Campione: Strongest# 451: The Enlightened Mother

A castle drawing room on the outskirts of Berlin, Germany.

While resting against the enormous body of Primate Murder, Altrouge Brunestud elegantly lifted a teacup, taking a gentle sip of red tea. The Black Princess, having spent years organizing the chaotic forces of Europe, was finally snatching a rare moment for herself.

Just then, the drawing room door flew open. Strout, his wounds long healed, walked in carrying a stack of documents, his face grim.

“Hmm?” Altrouge frowned slightly, putting down her teacup. “Strout, what has made you look so serious?”

“Princess, this is the latest intelligence. It appears the remnants loyal to the White Wing Lord delivered something valuable to the Fourteenth Ancestor, Valery,” Strout said gravely, handing the documents over.

Altrouge accepted the papers, her delicate fingers lightly turning the pages. Her expression grew increasingly serious.

“The Arlsbury Ritual… Valery truly acquired something extraordinary.”

—————

Mifune City General Hospital.

A nurse hung a nameplate reading "Ryougi" on the door, bowed slightly, then turned and left the room.

After Shiki’s condition had been explained to her mother, the room gradually emptied. Only the Ryougi matriarch, who had some free time, remained behind with Haru to watch over Shiki. A prominent family like the Ryougi was always busy; it was already a rare sight for nearly every member to gather when Shiki was first admitted.

‘So she’s beginning to reach the Root, huh?’

Haru sat on a folding stool beside the bed, his eyes slightly narrowed as golden light continuously flashed within his pupils.

Inside Shiki Ryougi's sea of consciousness, the two personalities—Shiki (Yin) and SHIKI (Yang)—drifted within a colorless, deep-sea-like whirlpool. The swirling waves constantly crashed against them. With each collision, their ethereal forms blurred for an instant as the waves merged into their very beings.

‘The stream of the Root?’ Haru carefully observed the spinning vortex. At its bottom, a black hole pulsed with the presence of all-encompassing nothingness. From his perspective, Shiki and SHIKI were gradually sinking into the depths of their soul, toward the very source of all things.

Haru narrowed his eyes. At this rate of contact, Shiki would likely be confined to this hospital bed for several months. This would give him ample time to study the composition of the Root.

“Ma’am, if Shiki’s body isn't in critical condition, we should take her home,” Haru said, raising his head to look at the Ryougi matriarch sitting opposite him. To be honest, he didn't care for the hospital environment; the lingering spirits and the smell of antiseptic were unsettling.

“Are you planning to take care of Shiki yourself, little Haru?” The matriarch turned her head, looking at him with a teasing smile.

“Yes. Compared to the doctors and nurses here, I'm better equipped to care for her.” Although he found her expression strange, Haru spoke his mind. Compared to his methods, the hospital’s IV drips were utterly worthless.

“You can, on one condition: you must marry into the Ryougi family,” the matriarch said, smiling.

Haru’s expression froze instantly. He looked at her oddly. “Ma’am, what does taking care of Shiki have to do with me marrying into the family?”

“Shiki is currently unable to care for herself. She needs help bathing and getting dressed.”

“As you two aren’t married, I cannot in good conscience allow you to take care of her personally,” the matriarch stated with a smile meant to persuade.

“I understand.” Haru’s lip twitched slightly. He had been too naive. A traditional family like the Ryougi could never allow their unmarried daughter to have a man care for her so intimately. What would that do to the family’s honor?

“But really, is our Shiki so undesirable? Why are you so determined not to marry into our family?” she asked, her face full of genuine curiosity. She had noticed their relationship developing early on and had quietly approved.

Given the family's power, they no longer needed political marriages, allowing Shiki to choose her own husband. However, their relationship had stalled because Haru refused to be adopted. It was bewildering.

In Japan, the Ryougi family was a major power; why would he look down on them?

“Ahem. It’s a matter of pride,” Haru coughed awkwardly. The idea of marrying in and changing his name would likely cause his ancestors to rise from their graves and beat him senseless.

“That’s true. After all, little Haru is also the head of several organizations,” the matriarch sighed, shaking her head. As far as she knew, he indirectly controlled both the Tohno and Asagami families. It was understandable that he wouldn't want to submit to another clan.

“But if you have children with Shiki, their last name must be Ryougi. After all, Shiki is our only heir.”

“…You are very open-minded, ma’am.” Haru’s lip twitched again. They hadn't even reached first base, and the mother-in-law was already talking about children. This was moving incredibly fast.

‘Speaking of which, children named Ryougi… Ryougi Mana, perhaps? Very good, ma’am. I'll make sure your granddaughter feels the full weight of her father’s love.’

“Well then, since that's settled, I'll entrust Shiki to your care for now.” The matriarch stood up and walked toward the door. Haru moved to see her out, but she smiled and shook her head.

Just as she reached the door, she paused and, without turning around, whispered, “It's perfectly fine if Shiki gets pregnant while she's unconscious.”

The door slowly closed.

Haru stiffened, a wry smile spreading across his face. ‘She says it like that—how am I supposed to know if she's joking or serious?’

‘Wait, I wasn't planning on taking advantage of her anyway!’ he thought, his lip twitching.

Just then, the door swung open again, and a figure rushed inside, practically vaulting over Shiki’s hospital bed before landing squarely in Haru’s arms.

“Good evening~”

“Nyarko? What are you…?!” Haru looked at Nyarlathotep, who was burrowing into his chest like a cat, his tone a mixture of confusion and surprise.

At that moment, a pair of eyes filled with resentment and jealousy fixed upon Haru. The intense, vengeful gaze sent shivers down his spine. Sensing the source, Haru immediately looked toward the open doorway.