You are so knowledgeable!

Karina slowly approached, wanting to see what race Amy really was.

But Lily let out a scream.

She stood in front of Amy, spreading her arms like a mother bird protecting her chick.

Karina hesitated.

She stopped in her tracks and quietly stepped back.

At this distance, she could easily have used a blink skill to rush over.

Only Amy, heedless of danger, stretched out her arms and wobbled toward Karina, as if wanting to throw herself into her embrace.

Lily scooped up Amy, retreating into a corner of the wall, not allowing Amy to get close to Karina.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” Karina forced a smile.

“I was just curious — isn’t the child growing up a little too quickly?”

“Actually, big sister isn’t human…”

“Oh? Then what race?”

That question stumped Lily.

She had no idea what races existed in this other world!

And she couldn’t say “dragon,” otherwise Karina would instantly turn hostile.

So she could only rack her brains!

Lily closed her eyes, desperately combing through the manga she had read.

In worlds of swords and magic, the long-lived races were usually vampires or elves.

But “vampire” sounded too sinister, which might provoke Karina’s dislike.

So only elves remained.

“Actually, big sister is an el—”

Lily shut her mouth and instinctively glanced at Amy’s ears.

Oh no, Amy’s ears weren’t pointed.

Would saying it backfire?

Just when Lily was at her wit’s end, Karina showed a look of sudden realization.

“Could it be…”

“Wh-what is it? Aunt, did you figure something out?”

“Could it be… she’s an elf?”

“Uh, w-well… big sister could be considered an elf, yes…”

“That explains it,” Karina nodded, and began explaining on her own.

“Elven babies do look human when they’re small.

As they grow up, they develop obvious elf traits — their ears grow long, their skin becomes fair, their figures slender.

They dislike meat, preferring vegetables and mushrooms…”

I truly thank you for the lecture!

Thanks to this, Lily now had complete information about elves.

So that’s how it was — human-like as children, then elvish as adults?

Then she could just claim big sister was an elf, and Karina wouldn’t suspect anything!

“J-just as Aunt said, Amy is a little elf child.”

“Wait!” Karina suddenly interjected.

“No, didn’t you say your big sister was a human noble?

Why would a human noble have elven blood?”

“Ah!” Lily froze in shock.

That’s right — she had said a noble lady had fallen for her despite family opposition.

But in elven culture, nobles probably didn’t even exist!

This was bad.

What should she do?

Cold sweat poured down Lily’s back.

“Could it be!” Karina’s face lit up again with realization.

Lily nearly gaped: since you can imagine the reason yourself, hurry up and say it!

“Your big sister must have elf blood, but her race is still human, right?”

“Y-yes, exactly that!”

“That makes sense,” Karina said, cupping her cheeks as she reasoned it out.

“Your big sister’s ancestors must have had contact with elves, leaving some bloodline behind.

By a series of coincidences, your daughter manifested a throwback, showing elf characteristics!”

You truly are too knowledgeable, Aunt Karina!

Lily nodded vigorously, eager to affirm Karina’s guess.

Karina’s doubts were resolved, and her face relaxed into a smile.

Amy kept reaching her little arms toward Karina, babbling, “Mama… mama…”

Lily originally didn’t want Amy to touch Karina.

But Amy’s sweet little voice made Karina beam with delight, and she eagerly came closer.

Lily had no choice but to hand Amy over.

Karina gently held Amy and teased her with her finger.

“Wahaha!— Ka… Karina… Mama?”

“Haha, this little one remembers my name?” Karina was overjoyed.

“But I’m not Mama, you know?

At my age, I should be your grandmother!”

“Grandmother?—” Amy tilted her head in confusion.

“That means Mama’s Mama.

Mama’s Mama is Grandma.”

“Ah! Karina Grandma!”

“Haha, good girl!”

Karina softly stroked Amy’s head, then rubbed her cheek against Amy’s.

“If only you were really my granddaughter!”

“Aunt, you’re joking…” Lily awkwardly changed the subject.

“Um, did you find your daughter yet?”

“Not yet,” Karina said with a face full of loss.

“I bought a new map in the capital.

Following its markings, I searched the surrounding mountains and rivers — but found nothing.”

“Eh? Would your daughter really be hiding in mountains and rivers?”

“Well, there’s a bit of a connection, because my daughter is—”

“Karina Grandma!” Amy happily patted Karina’s chest.

“Haha, good girl, such a sweet child!”

Karina lifted Amy up, swinging her playfully in the air.

Amy laughed with joy.

“Ahh, so cute… It’s a pity, I’ll soon be leaving the capital.”

“Eh? You’re going elsewhere to look for your daughter?”

“Yes.

I must find her before the start of next month,” Karina said, her face full of worry.

“Otherwise, another marriage proposal will fall through.

I still want to hold a grandchild soon!”

“Hold a grandchild!”

Amy cried out excitedly, throwing herself into Karina’s arms.

“Haha, this child is so clingy!”

“She’s always clingy,” Lily said with a laugh.

“With me, with big sister… we also teach her reading and walking!”

“You’ve worked hard.

Watching a child grow up, it feels rewarding, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, because she’s my and big sister’s child, after all!”

Karina played with Amy for a while, then reluctantly returned her to Lily’s arms.

Amy stretched out her hand, wanting to touch Karina again, but Karina only smiled and shook her head.

“Little one, Grandma has to go.”

“Grandma is leaving…”

Amy looked at her with tearful eyes.

“Ugh, don’t look at me like that, it hurts my heart!”

Gritting her teeth, Karina forced herself to look away from Amy.

She gazed solemnly at Lily and offered a sincere blessing.

“I wish you both a lifetime together, and I wish the little one health and happiness.”

“Mm, thank you, Aunt.”

“It’s about time I left.

Once I find my daughter, I’ll make time to visit you again.”

“All right, goodbye Aunt.”

“Goodbye Grandma!”

Amy waved farewell, imitating Lily.

Karina took one last look at Amy, then turned away with aching heart.

She wanted to keep playing with the little one, but she had a more important mission.

She had to find Ledea quickly, and return to the Dragon God’s homeland to guard the seal.

Suddenly, Karina stiffened, staring in disbelief at the cave entrance.

She murmured to herself: “Ledea, I’ve finally found you!”