The Nyunyu-daphne were even more self-sufficient than I had imagined.
The fact that they didn't particularly require food was the biggest advantage. While they were capable of eating and drinking, they claimed that water and sunlight were more than enough to sustain them.
Furthermore, they employed a "wait-and-see" approach to hunting. They possessed the endurance to remain in the same spot for days on end, waiting for prey to come to them. To put it simply, they required almost no care at all.
All they really needed was my permission.
"I don't mind if you sunbathe around here."
"Those of you in human form should avoid walking around completely naked."
"It looks like you're parasitizing the trees... is that true? Well, if it's those trees, I suppose it's fine, but if you do anything to the tree in the center of the village..."
While they didn't need daily care, that didn't mean they didn't require some management. I initially had the Nyunyu-daphne hunting near Village Two, but once construction began there, Kuro and his pack took over guard duties. Consequently, I moved the spirits to the area around the Village of the Great Tree.
However, I kept a few of them on standby in both the main village and Village Two. They served two primary purposes: as alarms and as light sources.
The Nyunyu-daphne were capable of using telepathy with their own kind over a certain distance. It wasn't sophisticated enough to convey complex details, but they could transmit vague, simple concepts like their current location or feelings such as "satisfied," "unhappy," "safe," or "danger."
I focused on the fact that they could communicate their location and "danger." If a spirit in a settlement broadcasted a "danger" signal, we would know immediately that something was wrong. While the precision left something to be desired, it would at least prevent a situation where we discovered a satellite village had been wiped out by monsters only after it was too late. This was our early warning system.
As for the light source, the Nyunyu-daphne could emit a glow while in their tree stump form. They would extend vines from the stump and bloom flowers at just the right height, creating a source of fantastical illumination. Combined with their preference for the outdoors, they solidified their role as "Village Lights" rather than traditional streetlights.
"Mam, have the Nyunyu-daphne requested anything?" I asked their caretaker.
"There were a few things, but they were issues I could handle myself. The real problem is... the habit of wearing clothes."
"Ah, right."
The Nyunyu-daphne were apparently a naturally nudist race. This didn't change even when they took on human form. According to Mam, the ill-fitting clothes they were currently wearing were actually gifts from Michael Goroun.
"We owe Michael a debt of gratitude for that."
"We do. So, what should we do about it? I'm focusing my efforts on instructing them in that area, but..."
Apparently, their clothes fell off whenever they transformed back into stumps, which meant they were always naked while out hunting. Given their excellent figures, it was quite a distraction.
"When they are in the village in human form, wearing clothes is mandatory. If they are inside their own homes, I won't force the issue."
"Understood."
"Changing the subject—and I know this is a bit late—but have you heard the full story of how the Minotaurs ended up here?" I asked. I had been so busy lately that the details had slipped my mind.
"Yes, I have," Nuph, the caretaker for the Minotaurs, replied. "Did you know that Gordon and his people were involved in sericulture in their previous home?"
"I heard they were ordinary farmers... they were raising silkworms?"
I recalled asking Gordon before if they could handle farming, as I’d been worried. At the time, he had beamed with pride and assured me they would be fine because they were experienced.
"Yes. They did traditional agriculture as well, but the reason they had to migrate was the sericulture industry."
"What happened? Did the silkworms die off from a disease or something?"
"No, quite the opposite. Their sales were actually quite impressive. However, the Lord who ruled that land began to make unreasonable demands."
"Unreasonable?"
"Because the silk cocoons sold for such high prices, he ordered them to increase production."
"Ah, I see." I could understand the Lord's perspective. Anyone would want to expand a profitable business.
"But even when ordered to increase production, they were dealing with living creatures. They couldn't just ramp up the numbers instantly."
"I imagine not."
"The Lord grew angry at their 'defiance' and raised their tax rate in retaliation."
"Wait... he raised the taxes? Was the man an idiot?"
"Most likely. Gordon and the others tried their best for about three years, but they couldn't endure it any longer. In the end, they abandoned their village."
So, blinded by greed, the Lord ended up crushing the very industry that was making him money. To drive them to the point of abandonment...
"After that, while they were wandering, they were lucky enough to make contact with one of Lord Draim's associates, which eventually led them here."
That explained it. No wonder they had been so emaciated when they first arrived.
"This is just my personal opinion," Nuph added, "but I think it's truly wonderful that they can now live in peace in Village Two."
"I agree. Let's keep working hard to make sure they stay safe here."
"Yes, sir."
"By the way, which country was this incompetent Lord from? It wasn't the Fullhart Kingdom, was it?"
"No, it was definitely elsewhere. I don't recall the name of the nation, but I believe it was quite a bit further west than Fullhart. Would you like me to go and ask?"
"No, don't. It would be cruel to make them relive those memories. I was just curious." It wasn't fair to blame everything on the Fullhart Kingdom, even if they did have a terrible reputation.
The construction of Village Three, intended for the Centaurs, proceeded as a rush job. On the land I had cleared with the Universal Farming Tool, the High Elves, Lizardmen, and Minotaurs set to work building houses. Like the structures in Village Two, these were primarily one-story homes.
However, since the Centaurs had the lower bodies of horses, their requirements were vastly different from ours. We started by building a single small house to identify potential issues.
"The hallways are a bit narrow," one Centaur noted. "Only one person can pass through at a time, so we can't get around each other."
"Please move the door handles higher. And the windows as well, if you would."
"It would be better to remove these small steps between rooms."
"There's no need to go to the trouble of installing floorboards."
"Inside the house, we would actually prefer curtains over solid doors."
