My name is Yame.
After learning that I was the founding ruler of the Demon Empire, the Village Head fretted over how he ought to address me.
Things like Lady Yame, or Emperor Yame.
I told him that the usual Yame-san, or just plain Yame without any titles, was totally fine.
Before heading back to the island, I took a walk around the village.
I had looked around on my previous visit too, but this time I was keeping an eye out for anything we might bring over to the island.
While thinking that having horses, cows, goats, chickens, and the like would be a huge help in all sorts of ways, I also worried it would be terrible if island life didn't agree with them.
The goats that came chasing after me, however, were completely unwelcome on the island.
I have officially recognized goats as beings that disturb my peace.
Hey, get away!
Fawning over me now won't save you!
You're just trying to catch me off guard anyway, aren't you?
See, look, several of them are circling behind me.
Just as I thought that, I took a headbutt from the right.
The rear was a decoy too?!
As I fluttered up into the air, I swore never to go near the village goats again.
The bees looked busy preparing for winter.
In the middle of such a bustling hive, the sheer mental fortitude of the fat Queen Bee lounging about in luxury was downright impressive.
Not that I respect her for it, though.
When I listened to the worker bees vent their grievances, they shared some honey with me.
Sweet and delicious.
Thanks a bunch.
Urza was looking after the little ones in her own way.
Seeing stuff like that made her look like a totally normal girl.
So, what are you doing with the children?
Making dried persimmons?
Huh.
They're Lastismun's favorite?
Nice.
But won't Hakuren sulk if you don't do something for her too?
The Dragon Race sulks over the most ridiculously petty things, you know.
You're planning to give Hakuren an apple pie?
By apple, you mean that big appo, right?
That sounds delicious.
Ah, no, I'm not begging for any.
Save the apple pie for Hakuren.
I'll just ask the Village Head to plant an appo... wait, an apple tree on the island for me.
Lulucy Lou.
The highest-ranking vampire among the Village Head's wives.
Currently pregnant.
...Wait, what?
Do vampires even get pregnant?
We-Well, let's not sweat the details.
Apparently, she's already given birth to two children.
I offered my congratulations.
We had already met when Urza brought me over, after all.
It wasn't as if we were strangers.
I met Lu's eldest son, Alfred, for the first time.
Did he come back out of concern for his pregnant mother, I wonder?
Hello there.
Hm?
Over in a spot a little ways away from Lu?
Sure, why not.
Wondering what this was about, I watched as Alfred changed his appearance.
Ah—or rather, he made himself look older, I suppose.
"My name is Alfred!
Alfred Machio!
Though born to a great father and mother, I am still an inexperienced man who has accomplished nothing!
Yet, I harbor the dream of one day revolutionizing the world!"
Ooh, what a thoroughly calculated pose!
Right, right, this is exactly what vampires were like!
Lu and Shiso-sama were so normal that I had completely forgotten.
And when someone offers you a formal greeting, you return it.
That's just common courtesy.
I did my best to gather the magic power within me and aged up my form.
Since Alfred looked around twenty in human years, I went for a little over twenty.
Because I'm the older sister here, after all.
Properly speaking, I should have made myself even older, but to be honest, this was my absolute limit.
I'm far too weakened.
Still, I managed to pull it off.
All that was left was to strike a pose and deliver my greeting.
"I am Yame.
The weakest of the weak among the Demon Race.
A woman who cannot defeat a single soul.
I will die easily, so please handle me with care."
...
Alfred and I reached a mutual understanding.
"May I call you Big Sister Yame?"
Go right ahead.
As we shook hands, Lu watched us from a short distance away with a worried look.
Well, I'm sure Lu has been through this phase herself, but young vampires are just like this.
There's no use fretting over it.
A young Dragon Race boy was sulking.
He's Hakuren's child, apparently named Hiichiro.
Ah, is he sulking because Hakuren is pregnant and doesn't have the time to dote on him as much?
No?
He understands the situation?
He doesn't throw selfish tantrums, you say?
What an admirable big brother.
In that case, what are you sulking about?
You're not sulking?
Sulking kids always say that.
Come on, try telling me.
...
Ah, Raimeiren took only Gural with her to go hunt monsters, huh.
And Hiichiro wanted to go too.
Hmm.
Well, thinking about it simply, there's no way Raimeiren would intentionally leave Hiichiro out, so...
Didn't she just go hunting for some quarry that would completely blow Hiichiro away?
Yeah, exactly.
A present for Hiichiro.
She couldn't take Hiichiro along on the hunt, right?
Because then it wouldn't be a surprise.
Given the timing, Raimeiren probably considered that Hiichiro might feel lonely with Hakuren being pregnant.
Though it completely defeats the purpose if leaving him behind makes him sulk instead.
I'll make sure to scold Raimeiren for you, so when you get your present, be sure to accept it with an honest smile, okay?
There, there.
One of the High Ogre maids, who had been secretly watching us, asked if that way of comforting him was really wise.
What if Raimeiren doesn't bring back a present for Hiichiro?
Given the timing, wouldn't it be more likely to be something for the pregnant Hakuren?
That's true, but in that case, there would be no reason to leave Hiichiro behind.
It's fine, it's fine.
The Dragon Race usually pulls off out-of-touch stunts like that.
Maybe it's because there are so few of them, but the Dragon Race is really clumsy at child-rearing... or in this case, grandchild-rearing.
Well, if I'm wrong, I'll bow my head and patch things up between them, so don't worry.
With Tia of the Angels, our interaction ended with just a brief greeting.
Angels were surrounding her on all sides, watching closely to make sure I didn't say anything out of line.
I'd appreciate it if they didn't treat me like a fool.
As if I would say something that would cause stress to an expectant mother.
That's right, I won't bring up the God-kin.
Well, I might answer if she asks, though.
In that case, I think the one asking is at fault.
I returned to the island using Shiso-sama's teleportation magic.
My companions were five High Elves and ten Lizardmen.
The Angels passed on this trip, saying they needed to prioritize the golem factory in Village Five.
Since Lu and Tia, who were the core force behind the golem factory, couldn't overexert themselves due to their pregnancies, it seemed the Angels were going to make up for it with sheer numbers.
It's a bit inconvenient not having anyone on the island who can scout from the sky.
The watchtower will be unmanned too.
The watchtower was built practically exclusively for the Angels, so it doesn't even have a ladder.
As for the livestock, that will wait until the Village Head visits next.
We have to build a livestock shed before then.
Compared to when I was completely alone, life on the island has become drastically more comfortable, but there are still plenty of things to do and things we can do.
I plan to give it my all.
Ah, that's right—it was decided that I would become the manager of this island.
It came about because I had vaguely mentioned to the Village Head that I'd like to work on the island.
Thank you, Village Head.
I'll do my best.
Though I think we'll be relying on the Village Head and the village's supplies for the time being.
A few days later.
A letter was delivered to the island.
The senders were Raimeiren, Gural, and Hiichiro.
I knew what it said without even opening it.
Thank goodness.
Ah, of course I'll read it properly.
Later, that is.
Yame: "With this lineup, does that make me the cook?"
Lizardman: "Please leave the bread-baking to us."
Yame: "Yeah, even just that is a huge help."
High Elf: "Leave spreading the jam to us!"
Yame: "Ah... yeah, that helps."
High Elf: "She's the type who nurtures through praise."