I wanted to relax, but trouble has a way of finding me.
There were three major problems that cropped up during that winter.
The first was a food shortage caused by the growing number of Kuro’s children, but Hakuren and Rusty had already seen to that.
The remaining two involved guests.
It happened on a surprisingly warm, clear day in the heart of winter.
"I request a match!"
Standing there was a massive man over three meters tall. He wore a thick suit of full-body armor topped with a closed helmet and carried a heavy club. He cut a truly imposing figure.
Beezel was standing beside him with a troubled look on his face, so I called him over to ask for an explanation.
"Who’s this?"
"He is Gratz, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Demon King's Army."
"The Four Heavenly Kings?"
"Think of it as a ministerial position in the Demon Kingdom."
"What is a minister doing here?"
"The Demon King sang the praises of this village, so he’s come to test his mettle."
"The Demon King... test his mettle... is this about the fighting tournament?"
"Yes. He demanded to fight the strongest person in the village."
"That’s a nuisance. But I suppose he won't leave even if I tell him that, right?"
"Probably not."
"Mmm. Even if I wanted to accommodate him, the winner of the tournament, Makura, is currently hibernating."
"I believe he’ll leave satisfied if you just let him spar with someone appropriate."
"Then how about Kuro or the others..."
"My apologies. Your wolves thrashed him before he even reached the village, so please choose someone else."
"Then, Granmaria."
"Likewise, she beat him soundly before he even made it inside."
"Wait, Granmaria was knocked out in the first round, wasn't she? And this guy is a Heavenly King?"
"He is in charge of military affairs, but he isn't the type to go wild on the front lines himself. Rather, he excels at commanding and logistics from the rear..."
"Then why did he come here for a test of strength?"
"He personally yearns to go wild on the front lines."
"Is it really okay for someone like that to be one of the Four Heavenly Kings?"
"He is a genius when it comes to rear-guard command."
"You really have your hands full, don't you?"
"I do."
However, I was at a loss for an opponent. I couldn't very well pick Ria or Ann; they were both pregnant. Even if they had volunteered, I would absolutely never let them fight.
That left Daga the Lizardman, Donovan the Dwarf, or Ya the Mountain Elf. Daga had lost in his first round, but he was strong enough to compete in the Knight Division. Ya was the winner of the Warrior Division. Would Donovan be the safest choice? Though, he didn't seem like the type to show much restraint.
While I was weighing the options, Sena of the Beastman race stepped up and absolutely demolished him.
"Err..."
"Could you please provide someone a bit... weaker? Perhaps someone less skilled than my daughter?"
That was a difficult request. Still, it turned into an exciting event that helped kill some time during the winter.
However, that wasn't the actual problem regarding the visitor. The real trouble came afterward.
"Please! I beg you, become my wife!"
Gratz, one of the Four Heavenly Kings, was down on one knee proposing to a woman.
The recipient was Ronana. She was a resident sent from Gordon Village, a girl of the Minotaur race. She was on the smaller side for a Minotaur, standing just shy of two meters. She had a soft, gentle aura about her—the kind of person you’d describe as a kind, neighborly older sister. Though, the pressure from her chest was quite substantial.
The reason Gratz fell for her was likely simple. Every time he got injured during his matches, Ronana had been the one to treat his wounds. That had to be it.
Gratz pulled off his helmet to reveal a handsome face. Two small bovine horns poked out from his head. He appealed to her further by mentioning he was a Minotaur himself.
However...
"I am sorry. My life is dedicated to this village. I cannot reciprocate your feelings."
Ronana’s rejection was instantaneous. I thought it would turn into a consolation party right then and there, but Gratz did not give up.
"Dedicated to the village... in other words, you are unmarried! Excellent. Should I take this matter to your father? Or perhaps someone else?"
Ronana continued to refuse, but unlike his fighting style, Gratz was incredibly persistent when it came to romance.
"It is impossible without the Village Head's permission."
As a result, my name came out of Ronana's mouth.
"Village Head?"
He shot me a glare. Hey, don't look at me like that. I haven't laid a hand on her. She's just living here as a resident.
I figured it would be useless to explain myself. And I was right.
"Name your conditions."
"Eh?"
"Name the conditions for me to take Ronana as my bride!"
I asked for a moment and consulted with the people nearby.
"Is this how marriage proposals usually go?" I asked.
"It’s like this in stories," one replied.
"How wonderful!" another chimed in.
"Ah, a tragic love torn apart by the Village Head."
...They were absolutely no help.
What I did understand was that the situation wouldn't settle down unless I set some kind of condition. I took Beezel's advice to simply state an impossible task if I thought he was unsuitable.
"Personally, I’m inclined to support you, but I prioritize the individual's own feelings. Unless Ronana says she wants to marry you, I won't give my permission."
"In other words, if Ronana says she wants to marry me, you'll give your blessing?"
"Don't use force. No violence, and no threatening her with your authority, either."
After telling Gratz that, I called Ronana over.
"There's no need to rush your answer. Don't worry about the village; just think carefully about whether he’s a suitable partner for you, then give him your answer. If you decide you want to marry that man, I'll support you. Ah... and don't get the wrong idea. It's not like I'm trying to get rid of you or anything."
"I understand. Thank you very much."
In this way, things settled down for the moment with Gratz and Ronana seeing how things went. It seemed like the problem was solved.
However, it wasn't.
"I’m moving in."
Gratz suddenly announced that he was going to live in the Village of the Great Tree.
"What are you talking about?! You are one of the Four Heavenly Kings! You are a Marquis! And on top of that, aren't you currently the Commander-in-Chief of the Western Army? What about your work and your territory?"
Beezel was the one resisting now.
"I'll figure something out."
"You most certainly will not! Enough, we're going home!"
"Then I’ll resign! I’ll renounce my title as Marquis! I'll leave the house to my younger sister or brother!"
"Don't act on a whim!"
"I shall live for love!"
They argued intensely. Gratz’s logic was that he wanted to be near Ronana as much as possible so she could get to know him. Also, he wanted to keep watch so that other men—mainly me—wouldn't get close.
I could understand his feelings, but Beezel was practically in tears, so I had to find a compromise.
The compromise ended up being this: whenever Beezel came to the village, he would contact Gratz. If Gratz was available, Beezel would transport him here.
Perhaps it was the result of Beezel's hard work, or perhaps it was the fact that Ronana told him, "Please do your best with your work," while we were negotiating... regardless, he agreed to leave.
When it was finally time to go, he spent about an hour professing his love in front of Ronana. I wasn't quite sure what to do with myself during that, but he didn't seem like a bad man.
Afterward, it seemed Gratz and Ronana began a correspondence, hitching a ride on the Small Wyvern Communication service sent to Beezel.
That was the second problem and how it stands now. Personally, I’ll just watch over them. I won't force them together, but I won't interfere either. I suggested to the others that they do the same. Actually, I made it an order. No unnecessary meddling.
No matter the era, other people's love lives are always the best form of entertainment.
Now, for the third problem.
Draim’s younger brother, Domaim, had just arrived as a fugitive.