The Centaurs were hesitant to speak up at first, but since Lushash and I practically begged for their input, they gradually began to voice their opinions. It wouldn't do for them to build up stress by being forced to live in homes that didn't suit their needs.
When I summarized their feedback, the result was...
"So, basically, a luxurious horse stall?"
It was effectively a high-end stall with a kitchen and an outhouse in the corner.
"W-Well, since our lower bodies are equine, our lifestyle naturally leans in that direction..." Gluewald said bashfully.
"I understand the vision. For now, let's keep moving."
Once the design was finalized, the rest went quickly. We began building several units simultaneously. It was starting to get chilly, so we had to hurry. It was going to be a race against the clock to see if we could finish before the weather turned. We devoted ourselves entirely to the construction work.
During a break in the chaos, I called Gordon and Gluewald aside. We met in one of the newly finished houses in Village Three. Since no one had moved in yet, we were completely alone.
"I have something important to discuss. I want you both to listen carefully."
At my serious tone, both of their expressions tightened.
"This is a very serious matter. I'll ask you frankly. Gordon, are your people capable of crossbreeding with other races?"
"Crossbreeding? Eh? ...A-Ah. My apologies. Um... it is possible, but there are certain issues."
Gordon's speech had become significantly more refined since he'd arrived. Perhaps it was because he had finally found stability in Village Two. However, I felt as though he was keeping me at arm's length. I wondered why.
Setting that thought aside, I asked, "Issues?"
"Yes. That is..."
Gordon glanced nervously at Gluewald, so I asked her to cover her ears. He then explained the Minotaurs' situation regarding reproduction.
In short, it was standard biology, but size was a massive hurdle. To summarize: it was physically impossible for a Minotaur to breed with almost anyone other than another Minotaur.
It wasn't the ideal answer for their long-term population growth, but as long as they weren't expecting anything from me, it was fine.
"Gordon, I'm sorry for making you talk about such an embarrassing subject. I understand now. I truly hope the Minotaurs can build happy families among your own kind."
"Understood. Though, um... there is one thing..."
"What is it?"
"While it's rare for the men... some of our women specifically seek out partners of other races. I don't know if any would suit your tastes, Village Head, but... it is possible to offer them to you."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!"
"Yes?"
"I'm not asking for that."
"Eh?"
"I'll say it clearly: I am not asking for that. Not out of politeness, not out of modesty, and not as some roundabout request. I mean it."
Gordon looked genuinely perplexed by my declaration.
"I'm not saying this because I look down on you," I explained. "As I said, I want you to find happiness among your own people. That's all."
"I understand that, but as I said, some of the women seek those who aren't Minotaurs..."
"Then correct their behavior."
"Pardon?"
"Correct them. Look, I'm counting on you here. I have absolutely no intention of having any of your people 'offered' to me! If you feel you owe me something, pay it back through your labor."
"...Understood."
"You still look unconvinced, so let me be blunt. The Dwarves are all men, and I have no intention of laying a hand on the Lizardman women. You see what I'm getting at, right? You don't need to offer me anyone to secure your status here. And I won't give you special treatment just because you did. Please remember that."
"Understood, sir."
With that settled, I sent Gordon back and turned to Gluewald.
"It's awkward to ask a woman this, but please answer me as a race representative."
"Whatever you need."
"Are Centaurs capable of crossbreeding with humans?"
"........................I-If you are asking whether I can bear a human's child, the answer is unfortunately no." She answered while blushing furiously.
Alright. Impossible. No can do. Perfect! That was the best possible answer.
"However, there is no need for restraint, Village Head! We can still enjoy ourselves!"
"............Excuse me?"
"I-I-I may still be inexperienced, but I have heard there are many ways for a man and a woman to find pleasure! Fortunately, I am quite confident in my bust!"
"Wait, wait, wait!"
"I have steeled my resolve! Please, give the order!"
"I'm not giving any such order. And you can let go of that resolve right now."
"But why?! I know I'm a bit headstrong, but I've heard that men find joy in breaking the spirits of strong-willed women!"
"Who on earth told you that? And for the record, not all men are like that."
"Then why did you ask me such a question in the first place?"
"R-Right, I should have explained that first. It was a survey to prevent future trouble between the races. It wasn't a prelude to asking for a 'tribute.'"
"To prevent trouble?"
"I was thinking about the future, for when the children grow up."
"..."
"What's wrong?"
"T-To think you were considering our welfare that far into the future... thank you. Thank you so much."
"No, well, it's partly for my own peace of mind... but if crossbreeding is impossible, then I want the Centaurs to build happy families among yourselves."
"Yes! I understand!" she chirped.
That was a much better reaction.
"So, when should I begin visiting your private quarters, Village Head?"
"Huh?"
"When should I begin visiting your quarters?"
"What are you talking about?"
"W-When will we be... enjoying ourselves? Is this some kind of roleplay where you make me beg?"
"No! Were you even listening?! I said I want the Centaurs to build happy families among yourselves!"
"Yes. I am deeply moved by your sentiment."
"Then how does that lead to you and me 'enjoying ourselves'?"
"We cannot build happy families unless our position in this village is secure. To ensure that stability, I believe it is necessary for someone to receive your personal favor. I, Gluewald, humbly volunteer for the role."
"Good grief... I told Gordon this too, but it's fine. Don't worry about it. No matter what I personally think of you, I'm not going to kick you out. You can relax."
"Even if you say that..."
"Hmm..."
I suppose the newcomers had their own unique anxieties. I thought they had settled in well enough, but it seemed we still had a long way to go. It was a difficult problem to navigate.
For the time being, I managed to talk Gluewald out of trying to undress and escaped the situation.
I really needed someone to talk to about this.