Healer Surata's reaction upon catching the first glimpse of Simm was very interesting. Ken had been expecting puzzlement and surprise perhaps, if she was as perceptive to bodily functions as her reputation suggested. What he got to see instead was fear, mixed with awe.
Almost as if hypnotized, she stumbled on her way to Simm, her gaze lost, completely immersed in whatever she was sensing from her womb.
Simm worriedly looked at Ken, and got his nod of encouragement. She didn't stop Surata from touching her tautly stretched abdomen despite her nervousness and cautious heart.
Surata didn't speak the entire time she was in contact with Simm. Even when they coughed pointedly, or asked for her opinions in insistent voices, she maintained her silence, focused only on massaging Simm's belly gently.
It was only after Simm became far too impatient and slapped her hands away that her mind seemed to register their existence.
Surata's eyes shifted between her and Ken repeatedly before she spoke.
"We, vampires, excel in blood magic. And as a healer, I have been a witness to many, many Bloodline Manipulation spells during duty. But what I sense inside her doesn't seem to be the result of anything remotely related to those spells. It is fundamentally different, almost an affront to the laws that regulate the blood magic of our world. I'm quite puzzled as to why the world spirit would allow its own laws to be challenged this way."
"I did say 'unique', didn't I?" Ken replied to her for the first time.
"That you did, true." Surata's gaze narrowed. "I need to know what type of spell has been used on her before and after the conception, if you want me to nurse her till childbirth. Do you have a written version, or is it reliant on Bloodline inheritance?"
Ken understood the concept of Bloodline inheritance well. It was a method of spiritual succession only possible within vampire families, usually those with a long history and illustrious members of high ranks. An outsider couldn't get their hands on the inheritance procured through bloodline even if they used the most sophisticated memory-extraction spell on a vampire.
That made it easy for him, though.
"I am no vampire, but the uniqueness of the spell ensures that I can pass it on through my bloodline only. I'm sure you can sense the blood connection between me, her, and the children inside her."
Surata sighed regretfully. "I am afraid I wouldn't be of much help, then. At most, I can observe her condition and help her like any ordinary midwife, nothing more. I cannot imagine the consequences of unwarranted interference in the development of a spell of this caliber. It's definitely an Ultimate-grade spell, right?"
"Something like that, yeah," Ken said, cracking a malevolent grin that conveyed much to Surata in silence.
Anything associated with the Ultimate rank was a subject that required deliberation and cautiousness, even in conversations. And this problem was only increasing in magnitude with each passing day, as the experts of that rank rained down inescapable devastation on the world.
"I will charge no fees if you send your wife to my home until she delivers the children. I wish to observe her till delivery. Don't worry, I have the best medical facilities in the entire city, including the part within the walls."
"That's a lovely offer, but you can't afford to do that," Ken said. "She is a wanted woman. Wanted by people powerful enough to buy and bury the entire city."
Surata wasn't surprised. Perhaps she suspected that the spell was the reason why Simm was being chased. Ken had no intention to explain further.
"Then I would like to stay here," she said unexpectedly, catching both Ken and Simm by surprise. They had underestimated a vampire's attraction towards blood magic. Since Surata had sensed the presence of their Bloodline Extraction Talent, she would probably stick around stubbornly.
"In case the arrangement outside didn't clue you in, madam, the two of us are hiding here. No one else is welcome, really." Simm began to grow uncomfortable with the vampiress' fervent gaze.
"That's okay, I'll stay here by myself. This underground tunnel has seven caverns just like this one, if my senses haven't fooled me. Someone has to stay and take care of you, and forgive me for saying this, your husband doesn't seem up to the task at hand."
Turning to face Ken, she fired the final nail. "Have you ever delivered a baby? Don't lie, young man. I can see the wonder and unfamiliarity in your eyes every time you look at her stomach. You haven't seen many pregnant women in your life, let alone take care of one. Do you dare risk your children's lives when they are ready to be born by the end of this month?"
"...I don-wait, did you say the end of this month?" Ken sputtered halfway through his answer. "That's two weeks away!"
"Goblin women deliver after three months, right?" Simm said in an anxious tone. "We only fuck-ehm, I conceived only three days ago."
"Normal Goblin woman, yes. But you are no normal Goblin woman, little girl. And neither are the children inside you ordinary. Haven't you sensed it, yet? Your body is growing weaker, as they are feeding on you like leeches. Their appetite is incredible. I reckon your physique will fall at the bottom of the Mutant Rank by the time all four of them are full and ready to come out!"
"Four of them?!" Simm and Ken squeaked at the same time.
"Yeah, lucky you, being blessed with four little treasures...tsk~" Surata sounded like she was teasing them.
Ken and Simm's eyes met, and they both read the shyness and hope radiating from each other's gaze.
"Hey, for purely academic reasons, can I know how you two did the deed?" Surata's innocent voice broke the delicate atmosphere. Ken noticed Simm's shy eyes turn into a pair of volcanos.
"We just held hands and kissed, that's all," he told her before Simm's temper had a chance to explode.