Chapter 454 Forest Blessing
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Fuh-mah-mah-alessa-mah, Oo-ganee-mah-rah-alessa-mah, Mah-manee-rah-alessa-mah-rah, Oo-ganee-mah-rah-alessa-mah-rah.”
”””Fuh-mah-mah-alessa-mah, Oo-ganee-mah-rah-alessa-mah, Mah-manee-rah-alessa-mah-rah, Oo-ganee-mah-rah-alessa-mah-rah.”””
”…Hey, what exactly is going on here?”
”It’s an Elven ritual to pray for a safe delivery¹. It seems everyone’s gotten a bit ahead of themselves.”
That day, the drawing room of my “Ddo-Buddy Mansion” had been transformed into the stage for a mysterious ceremony, filled with rhythmic music and dancing Elven reinforcements.
Tania, my beloved Elf who was already in her final month and carrying a massive belly, had been placed in the center. I was sat right beside her. We were both decked out in every conceivable accessory-crowns, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets crafted from medicinal herbs, rare magic stones, and precious metals.
It wasn’t just us. Lily, my love-slave who had just been relaxing with us, my dear daughter Momo, and even our dog Laika were all wearing similar ornaments. The decorations were so thick throughout the room that the drawing room looked like a jungle-or at least what I imagined the heart of an Elven forest looked like.
”””Fuh-mah-mah-alessa-mah, Oo-ganee-mah-rah-alessa-mah—”””
Inside that makeshift forest, over a dozen Elves were pouring their souls into the rite. I couldn’t grasp the lyrics, but the repetition was hypnotic. They wore outfits similar to ours, spinning and whirling with incredible energy as they circled us.
Their movements mimicked the hunt, the weaving of magic, and even the striking of a forge. It was a rhythmic reenactment of forest life. In the background, the musicians played on. The genre felt like Andean folk music, but the instruments were entirely unique, creating an atmosphere I’d never experienced.
The drums were unlike anything in the Kingdom of Canaria. They resembled bongos but came in sets of five, allowing for complex scales. The flutes were wooden transverse pipes joined in sets of five, producing rich harmonies like a Japanese sho². Even the stringed instruments were strange; they looked like horsehead fiddles³ but featured five necks and were played with two bows simultaneously.
Each musician handled both accompaniment and melody, taking turns for breathtaking solos. It was a feast for the senses-a total sensory overload of song and dance.
It didn’t hurt that the Elven reinforcements were all stunning. They were so criminally handsome that it felt like an assault. If they took this act to the streets, every passerby would have given them their last dime.
The message was clear: they were celebrating the coming birth of a new kin. I could feel a tangible magical effect; the air was saturated with Mana Circuits⁴. Honestly, before it started, I’d thought their sudden arrival was a bit of a nuisance, but I felt like a jerk for even thinking it.
”Pretty! So pretty!”
”Yes, the Elves are beautiful, aren’t they? Watch closely, Momo. This is a rare treat.”
”Yay!”
Most importantly, our Little Lady Momo was absolutely delighted on Lily’s lap. Her eyes darted around, trying to follow the spinning dancers. She tried to turn her whole body to keep up, nearly toppling off Lily’s lap before being pulled back, clapping all the while. She’s grown fast, but watching her struggle with a body and a tongue that don’t quite obey her yet is just heart-melting.
Occasionally, she’d let out an “Ah!” and point at nothing-probably seeing something invisible to me. Normally that would be creepy, but every time Momo noticed something, the Elves grinned wider and ramped up the intensity.
”Heh, Momo’s definitely the star of the show…”
Tania smiled gently, stroking Momo’s head. Lily and Laika both nodded; there really must have been something there. It’s a bit lonely being the only one who can’t see the magic, but I’ve known I’m a “normie” for a long time now.
Finally, the music hit a climax, spiraling into a chaotic, modern-sounding crescendo. It should have been grating, but it felt wonderful. I could have listened to it forever.
Then, the tempo slowed. The voices and instruments faded one by one, and the dancers dropped to their knees in sharp, stylish poses. A moment of silence followed, then-thunderous applause.
”””Wooooo!”””
We all joined in. The Elven reinforcements wiped sweat from their brows with looks of pure satisfaction.
”Man, it’s been a few centuries, but I’ve still got the moves,” one said.
”Indeed. My hands remembered the fingerings perfectly. A skill once learned is never forgotten.”
”No way, that was incredible! I could barely keep up,” a younger Elf panted. “How much did you guys practice back then?”
”Oh, it’s nothing. Anyone can get that good if they play every day for a hundred years or so.”
