#1045 Guardian Spirit

For the next one to two hours, an intense sports match raged on, with the earth spirits squaring off against the Ubusunagamis.

“Supernovaaaa!”

“Lightning Craaaash!!!”

Both sides keep hurling what I can only assume are their “ultimate moves.”

In the end, the score was a whopping 1,247 to 1,247.

With that many points racked up, it was less of a game and more of a messy free-for-all, right?

Still, both teams shook hands at the end, looking very satisfied with themselves.

What even was this?

“Hmm... it appears the handover was successful.”

“Handover?”

Michizane folds his arms, smiling like he’s just witnessed the world’s greatest achievement.

What the heck?

"Through this game, the Ubusunagami did impart unto the earth spirits their powers of protection and blessing for childbirth. Now, these little ones art fully endowed with the authority to aid in birthing throughout this realm."

Seriously, Michizane?!

That insane game actually had a purpose?!

Because from my perspective, it looked like a bunch of soccer balls being whacked with bats for home runs, followed by touchdowns and ending with some German suplexes! That’s all I saw!

“Hee, hee, hooo!” 

“Hee, hee, hooo!”

No way.

The earth spirits had already mastered Lamaze breathing techniques.

In this fantasy world, where the medical system isn’t quite up to par, just having the spirits by your side breathing along could work wonders for childbirth.

“We have gained a new power!” 

“We shall be the nurturing wain for the budding seeds of wife!”

Their words even sound kind of mystical.

“The earth spirits doth manifest wherever soil and wood dost grace the land, and should the divine breath of Hades be imbued therein, they would multiply without end, overflowing across the world. Verily, they art most suited to aid in the act of birth.”

Michizane nods in satisfaction.

Seeing this, Eretueia, the goddess of childbirth, is moved to tears.

“At last... with this, I shall endure the unprecedented season of toil! Time for respite! No more shall I suffer ceaseless laborrrrrrrr!”

It was all about the unpaid overtime after all.

Oh well.

Still, it feels surreal that the earth spirits we all knew and loved would be tasked with such an important role...

I’m proud of them, sure, but a little worried too.

“We’re okay!” 

“For the sake of this world, we will work ourselves to the bone!!!” 

“Selfwess devotion!!”

They sound pretty confident, I’ll give them that.

“Man, we didn’t even need to come, did we?” 

“We just played soccer...” 

“Yeah, we couldn’t make it on the big day anyway.” 

“Birth happens in birthing huts, not Izumo.”

The Ubusunagami grumble about not being able to help directly, but it’s fine.

Don’t be disheartened, guys.

What you wanted to do is passed on to the earth spirits, and I’m sure they’ll make your hopes come true.

Come back after the end of Kannazuki and see how things turn out.

“Next time, we’ll win in a called game!” 

“33-4 for sure!” 

“One-turn kill!”

Okay, this is getting a bit intense.

I thanked the Ubusunagami for their help and sent them back to their world.

We can’t forget the souvenirs, of course.

And so, some time passed...

***

And then the day came.

Ten months after Christmas.

Many pregnant women are nearing their due dates. It’s almost time.

Some families had already welcomed their babies through early births, but things were getting busier by the day. So much so that Eretueia had sent an urgent SOS message.

Part of me wondered, “Why is she asking me?”

Standing on a corner of the farm, I face a line of earth spirits standing at attention.

On a personal note, Platy is also in her final month of pregnancy, and while the baby hasn’t arrived yet, I’m ready to rush to her side at a moment’s notice.

For now, though, I’m focusing on this unprecedented situation.

The earth spirits all have fierce looks in their eyes.

Since the Ubusunagami passed on their powers for childbirth, the spirits have been undergoing endless training to master them.

Muscle training. 

Endurance running. 

Classroom lectures. 

Slicing boulders in half with a single sword strike, climbing greasy pillars, shooting twenty thousand jump shots, training in a room with a hundred times gravity, mastering ridiculously simple yet overpowered spells…

Yeah, the earth spirits have been through a lot. And it shows.

Now, it’s time for my final speech.

“…You’ve all done incredibly well to make it this far. You’re nothing like you were yesterday. Each of you is now a fully-fledged soldier.”

“We worked super hard on twaining!” 

“We’re number one in twaining hours, for sure!” 

“But we still wose sometimes—when we wose, we wose big!”

Even the earth spirits are buzzing with energy, itching to dash off at any moment.

There’s no need to wait any longer. 

Go now, to all the moms-to-be worldwide who need your help. I wish you all the best in your great mission!

“Wet’s gooooo!” 

“Yeah, time to woll!” 

“Okay! Wet’s gooooooo!!!”

The earth spirits take off, soaring through the sky and scattering in all directions.

They look just like dandelion fluff floating on the breeze.

As I wipe away a tear, watching them go, I hear a voice behind me.

“My Lord! Your wife has gone into labor! The midwives are preparing for the birth!”

One of the goblins has come to inform me. 

That said, Orkubo and Gobukichi are glued to their wives and kids, so the rest of the orcs and goblins are banding together to keep the farm running.

“I’ll be right there.”

I spin around and sprint toward the house.

I’m not too worried.

After all, the cutest and most dependable allies in the world are already on their way to every mom out there.

And then…

***

“Woooohooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!”

The baby was born.

Our third child on the farm, healthy and safe.

Another boy, for the third time in a row. But hey, as long as they’re healthy, I’m happy either way.

“We did it! We did it! We did it!” 

“Yesssss, mission accomplished!!!”

I pick up the earth spirit that had helped with the birth, giving them a big thank-you hug for their invaluable help.

“Excuse me, but I think I did most of the work here?” 

“I helped a lot too, you know…!!!”

Platy, the mother herself, and Garra Rufa, the midwife, chime in.

Sorry, sorry.

I didn’t mean to overshadow your hard work.

But hey, a healthy baby boy has arrived.

Time to come up with a name.

... 

... 

...Eureka.

Since the earth spirits worked so hard this time, I’ll name him Shotaro after them.

Taking the ‘Sho’ from seirei (spirit), we’ll call him Sho. 

I hope he grows up as full of energy and charm as those adorable little spirits.

“My Lord, My Lord! Orkubo’s wife is about to give birth too!” 

“Lady Mary as well!”

Jeez, this sure is all happening at once.

I know they all got pregnant around the same time, but do they really have to go into labor on the same day?!

As much as I’d love to hang out with Platy and Sho for a while, I’ve got responsibilities as the farm owner!

Hang tight!

I’m on my wayyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!