“Congratulations, Lady Sheryl. Your son has been born safely,” a serene voice echoed in the room, soft yet firm.

  “Thank you, priestess,” the woman’s voice, though filled with exhaustion, carried warmth.

  “Well then, I will call Sir Glacius and take my leave.”

  “So soon?”

  “Yes, there’s another patient waiting for me.”

  “I see… Once again, thank you.”

  As the door clicked shut, I opened my eyes.

  A wooden ceiling. An unfamiliar scent of herbs and wood. A soft, muffled warmth around me.

  It’s real.

  The conversation with Goddess Libertas flashed through my mind.

  I have been reincarnated.

  At first, I hesitated. After everything I had been through, trusting anyone—even a goddess—was not easy.

  And yet…

  When I learned that this world was one of swords and magic, I immediately accepted her offer.

  A magical world!

  Something I had only seen in anime and novels—a place where the impossible could become reality. Even though I knew reality might be crueler than fantasy, even though the thought of facing another life of suffering haunted me—

  I still wanted to try.

  I turned my head slightly, my movements weak and clumsy, but enough to glimpse the woman beside me.

  My mother?

  She looked young, perhaps in her early thirties, though exhaustion lined her face. Even so, her beauty was undeniable. Her golden-blonde hair shimmered under the dim candlelight, her crimson eyes soft with warmth as she gazed down at me. Dressed in light blue sleepwear, she seemed delicate, yet strong.

  Then, the door creaked open.

  A tall man entered the room, his movements controlled, yet hurried. He wore a brown casual shirt paired with black pants. His navy-blue hair was slightly disheveled, his calm blue eyes gleaming with an emotion I couldn’t quite place.

  Except… there was a hint of red around his eyes. Had he… been crying?

  “Dear, come here. Look at our son. He’s so cute,” my mother called out to him.

  So… this man is my father?

  He smiled as he approached, his voice gentle yet firm,

  “Yeah, he’s just as cute as you.”

  “Oh geez… You smooth talker, you always catch me off guard.”

  “I’m just telling the truth.” He shrugged slightly, then added, “But I’m glad he’s a boy. You’ve always wanted a son, haven’t you? You look so happy despite being exhausted. I’m so happy seeing you like this.”

  “Of course! He’s our first son. But I’m also happy with our two daughters. You looked so happy when they were born.”

  So… I have two sisters in this life.

  My father chuckled, then his expression softened.

  “Rather, you say you’re happy… but it looks like you just cried. Did something happen?” My mother asked him.

  “Ah… yeah.” He rubbed his eyes slightly, glancing away. “It’s nothing bad. Just… when the priestess told me we had a son, I got emotional.”

  “Fufu… You talk so smoothly, even when you’re lying.”

  “Haha… seems I can’t fool you, huh?” He scratched his head.

  “Of course not. I know you too well.” She smiled, though she didn’t press further. “And I know you are lying for my good, right?”

  “Yeah, sorry, I will tell you later when your condition improves. You are still exhausted now, so you should take a rest.”

  “Yes, dear.”

  A warm, intimate moment.

  I should feel happy.

  And yet—

  A sharp, unpleasant pang twisted in my chest.

  The way they spoke. The way they teased and understood each other without words.

  It reminded me of her.

  The one I called Sunshine.

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  She used to smile at me like that. She used to laugh, tease, and call me Moonlight.

  If she hadn’t betrayed me…

  If she had stayed with me—

  Could we have become a couple like them?

  Could we have been happy?

  Pain flared inside me.

  Before I realized it, tears streamed down my face.

  “Hwaaa… Hwaaa…”

  My mother gasped. “Oh my, are we too noisy? Yosh, yosh, don’t cry. Mommy’s here.” She stroked my chest gently, her touch soothing.

  My father chuckled. "Guess I should leave so you two can rest. Oh right, I have an idea for his name. I’ll tell you once our daughters get back home.”

  He played with my tiny hands for a moment before leaving the room.

  But I wasn’t paying attention.

  Because I was panicking.

  <“W-Why am I suddenly crying!?”>

  Then—

  A voice echoed in my mind.

