The Mountain Elves and Teteto held what they called a technical exchange meeting—actually a domino tournament.
The giant domino display they spent about three days building was a treat for the village residents.
"The final set piece was great."
"To think the statue of the Village Head would go flying into the air."
"That was unexpected."
It was unexpected for me too.
Partway through the domino chain, a mechanism assembled a giant statue of the Village Head, and at the very end, it launched into the sky with an explosive boom.
I hadn't been told about it, so I was caught completely off guard.
The Mountain Elves puffed out their chests, claiming it was an expression of my greatness.
That's fine and all, but did they happen to miss the part where the giant statue shattered to pieces on landing?
Hmm?
It didn't really look like me, so I'm not bothered.
Teteto returned to the city Urza uses as her base.
Beezel knew the location, so he teleported her directly.
However, the large quantity of souvenirs would be transported by airship from Village Five, so they would arrive a little later.
I entrusted Teteto with a letter detailing those arrangements, so Asa and Earth would understand.
I also entrusted her with a letter from Urza addressed to Asa and Earth.
I think Urza could have teleported back with Teteto and returned in a flash.
Ah, but Zabuton is resisting. She absolutely refuses to let her go back quickly.
Hakuren is nodding firmly in agreement, so I suppose that's how it is.
I won't argue.
During her stay in the village, whenever Urza isn't with Hakuren or Zabuton, she spends her time with the village children.
She seems to be interacting with them quite thoroughly.
But more importantly—
At dinner, Urza brought up the topic of Nato, Gatto's daughter.
She asked what I planned to do about Nato's husband.
Huh?
Isn't that something her father, Gatto, should decide?
Why ask me?
Was she thinking of one of my sons?
No, no.
If one of my sons comes to me for advice, I'll think about it, but I'm not going to make any moves on my own.
As far as I'm concerned, I want them to choose their own marriage partners.
Well, that's my approach, but the mothers of my sons might be thinking otherwise.
I should check on that.
After all, the matter between Alfred and Urza was pushed forward by Lu and Hakuren.
My only contribution was saying it wouldn't work without the consent of the people involved.
But still—Nato's marriage partner, huh.
She's getting to that age.
Maybe I should quietly ask Gatto about it too.
I asked Gatto.
"I think it's still too early to decide on a partner."
That's right.
Yeah, I understand.
She's still too young to be married off.
Gatto's wife, Nashi, is looking this way, though.
Hmm, has Nashi been consulted by Nato about anything?
She hasn't been consulted, but it seems there's someone Nato has her eye on?
Is that so?
Better not to ask who.
It would be troublesome if I became aware of it and ended up getting in the way.
Gatto wants to know who it is, but... I left that to Nashi.
This is a matter between husband and wife.
Yeah.
Noon.
Gulf stood with a wooden sword resting on his shoulder, gazing up at the sky.
"I guess I was weak, huh."
He was muttering something that sounded profound, but from what I could tell, didn't he win his sparring match against Urza?
Urza is incredibly frustrated about it, though.
"Village Head...
Ah, my fighting style is basically about crushing the opponent's strengths and exploiting their weaknesses."
Hmm?
I don't really follow that sort of thing, but isn't that normal?
I mean exploiting the opponent's weaknesses, right?
"That's true, but Urza tries to make her opponent go all out before crushing them.
This time, I won because Urza couldn't fully handle my full power."
Ah, well, I think that just means Urza is still immature.
"Her body just hasn't caught up to her sword technique yet.
If she were a little taller, I would've lost."
So he learned that from this sparring match.
"Yes.
I need to work harder."
I see.
It's good to have that drive to improve.
So, Zabuton is over there warming up, looking to avenge Urza—what about that?
Are they about to have a match?
"Do you think I can escape?"
Not a chance.
Gulf gave it his all.
It was impressive.
And next up is Hakuren?
Ah, she fled.
Urza sometimes goes out to Village Five.
On those occasions, I leave the escort duties to Reginleiv.
They're both women, after all.
When Urza visited Village Five, she toured the facilities, focusing on the Village Council.
Is she using it as a reference for managing the city she bases herself in?
She apparently had meals with Youko and spoke with Yoko's secretary.
And Youko was absolutely delighted.
"Hmm, yes.
I think it's the right approach to learn from what's close at hand before looking to other countries."
She must have had feelings about Alfred and Tiselle going to the Human Kingdom.
My apologies.
But you assigned work to Urza, didn't you?
"Just simple tasks.
Urza can handle them without any issues."
I heard those were adventurer jobs that took her outside Village Five?
Reginleiv was troubled by it.
"I-I didn't force her.
Urza said she'd do it."
I hope Hakuren and Zabuton will listen to that excuse.
They're waiting over there.
"................................"
Youko shrank into her small fox form and somehow managed to appease Hakuren and Zabuton.
Impressive.
"Y-you could have helped me, you know?"
Sorry about that.
At Village Five, Urza played baseball.
On the Demon King's team.
Second base, fourth batter.
She apparently performed well on both offense and defense.
I wanted to go watch.
But wasn't the competition for regular spots on the Demon King's team fierce?
How was Urza able to play?
"Recently, Gol, Sil, Bron, Ojes, Haifreeguta, and Kihatroi have all been busy."
I see.
So the only one with free time is the Demon King.
Is it really okay for the Demon King to have free time?
"I think a country where the king doesn't even have time to play deserves to fall."
Hahaha.
Beezel is watching, so no comment.
Beezel brought letters from Asa and Earth.
There was quite a lot to call them just letters.
Some weren't on paper at all, but characters carved into wooden boards.
Let's see, I'll start with the letter that seemed like they wanted me to read first.
The content was an explanation of the escape methods Urza had used in the past.
She shakes off her escorts like this—so please be careful.
I-I see.
What's carved into the wooden boards is a set of rules—things you must not do—established between Asa, Earth, and Urza.
She escaped so much that they had to make rules?
The most notable one is playing dead.
It causes worry and all sorts of trouble, so it's prohibited.
Naturally.
Things like that were all listed out.
At the city she uses as her base, these rules are carved into a giant rock.
Ah... for now, I should show these letters and rules to Reginleiv.
After reading them, Reginleiv requested additional escorts.
About twenty.
Of diverse races, too.
If they're all one race, she'll outmaneuver them.
Men are necessary as well?
She might use places that are difficult for women to enter.
......
I'll arrange the escorts.
Also, I'll have Hakuren and Zabuton tell Urza not to shake off her escorts.
And I'll give her a warning myself.
Escorts aren't enemies, so she shouldn't cause them trouble.
Well, I also forget about my escorts sometimes.
Yeah, I'm reflecting on that too.
Let's reflect together.
The Broken Statue of the Village Head
Elf A: "Isn't that disrespectful?"
Elf B: "But if we judge it that way, doesn't that mean we're acknowledging the statue resembles the Village Head?"
Elf C: "Treating that as the Village Head is... a bit much."
Elf D: "Grrr, they made a statue right on that delicate line."