The trip back to the guild was going to be a long one. Perhaps a few more hours at this rate, if they weren't held up for one reason or another. Which meant that Goblin Slayer and Spearman had a lot of time just to themselves. As usual, Goblin Slayer wasn't one to talk. He was so eerily still that one could mistake him for just an empty set of armor. In fact, that had come into play a few times. Some enemies simply disregarded him. It was just some old armor. Nothing to worry about. Then he would strike. Granted, that only worked on lesser foes but still.

Spearman wasn't one to be fooled. Well yes that was partially due to him already knowing it was Goblin Slayer, but still. Something was gnawing at him. He looked over the slayer and tried to think about him. For the longest time, he had disliked him. Why wouldn't he? He was a shoddy silver ranked adventurer. He hated being in the same guild with the guy since he shouldn't have risen that far by just killing goblins.

Goblins! The weakest of monsters. Well he'd be a fool to say they were all weak. He had fought some Goblin Champions himself a few times. While they were not on his level, they were certainly creatures to give most adventurers a struggle. He could give Goblin Slayer that much in respect, but still. Most goblins were small and weak. Stupid and sluggish in mind. To think he would get famous by killing just them.

Not only that. He had stolen the heart of Guild Girl. The love of his life at the time. Well, it wasn't like she ever returned his feelings. Looking back on it, she was always uncomfortable around him. He never thought about it that much. He just had to improve his loving techniques and win her heart with his heroism.

He sighed. In all honesty, Spearman regretted much of his past. His hatred of Goblin Slayer. Looking down at the beasts. How he treated Guild Girl. Most importantly of all, how he ignored Witch. A woman who stood by him through thick and thin. Who was always there for him. Who actually loved him, but he never noticed.

He was a fool. He'd admit that. Thankfully, the gods saw fit to not punish him for it. Now he had a drop dead gorgeous wife, who he loved to snuggle and bury his face between those mountains of cleavage~ A beautiful daughter who no doubt would take after her father and become the greatest adventurer ever. He had even struck up something of a friendship with Goblin Slayer. How all that happened was still a blur to him, but he wasn't going to complain with all that good fortune.

Still, something was up.

"Goblin Slayer?" Spearman said. He waited a moment, "Goblin Slayer?" Another moment passed. He growled and shook his fist, "Hey, Goblin Slayer! Wake up or I'll come over there and smack you."

"I'm up," the slayer said in his usual tone of voice.

"That's more like it," Spearman huffed, "I was just wondering, why did you take this quest? I thought you would drop it and go back home to your family."

"I've gone on quests with you before that weren't about goblins."

Spearman nodded. There were a few times, like the mage using gargoyles. "Yes, yes. I know that. It's just, you usually took so long to say yes and it always seemed like you'd hate it. This time, you just jumped at the chance to fight something, even if it wasn't goblins."

"I need the money."

Spearman blinked at that response, "Eh?"

"I need the money."

"Never took you for a greedy man, Goblin Slayer." Spearman scratched his head.

"I knew there were no goblin quests that day," Goblin Slayer said, "Guild Girl told me."

"Oh yeah," Spearman nodded. "She'd know about that sort of stuff. So the money drove you to come anyways?"

"I have…" Goblin Slayer looked at his hands, "A family now. I must provide for them, even if I have to kill a few non-goblins to do it."

Spearman sighed, but smiled. "Well you're one step closer to not being a goblin obsessed maniac, I can tell you that."

"I'm not obsessed."

Spearman stared at him for a moment.

"...Perhaps somewhat," Goblin Slayer relented.

"Admitting the problem is the first step in fixing it."

"Is that so?"

"And are you going to take off that damn helmet now?" Spearman pointed at the thing, "You're safe now."

"We could have missed one."

Spearman sighed. It seemed he had a lot to do in order to loosen him up. At the very least, he'd sometimes take it off at the guild. Mostly to kiss one of the girls of his. Now that just pissed him off. Sure, he couldn't think of taking another wife aside from his lovely, Witch. Yet how did this guy get so many wives? It just didn't make sense.

Then again, a lot of stuff didn't make sense with Goblin Slayer around. He'd just have to live with that, even if he secretly liked the goofball and his antics.

Guild Girl was humming as she looked over the sheets in the afternoon. Most adventurers got their missions by midday, so there was a lull in activity for a while afterwards. She was always happy to exploit it. Either to take a break, or catch up on some late work she never go to finish the day before.

Of course, she was also humming to clear her mind. Even after all this time, she always worried when her husband was on a mission. It made her giddy to think about it. Her husband. That's what she would focus on. The good things. Like how happy he made her, even if he frustrated her at the same time with his antics. He was getting better, but it was a slow process. All of his wives, including herself, knew that much already. She'd love him better.

Well that and smack him with a few choice words if he misbehaved.

She just hoped he'd make it back alive. The thought of him returning just… just…

"I'm back," Goblin Slayer spoke as he and Spearman came into the room.

