Chapter 589 Childbirth Season ④
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
My second child with my love-slave Lily—a boy named Tori—was, as expected, a boy with vivid peach-colored hair. His big sister Momo had called him “the laid-back type,” but honestly… he was big. If I were to compare him to my previous world’s standards, he probably weighed over five thousand grams.
He was supposed to have arrived right on his due date, though. Yeah, good thing I asked Momo to coax him out when she did. If she’d left him in there for a few more weeks, it might have turned into a hard birth. Well, the midwife Grandma Miranda told me, “With your kids, I never worry,” so maybe I’m overthinking it.
Anyway—I’m just glad both mother and child are healthy. And the ones who were almost as happy about his birth as I was? Naturally, my beloved sister-in-law Flearis and my little-brother-by-marriage, Count Martin Popol.
”Oh, how precious… They look just like you, Sister—and you too, Brother-in-law!”
”Such splendid hair, such blessed health, such an intelligent face…! No doubt about it—this child has the bearing of one who shall rule the world!”
Yeah. Different people express joy in different ways, I suppose. But they’re definitely happy. And Martin—you’ve got it backwards. This child was born to rule the world. So I get where you’re coming from, but don’t go building a new shrine for him. We’ll run out of yard space. Just enshrine him alongside Momo’s, alright? Alongside.1
”Speaking of which, Martin—how long are you planning to stay with us?”
”…!”
”Brother-in-law, I know my brother can be a bit much, but that’s a little harsh…”
”Hey, you’re the one being harsher here… That’s not what I meant. Isn’t Martin a newlywed or something?”
”Oh… right.”
Yeah. This had been bothering me for a while. Martin had come out here to be present for Lily’s birth, but as I recently learned, he’d just married a bride from the neighboring kingdom of Bradiya—Coalmine’s neighbor.
Even for a normal couple, if the husband took off for months during their first year of marriage, that’d be trouble. For a political marriage like theirs? Even more reason to be careful. If his bride got upset and said something like “I’m going back home,” that could turn into a diplomatic incident.
”It’s fine, really. We discussed this business trip before the marriage, and she said she was okay with it.”
”Look… do you seriously take women at their word? I don’t know what kind of person your wife is, but normally even if they’re not okay with it, they won’t say so.”
”…Is that really true? She said things like ‘Bring me back a souvenir,’ and she seemed happy about it.”
”I don’t know, but isn’t that a problem in itself? Are you even getting along with her…?”
I’ve heard there was a time in my old world when people said “The husband’s healthy and better out of the house,”2 but is it the same here? Of course, I think every couple has their own dynamic. But from where I stand, that’s a relationship I can’t approve of…
Especially with Martin looking at me with that utterly clueless expression like he has no idea what I’m talking about. This guy—has he learned nothing from watching our household?
After that, I gave Martin a long lecture on what it means to be a husband. He seemed to have a lot to think about, and he decided to head home soon. He looked pretty sad about leaving Momo and Tori behind, but as a count with lands in another country, he couldn’t stay here forever. It was bound to happen sooner or later.
For his souvenirs, of course, I wanted to offer some of our shop’s merchandise… but since I don’t know what kind of person his wife is, I held back. I gave him a few items just in case, gave him some advice about the, ahem, intimate aspects of married life, and then packed him some proper souvenirs—long-lasting spices and accessories and the like.
But really—having to look after my little brother-in-law too? What a hassle. Feeling oddly drained, I turned my gaze to the children for comfort.
”Wakky, Mikky! Hazzy, Torry!”
”Ah—oooh!”
”Ah-ee!”
”Hazzy, Torry! Wakky an’ Mikky!”
”Waaah, waaah!”
Our D**do-Buddy Palace’s parlor had become even livelier. Momo was introducing Wakaba, Mikan, Hazuki, and Tori to each other—a proper big-sister moment.
