It was just another day on the farm. The sun was shining brightly and Cow Girl couldn't be happier. She knew her husband was pretty safe on his adventure. He was a smart man and no doubt would get through any quest with relative ease. It also helped that Guild Girl had told her and the rest of the girls at home that he had gone with Spearman. His status as the strongest silver in the guild was no joke after all. So Goblin Slayer was doubly safe.
So she put her mind at ease and continued with the chores. The rest of the girls were helping out as well and that made her happy. It was strange to share the man she loved. She had known him the longest. They were childhood friends. Most girls wouldn't dare to think of sharing him. Yet, she didn't mind. These girls were her friends. No, they were family. Goblin Slayer didn't deserve to be in the middle of squabbling lovers. So she was content to help him heal by any means necessary. Cow Girl also would like to say that cuddling with the other girls was also nice.
Cow Girl wiped some sweat from her brow. It had been a long midday but with some help from the other girls, it would seem she'd get off early. That would be nice. Hopefully Goblin Slayer arrived soon so-
She narrowed her eyes as she spied something in the distance. They widened before she smiled and rushed forward, waving her arms. "Welcome back!" She laughed, happy to see her beloved again. As she came to the carriage she stopped and waited for him to get out.
However, it wasn't him. Instead, out walked Priestess.
"Cow Girl?"
"Priestess?" Cow Girl tilted her head, "Did you pass Goblin Slayer on the way here?"
Priestess shook her head, "No."
"Ah," Cow Girl felt disappointed but she was still sure he was safe. She moved forward and hugged Priestess, "Welcome home."
Priestess happily hugged her back, "I'm happy to be back."
"D'awww," a beautiful voice cooed. "So adorable."
Cow Girl looked up to see what could only be described as the prettiest woman she had ever seen. Which is shocking because she has seen Sword Maiden. This woman easily topped her in the looks department, "Whoa."
"I get that a lot," the woman happily waved it off as she closed the door behind her. She went over and dropped a bag of coins beside the driver, "Do take care on your ride home."
"Much obliged," he said as he urged his horses onwards, "Thanks for the help." He called back to them.
"Any time," the woman waved back. Then she turned to Cow Girl, "I'm so glad to finally meet you. I know all about you but meeting you in person is something else."
Cow Girl blinked in confusion, "Umm, I'm sorry. I don't want to sound rude, but who are you?"
"Dear me," the woman put a hand over her large chest, "How rude of myself to start talking without introducing myself. I am Earth Mother and soon to be Goblin Slayer's eighth wife."
Cow Girl blinked in confusion for a few moments, before it hit her. "Ehhhh?"
Priestess sighed, "That was my reaction."
Cow Girl was honestly not amused by this turn of events. It didn't help that the man in question still wasn't here, neither was Guild Girl. However, the rest of his wives were all outside of the baby room. Given the looks on their faces, they all felt the same unease as her. Well High Elf Archer's face was more due to anger as she tapped away with her foot, crossed arms, and a scowl on her face. The reason for all of this apprehension?
"Oooh, aren't you just the most adorable babies~" Earth Mother cooed over the seven children, playing her fingers above them. The children were giggling, so at the very least they seemed to like her. That wasn't surprising given who she was but still.
Normally if a god came to your home with good will, you would be delighted. Gods only came down to the mortal realm in legends and while there were some bad tales, there were a number of good ones as well. Families and others being blessed with good luck among other things. They should be cheering to the high heavens and bowing before Earth Mother. However…
"Are you sure you heard her right?" High Elf Archer scowled as she looked at Priestess.
Priestess bashadly nodded, looking away. When they had arrived, Earth Mother hadn't said much else other then wanting to see the children. This left Priestess the duty of informing the other wives of the situation. Needless to say, there were some mixed feelings about this. While they were fine with sharing, adding someone they had never met before?
"We shouldn't act rashly," Sword Maiden spoke up. "She is a goddess. We should proceed with caution."
"I say we kick her out and be done with her," High Elf Archer scoffed, "Goddess she may be, but I'm not just going to let another girl waltz in and steal Goblin Slayer from me."
"You're just jealous because that's another girl with a large chest after him," Arc Mage smirked as High Elf Archer flustered and shook a fist at her.
"Girls," Cow Girl got in the middle of them, "Let's not fight. We need to have cool heads when we talk to her about this."
"Indeed," Sword Maiden nodded and looked into the room with the children. She didn't fear for them. Earth Mother didn't strike her as the type of goddess to harm children. Her current actions only fueled the gold adventurer's thoughts on the manner. "You have been silent, Hero. Do you have anything to add?"
Hero snorted and gave a reassuring smile, "Whatever happens, we'll make it through this A-Okay. So I'm not worried the least bit."
"Of course you aren't," High Elf Archer rolled her eyes, "Nothing worries you… well almost nothing."
Hero lightly blushed and looked away. Hero had been the biggest worrywart when it came to having children and raising them. While adventuring showcased her more confident attributes, it would seem that Goblin Slayer and her own child brought out her more vulnerable side. There was nothing wrong with showing it to your loved ones of course and it did make Hero feel more at home. High Elf Archer just liked to tease her about it when she could.