Guild Girl's smile brightened as she watched her husband come over to the counter, "Welcome back, Goblin Slayer. I hope your adventure went well."

"We killed orcs," was his simple response.

"All of them in fact," Spearman slapped Goblin Slayer's shoulder. "This guy surprised me with a few tricks. He's quite the warrior, but I had to save his butt in the end. No need to thank me."

"Oh I have every reason to thank you," Guild Girl gave him a polite nod. "I'll let Witch know about this. I'm sure she'll reward you later."

Guild Girl giggled at Spearman's blushing and flustered expression. It was so nice to see him with another woman. Now he actually seemed like a decent adventurer. She reached under the counter and pulled out a bag of coins, "I've prepared your payment. You can split it up between you."

"Oh let him keep it," Spearman smiled, "My adventures tend to pay me more then this guy anyways. I'm already loaded, so let him take the payment."

"Are you sure?" Goblin Slayer asked.

"You're damn right I'm sure," Spearman walked off and waved at him. "See you around."

"See you," Goblin Slayer weakly waved back.

"Now~" Guild Girl tapped his chest, "Are you forgetting something?"

Goblin Slayer took off his helmet and like always, her heart fluttered. Even Cowgirl had to admit, he was damn handsome. Almost alluringly so. He leaned forward and captured her lips in his. She leaned forward to savor it before he pulled back, "I'm back."

Guild Girl rolled her eyes but kept her smile, "I know."

Priestess kneeled before a statue of the Earth Mother. Like always, she would pray for Goblin Slayer's safety before one of his missions. She was still a little weak from giving birth, so she couldn't accompany him this time. She made it her mission to grow stronger again so she would be by his side. That's where she belonged. Beside the man who saved her. Who gave her a chance at life. She was going to make sure he was fine in every sense of the word.

She just hoped that the Earth Mother would hear her. She was a very kind and patient goddess. She had even talked with Priestess in person a few times. Granted, it was mostly to lament her when she tried to use her magic offensively that one time. She'd never do it again and she didn't want to. Killing was something she was still getting used to and that was mostly by mundane methods. Never with her miracles.

She just hoped that Earth Mother would see Goblin Slayer for who he really is and not just a killer. He deserved to live. Just so he could save more people like herself. She prayed and prayed, hoping that it would reach her.

"You have reached me, young Priestess." A warm and loving voice spoke up.

Priestess gasped as she looked upwards. A woman of beauty beyond the mortal realm. Her blond hair framed her perfect face. Her blue eyes stared down at her with endless kindness. Her body was sculpted perfectly with all the right curves. Even Sword Maiden would be envious. Priestess could only think of one being when she looked at her.

"Earth Mother?"

The goddess nodded, "I am who you think I am. I am glad to see you in the flesh." She looked at her form, "It has been so long since I've been in the mortal coil. I know I'm not supposed to be here. It's against the rules, but let's keep that between us, shall we?" She put a finger to her lips and winked at her.

Priestess was taken aback by this behavior, "Y-Yes, Earth Mother." She bowed her head.

"None of that," Earth Mother leaned down and lifted her up to her feet, "I don't want you bowing. Not now and not again. Though I don't mind the prayers. It helps me know what's on your mind."

"Yes, Earth Mother." Priestess couldn't believe it. The gods weren't supposed to come down to the mortal coil. She remembered how the elder gods forbade it yet…. "How?"

"How am I here?" Earth Mother chuckled, "Well I've got a couple of friends in the gods at the table, so they are covering for me. On top of that, a little magic is in play. There is surely an afterimage of me up there. So I have enough time to stay down here and possibly do it again if I wish."

"Are you sure that's…." Priestess was going to finish that question, but thought better of it. A mortal should never question a god.

"Wise?" Earth Mother finished for her. She shrugged, "Perhaps, perhaps not. I grow bored up there and honestly," she put a hand over her heart, "My heart flutters for the first time. Thanks in part to you, Priestess."

"Really?" Priestess felt so good. To think, she had made a goddess feel good. Truly today was fantastic.

"Yes," Earth Mother smiled and the world seemed to glow with life. Everything living in and around the temple grew stronger and livelier. The elderly grew a few years younger and became sprier. She spread out her arms, "Because I have decided."

"Yes?"

"To have a child."

Priestess smiled, "That sounds wonderful."

"With Goblin Slayer."

"... Eh?" Priestess stared at her. She stared at her goddess in disbelief. How… what… why…

Then she remembered this was about Goblin Slayer.

She loved him. She truly did, but when it came to women, he was a magnet and now… It looked like her life was going to become even more complicated.

Hello everyone. I'm sorry for the delay. Work has been a killer and I've got a lot of fics on my plate. Hopefully I can do more this coming year at a more frequent schedule. I hope you all enjoyed this fic and I can't wait to read your feedback. It is really helpful as it lets me know what you like or want to happen. Starting now, I'll do my best to answer reviews moving forward. Until next time, take care.