I know what you’re thinking: “Babies can’t understand introductions, dummy!” But don’t you dare tsukkomi me on that.3 Look at Momo, playing the big sister—isn’t she just the most adorable thing? Wakaba and Mikan, who probably don’t understand half of what’s happening, are babbling back anyway. And Hazuki and Tori? Just crying. But it’s all so precious it makes my heart swell.
Now then, with Hazuki and Tori born, we’re past the halfway point of this year’s childbirth season. Still to come: my beloved “Saint” Sister Amelia’s baby, and my beloved Ancient Elf Carley’s—who’s currently in Wielope.
For Carley, there’s not much I can do. According to the video calls using the sacred relic “Heavenly Ear, Heavenly Eye, Heavenly Mind Window,” things seem to be going smoothly.
Over there, apparently the emperor has already gathered skilled midwives and it’s become quite a commotion. I’m a little worried, but Carley herself is calm, and given the emperor’s fondness for women, the Imperial Palace has plenty of experienced mothers. That’s reassuring.
Anyway, no need to dwell on that for now. The real concern is Amelia’s baby. We see each other every day, even if she does go back and forth to the convent, so in that sense, I’m not worried.
This being the first childbirth by a publicly acknowledged nun, the convent folks are pretty fired up about it too. By the way, Mother Marian—who’d gone out to fight succubi—is rushing back to be present for Amelia’s delivery.
She’s a pervy Mother Superior, sure, but she’s also a first-rate Holy Arts user. Having her around is a comfort, just in case. So really, there shouldn’t be anything to worry about. But…
”Hey Momo, you really don’t know this kid’s name?”
”Mm—don’t knooow~”
Right. The prophecy that activated when Hazuki and Tori were born—Momo-sama’s prediction—hasn’t triggered this time. My love mage Satsuki guessed it might be “future sight.” And for some reason, Momo’s ability doesn’t work on Amelia’s child.
”Well now, that happens sometimes. The little one’s growing just fine, so no need to worry, dear.”
My mentor and midwife Grandma Miranda said as she pressed her hand to Amelia’s belly. She’s using magic to check on the baby’s growth. Aside from the name thing, everything’s normal. Still, if Momo’s ability really is future sight, and she can’t see this future… well. My mind starts wandering.
”For heaven’s sake, don’t get yourself all worked up like that. Look at Sister Amelia—she seems perfectly fine.”
”Fufu, it’s all right, Kento-san. I can tell, you see. This child… is being ‘protected.’”
Amelia, who’d been so anxious about not getting pregnant before, was now calm and peaceful, gently stroking her belly with a happy smile. “Protected,” huh…
I’m not sure it’s wise to ask “by whom.” But if it really is true, it would explain why Momo-sama’s magic-based power can’t touch it. And as for the baby’s future… something truly extraordinary.4
Heaven forbid the Three Wise Men from the East show up to pay their respects… right? Or maybe they’ll point to the sky and declare, “Above the heavens and below the heavens, I alone am honored.”5
A different kind of worry crept into my thoughts, but honestly, as long as the baby’s born healthy, that’s all I care about. If some “someone” out there really is watching over them, then even a non-believer like me wouldn’t mind saying a prayer alongside Amelia.
Thinking that, I gently placed my hand on Amelia’s belly and nuzzled against it. A tiny kick from the inside—right against my face. Thank you very much! And then, Momo came toddling over.
”Pappa—s’okay!”
”See? Momo-chan says it’s okay. Hey, Momo-chan—you’ll be a good big sister to this one too, right?”
”Uh-huh!”
I was still a little uneasy, but for now, I let out a sigh of relief.
—
Summary:
Kento celebrates the birth of his second son Tori with his family, including his sister-in-law Flearis and brother-in-law Martin Popol, who makes grand pronouncements about the baby. After giving Martin a lecture about his responsibilities as a newlywed husband, Kento turns his attention to Amelia’s pregnancy, troubled that Momo’s foresight ability cannot perceive her child’s future.
—
Trivia:
Momo’s ability was previously theorized by Satsuki to be “future sight” but this chapter confirms it doesn’t work on Amelia’s child.
