My name is Bruno.
I was actually born into a fairly well-to-do family, but I ran away due to certain circumstances. I didn't have much of a plan, so I ended up living on the streets for a while. It was a hard life.
However, it was that very life that led me to meet my wife and eventually move to Village One. Because of that, I accept everything that happened. Now, I’m just an ordinary man living in Village One, and I feel that I must work hard for the sake of my pregnant wife.
In the midst of all that, the autumn harvest concluded, and the time for the martial arts tournament arrived. This year, as usual, we gathered at the Village of the Great Tree.
I had wanted my wife to stay home and rest, but I gave in when she insisted on going. I hadn't realized it, but apparently, a bit of exercise is fine even during pregnancy. A High Elf with experience in childbirth even scolded me, saying that while going wild was out of the question, being overprotective was actually bad for her.
However, since it was better to avoid the jolting of a carriage, we traveled on foot. We didn't travel alone; we gathered with others who were also making the journey on foot. Several others who had become pregnant around the same time as my wife were with us. I wonder if they also insisted on coming, just like she did?
Paula’s delivery was still a while off, but since her belly was already quite prominent, she stayed behind to watch the house.
The Village of the Great Tree was teeming with a diverse array of races, just as it always was. I’ve stopped being surprised by that. I couldn't live my life here if I were constantly in shock. In Village One, I already live alongside Inferno Wolves, Demon Spiders, Nyunyu-daphne, and Harpies. I even have enough peace of mind now to enjoy seeing if any new races have arrived.
Come to think of it, I heard there was a Phoenix Chick now. Apparently, it had visited Village One once, but I had been working and missed it. I definitely wanted to see it.
But I couldn't rush. First, I had to greet the Village Head. Those who traveled ahead of us had likely already given their greetings, so it was just our walking group's turn. I felt a little nervous, as I was the representative for the walking group.
The Phoenix Chick was perched right on top of the Village Head’s head.
Oh, how dignified—wait, it was a bit rounder than I had imagined. Was that because it was still a chick? Let’s just call it a prosperous-looking figure.
After greeting the Village Head, I also offered my respects to the Phoenix Chick.
The Village Head showed great concern for the pregnant women. It wasn't just lip service, either; he had actually prepared a dedicated maternity area at the venue. It was spacious and clean, equipped with its own outhouses and even beds. On top of that, several veteran midwives from the Devil Race were stationed nearby on standby.
I was truly grateful.
By the way... who was the unfamiliar woman standing beside him?
I spoke with my wife about her later. The topic, of course, was that mysterious woman.
"He called her the Fairy Queen, didn't he?" I asked.
"He did," she replied.
I thought I had reached the point where nothing could surprise me, but it seemed there was still plenty of room for wonder. Or perhaps my own imagination was just lacking. I decided I needed to be more open-minded—to the point where I wouldn't even be surprised if God himself moved in.
Hmm? Was that a cat meowing in the distance?
Ah, there were cats on the stage. It looked like a battle royal between four of them. The sight of them batting at each other was heartwarming... until they started using magic. They were using some rather wicked magic at that. Well, since they were in this village, I suppose it was foolish to expect them to be normal cats.
"By the way, dear?" my wife asked. "Did you remember to make a wish to the Fairy Queen?"
"Well, of course."
The Fairy Queen. In the Human Kingdom, she is known as the guardian of children. She is famous for saving children from forced labor and overseeing things like childhood illnesses or the growth of new teeth. However, there is something that those of us who don't have children yet can wish for: a safe delivery.
"I wonder if the Village Head invited the Fairy Queen here for our sake?"
"That may be so. But it must be a lot of work for him," my wife added with a troubled expression, and I had to agree.
The Fairy Queen is known for being free-spirited and mischievous. She rarely stays in one place for long. To keep her around, one must provide children to watch over, sweets, and entertainment. Conversely, driving her away is supposedly easy—if you worship her, she gets uncomfortable and leaves.
Well, those might just be rumors. Regardless, I was grateful to the Village Head. I decided that once we returned to Village One, I would tell Paula she should visit the Village of the Great Tree. She would certainly be shocked to learn the Fairy Queen was here.
Night fell. As always, the excitement of the tournament carried over into a boisterous night of celebration. My wife had already gone to sleep at the inn, as I couldn't let a pregnant woman stay up all night.
I had entered the General Division and won my match, so the sake was going down particularly well.
Suddenly, I noticed something. One of the Inferno Wolves was making a massive scene.
...Kricky?
That was the Inferno Wolf that guarded Marcos and Paula’s house. It was supposed to be with Paula back in Village One.
The alcohol left my system instantly.
"Village Head! Something’s happened to Paula!"
A new life was born in Village One.
Due to a sudden, difficult labor, both Paula and the baby had been in grave danger. They were saved because two High Elves had remained in Village One to support Paula, and because the veteran Devil Race midwives had been present at the tournament to offer advice.
And then there was the Fairy Queen.
According to the veteran midwives, both mother and child had been in a critical state, but their condition miraculously stabilized the moment the Fairy Queen arrived in Village One.
I was deeply thankful. Since worshiping her was forbidden, I repeated my words of gratitude in my heart.
Looking back on everything, it all started to make sense. The Village Head scolded the Fairy Queen for her pranks, but everyone else just left her be. Even Lady Lu and Lady Tia left her entirely to the Village Head. Even when she played pranks on the Dragons or the Demon King, they didn't get angry with her directly.
I had wondered why, but if her presence brings such blessings, I can certainly see why they tolerate her.
But then, why was the Village Head scolding her? On second thought, his scolding had been quite gentle. Perhaps I should just view it as them playing together. The Village Head has many wives, but... surely not with the Fairy Queen? No, no, now my imagination is definitely getting too wild. Hahaha.
After winter began, Lady Lu shared some information with me.
"The Fairy Queen is reliable for things other than just childbirth, you know," she said.
It wasn't about childhood illnesses or teeth.
"In villages where the Fairy Queen plays her pranks, the number of successful pregnancies increases."
I see. So that was it.
In the Village of the Great Tree, Lady Lu, Lady Tia, two High Elves, and three Mountain Elves had all become pregnant. It was a wonderful cause for celebration.
And, uh... what was this? Medicine? Made from an "extract" of the Fairy Queen?
Wait... ah, for the night... I see.
I decided I would wait until my wife had given birth and we could discuss it before making use of such a thing.
Apparently, the Fairy Queen visits the Village of the Great Tree about once every ten days. If that’s the case, then for the Village Head, this medicine is... completely unnecessary, it seems.
As expected of him.