My name is Yame.
I heaped some of the food known as peanuts—which the Village Head had brought over—onto a plate and ate them.
Delicious.
Truly delicious.
Aware of just how good they are, the birds and chickens were raising a ruckus outside the inn, demanding I hand some over.
I had heard it was safe to feed them to birds and chickens, so I crushed up a few and gave them some, but that turned out to be a mistake.
The birds and chickens seemed to have taken quite a liking to peanuts.
The Village Head also warned me that giving them too many was bad, so no more for today.
Come back tomorrow.
People say I'm mild-tempered for one of the Demon Race.
I think I'm mild-tempered too.
I rarely get angry.
Though there certainly used to be people who went out of their way to tick me off.
Yet, a situation arose that made even someone like me furious.
Someone broke into the base's inn and devoured every last peanut.
Who could it be?
First, I visited the birdhouse.
To my question, the birds chirped back that they knew nothing about it.
Yeah, I know.
The birds don't steal my things behind my back.
When they take my stuff, they do it right in front of my face.
Next, I visited the chicken coop.
...
Yeah, it's fine.
No need to answer.
One of them is missing.
Fufufu.
If you think you can outrun me, you've got quite the nerve.
I will catch you without fail.
It took me about three days, but I finally caught it.
The chicken was completely exhausted, but so was I.
Even so, stealing food is unforgivable.
Besides, uncrushed peanuts will get stuck in your throat.
It's dangerous, you know.
Reflect on what you've done.
Well, it's not like I'm going to withhold your feed or anything.
You probably didn't get to eat properly while on the run anyway.
I haven't eaten either.
Ah, I'm starving.
I put the captured chicken back in the coop and headed back to the inn.
In the inn's dining hall, the High Elves and Lizardmen were silently chewing on dry bread.
Huh?
Just bread?
Where are the side dishes?
I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't answer me with the sound of your chewing.
I-I'll whip something up right away.
Let's see... since we have bread, making soup should do the trick.
It'll be ready in no time.
Yeah, so stop answering me with your chewing noises.
I'll pack it full of ingredients.
When the Village Head came by, I requested a peanut field.
Since the birds and chickens seem to love them so much.
Which is precisely why I have a word for the flock.
I'm sure you already understand, but if you ruin the field, I will get mad.
Yep, they seem to understand properly, which is great.
When the Village Head came to the island, I showed him the treasure chest given by the mermaid as her bath fee.
The last time he brought the peanuts, he was busy with one thing or another.
This time, there was enough time to sit down for tea at the inn.
And just as expected, the Village Head latched onto the padlock puzzle attached to the treasure chest.
I figured he would, but that thing is tricky.
It wasn't just me; even the High Elves and Lizardmen couldn't solve it.
The Sea Race said it was impossible for them too, so unless we call in someone with lockpicking skills...
Ah, amazing.
The Village Head solved it.
Huh?
How did he do that?
Even if you move this part, doesn't this piece get in the way?
You flip the padlock around at this step?
Ah, I see.
Gah, why didn't I notice that?
The contents of the treasure chest were... just ordinary gold, silver, and assorted treasures.
Nothing particularly interesting.
Well, it's more than enough as a fee for using the coastal bath.
I handed it all over to the Village Head.
For me, this padlock puzzle is plenty.
Now that I know how to solve it, that is.
Looking at the gold and silver treasures reminded me: I wonder where my own fortune went?
If it's gone, I'll just give up on it, but I can't help wondering.
Still, the terrain has changed drastically over the eras.
The cities I used to know have all turned to ruins.
If I ask Gucci, Bulga, or Stifano for help, they'll probably make impossible demands, so let's not.
Even if they don't demand the impossible, they'll inevitably bring some kind of trouble along with them.
I'll just jot down a note so I don't forget about my fortune, and leave it for if an opportunity arises.
It's not like the current me particularly needs wealth anyway.
What the current me needs is...
A shield.
Yes, a shield.
Having one gives me peace of mind.
I'll do my best to make one.
I do have the shield the Village Head gave me, but that's reserved for important occasions.
I want a shield for everyday use.
...
You probably don't understand what I'm talking about, but honestly, I don't really get it myself.
No, see, the shield I received from the Village Head had a simple design at first, but then he kept adding touches to it until it was covered in gorgeous decorations.
At that point, it's for rituals.
It's far too extravagant for everyday use.
That's why I have the shield he gave me displayed in the common room of the base's inn.
And not having a shield on hand makes me anxious.
It's not that I'm anxious about my lifestyle on the island.
It's just that having one reassures me, after all.
That being the case... I search along the sandy beach for some suitable wood.
I'm not just playing around here, okay?
Why not use the lumber meant for repairing the sailing ship to make a shield?
That's for the sailing ship.
It would be a waste to turn that into a shield for me, wouldn't it?
My shield will be made by gathering pieces of driftwood.
Something like that is plenty good enough.
An airship arrived at the island.
On board was Urza.
She proposed establishing a regular airship service connecting this island with the city she uses as her base.
From the island's perspective, having a connection to the mainland is appreciated, but there's very little this island can export, you know?
Maybe there's something if we look hard enough, but as of right now, the only things of value are bird feathers.
However, considering the number of birds, production volume isn't that high.
It's an amount I can just hand over in person whenever the Village Head visits.
They're feathers, so they're light, too.
There's no need to transport them by airship.
Well, I'm sure Urza understands that much, so...
Maybe she was just trying to be considerate.
A regular route—airship or otherwise—is something to be grateful for, so I accept the offer.
However, since cost is a factor, let's start with just running it a few times a year.
Once we produce something that can actually be shipped out from the island, we can have them increase the frequency.
Urza, having arrived by airship, stayed on the island for about three days.
She went running all over the island's forests and mountains.
Not metaphorically, but literally.
The Ice Monster accompanying her seemed to be having a bit of a rough time.
Though he looked quite fulfilled.
I couldn't help but think she could stand to calm down a little, but she's young.
It can't be helped.
That's just how youngsters are.
As long as she doesn't get hurt, that's fine.
...
Should fresh scratches from diving into the grass be counted as injuries?
I wonder.
It's proof of her vitality, but she is a girl.
No, even for a boy, fresh scratches aren't a good thing.
I'll treat them while giving her a gentle warning.
Also, trying to smash the padlock puzzle just because you can't solve it is no good.
Use your head.
And have enough leeway in your heart to laugh it off even if you can't solve it.
Urza: "Could we turn this island into a resort?"
Yame: "I think the environment is a bit too harsh for a resort, though."
Urza: "There aren't any strong monsters, you know?"
Yame: "Nature itself is the toughest opponent."
Yame: "The padlock puzzle is difficult, isn't it?"
Urza: "Guh..."
Ice Monster: "Ah, I solved it."