The Elves approached us with that casual “immortal” perspective of theirs. I spoke to a man who had the air of an elder-judging by his vibe, since you can’t tell by their faces.
”Thanks for today, Hiebel. That was really something special.”
”The thanks go to you. This was a rare and joyous time for us as well.”
”Still, between this and the business with the Assassin of the Wielope Empire, I’m constantly in your debt. I wish I could pay you back…”
”Don’t give it a thought. The birth of a new compatriot is cause enough for celebration. It was a good chance to pass down the traditions to the youngsters.”
He gave a kind smile and offered a firm handshake. He then turned to Tania.
”Tania, you’ve found a fine mate. You can head into this birth with a quiet heart. Now, do your best to bring a strong, long-eared child into this world.”
”I will. Once the baby is here, please come see them. Long ears or short, this child has been blessed by all of you.”
”Hey! Gramps! There you go again!” a younger Elf cut in. “‘Long-eared child’—I know you mean well, but don’t put pressure on the mom!”
”Guh…?! Is that no good either?! Well… what should I say then…?”
”You say things like, ‘I hope both mother and child are healthy!’ There are a million better ways!”
”Nuu… My apologies, Tania…”
”Fufu, don’t worry about it. Those words were very nostalgic. They brought back a lot of memories.”
”Tania! Don’t go spoiling the old-timers!”
Tania and Hiebel shared a laugh while the younger Elf continued to fume. Elven society isn’t that different from ours; the lifespans are just longer. But as the others crowded around to shake hands, Momo suddenly let out a loud cry.
”Out! Out! Out now!”
”Momo?! What is it, honey…?”
”Tummy! Out now!”
Everyone froze. Momo just kept shouting: “Tummy! Out now!” Then, the realization hit.
”Ah… I see. Kento, it looks like it’s time.”
”Wait, WHAT?!”
As if Momo were acting as a mouthpiece for the baby’s own will, Tania had just gone into labor.
—
Summary:
The Elven reinforcements hold a traditional blessing ritual for Tania’s safe delivery, filling the mansion with magical music and dance. Kento and his family participate in the ceremonial decorations, sensing the deep mana and goodwill of the elves. The chapter ends abruptly as Momo’s supernatural perception signals that the baby is ready to be born, throwing the house into a frenzy.
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Trivia:
- The ritual isn’t just cultural; it has a measurable magical effect on the ‘Mana Circuits’ of the room.
- Momo is likely seeing spirits or mana flows that Kento (the ‘normie’) cannot see.
- The elves mention their long lifespans casually, noting they haven’t danced like this in centuries.
- Hiebel’s use of ‘long-eared child’ is a traditional elven blessing that younger elves now find insensitive.
- Momo seems to be acting as a medium for the unborn child’s desires
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Character Insight:
Kento shows significant personal growth by moving past his initial annoyance at the ‘intruding’ elves to appreciating their genuine care for his family. Tania demonstrates her maturity and bridge-building role by accepting the elder’s traditional phrasing that younger elves find problematic.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author uses musical instruments like the ‘sho’ and ‘horsehead fiddle’ to ground the fantasy world in real-world folk aesthetics while adding ‘isekai’ twists like five-necked variants.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Tania – An Elf adventurer who, despite her race’s reputation for low sex drive, is secretly quite passionate. She initially seemed ‘wasted’ (emotionally dry) to her friend Raika, but was easily introduced to the pleasure-items sold at ‘Harvest.’ She is easily embarrassed and attempts to maintain a dignified facade, despite her recent, frequent purchases. She wears practical but light armor over a simple cloth tunic and short pants, highlighting her grace and agility. Her primary relationship is one of friendly senior-junior with Raika.
• Laika – The beastwoman dog.
• Lily – the sl*ve and primary experiment subject for the magic shop, ‘Harvest.’ She has striking pink hair, Blue eyes, medium breasts, which the Protagonist associates with being ‘wanton’. She has a working knowledge of magic, which she kept hidden from the slave trader.
• Momo – The newborn daughter of Kento and Lily. She has pink hair and her father’s ear and eyebrow shapes.
• Hiebel – An elder Elf among the reinforcements. Tall, looks deceptively young but speaks with the weight of centuries.
• Kento – Lord Harvest—the unassuming owner of the Harvest magic tool shop (with a discreet adult goods side). An isekai’d Japanese salaryman resembling Kazuma Satou, with dark hair and basic magic for crafting. Recently triumphed over a Great Dragon; now juggles his harem, tinkering, and ties to Amelia and the Queen at Ddo-Buddy Manor.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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