Chương 388: Interesting Discovery

The barracks fell into complete silence after Atherius spoke. Callum simply stared at him, his mind refusing to process the words.

'Eve... is pregnant?' The thought spiraled through his head, he couldn't get himself to accept it. Atherius studied him for a moment before asking, "Pendragon. Have you and Lady Evelyn been intimate recently?" Callum froze, heat rising to his face. After a moment, he reluctantly nodded.

"Yeah. A few weeks ago."

"I see." Atherius inclined his head.

"Then I have little doubt your child shall grow healthy and strong."

"Whoa, whoa. You can't just say that so casually. I'm still trying to understand all of this." Callum rubbed his face before leaning forward.

"If you're right, Eve would only be about three weeks pregnant."

"I am aware. I chose my words carefully." Callum sighed heavily.

"Gods." He hesitated before admitting, "Maybe it would be better if she ended the pregnancy. We're trapped in one of the most dangerous places imaginable, and I don't even know if we'll survive long enough for the child to be born." Atherius slowly cleared his throat.

"Pendragon, if I may." Callum gave him a tired nod.

"... Go ahead." Atherius seemed uncertain. He lowered his eyes toward the glass in his hands before quietly speaking.

"Long ago, when I was still more mortal, I lived with the woman I loved. We dreamed of children, a family, and a future together. But war took her before any of it could happen. I never became a father, nor did I ever hold my own child." His gaze returned to Callum.

"So please... don't repeat the mistake I made." Callum remained silent for a moment before offering a small smile.

"I don't know, Atherius. It isn't really my decision. If Eve wants to keep the baby, I'll support her. If she decides she doesn't, I'll support that too. That's what I should do." Atherius nodded.

"Wise. Very wise." Before the silence could settle again, Atherius suddenly glanced toward the door.

"It appears they will arrive in approximately five seconds." Callum frowned.

"What?" BANG! The door burst open. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"WHO SAID YOU COULD USE MY CONSOLE?!" Yuki stormed inside, her icy eyes immediately locking onto the television, console, and controllers.

"How did you even get this thing?" Callum scratched his cheek.

"It was pretty easy to borrow."" Borrow? You stole it." Before he could respond, Yuki snatched the controllers away, unplugged the console, and tucked it beneath one arm.

"Hmph. You're not touching it again." She marched out and slammed the door behind her. Atherius stared after her.

"She appears rather unpleasant." Callum laughed.

"Yeah. That's Yuki." A few moments later, a much gentler knock sounded. Caesar entered with an apologetic expression.

"Sorry about her. Sharing isn't exactly one of Yuki's strengths."

"No worries," Callum replied.

"As long as she doesn't stab anybody over it." Caesar chuckled before looking toward Atherius.

"So, I assume everything worked out?" Callum nodded.

"Yeah."

"And?" Atherius answered before he could continue.

"I told him the truth. There are certain matters in which I know no more than any of you. I merely believed offering a plausible explanation would be kinder than admitting my ignorance. It appears I misjudged the situation, and for that, I apologize." Caesar smiled and waved it away.

"If you didn't know, you could've just said so. I can tell you're being honest now, so don't worry about it." Atherius visibly relaxed.

"Thank you. I shall remember your kindness."

"Don't mention it." Caesar leaned back.

"Oh, Tyrus should finish the repairs in another week or two. We leave for Irea immediately afterward, right?"

"Correct. Though the journey itself will likely require another month." Atherius inclined his head.

"Thank you. I truly owe each of you a great debt." He quietly left the barracks. Caesar watched the door close before smiling.

"Nice guy." Callum stared into his untouched drink.

"Yeah." Caesar noticed.

"Something's wrong. Your heart rate is elevated, and you've barely touched your drink." Callum gave a bitter laugh.

"I think Evelyn might be pregnant." Caesar blinked.

"... You're serious?" Callum nodded.

"You two actually...?" Another nod.

"... Here?" One final nod. Caesar buried his face in his hand.

"Gods. Sometimes I genuinely envy your stupidity." Callum laughed despite himself.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You know exactly what it means, you idiot." Caesar sighed before becoming serious again.

"I assume you want me to verify it. My systems should detect it if she's far enough along."

"Please." Callum looked back into his glass.

"If she really is pregnant, a lot changes. She'd probably give birth here. Our kid wouldn't know their grandparents, have birthday parties with family, or experience anything resembling a normal childhood." Caesar raised an eyebrow.

"You're hoping for a son?" Callum smiled faintly.

"Honestly? I couldn't care less. Boy, girl, it doesn't matter. I just want them to have a better life than either Evelyn or I ever had." Caesar nodded slowly.

"Yeah. Neither of you had it easy. Not before Rose found you." Callum chuckled.

"The same goes for you. Growing up with Terricon couldn't have been pleasant." Caesar laughed quietly.

"That's exactly why I never feared losing my original body." A comfortable silence followed before Caesar finally stood.

"Alright. I'll find Evelyn. If she's pregnant, I'll bring her here, and we'll tell her together." Callum looked up gratefully.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it." Caesar left, closing the door behind him. Once again alone, Callum leaned back and stared at the ceiling.

'Could Atherius be wrong? Could he have misunderstood what he sensed?' He considered it before shaking his head.

'No. He wasn't joking. Not about something like that.' His thoughts spiraled until he muttered, "... Am I really going to become a father already? I'm only twenty-three..." The door opened. Callum looked over, hoping it would only be Evelyn. Instead, Caesar entered first, followed closely by Evelyn and then Artoria.

'Oh no.'

'Not her too.' Evelyn sat across from him and gently took both his hands. Despite the uncertainty in her eyes, her expression remained warm.

"... Hey, Call." She gave him a small smile.

"So... was Atherius telling the truth?" Callum swallowed, his throat suddenly dry.

"Yeah. He was." The hesitation in his voice said more than the answer itself. Caesar noticed the tension and quickly stepped in. He pulled out a chair beside Callum and sat down.

"... The biggest surprise isn't actually that Atherius was telling the truth." Evelyn tilted her head.

"... Then what is?" Caesar rubbed the back of his neck, clearly uncomfortable.

"This isn't exactly easy to say." He looked directly at her.

"Eve... you're pregnant."