With a brave heart and trembling hands, I finished tidying up my appearance inside the tent.
Finally, I chose a hat I considered my most decent and put it on.
*Sigh.*
I breathed a sigh of relief and lightly lifted the cloth curtain of the tent with my fingertips.
I stole a glance at little Ziya, who was sleeping soundly inside, before letting the curtain fall with satisfaction.
Next, I exhausted nearly all the knowledge I had acquired in this life and drained most of my mana to set up the sturdiest protective Magic Circle around the tent.
However, just one second before I was about to step away from the tent, I paused.
‘Let’s take one more look at little Ziya. Just one…’
I couldn’t help but turn back and lift the curtain again.
Gazing at that chubby, sleeping face, I couldn’t suppress the softness in my heart.
I leaned down and stole a gentle kiss on her pink cheek.
‘Alright! Now that I’ve absorbed little Ziya’s cuteness energy, I must set out today full of vigor!’
Holding onto that thought and clutching a bit of nervousness, I finally stepped out of the tent.
Why was I nervous?
Because perhaps today, I would reach my own grand finale in this story.
After a long journey and experiencing many seemingly ordinary yet secretly thrilling incidents, we in the Hero Party were finally about to face the final trial!
That was the terrifying Demon Dragon King.
Rumor had it she was mysterious and evil, and ever since her birth, she had brought countless disasters and deaths to humanity and all the races across the entire continent.
To be honest, though, I had a small doubt in my heart.
Because… I had never actually seen the Demon Dragon King or her Demon King Army actively attack anyone with my own eyes.
All the news came from victim reports sent from villages or exaggerated descriptions from others.
But whatever!
The Hero had already obtained the Hero’s Power specifically designed to deal with her.
This was clearly a script pre-written by the world…
I looked up at the sky, only to freeze on the spot.
It was still the middle of the night!
Ugh… I suppose I was too nervous and woke up too early.
Well, whatever.
Since I was already dressed, I couldn’t exactly go back for another nap.
I might as well go to the river to wash my face and wake myself up.
The sound of the flowing water was leisurely in the dawn twilight.
The wind brushed through the leaves with a *rustle*, and from the distance, the faint sound of a baby crying drifted over.
I sat on a rock by the river, enjoying this rare moment of leisure.
Since coming to this world, I had either been buried in studies or researching magic.
Now that I was traveling with the Hero Party, this was the first time I had calmed my mind to appreciate the scenery of this world.
The scenery of this different world was fresh and pleasant.
A single breath of air felt refreshing to the soul—except for that faint crying sound, which slightly ruined nature’s performance.
Wait…
Crying?
My brain, which had been groggy from lack of sleep, instantly snapped awake.
Following the direction of the sound, it definitely wasn’t coming from my tent.
Since I took in little Ziya, she had never cried, so I didn’t even think it was her.
This was strange…
My curiosity piqued, and I decided to investigate.
I stood up and walked downstream along the river.
The crying became clearer and clearer with every step.
Finally, I found the source of the sound!
A small cradle was drifting slowly from a distance along the river.
Holy cow! Why would there be a baby cradle drifting on the river?
I hurriedly ran over.
As if perfectly timed, the cradle drifted right to the riverbank at my feet.
At that exact moment, the crying stopped abruptly.
Isn’t this a bit too coincidental?
This practically violates the physical common sense of water currents!
If I didn’t know better, I’d think someone had meticulously arranged this plot point…
Wait.
What?
Could it be… that this is actually a conspiracy aimed at me?
I just adopted little Ziya, and now another baby appears out of thin air?
Forget it, I’ll check the situation first.
I crouched down and cautiously looked into the cradle…
Inside lay a lovely Vampire baby. A pair of round, large eyes were blinking at me.
That little gaze seemed to be suggesting something…
Sweat instantly broke out on my forehead.
‘Is this for real? The world isn’t even trying to hide its hand anymore.’
I couldn’t help but complain wildly in my head.
Had this world heard my inner thoughts and specifically sent a baby for me to raise?
Despite my internal grumbling, my body honestly accepted this setting.
After all, another such adorable baby had drifted right in front of me so blatantly; I really had no reason to refuse, right?
Coincidentally, I had been worried that little Ziya would be lonely when she grew up.
This was perfect; I had found her a sister of another race?
Looking at the baby’s appearance, she seemed to be one or two years older than little Ziya.
I looked around alertly to ensure no one was secretly watching, then carefully picked up the cradle and walked quickly back toward the tent.
“Oh, hush now…”
I extended a finger, imitating how I used to tease little Ziya, wanting to tickle this Vampire baby’s palm to coax her to sleep.
But to my utter surprise, as soon as my finger reached out, her little hand went *smack*, ruthlessly swatting it away.
What surprised me even more was that this little thing actually turned over pridefully, closed her eyes, and struck a pose that said, “I’m going to sleep, don’t bother me.”
Damn! This baby had way too much personality.
That little look was just short of saying, ‘I don’t need you to amuse me, I can sleep on my own!’
That sense of familiarity…
Ugh, I’d better not think too deeply about it…
No matter what, whether it’s you or little Ziya, I will raise you both well.
I definitely won’t be biased and will teach you both to be wonderful children!
I made a silent vow in my heart.
Then, carrying the cradle, I happily trotted back along the river to the tent.
—
Inside the tent, two little cuties—one purple and one white—were sleeping on the grass bed.
‘This is great… I have another little ball of cuteness to heal my heart and soul.’
Just then, the white-haired baby rolled over and gave a random tug with her small hand.
*Whoosh!*
She actually managed to snatch away the small blanket covering the purple-haired baby in one go, hugging it tightly and wrapping herself up.
Oh no!
I slapped my forehead, only then realizing that one small blanket was definitely not enough for two little ones!
I hurriedly turned to look at little Ziya.
Oh boy… it was too late.
She was awake!
Without the warm blanket wrapping her, little Ziya groggily opened her watery eyes.
The first thing that hit her vision was a soft ball of white hair.
“Ah… Pa… pa…?”
She mumbled in a milky voice, her little brows furrowing slightly.
‘It’s over! Having her blanket suddenly snatched away, Ziya is definitely going to be unhappy.’
Maybe she would even have a terrible first impression of this new white-haired sister and start a fuss!
‘What do I do? What do I do?’
I paced in circles anxiously.
Should I quickly carry Ziya away now, or move the little white-haired one who was hogging the blanket?
While I was caught in a dilemma and my mind was a mess, a scene that could melt one’s heart unfolded before my eyes.
I saw little Ziya reach out a soft hand, gently lift a corner of the blanket in the white-haired baby’s arms, and then wiggle her little body to cautiously crawl into the same blanket.
She even thoughtfully pulled the blanket up to cover both of their small shoulders.
“Papa…”
She rubbed against the white-haired baby’s warm back and called out softly.
Her little hand gently circled the other’s waist, and soon she closed her eyes again, her breathing becoming even.
I was completely stunned!
Isn’t this a little angel?
How did she end up being born as a Succubus?
Encountering a stranger right after waking up and having her blanket stolen—any other baby would have made a scene.
Yet little Ziya wasn’t angry in the slightest.
Instead, she proactively went over for a hug to sleep together.
Just this one simple little action, along with that completely defenseless appearance, clearly displayed Ziya’s innate tolerance, kindness, and gentleness to me.
At this moment, I swore fiercely in my heart: I must, I absolutely must protect these two little ones and raise them well!