inexplicable chill appeared in the air.
Zera shivered instantly. After glancing around, she pressed her mouth to Weston's ear and whispered, "Hey, Weston! Don't you think Miss Irene's smile just became really scary?"
Weston, who was eating, didn't even lift his head: "How should I know? Didn't you tell me not to look at her anymore?"
"...Then lift your head and take a look."
"No time, I'm eating!"
☰