#1043 Falling at the Last Hurdle

It’s me back at the farm again.

Lately, my life has been chaotic thanks to the baby boom that’s swept across the land. But finally, it seems the craziness is about to end.

Platy’s belly has grown quite round, too.

Looks like her due date is just around the corner.

We’ve got everything prepared on our end.

Thanks to our experience with Junior and Norito, we’ve got the know-how for handling births.

The elves led by Garra Rufa have been training as midwives and are all set to help with Platy’s delivery.

As for the other pregnant ladies, they’re all set to give birth in their respective homes.

Mrs. Astres, Mrs. Glasya, and Arias will have their babies in the Demon Kingdom.

Varlina and Black Cat are preparing in the Human Kingdom.

Given their statuses, I’m sure they’ll have all the resources they need.

Now, you’d think Zoth Syra and Carp would give birth in the Mermaid Kingdom, but no. They’ve decided to have their babies here, on the farm.

Apparently, since their baby’s father is a big shot on the farm, it only makes sense for them to give birth here.

And then there’s Bloody Mary, who’s about to give birth to a dragon for the first time in recorded history.

She’s come to us for help, though I have no clue how to assist with a dragon birth. In the worst case, we can ask a god to freeze time or bring Gaia to handle things.

So, while we were getting ready for all of that, it turns out we weren’t the only ones preparing…

***

“Roll call, everybody. Gather thyselves into thine appointed ranks!”

What the heck is going on?

The one barking out orders like a construction foreman is none other than a god.

And not just any god, it’s Sugawara no Michizane, visiting from another world.

Standing in front of him is a massive group of what look like tiny, two-headed creatures.

...Are they even alive?

And wow, there’s a lot of them. Way too many to count, even.

We’re talking about at least 500 here.

What are they planning to do with a whole battalion of these guys?

“These are Ubusunagami, summoned from mine own realm.”

Ubusunagami?

The name sounds like they have something to do with childbirth.

“Indeed. The birthing practices of this realm art woefully lacking. Thus, I was compelled to summon reinforcements forthwith. A full battalion of Ubusunagami from mine world.” 

And it really is a battalion of them.

These little guys, who look like something between a Zashiki-warashi and a Yukinko, are apparently gods...

Ubusunagami are gods that oversee childbirth, stationed at birthing huts to ensure smooth deliveries.

They’re kind of a big deal to humans.

And now, they’re here as one massive army.

They must be here to help with Platy’s birth.

Though, considering the sheer number of couples who had babies during that whole Christmas fiasco, the gods might be preparing for a population boom across the farm.

It looks like we’re heading for a baby explosion.

The gods are even stepping up their game to prepare for the big event.

How nice of them.

It really makes you feel the power of faith.

...But, uh, why are the gods from another world handling this?

“Oh, I am most grateful! I am spared from endless overtime nowwwwwwww!!!”

Wait, who’s this crying tears of joy over here?

Is that…a goddess?

Michizane explains...

“This here is the goddess Eretuia, sovereign of childbirth in this world. ‘Tis said that the full weight of this domain doth rest solely upon her shoulders.”

All of childbirth?

That’s awful.

How has no one thought to improve her working conditions?

“It seems the higher powers hast had a hand in this. However, the great Cronus hath delivered swift judgment upon the true cause of this calamity—hence, improvements shall soon follow, no doubt.” 

As expected of Cronus.

Always steering things in the right direction.

“He who forced absolute obedience upon his daughter now must face the same from his father! Ah, how splendidly the wheel of fate doth turn!” 

Eretueia, the goddess of childbirth, seems to be enjoying a bit of schadenfreude.

Honestly, she looks like she’s just survived a 30-day workbender.

“Aye, today we convene in preparation for the coming event, to assign unto each land god their domain and familiarize them with the customs of this world. Lady Eretuia, as overseer of this realm, hath graciously come to assist.” 

This is starting to feel like an actual business meeting.

Then again, I guess for gods, this is their real job.

“The labors of gods such as we do directly shape the lives of mankind. Let us unite as one and weather this season of great toil!” 

“Lord Michizane, Lord Michizane!”

“Hm? What is it?”

One of the local deities raises their hand to speak.

Their voice is high-pitched and almost adorable.

“I heard there’s gonna be a baby boom in the other world? Any idea when that’s supposed to happen?”

’Boom,’ huh?

Lord Michizane replies...

“Aye, it is foretold to begin in the month that follows. A certain event in this world hast sparked it. Soon, births shall erupt in multitude, all at once.”

“Christmas, right? I know how this goes.”

“Everywhere you look, people are celebrating during the holy night.”

Ouch.

Yeah, that’s spot on. The fact that Christmas, of all things, has made it into another world’s calendar is... well, it’s embarrassing on a lot of levels.

“But if that’s the case, Lord Michizane, we’ve got a problem on our hands.”

“A problem? Speak, what manner of trouble?” 

“Well, if they make babies on Christmas... most of them will be born in October, right?”

Yeah, that checks out.

It’s always been said that pregnancy lasts about ten months, so if the magic happens on December 25th, it’d make sense for the babies to pop out around October.

Give or take, of course—some might be early, some late.

But still, why are the gods so hung up on October?

Is there something wrong with that month?

“Oh no... OH NOOOO! October?!”

Even Lord Michizane looks panicked.

“What an ill-fated month to coincide with such a happening! We must revise our plans most thoroughly!” 

Revise everything?!

Is it really that big of a deal? What’s so special about October?

“October is... the month of Kannazuki!”

Kannazuki?!

I’ve definitely heard of that! Even someone like me, who’s not particularly spiritual, knows that random trivia.

Kannazuki, written as “the month without gods.”

It’s said that during that time, all the gods gather in one place for a meeting or a big drinking party or something.

I’m not really clear on the details, but basically, they all get together in one spot.

And Kannazuki is... the old name for October!!!

“We’ve gotta go to Izumo during Kannazuki, no exceptions.”

“I’ve already booked my ticket on the Sunrise Izumo train.”

“No way we can handle the other world while we’re busy with our own stuff!”

One by one, the Ubusunagami start voicing their worries.

Wait, so in Kannnazuki...all of them have to gather?

Can’t anyone skip out for a good reason?

And if you’re all going, what happens to babies born in Japan in October?!

“In our world, gods charged with their duties art granted exemption, but those tasked with aiding in another realm… alas, there is no such reprieve!” 

Ah, right.

The gods helping us out are more like freelancers—extra hands that Lord Michizane brought in to help with the workload.

They’re not obligated to stick around when things get rough in our world.

But without their help during this crucial baby boom, all the responsibility will fall on Goddess Eretuia!!!

“Nooooooo!!! ‘Tis overtime! ‘Tis holiday work! ‘Tis a marathon of three hundred seventy days of laborrrrrrr!”

“What a bind we find ourselves in. I, Sugawara no Michizane, too am bound by duty unto the myriad gods and must journey to Izumo in that very month. Alas, I shall not be able to aid in this most trying of times.”

What bad timing.

Just when everything was set to go smoothly, disaster strikes at the last minute!