Go find Mienna

You wander back to the village hall. Opening the door, you find a number of women gathered around in one corner of the room. When you get close, you can see Mienna at the center of their attention.

"You really would love living in this village! It's small, so everyone knows each other really well! You'd have all of us to take care of you," one of the younger women is saying as you approach.

"That's really very kind, but like I said, I need to go get stronger-" the small girl is trying to defend herself.

"But you're still so young! There's no need for that already, right? You should have a happy childhood here first!" one of the older housewives objects.

"No, really, I need to...Mama!" Mienna cries desperately when she sees you.

Instantly every woman turns on you. For a split second you feel a dozen glares biting like knives; but as soon as it was there, it's gone again. All the women are looking at you in surprise. "You're Mienna's mother?" the nearest one asks.

"I am. Thank you all for taking such good care of her while I was busy," you reply with a beaming smile.

"Oh, think nothing of it!"

"Right, right! We're happy to help Mienna! And her mother!" another adds.

"If there's anything else we can do to help, please ask!" chimes a third.

"Mm, well... Mienna's in her growth spurt, see. The clothes she used to have she can't wear anymore, but I'm a little afraid if I get her any clothes right now it won't be long before she's outgrown those, too."

"We can take care of that!" one woman immediately declares. "I'm quite skilled as a tailor! I can definitely make a set of clothes that would fit any child!"

"But what about a youth? When she's a teenager, finding clothes will be so hard..."

"I'll prepare a set! I'll definitely prepare some for her now and for later!" So saying, the seamstress runs out the door--presumably back to her shop to begin working.

You wade through the other women until you reach Mienna. Gathering her up in your arms, you smile at all the wonderful housewives who are doting on you. "Really, I can't thank you all enough," you say. They're all happy, and that makes you happy, too. You feel a strong connection to these women even though you've only just met.

As quickly as you can (which isn't all that fast, with how eager they are to continue doting on Mienna and her mother) you make your way out of the hall and to the edge of the village. The knight is there waiting for you. Immediately Mienna's mood sours.

"What's he doing here?" she demands.

"He's going to help you level up," you tell her.

"What, like as a-" she starts to say, but then she stops and her eyes go wide.

The knight definitely isn't in the best of shape. He's panting, struggling to stay on his feet, and covered in bruises. He looks even worse than when he was battling against the bear. His HP bar was nearly empty.

"Don't say a word, shrimp. Just hurry it up."

"Um...I'm...Um...what?" she asks, totally confused.

"He wants you to kill him fast so he can get back to adventuring around the Capital," you explain, setting her on the ground before him.

"Wait...Seriously?" The little girl stares up at the man, dumbfounded.

"Don't make me fucking say it, just do it," he huffs.

She stands still for a moment. Her face is that of a child deep in thought. While she's thinking things far more serious than most children use this face for...she's still absolutely adorable!

"Hey, Mister. What's your name?" she asks.

"Doff."

"Doff. Um...Thank you. But... I can't kill you."

Both you and Doff stare at her in amazement. "You don't want to-?" he starts to ask.

"No, I can't. I have zippo for stats. Even if you were butt naked, I don't have enough Strength to break your Endurance."

He looks at her. Then he looks at you. Then he looks back down at her. He seems to be trying to decide something. "Oh, Hell," he finally declares. His hand disappears into the pouch at his side; after a moment of fishing, it comes back out with a scroll in hand. "Use this."

Mienna unrolls the scroll and her eyes go wide. "Eldritch Arrows?"

"I know it's a stupid simple one, but the damage from scrolls is fixed. Even without stats, this will do it, right?"

"Y-yeah..." she answers.

"Then hurry it up!"

She looks at him in awe. "Thank you," she finally says. "If somehow I can ever repay you..."

Doff just grins. "I already got my payment."

She looks at him quizzically, then at you. Then at your stomach, which is just getting big enough for the bump to be visible through your blue dress.

All hesitation is gone. She whips back around to Doff and practically screams out the words on the scroll. Several lights appear in the air and shoot forward into Doff's body. As the fourth hits, he falls over and vanishes in a brilliant flash of golden light.

"That freakin' psycho! Doing that to Mama-! And you!" she yells, whirling on you. She stops as she watches your belly swell.

"Baby, I think you're gonna need...to go over there and evolve," you tell her, pointing off somewhere that wasn't where you were about to give birth.

"But...You might need-!"

"I did just fine with you. Hurry, please; your little brother doesn't want to wait."

She looks conflicted--in more ways than one--but she obediently disappears into a copse of trees.

This was your second time. Taking a deep breath, you concentrate on your belly as labor overtakes you.