  Cold. Emotionless. Completely devoid of warmth.

  【Processing query. Analyzing psychological state.】

  A brief pause. Then—

  【Analysis complete.】

  【Current condition: Master’s mental resistance is underdeveloped. Emotional stability is fragile. Minor negative stimuli result in automatic distress response.】

  …Huh?

  I froze.

  Someone—no, something—was speaking directly into my mind.

  … And it called me Master?

  A-Anyway… At least I’m still a baby, so crying like this isn’t embarrassing.

  But I don’t want to make my new mother worry. I have to calm down.

  My mother is not like that traitor!

  She loves her husband. She cherishes her family.

  I should be grateful to be born as her son.

  …Huh.

  I actually feel calmer now.

  Ah, I should close my eyes too, so she can rest properly.

  “Fufu… Are you tired after crying? Let’s sleep together now,” my mother said, smiling warmly.

  Good. She thinks I’m sleeping. Now she can relax.

  That means I can finally deal with this.

  <“Thanks, that helped. So… who are you?”> I tried to communicate with it through my mind.

  【Query acknowledged. Retrieving identification data.】

  【Process complete.】

  【Designation: Azadia. Classification: Angel under Goddess Libertas’ service. Primary function: Assigned to assist and guide Master.】

  Right.

  Libertas mentioned she would assign me a helper.

  So it’s the one, an angel.

  But if it’s an angel, doesn’t that mean it’s above me in rank? I’m just a human.

  So… why does it call me ‘Master’?

  I pushed that question aside for now.

  There were more urgent things to ask.

  <“There’s a lot I want to know, but first… why do I feel so exhausted all of a sudden?”>

  【Processing…】

  【Analysis complete.】

  【Conclusion: Master’s physical form is underdeveloped. Energy reserves are minimal. Emotional distress amplifies physical fatigue.】

  <”Because I’m a baby?”>

  【Affirmative. Physical recovery rate is dependent on nutritional intake and rest cycle efficiency.】

  <”So… as long as I eat and sleep, I’ll be fine?”>

  【Correct.】

  Well… nothing I can do about that.

  【Recommendation: Enter sleep mode. Projected recovery time: Minimal.】

  【Closing inquiry.】

  【…Have a nice dream.】

  …Huh?

  That last part sounded slightly different.

  Not exactly warm, but…

  Almost like something I yearn about.

  When was the last time I heard the words ‘have a nice dream’ directed at me?

  As I just felt a bit happy, my exhaustion took over—pulling me into sleep.

  A few hours later, hunger jerked me awake.

  My stomach felt empty. I needed food.

  I glanced around, spotting my mother sitting next to me, reading a book.

  She noticed my movement immediately.

  “Oh? The little one is awake? Fufu… Mommy’s on a mission! I’ve been gathering picture books your sisters used to read. I’ll read them to you when you’re big enough.”

  Picture books? That’s great, but not what I need right now.

  I needed food.

  And I only had one way to communicate that.

  "Hwaaa… Hwaaa…” I started crying, hoping Mom picks up on my hunger vibes.

  She gasped. “Oh my, are you eager to grow up? Then you must eat a lot. Wait a moment.”

  There’s a slight misunderstanding, but it’s okay as long as she gives me food!

  She shifted slightly—then, to my absolute horror, she started taking off her clothes.

  W-Wait.

  I froze.

  W-What are you doing!?

  "There, there. Here’s food for you. Eat a lot so you can grow big faster."

  I wanted to scream.

  Right. I forgot—I’m a baby. This is normal.

  And yet—

  I have the mind of a 25-year-old man.

  If I were still in my old body, I’d be thrilled to have a woman like her in front of me.

  But she’s my mother!

  This is humiliating!

  I wanted to resist.

  But hunger won.

  Ugh… At times like this, I wish I had the simple mind of a real baby.

  With the deepest reluctance, I accepted my fate.

  As I ate, only one thought ran through my mind:

  <”I have to endure this for months… maybe even years…”>

  I swear, I’d rather be dead.

  And so, I did the only thing I could—

  I went back to sleep.