v-rustl

#996 Maternity Rhapsody 5: And I Become A Father

Added 2024-07-22 20:03:45 +0000 UTC

My name’s Orkubo.

Orkubo the orc.

After work, I like to unwind at Bacchus izakaya next to the farm before heading home.

“...Boss, gimme a shochu with hot water, light on the water, please.”

“You’ve been coming here a lot lately, haven’t you?”

Have I?

Maybe. Or maybe I’m here every day.

But can you blame me?

It’s almost like a tradition for me to have a drink or two here.

Heading home straight after work.

This small window between my business and private life is like a moment of peace, a place to let my thoughts wander.

The reason I seek silence...

In solitude, with nothing and no one to interrupt, I want to contemplate...

Zoth Syra’s pregnancy.

Zoth Syra, my wife.

We’ve been happily married for a few years now, but recently we received shocking news.

She’s carrying my child.

Now, you might think it’s normal for a married couple to have a kid.

And I agree.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled about it.

Really, I am.

Could there be a greater joy in this world?!

No, there couldn’t.

It’s a testament to our love.

No doubt about it.

But, honestly, I’m also overwhelmed with confusion.

After all, I’m a monster—and I’m going to be a father?

“Another shochu, boss. Same way.”

The drink disappears quickly.

I’m an orc... A type of monster categorized as a humanoid monster.

In this world, monsters are beings that mimic life, like pseudo-living creatures.

You could say we’re mockeries of life itself...

Monsters are said to be born from places where the mana, which flows around the world, gets stuck and becomes concentrated.

In reality, a dungeon forms first, and within that dungeon, the highly concentrated mana takes shape and transforms into a monster.

No other life forms appear this way.

Monsters are often called the tragic mockeries of life, created by the world’s strange laws.

Now, I have awareness, my own thoughts, and I can feel, understand, and express my feelings.

I owe all of this to my lord, Lord Saint, and the farm that he governs.

Even that alone is a great miracle, but now, I’ve married the woman I loved and we’re expecting a child.

How far will I go?

This isn’t the first time I’ve found myself pondering like this.

I also had many doubts when I was getting married.

“Another shochu, please.”

“Should I make this one a bit lighter?”

“Make it strong.”

Can a fake life form like me really become a parent?

Is that even allowed?

Kids were a headache I worried about even before getting married.

Getting married meant I’d likely face those kinds of issues, but it was all just a vague expectation.

But now, I actually will have a kid.

I never thought it would really happen.

Especially to me, a monster so different from the humans living on this earth.

And that’s why I’m so puzzled.

Is the life growing inside Zoth Syra really mine? Can a monster like me truly be a father? Will I be able to raise a child properly?

The more I think about it, the more anxious I get.

I love Zoth Syra, and I’m happy about the baby.

But love and happiness come with responsibility. Can I shoulder that responsibility?

The thought is almost suffocating.

“...Why are you worrying so much?”

“Huh? That voice...!”

Suddenly, I notice a customer sitting at the counter, leaving one seat empty between us.

He’s small, nimble-looking, and quite skinny...

“Gobukichi...?!”

“Hey, barkeep! A mineral water for my friend here, on me.”

At Gobukichi’s order, the bartender quickly pours a glass of water.

“Drink up. It’ll dilute the alcohol in your system. Your pregnant wife can’t drink, so you shouldn’t go home smelling like booze, right?”

“Speaking of which, I heard congratulations are in order for you, too, Gobukichi. Congrats.”

“Same to you.”

Gobukichi is a goblin, a monster just like me, and lives on a farm.

He got married around the same time I did, and our wives became pregnant at the same time, too.

He’s been facing the same challenges as me—a true comrade.

How does he feel about all this?

The marriage, the impending parenthood, all the worries that are eating me alive—how does he deal with them?

Suddenly, I was intensely curious.

“Hey, Gobukichi, how are you feeling about all this? ...I mean, hearing that Madam Carp is pregnant?”

Madam Carp is Gobukichi’s wife.

Those two are so lovey-dovey it’s almost sickening. They’re always showing off how in love they are.

So, how does he feel about all this?

“Of course, I’m happy.”

“I’m happy too, but it’s not all just happiness for us, you know…”

“But it is!”

Gobukichi’s firm response left me speechless.

“...Barkeep, a martini, please.”

A martini?!

Isn’t this supposed to be an izakaya, not a cocktail bar?

Gobukichi downs the martini in one gulp.

“Listen, Orkubo, I can tell you’re stressing out because you’re so serious. But there’s one thing I can say for sure: worrying about something with no answer is a waste of time!!!”

His words hit me like a ton of bricks.

“We’ve got more important things to do! We need to prepare for the baby’s arrival! There’s no time for worrying, Orkubo!”

“Y-You’re right…!”

But is that really the case?

“Worrying won’t change anything! It’s gonna happen regardless! Man up, Orkukbo! While you’re here fretting, your kid is growing inside Madam Zoth Syra’s belly!!”

“Gobukichi is right.”

Another voice chimes in from the izakaya!

I turn around to see who it is, and there, standing on the counter, is…!

“My Lord?!”

“Lord Saint!!!”

Both Gobukichi and I exclaim in unison.

Our master, Lord Saint!!!

“Hey, Bacchus, one takeout set, please.”

My Lord quickly places an order with the bartender and then turns back to us.

“Gobukichi is absolutely right. Parents don’t have time to worry! I’ve got two kids already and a third on the way, so trust me, I know!!!”

That’s right.

When it comes to being a father, Lord Saint has way more experience than us!