Chapter 214: Chapter 215: Molumolu Land (1)

Pregnant women often had difficulty moving around.However Brigitte was in good enough condition to freely commute.The same was true for Cariote and Salome who were pregnant with Cecily and Hina.

“From what I can tell, everything looks perfect. All the children are exceptionally healthy.”

Saint Iris visited the mansion to examine the women’s conditions. According to her mystical divine power examination, both mothers and children were in excellent health.In fact, aside from when Naru briefly suffered from the 「Elegy Disease」, the mothers had remained perfectly healthy without even catching a common cold.That’s why the current situation was so puzzling.

“Naru’s expected birth date has passed, so why hasn’t she arrived yet?”

Naru’s birthday, August 7th, had passed just yesterday.Today was August 8th.Naru remained in Brigitte’s womb.Brigitte claimed she felt no discomfort and was actually quite comfortable.Saint Iris shrugged her shoulders, seemingly as mystified by the situation as everyone else.

“The arrival of new life into this world truly is miraculous. I’m not sure why this is happening. Enkidus, do you perhaps have any insight?”

At the saint’s question, Enkidus placed his fingers on Brigitte’s wrist to check her pulse.The bald Enkidus, who served as both clergy and healer, seemed our best hope for identifying any issues.After a thorough pulse check, Enkidus removed his hand and spoke.

“Miss Naru’s energy is perfectly stable. As Miss Iris noted, she’s in excellent health. There are no concerns with either mother or child.”

No problems.Yet why hadn’t Naru been born on her expected birthday as she should have been?We couldn’t help but feel growing concern.

“I heard the nuns at the church can induce labor. Shouldn’t we have Naru delivered soon? What if staying in the womb like this affects her health?”

Was she considering asking for the saint’s intervention?That’s when Tywin spoke up.

“Could Naru’s delayed arrival… be because of the 「Tywinlenol」? Perhaps since Naru, who was originally born early due to illness, was cured, she can now be born when she was truly meant to arrive?”

Born when she was truly meant to arrive?What could that mean?That’s when Brigitte spoke as if suddenly understanding.

“So you’re suggesting August 7th was Naru’s premature birthday due to illness, and the date a healthy Naru should have been born was actually later─is that what you mean?”

At Brigitte’s words, something clicked for me too.I turned to Sifnoi, who was watching us with wide eyes.

“Sifnoi, you mentioned nymphs are knowledgeable about constellations, right?”“Indeed that is so…! However I, Sifnoi, specialized in reading forests rather than astronomy for reading constellations… my constellation skills are rather limited…!”“Then which nymph is skilled with constellations?”“Mwehehe, I Sifnoi know all about the 7 nymphs residing in this Freesia…! Nearby in Street 5 lives the stream nymph Halaris…!”

I recognized the name Halaris.There was a civil servant living on 5th Street whose wife was a stream nymph.Stream nymphs were those who had matured into particularly sophisticated and elegant beings.

Sifnoi seemed to grasp my intention and summoned the stream nymph Halaris to the mansion.Nymph Halaris appeared delighted to see us.

“Demiurge Judas and all his wives, hello. It’s been since New Year’s cleaning that we last met, hasn’t it?”

We often crossed paths with our 5th Street neighbor Halaris.We would invite her to gatherings at this large mansion.So we were quite familiar with each other.

“Are you well-versed in constellations?”“Not enough to boast to God, hohoho. But since my husband’s passion is stargazing with telescopes, I’ve picked up some knowledge.”“Let’s see… Tywin, you once told me Naru’s birthday through constellations, didn’t you? Back when you worked as a fortune teller in 61st Street.”

Tywin and I had grown close after meeting during her time as an unlicensed fortune teller in 61st Street.Back then, I’d asked about Naru’s birthday and Tywin had spoken in mysterious riddles.Tywin asked “You mean Lady Epar’s prophecy?” and fell into contemplation with a thoughtful hum.Though considerable time had passed, the current Tywin possessed S-rank princess power and exceptional memory.

“The star watcher Epar proclaimed─Your daughter Naru is the daughter of the lion whotears everything. She is the child of the maiden who sings in the meadow. May blessings be with the divinity that newly shines when two stars that cannot meet walk a single path─those were her words.”

Indeed!I remembered hearing those cryptic, mysterious words.Daughter of the lion.Child of the maiden.At these words, the stream nymph Halaris adopted a serious expression and asked “Would you happen to have a celestial map?”

By celestial map, did she mean a map of the stars?Fortunately, Salome possessed one.

Swoosh—A large celestial map unfurled before us.It wasn’t just a simple map but featured precise mechanical devices showing constellation movements throughout all 365 days of the year.

“Salome, that looks like quite a precious celestial map. Where did you acquire it?”“Don’t ask.”

I see.As we examined it, Halaris pointed to a particular star.

