[Sora POV]
It had been five years since I sent each of the Sins on their respective quests, and despite their busy schedules, they somehow found time to get their lovers pregnant. Now, it seemed, everyone was preparing for marriage—all except Merlin and Escanor, whose relationship had only recently grown serious about six months ago. It took considerable effort from Escanor to soften Merlin's heart and earn her trust, but seeing them together now made me proud.
There was also an unexpected couple that I never imagined would form: Jarvis and Guila, Dale's daughter. Their story began when Dale brought his children to meet the man who saved him. Overwhelmed with gratitude, Guila swore herself to serve me as repayment for helping her father. To help her grow stronger, I assigned her to work alongside Jarvis in managing the mansion. Two years later, their bond deepened into something more profound. Since Jarvis isn't merely a shadow of my shadow—and given my plans to leave him here as a supervisor in my absence—I didn't object to their union.
Now, however, we faced another challenge: Elizabeth, Elaine, Diane, and Nadja were all pregnant, and the rest of the Sins decided to hold their weddings on the same day. Knowing how much it meant to Matrona, I couldn't let her watch enviously as everyone else celebrated love without us joining in. So, naturally, our wedding would take place alongside theirs.
Most of the kingdoms for the various races had laid strong foundations, though the building process was far from complete. Most kingdoms progressed smoothly, but the Yin and Yang Clan proved particularly challenging. Formerly known as demons and divine beings respectively, these two factions clashed almost immediately upon meeting. Fights broke out frequently, rebellions erupted, and tensions ran high. However, over the past year and a half, Elizabeth and Meliodas managed to bring stability to their people. Though uneasy, peace finally prevailed.
Escanor's journey to claim his throne revealed a kingdom ravaged by starvation under the rule of his abusive brother, who had reduced the once-prosperous land to ruin within a mere decade. When Escanor arrived with support from King Bartra of Liones and Arthur Pendragon of Camelot—as well as armies tasked with rooting out corrupt nobles and generals—his people welcomed him eagerly. Yet, taking the throne came with revelations he hadn't anticipated. He discovered a sister conceived after his escape, cruelly bullied by his tyrannical sibling. Escanor's rage boiled over when he saw the scars inflicted upon her frail body. Had Arthur not intervened to prevent him from becoming a kingslayer, Escanor might have ended his brother then and there. Instead, I stepped in using an artifact designed for emergencies. Barely stopping Escanor's hand inches from his brother's heart, I reminded him that justice for corrupted souls wasn't achieved through simple murder. Reluctantly, Escanor withdrew, allowing his vile brother to scream about his supposed invincibility as king—a sight reminiscent of Joffrey from Game of Thrones . Opening a portal to hell, I summoned real demons and assigned them to torture him mercilessly for 3,000 years before destroying his soul entirely. Being sent to hell alive, rather than as a spirit, ensured unimaginable suffering. Afterward, I healed Escanor's sister, who cried tears of relief while leaning on him for support.
Ban reunited with Zhivago, who accepted responsibility for abandoning Ban years ago. Despite Ban insisting Zhivago had done the right thing by choosing his biological son, Zhivago vowed to make amends. Bringing back Selion, Ban, Elaine, Zhivago, and Selion embarked on a mission to gather the scattered Beastmen and establish a safe haven in the new Merchant City Ban planned to build. Collecting enough members took a year and a half, followed by three months searching for a suitable location. For the past three years, they've worked tirelessly to construct this city—a testament to perseverance and unity.
King and Diane faced their own challenges reforming the Fairy-Giant Kingdom. Giants, accustomed to fighting and working as mercenaries, resisted change. Through collective effort—including some strategic beatings—they gradually adapted to a new way of life. Meanwhile, the Human Union thrived, fostering trade and alliances between kingdoms. Arthur fell deeply in love with Escanor's sister, sealing their alliance through marriage last year. As for Liones, Elizabeth's sisters married Gilthunder and Griamore. Gilthunder and Margaret tied the knot four years ago, while Griamore and Veronica wed two years prior. They already had a child named Meliodas—chosen for obvious reasons—who was destined to become the next king of Liones.
Three years ago, Matrona and I visited my parents. She was incredibly nervous, which surprised me because even during intimate moments, she rarely showed such vulnerability. Curious, I went to check on her after waiting two hours for her to finish dressing. Entering the room, I found her sitting in the corner surrounded by discarded clothes, muttering anxiously. Placing a hand on her shoulder, she flinched before looking up at me with tear-filled eyes and hugging me tightly.
Seeing her cry shattered my heart. Hawk's careless words during his last visit clearly affected her deeply. He suggested my parents might reject someone like her—an unladylike warrior—and urged her to impress them or risk losing me. Though I thought she wouldn't take it to heart, her reaction proved otherwise. Determined to reassure her, I hugged her close and wiped away her tears.
Sora: "My family will adore you. In fact, they already do. My parents know about you, Matrona. Our family trusts me to choose the perfect partner, and that's exactly what you are."
Her heartbeat steadied as I kissed her gently, helping her stand. Selecting an outfit I knew she'd look stunning in—one featuring colors my mother admired—she dressed and met me outside. Hand in hand, we crossed a gate to see my parents.
On the other side, Mom and Dad sat smiling at a table laden with food. As we approached, they stood to greet us. My father embraced me warmly, while my mother hugged Matrona, bringing tears to her eyes. Moments later, roles reversed; Mom hugged me, asking playful questions, while Dad welcomed Matrona and thanked her for taking care of me. We all settled around the table, chatting amiably. Avoiding heavy topics like my near-death experience, we focused on lighter subjects. Earlier, I'd shared my story with Matrona, so today was purely celebratory.
After a while, Mom pulled Matrona aside for a private conversation, leaving Dad and me to stroll together.
Andrew: "I'm glad to see you doing well, my son."
Sora: "Thanks, Dad. I missed you and Mom. And I apologize for ignoring your warnings in the past…"
Dad raised a hand to stop me.
Andrew: "Leave the past behind, my son. Learn from your mistakes, but today is a good day. No need for regrets."
He paused, a mischievous glint in his eye.
Andrew: "So… when am I getting a grandson?"
I stumbled slightly, caught off guard.
Sora: "What? Dad, I'm not supposed to have heirs until I'm the master of the family. That's the law!"
Dad chuckled softly.
Andrew: "Ah, but you misunderstand. You're not required to produce an heir to the Origin Bloodline unless you're the family master. If you give your children a different bloodline instead, that's perfectly fine. Besides…" His tone softened. "…I already know your plans. I trust you'll treat your future wives with the love and respect they deserve. Every woman deserves to be a mother, and I know you've been searching for solutions ever since regaining your memories. So, as the current family master, I grant you permission to have children."
Grateful, I hugged him tightly. But one question lingered.
Sora: "But what about the heir? If I give them another bloodline, they won't inherit the Origin Bloodline unless they're born with it. And I can only have one true heir."
Dad smiled knowingly.
Andrew: "The heir can be conceived after I pass the position to you. Whether they carry the Origin Bloodline or not, they're still your child—and my grandchild. Expect good news soon. It may take time, but keep trying." With a teasing grin, he turned and led us back to Mom and Matrona.
Matrona's flushed face and refusal to meet my gaze hinted at whatever Mom had said during their private chat. Later, she dragged me to our bedroom to share the details privately.
Returning to the present, preparations for the weddings were underway. Matrona was two months pregnant, and I began contemplating names for our child. While I could determine the baby's gender, I preferred to keep it a surprise. Male or female, this child would embody hope and unity—a legacy worth cherishing.