Martin recently married a princess from Bradiya Kingdom but has been away for months, causing Kento concern about the political marriage.
Mother Marian, despite being a “pervy Mother Superior,” is rushing back to attend Amelia’s birth because she’s a first-rate Holy Arts user.
Carley in Wielope is using the sacred relic “Heavenly Ear, Heavenly Eye, Heavenly Mind Window” for video calls with Kento.
The emperor of Wielope has already gathered skilled midwives for Carley’s delivery due to his fondness for women and the palace having many experienced mothers.
This is the first childbirth by a publicly acknowledged nun, making it a significant event for the convent.
—
Translation Notes:
Notes:
• Lily – Jin’s pink-haired, blue-eyed love-slave, secret magic user, and wife/concubine pregnant with her second child. Calling the protagonist “Master” (who calls her a wanton), she is a Harvest shop slave and test subject resembling Nada. Energetic and expressive with V-signs, she tends the mansion garden, watches repairs, and informs him on domestic and political matters.
• Momo – Exceptionally cute and energetic, this pink-haired, one-year-old toddler is the eldest daughter of the protagonist (Jin) and Lily, and sibling to Wakaba and Mikan. Inheriting her father’s ear and eyebrow shape, she is affectionate, babbles with toddler mispronunciations, and loves walking in the garden. Remarkably, she also possesses the ability of future sight.
• Miranda – Granny Miranda is an elderly, witch-like midwife with silver hair and a weathered cloak. The widow of Tadayasu, she is grandmother to Satsuki, great-grandmother to Hazuki, and a shared mentor to the narrator and Barbara. She masters magic medicine to monitor unborn babies. Beneath her gruff exterior and old-fashioned rural speech lies a tender warmth.
• Flearis – A pale, pink-haired covert unit member serving as a diplomatic envoy, guard, shopkeeper, and Coalmine Kingdom liaison. The protagonist’s relative—Lily’s sister and Martin’s younger foster sister/sister-in-law—she displays a cold, vengeful pragmatism, notably when reporting Lily’s words to Martin. Though only mentioned, she is noted as next in line for mating season.
• Hazuki – Job: Infant; Relationship: Daughter to Narrator and Satsuki; Great-granddaughter to Miranda; Appearance: Black hair like father, distinctly Eastern facial features; Note: Newborn, first of narrator’s children born with his hair color.
• Wakaba – The newborn half-elf son of Kento and Tania, and sibling to Momo and Mikan. An infant magic user with large Mana Circuits, green hair, squishy cheeks, and soft floppy elf ears. He emits magical discharges during tantrums and often chases Momo after she pulls his ears.
• Mikan – Kento’s orange-themed newborn daughter and the protagonist’s/shopkeeper’s child. She is an infant with a cheerful, oblivious expression. She is the sibling to Momo and Wakaba. She adores Momo and follows her everywhere.
• Amelia – A voluptuous, light-blue-haired “Saint” Sister of the Canarias convent who runs soup kitchens, this shy, blushing religious figure is the protagonist Kento’s wife. Pregnant with his child after a sacred conception and wearing his ring, her intimate bond and controversial marriage to him spark intense ecclesiastical debate, yet she remains as devoted as ever.
• Carley – Ancient Elf Haha-sama is the youthful, flat-chested, pregnant Captain of the Wielope Empire and the protagonist’s beloved wife. A pragmatic matriarch and companion to Harvest, she oversees palace assassins and royals like Dee-bou and Gustav. Currently kept out of political discussions with the prince and only mentioned at the Imperial Palace, she uses her magic resistance and stamina to steer diplomacy.
• Satsuki – Miranda’s granddaughter is a robed court mage and former top Academy student with long black hair and mixed Western-Eastern features. Now a Harvest Love-Mage at the Ddo-Buddy Palace, she is the protagonist’s playful, warm wife and mother to Hazuki and Nagatsuki. She orchestrates family conversations, tutors her husband, assists in prototype design, and is friends with pregnant Amelia.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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