“That bright star at the center is Leo. And beautifully shining beside it is Virgo. The point where these two intersect─.”

Click— Click—As she adjusted the dates, the constellations began shifting across the miniature map.January, February, March passed until Leo appeared in July.Halaris continued slowly turning what appeared to be adjustment knobs.

Click— Click—When Leo was setting as Virgo rose together, Halaris’s hand suddenly stopped.

“The day the virgin rides the lion’s back. This is that day.”

Halaris indicated something with her finger.August 23rd.The midnight hour when Leo transformed into Virgo.

“…So Naru’s true birthday should have been midnight of August 23rd.”

Brigitte trembled as if struck by profound revelation and shock.Not just Brigitte, we all felt the impact of this discovery.August 23rd.It was two weeks later than the original August 7th due date.Everyone must have been thinking the same thing.Whether this would truly be alright─.Because the more variables involved with Naru, the higher the chance she might differ from the Naru we knew.She would be loved in her own way but… we couldn’t help feeling slightly anxious and uncertain.

“There is a way to verify if Naru is really okay.”

Swish—At that moment, Tywin reached into her shadow.And withdrew Molumolu, cradling it in her arms.

Kyuiing—

“All the children are Molumolu’s friends. So whenever they dream, they can visit 「Molumolu Land」. Being in the womb is like a long sleep. The children are likely to be in 「Molumolu Land」.”

Tywin’s explanation was strange and mysterious.What was 「Molumolu Land」?Children visiting 「Molumolu Land」 whenever they dream.Suddenly I recalled 「Stag Maia」, the otherworldly realm where the Grand Duke resided. Each Demiurge had their own territory in another world based on their power.Perhaps Molumolu possessed something similar - this Molumolu Land─shortened to Momoland.

“I’ll go there.”

Tywin spoke with quiet but firm resolve.She meant to journey to Molumolu Land and meet the three sisters who might be there.It sounded rather fantastical and childlike, difficult to believe, but Tywin wasn’t one for idle boasts or nonsense.

# # #

“So… how does one reach this Molumolu Land?”

Brigitte asked Tywin.We had prepared the milk and chocolate chip cookies Tywin requested, but the question remained how these would facilitate reaching Molumolu Land.

“First, Molumolu needs to be in good spirits.”

Tywin offered Molumolu warmed milk and chocolate chips. Molumolu eagerly devoured all the treats.Pat— Pat—Tywin continuously stroked Molumolu’s soft form.Then Molumolu, seemingly content, hopped onto the bed and curled into a ball.

“Using Molumolu as a pillow allows entry to Molumolu Land through dreams. It’s quite a chaotic place, so I’ve rarely visited…”

Flutter—Tywin spread out the blanket and slipped underneath.She used Molumolu as a pillow and lay down.Molumolu’s soft, warm form made an ideal pillow. I’d occasionally borrowed Naru’s Molumolu for the same purpose.Then Naru would tug at my arm saying “Give back Naru’s Molumolu!” which was rather amusing.So I wondered aloud.

“I’ve never reached Molumolu Land even when using Molumolu as a pillow?”“Only children who are Molumolu’s friends can enter there.”

I see.There were entry requirements.

Slide—Tywin closed her large eyes.She must have planned to quietly drift off to sleep and journey to the dream world… literally the dream world Momoland.After about 5 or 10 minutes had passed.

“This isn’t working. I can’t fall asleep.”

Slide—Tywin opened her eyes again.Naturally, falling asleep would be difficult with all these adults watching.That’s when Sifnoi chimed in.

“A lullaby would help…! We nymphs are friends to the little Kores…! When little Kores have trouble sleeping, we sing them lullabies…!”

Indeed, a lullaby.Sifnoi’s suggestions were remarkably helpful today.Just as I considered raising their wages, Brigitte glanced at Salome and Cariote.She must have signaled them to sing a lullaby.One, two─.Soon the women synchronized their rhythm and began to sing softly.

“Sleep sleep─.”“When mother goes to pick chestnuts in the night shadows─.”“Sleep well my─baby─.”

It was terrible discord.Even Tywin winced.Soon Brigitte exclaimed.

“Isn’t a lullaby supposed to be rock-a-bye baby? And what’s this about picking chestnuts in night shadows? How can a child sleep hearing such a song? It’s frightening!”

Cariote’s cheeks flushed pink.She explained “…All us hunters sang such songs as lullabies.”What an odd revelation.Then Salome, who had been listening, spoke up.

“Let’s stick to Brahms’ Lullaby.”

Reaching agreement was rarely simple.It was always like this.

“Um…”

Tywin looked at me while the women continued their discussion.She said “Just… patting my head is enough” with a shy yet mature demeanor.I gently stroked Tywin’s head.Then Tywin closed her eyes and gradually drifted into steady, peaceful breathing with soft snores.