"Alright girls," Earth Mother smiled as she walked out of the room, "The children are asleep so we should be good."
"What?" Every single one of the mothers peered into the room and was shocked. Not but a moment ago, the children were wide awake and giggle. Now they were asleep? They never just went asleep for their own mothers. They turned to look at her.
"Oh it's just a little trick I've picked up," Earth Mother chuckled as she walked off into the living room. The women followed her, "No sorcery involved, I assure you. Just good ol' motherly tricks. I'll teach you some in fact since we'll be living together for some time."
The group sat down and said nothing. It was just silence as they stared at each other, waiting for the first one to make the move. That first one was of course High Elf Archer.
She slammed her hands down on the table in front of her, standing up on her short legs. "Okay, what gives?"
"What gives?" Earth Mother quirked an eyebrow.
"Why do you want Goblin Slayer all of a sudden?" High Elf Archer scowled as she pointed straight at her, "He's married already and he's got enough wives as is. Do you think you can just waltz in here and we'd be okay with that?"
"High Elf Archer," Sword Maiden and Priestess got up and tried to quell the elf.
"Well I'm right, aren't I?" High Elf Archer shot back, "I've loved him longer than she has. The same for you lot. We even bore him a child. What makes it right for her to come in here without even talking to him?"
The other women didn't have an answer for that.
"You're right," Earth Mother looked away, "It's mostly just due to my flight of fancy. I… I've become infatuated with him from afar. It wouldn't do well for me to just come in here and claim him without properly knowing him first."
High Elf Archer nodded, "Right."
"I just…" Earth Mother fidgeted with her fingers as she blushed, "He's so kind and compassionate in his own strange and wonderful way. He protected Priestess, my special girl, for all these years. He's destroyed so many of those damned pests. I just feel like I owe him something."
"So this is just a reward," Hero frowned, not liking that explanation.
Earth Mother shook her head, "Not that. I.. I do feel like I could love him. That he could give me what he gave you. Love. A child of my own and a family. Those are what I want and before you ask, there aren't any adventurers that fit the bill I want in a partner. Nor will there be most likely aside from him."
"Earth Mother," Cow Girl spoke up, "It's just… this is so sudden. We didn't expect a goddess to fall for Goblin Slayer like you did."
"Which when you look at it," High Elf Archer deadpanned, "It's not surprising, that dense woman magnet." Both Hero and Priestess giggled at that.
Arc Mage laughed, "Oh he is. In all honesty, I actually think this is a rather interesting offer. I wouldn't mind sharing a bed with both my Slayer and this hot goddess, am I right?" She elbowed Hero.
"Leave me out of your fantasies," Hero huffed and glared at her fellow wife, who just laughed it off.
"I say we give her a chance," Arc Mage raised a hand. "Who's with me."
"You don't have to," Earth Mother spoke up, "I've… Well, I've not done a good job of selling this to you, have I?"
Priestess raised her hand as well, "I think we should give her a chance as well."
Seeing that, the other girls hesitantly raised their own.
High Elf Archer was the last. She snarled and raised it, "But it won't be easy. If she wants to be a wife, she needs to earn it. Helping around with the chores and…" Archer's eyes twinkled in delight, "She needs to go on an adventurer with me and Goblin Slayer."
"Just you and Goblin Slayer?" Hero narrowed her eyes, "Seems like someone's trying to hog him to themselves."
"Oh you naughty girl~" Arch Mage cackled, "I was partially joking about that three way but seems someone wants to get the best of her yourself~"
High Elf Archer sputtered, "Of course not. That's just silly."
Cow Girl looked at the other girls. Ideas spun around her head as she thought about this. Then she smiled, "Then it settles it. Earth Mother will spend time with each of us and then with Goblin Slayer himself. By themselves, so they can get to know each other. If that works out, then we will welcome you with open arms."
Earth Mother smiled sweetly, "You are so kind. I don't know what to tell you. I just…" Earth Mother sniffed and wiped away a tear, "I just want to actually be a mother instead of just have the title. I can't thank you enough for giving me that chance."
"Well…" High Elf Archer huffed, "I'm sure our kids need another playmate anyways."
That's when both Guild Girl and Goblin Slayer walked into the room.
Guild Girl waved at them, "Hello everyone, we're…" She blinked in confusion at Earth Mother, "Who is she?"
Earth Mother bowed her head, "Hello, I am the goddess Earth Mother and I've come to be Goblin Slayer's wife and bare him a child."
"Goddess… wife… bare his child…" Guild Girl blinked a few more times before she fainted on the spot.
Goblin Slayer thankfully caught her in time before she hit the ground, "I see." Was his only response.
Cow Girl sighed. Nothing was simple when it came to Goblin Slayer. Hopefully they could sort things out rather quickly. If Earth Mother's intention were pure, she didn't mind another girl in her friend's heart. As long as he was happy, she was.