As soon as I heard about the migration from Tia, I set to work with the High Elves to construct a large communal house in the residential area. It was a substantial building, designed to accommodate about thirty people.
While I included some private quarters, the layout mainly consisted of large rooms designed for two to four people. I figured that moving straight into a private room in a strange land might feel a bit lonely, so this was my way of being considerate. They would live here for a while until they grew accustomed to the village.
There were twenty-five migrants in total. Three were boys around preschool age. Of the girls, the eldest was their representative, Sena; if I had to guess, she looked to be about high school age. The others seemed like middle schoolers at most, with the majority having the air of elementary students.
I felt a bit anxious about whether they could manage on their own, but they had apparently helped with housework and chores back home, so there were no immediate problems. However, I’d heard the population of Howlin Village was around five hundred; was it really alright for them to send twenty-five people away? Was the situation so dire that they couldn't afford to think about the next generation?
When I gently broached the subject with Sena, she explained that this group consisted mainly of second and third daughters from large families. Since there were still plenty of women left in the village, it wasn't a problem for their demographics.
That said, since the group was so young, it seemed the village head’s daughter, Sena, had joined the migration for both internal and external political reasons. Internally, the village head sending his own daughter served as a sign that the migration was a positive opportunity. Externally, it served as proof to the world that they weren't just dumping "useless" people on us.
Furthermore, there was a hidden intention: she was being offered to me to do with as I pleased, so long as I looked after the others.
Once I realized that, I understood why she’d looked so tragic when she first arrived. But for my part, I didn't have the slightest intention of taking advantage of the situation. It wasn't that I had a problem with the Beastman Race or that Sena wasn't my type. It was a matter of my own mental stability!
"Listen, Sena-san," I told her. "There is no reason for you to come to my bedroom. I’m not being coy here. You absolutely, definitely must not come, okay?"
I thought I’d been quite firm, so why was she standing in my bedroom?
Wait... did the door just close on its own? It won't open? I don't remember ever installing an external lock!
"She is a woman who came here having made up her mind; it would be rude not to lay a hand on her," I was told later.
"For the sake of our relationship with Howlin Village, it is necessary to accept her."
The arguments presented to me were difficult to wrap my head around. I suppose things were just different here than they were in my previous world—or rather, different from Japan.
"There are no major problems with the migrants from Howlin Village. They are bursting with an eagerness to work; in fact, they're constantly asking if there is more for them to do," Ramrias, their caretaker, reported as I checked on how the newcomers were adjusting.
"What about the less obvious issues?" I asked.
"Well, some of them... mostly the younger ones... cry whenever they see one of Zabuton's children."
"Ah..."
"And when they see Kuro and his pack, they tend to wet themselves."
"..."
I wondered if those really counted as "minor" issues. I felt bad for the kids, but as far as I was concerned, Zabuton's children and Kuro's pack took priority. The kids would just have to do their best to get used to them.
Incidentally, I had the young beastman girls look after the three small boys. It was a decision made with the future in mind; I sincerely hoped the boys would grow up to be fond of the older sisters who cared for them.
Here is the breakdown of what we obtained through trade with Howlin Village:
First, iron cooking utensils. We got several of each: kitchen knives, frying pans, stockpots, semi-stockpots, large pots, medium pots, and small pots. This was going to make cooking much easier. Ann and the other maids were just as thrilled as I was.
Next, silver tableware. We acquired several sets of knives, forks, spoons, flat plates, deep plates, cups, and glasses. Since they provided a certain sense of luxury, I secured them for my house and the inn to use for guests. A portion of them had already been claimed by Draim as his exclusive personal set.
Then, glass bottles. These were incredibly useful for storing seasonings and medicines. We brought back a fair number, but they disappeared almost instantly as everyone scrambled to secure their own. I managed to grab about five to use as seasoning containers.
As for miscellaneous items, we got machetes, axes, candles, needles, yarn, leather, and various small goods.
The machetes and axes were a godsend. Until now, we only had the tools Ria and Ann’s groups brought with them; everything else was a stone tool I’d fashioned myself.
Candles were another highlight. While light could be provided by magic, candles were essential—especially for me, since I couldn't use magic. I’d originally thought candles were petroleum products, but they must have existed long before oil was in wide circulation. Looking at the physical candles in front of me, I asked about the materials and learned they were made from a specific tree. I decided right then to start growing those trees.
Zabuton took charge of the needles, yarn, and leather. She firmly asserted that all sewing in the village was her responsibility. I was more than happy to leave it to her.
The small goods included things like small boxes, pouches, and leather belts, which were distributed to whoever wanted them.
Currently, there is no currency within the village. We operate on a system of bartering, but personal belongings are limited to what people had when they first arrived. All crops and products produced here are held in common. As the population increases, I wondered if it might be time to reconsider how we handle property.
However, when I consulted the others, they all gave me the same answer.
"Everything belongs to you, Husband, so please don't trouble yourself over it."
...I wondered if that was really the standard way of thinking around here.