Chapter 422 The Question
Peace...
If you'd asked the citizens of the Blue Marble Planet about this several years ago, they'd probably say that they don't know such a thing.
Peace was a foreign concept to them, some would say that the Morning Sun Federation embodied peace but many people knew that the kind of peace they advertised was false. They put blind faith into the protective dome of the Last Bastion, thinking it was impenetrable only to be mocked by the Celestials and Hypogeans who could easily shatter it with a casual punch.
Many years ago, the Blue Marble Planet suffered from the assault of foreign races. Corruption spreads far and wide, and only a decent chunk of the land was left for Humanity who were the true children of this world.
It wasn't until Ashton West rose to prominence that the fight for peace truly started. With the establishment of the Mystic Guild and the reformation of the Morning Sun Federation, Humans achieved the strength and capabilities to take back what was theirs, to begin with.
Under his leadership, the stagnant waters of progress moved. His brilliance was unparalleled, he brought Humanity to such a height that they never achieved before. He rallied troops and greatly enhanced the living conditions of Humanity.
He expanded their borders, he created detailed and expansive plans to protect and strengthen Humanity as a whole. He was the Pioneer who paved the way for the unification of Science and Magic (now known as Magitech). It was because of his strategies that Humanity was able to drive the invaders out of their planet, making it habitable for everyone once more.
His efforts didn't end there. He didn't just drive the invaders away, he also healed the world. He taught many people the Art of Purification, something that both Knights and Mages could use to return longevity to their world.
And most importantly, it was also under his name that the war against the invaders started.
He laid the foundations for Humanity's progress, allowing them to swiftly catch up to their enemies. Even in his supposed disappearance, he was still held as Humanity's True Leader, the one who created miracle after miracle, the one who made peace a reality in their home.
And after many years of constant struggle, Humanity finally achieved its goal. Their enemies are no more. The threats have disappeared from the face of the universe, and the army of Humanity returned triumphantly.
A month has passed since Humanity's victory against the Celestials and Hypogeans (The Abyss, if somebody's being technical about it), yet the celebratory mood still hasn't died down.
The jovial mood permeated every household. Parties were thrown left and right, parades honoring those who fought against their enemies ensued, and so on. The great was over, and one truly couldn't blame them for celebrating that.
Many soldiers who participated in the war attended those parties but a good chunk of them didn't.
The people who refrained from the celebration were exhausted and just wanted to rest now that it was finally over. As a sign of respect, many hotels provided their services to them for free while also ensuring that their rest wouldn't be disturbed.
Many people understood where they were coming from and decided to respect their decision. And amongst the people who chose to take a rest, the Grand Commanders were included as well.
Blake, Mary, and Alice only participated in the celebration for a week before locking themselves at their home. They already released all the tension that accumulated in their bodies from that week of constant partying. In the end, they were truly exhausted so they excused themselves.
Since then, they didn't appear anymore. They were either sleeping, eating, or spending quality time in the comfort of their own home.
In the comfort of their home, they didn't need to pretend. They don't have any responsibilities or dignity per se. In here, they're just regular people, just like the others were.
Their relationship also developed more comfortably. It's already at the point where neither of the girls felt shy when Blake wanted to embrace them at the same time.
Today started to slow for them. They woke up at a respectable time in the morning and spent their well-earned vacation idling in the comfort of their home, watching cheesy movies, eating, or just lounging around.
The rest of the day went on like this, but somehow Blake felt like something was amiss.
He's been suspecting that the girls were trying to tell him something but he could also see that they were still hesitant about it. Well, he wasn't one to force them out of their comfort zone so he just waited for them to come to him.
And judging by the hushed whispers the girls shared and the knowing looks, it seems that they'd tell him about it today. Just as he expected, the moment came while he was preparing dinner for them.
"Blake?" Alice called out softly, almost whispering it actually. If it weren't for the peaceful silence around them, Blake wouldn't have heard it.
"Yeah? Need something?" He asked, eyes not leaving the pot.
"Yes, you."
Blake nearly choked on his spit when he heard that. He looked at Alice who was blushing profusely in mortification, Mary was behind her, forcing herself to not laugh.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"I...Mary! How the fuck do I do this!?"
"Come on, just say it like how I told you. And nope, not me. I have to be you." Mary cryptically replied to her.
Blake then saw Alice fidgeting in her seat, which was highly unusual. The fearsome Sword Empress? Blushing profusely like this and fidgeting like a maiden? Such a sight was strictly reserved for Blake and Mary's eyes only.
"Hey!" Blake caught her attention. He smiled at her and said: "Whatever it is, don't force yourself if you can't. Take all the time you need. Hm?"
Alice stared at him like he was the sun. Blake almost cooed at how adorable she was but he didn't want to ruin the atmosphere. As he was about to return his attention to their dinner, he suddenly heard a question that he had been waiting to hear...
"Do you wanna have kids with us?"
Clang!!
Blake dropped the lid of the pot out of sheer surprise. He must be looking at them with an incredulous expression right now. He blinked and asked:
"What did you-..."
"I-I said, do you wanna have kids with Mary and me?" Alice repeated her question.
Both Alice and Mary were looking at him expectantly and oh-so-seriously that Blake dropped everything just to focus his attention on them.
"We just thought that...since the war was over, and the world's peaceful now. We could probably lay off on our responsibilities at the guild and the federation." Mary stated.
"We're not needed there anymore. At least, not as much as before." Alice continued: "A-and since we have time for each other...well, we also saw how you interact with Ashton's unborn child, so we thought that..."
"...we thought, why not?" Mary continued Alice's words. "We can settle down now that there are no more threats to our world. But we thought we should ask you first."
'So this is what they've been discussing behind my back all this time!' Blake thought to himself.
Blake swiftly turned off the stove, washed his hands, and dried them using his shirt. He then captured the two of them and asked:
"I-I...whew..." Blake sighed and forced himself to calm down. He looked at both of them with a careful but loving gaze as he replied: "A-and you two? Would you like to have kids with me? I only want them if you want them as well."
Alice and Mary looked at each other. No words were needed to be said, they knew what that look meant.
Blake reacted just how as they imagined he would. But see, his answer was already obvious to both of them even before they asked.
They weren't blind or deaf. They could see it from his eyes. They could feel his desire whenever they locked limbs under the sheets.
Blake would sometimes forget the filter on his mouth whenever he's high on sex. They had caught him several times, caught on his high hat he was babbling his true thoughts to them.
Saying things like: 'I bet you'd look good carrying my child.' Or 'Can't wait to see you round after I'm done seeding you.' And so on...
Blake also doted on Ashton and Aria's unborn child. They were there, they could see how he interacted with them. However, because of the war, they had no choice other than to postpone this.
But now...
"Yes. Yes, I would love to." Mary sighed emotionally with want.
"I do too." Alice followed suit.
Nothing is stopping them from starting a family of their own. The world hardly needs them anymore. They have the time and all the resources they need to do this. All there is left to do is the act itself.
...which Blake wasted no time in starting...
Without any further ado, Blake swept both of them off their feet and ran towards their shared room.
Fuck dinner, actually. They don't need food! And since he already got the assurance he wanted, they might as well begin as soon as possible.