#980 The Secret to Reproduction

The flurry of joyous announcements after Christmas just kept coming.

“Saint, saint! We did it! We did it!”

Rushing over with that exclamation is none other than Zoth Syra, the Witch of the Abyss.

A grin like that at this moment... Could it mean...?!

“We did it! Orkubo and I are having a baby!!!”

Seriously?!

A completely unexpected announcement from the most unexpected person!

Zoth Syra’s husband is Orkubo, an orc. And orcs are monsters.

The idea of a human and a monster having a child together had always been a concern, but there was no time for such worries this time around.

“Hooray! Now I can take maternity leave! Goodbye to the Prime Minister’s dutiessssssssssssss!!!”

Is that really something to be so happy about...? But then...

“Haa... To think I, of all people, would become a mother. Ah, by the way, Carp is also expecting.”

Wait, Teacher Carp, too?

She, who had a grand wedding with one of our goblins, Gobukichi?!

“Given how strict she is, I thought she would be prim and proper even in bed, but I guess not. Even the Iron Lady couldn’t resist the bewitching allure of Christmas.”

Don’t make Christmas sound like a Sabbath!

But to think Carp and Gobukichi, where the husband is also a monster, would conceive as well...!

And that’s not all...!

Even Bloody Mary the dragon showed up in a rush.

“I did it! I did it! I, the Empress Dragon, am finally expecting the first dragon baby!!!”

Bloody Mary, too?!

What is going on?! A pregnancy rush this extreme is too much, even for Christmas!

This has to be an emergency situation, right?!

Is Christmas that powerful in another world?!

“Dear, now that winter is over, let’s go for our spring visit to the gods~”

As I’m still reeling from the confusion, Platy casually suggests an outing.

Wait a second!

You just found out you’re pregnant! Should you be really going out?!

“Don’t be silly. It’s just nearby, we’ll be fine. Junior and Norito are waiting, so let’s go.”

O-Okay...

I guess I can’t stay behind if the whole family is going.

So, where are we going again?

Visiting the gods?

That can only mean one place, then.

The Otherworld Tenmangu Shrine.

The shrine we built on our farm’s property some time ago.

I can’t quite remember why we built it, but it’s the perfect place for seasonal visits like this.

“Lord Michizane, are you here?”

“I am indeed.”

He’s here.

This is the shrine deity of the Otherworld Tenmangu, Sugawara no Michizane.

In my world, he’s famous as Tenjin, the god of learning.

So, is the original world okay with him being here? Turns out it is.

Because this Otherworld Tenmangu is just a branch, with the main shrine still in the original world, everything’s fine.

Still, every time I visit and see him here, I can’t help but wonder, ‘Is this really okay?’

Are you sure?

Are all the students’ prayers still reaching you?

“Fear not, for though I reside in this world, I am also firmly seated in my original realm. One might call it a mirrored incarnation. Just as countless reflections appear in a hall of mirrors, so too can a deity multiply wherever temples and shrines exist. Each reflection is both the original and an extension of the divine essence. Such is the nature of a god capable of these wondrous feats.”

I get it...No, I don’t.

But at least I understood that Michizane being here doesn’t interfere with his divine duties.

“So, we’ve safely welcomed spring, and we’re grateful for the peace we’ve had until now. Please bless us with happiness in the coming year.”

“Very well.”

And so, we pray to the gods, celebrating the start of the new year.

“This year has commenced with fortuitous events, has it not? A year that begins with such auspicious occurrences is oft destined to proceed favorably.”

“That’s...!”

As expected, gods know everything.

Indeed, the birth of new life is nothing but wonderful news.

And to have a flurry of such announcements all at once.

I can’t help but feel suspicious about this incredible string of coincidences, but with so many great things happening, it looks like this year is going to be fantastic.

...It has nothing to do with Christmas, of course.

“Hmm, I see... If you’re that happy, then it seems my efforts as a god were worth it.”

“Huh?”

What kind of ominous statement is that?

...Did you, uh, maybe do something, oh mighty deity?

“Actually, I recently made a friend. Well, as a god, it is more of a divine buddy than a friend.”

That’s not important right now.

My gut feeling is telling me something bad is coming. Please tell me I’m just being paranoid, dear god.

“Allow me to introduce mine own new bosom friend, Lord Cronus!”

“Hey theeeeeere.”

A new source of chaos has appeared!

The ancient chief god, Cronus!

What in the world is happening here?!

“Hold on, this all started with thee, saint. I heard thy wish and decided to take action.”

“Huh?”

“In that instance, the esteemed Sugawara no Michizane graciously lent his assistance. His cooperation was given most willingly, and it was through this fortuitous occasion that we found ourselves in great concord. Thus, we have since become the closest of companions!”

The two gods throw their arms around each other’s shoulders and burst out laughing.

It’s a bit unsettling to see gods from such wildly different worlds getting along so well. At the same time, you can’t help but wonder why they click so perfectly.

“Um, so... you went and asked for help from a completely different god, Lord Michizane, right? What on earth did you mess up... uh, I mean, what did you do this time?”

“Correcting thyself doesn’t change the meaning.”

Pipe it down, please. I’m already panicking here.

When a god messes up, it turns into a life-or-death situation for us mere mortals—it’s been that way since mythological times.

Right now, all I can do is demand some answers immediately.

“Ho ho ho... The key was Christmas.”

Don’t sound like a TV commercial.

But Cronus carries on regardless.

“It was disheartening to learn that Christmas is not a festival to celebrate me. However, I was touched by the saint’s effort to honor me as best as thee could. Thus, I decided to do something grand for Christmas in return.”

Wh-What did you do exactly?

“As thou know, I govern agriculture. Agriculture is the cycle of life and death—seeds fall, sprout, grow, bear fruit, and spread new seeds. This endless cycle applies to human life too.”

So, you’re saying...

People get married, have kids, and the cycle continues?

“Yes, on Christmas, I blessed the world to ensure the cycle proceeds smoothly. Lots of activity, lots of offspring...”

So, the recent Christmas baby boom is because of...?

“You’re the one behind it all?!”

“Rejoice, for a new birth is the greatest joy to all living beings. There is no celebration more profound. That this event should coincide with mine own sacred day, Christmas, brings me great happiness as the God of Agriculture.”

But Christmas isn’t even your day!!!

So, the god behind this spring’s pregnancy surge is Cronus, the god of agriculture and fertility?!

He meant well, but what a chaotic result!

“As the deity who governs the foundation of life through agriculture, I, Cronus, also hold dominion over the blessings of easy and abundant childbirth! It is not without reason that I have been prophesied with the warning, ‘Thy child shall turn against thee,’ yet I have continued to sire offspring unceasingly! Know this: it is not solely women who expend their very essence to nurture life!”

That’s not something to brag about.

At least I get now that Cronus is seriously dedicated to fertility.

With such divine intervention, it’s no wonder humanity’s facing a baby boom.

But...

“Where does Michizane come into this? It seems like a solo effort by Cronus.”

“Dost thou not see?”

Lord Michizane grins mischievously.

When he gets that sly look, it’s truly terrifying.

The god Cronus and Lord Sugawara no Michizane.

What sort of chaos will this divine duo unleash upon the world?

To be continued.