After many security meetings, announcements about reforms, and attentions in affected areas, Anton finally returned home, where his daughter had just been born.
He had done a great deal of work, to put it simply, preparing the world for an all-out war against the dark entities.
Now that everything was in place, Anton decided to return home as soon as possible.
"Were there any attacks during her birth?"
"None. Zoe, your daughter, was born without complications while you were in Jerusalem," Koji said without the slightest hint of sympathy, understanding the weight of Anton's responsibilities and not blaming him for these small things.
Anton felt relieved. He had been protecting his wife, who had also concealed her pregnancy, to ensure they were as safe as possible.
No demon would allow another ShadowBane to be born—that was what happened during his birth, where his grandparents and mother had died.
That was part of the classified information that had been revealed when he became the Pope of Light.
"I'm going to see her," Anton said after a moment.
Koji simply continued to gaze at the garden, with a katana resting by his side, ready to be used if necessary. "Now I can be more at ease. I should visit John.
…
Anton entered a spacious room where he was supposed to sleep with his wife, Akira, but his work often kept him from such things, so he had to make the most of the little time he had here.
"Akira, I'm back." Anton was rather unromantic, which was also why he didn't mind this arranged marriage—he knew that for both him and Akira, it was more of a relief than a burden.
Akira didn't need to look up to know it was her husband, so she said, "Come see our daughter. I named her Zoe, as we promised."
"A good name." Anton walked to the side of the couch where Akira was sitting, leaned in a bit, and then saw the tiny face that stirred feelings difficult to describe.
In his past life, he had never been a father, but in this one, he had been given this opportunity.
"She's beautiful, Akira," was all Anton could manage to say.
Akira smiled and said, "Don't you plan to hold your daughter?"
"I would love to, but I don't think I should."
"Look, she's awake." Akira gently moved Anton aside, took Zoe in her arms, and handed her to him.
Anton took his tiny baby, his body tensing in a way it rarely did.
"Is it warm in here?" Akira pretended not to notice Anton's nervousness about holding his daughter.
Anton was sweating, something he had never done, but here it seemed he was facing his greatest enemy.
"We'll protect her together, Akira," Anton said, looking at his wife with a faint smile.
Zoe was small; she didn't know what was happening, and seeing a scarred man's face didn't frighten her. Instead, she reached out her hand, trying to touch his face.
"She senses the kindness in you. She's never done that with me," Akira smiled, overjoyed to see her daughter connect with her father.
Anton's gaze focused on his tiny daughter, who was receiving all the blessings he could offer. "I promise I'll do everything in my power to ensure she never has to suffer."
"Don't talk about that, not now," Akira said, understanding what Anton was alluding to.
Zoe was probably the candidate to replace Anton if they didn't have a son—that was the reality of being a ShadowBane.
When Anton thought about this, he understood Akira's concerns, so he said, "I've made arrangements so that no one will have to rely on us."
"Is that why it took you so long to return?"
Anton nodded slightly and said, "A great battle is coming, but for now, how about we have a family meal?"
"Do you want to invite anyone else?"
"Should we?"
"Many people want to meet our daughter, so..."