The angels Granmaria had contacted still hadn't arrived.
I wondered what was keeping them.
"I truly wonder what happened," Granmaria said, looking a bit concerned.
In their place, Kierbit had been dropping by quite often to play.
"Kierbit, do you know anything about it?" I asked.
"Not really? I did mention to them that I was coming here to hang out, though."
I see.
"Granmaria, are the angels you reached out to on good terms with Kierbit?"
"I wouldn't exactly say they are on... good terms."
So, because Kierbit was always here, it was either hard for them to visit or they had decided not to come at all. Well, I decided to keep things ready so they could visit whenever they liked.
A loud clang echoed from a corner of the Village of the Great Tree.
"Another failure."
"It seems so."
"How disappointing."
A Dwarf, a Mountain Elf, and the High Ogres all let out a collective, heavy sigh.
They were currently attempting to create a pressure cooker. The project had started because I’d remembered them while cooking and explained their convenience and basic structure. Unfortunately, things weren't going well.
My own knowledge of the design was a bit hazy, and it seemed that crafting a pot and lid that could maintain a perfect airtight seal was proving difficult. I had thought the thermal expansion of the iron might help bridge the gap, but it wasn't that simple.
Interestingly, they had already succeeded in using magic to replicate the effects of a pressure cooker. The fact that they insisted on continuing the mechanical research was likely a testament to their investigative spirit. I chose to believe they weren't just being stubborn or trying to kill time during the busy season.
Gatto, the Beastman, and his human wife Naci began their new life by assisting Sena and the others who had immigrated previously. The relationship between the siblings Sena and Gatto seemed good, and since Gatto was quite obedient to his sister, no trouble had arisen.
"Please look after Gatto's family for a while," I told Ramurias.
"That was my intention from the start. Do not worry," she replied.
Ramurias, the official caretaker for the Beastman Race, had no issues integrating them. I was relieved they were such a mild-mannered family. Even the Beastman boys had taken a liking to Gatto and Naci, and they were getting along famously with their daughter, Nart.
I caught myself wondering if she might eventually marry one of those boys. Yes, the future looked bright.
Then there was the Progenitor. He was the founder of the vampire race and a high-ranking official of the Korin religion, yet he helped with the harvest, cooked meals for us, and spent his time diligently on handicrafts. On top of that, he thoroughly enjoyed his baths in the morning, afternoon, and evening, filling the gaps in between with various games. He had become quite the expert at mini bowling, darts, and golf.
My impression of him was that he was exceptionally good at managing his time. Also, his teleportation was incredibly convenient.
"It's a bit specialized, but it isn't all that difficult," he told me. "After all, it's magic I developed after I'd erased my own memories."
"Is that so?"
If I had any talent for magic, I would have loved for him to teach me. As I stood there in admiration, Lu leaned in and whispered to me.
"When the Progenitor says something 'isn't all that difficult,' he means it's at a level where a normal person might manage it if they spent their entire life on it."
I see.
"By the way, Village Head," the Progenitor said. "Regarding the reward for the help you gave Fouche, I think I'll have it ready by next spring."
"Oh? I don't know what it is, but I'll look forward to it."
"You can count on it. I'm sure Lu and Flora will be pleased with it as well."
I'd put Lu and Flora through a lot of hard work, so I was grateful if it was something that would make them happy.
Once the harvest had mostly settled, we began our preparations for winter. This mainly involved securing firewood to last through the season and gathering materials for the work we would do while confined to the mansion. We also focused on making preserved foods.
For us, preserved food meant simple smoked meats. The primary ingredients were the Killer Rabbits and Gate Boars that Kuro’s pack had caught. Come to think of it, back in the day, the wolves used to have me deliver the finishing blow to the Gate Boars... but that was no longer necessary. There were more individuals like Uno who could take down a Gate Boar single-handedly now, and they were also capable of handling them through sheer numbers. It was reassuring, but I still hoped they wouldn't get injured.
Once the winter preparations were done and we had a bit of breathing room, I made a proposal.
"Let's reform the hot spring investigation team."
The hot spring. I wanted to visit the spring that was supposedly located even further north than the Northern Dungeon. During the last expedition, they said it was too hot to enter, but if I was there, I might be able to use my tools to draw water from a nearby river to cool it.
Naturally, I would be the leader. Actually, I felt like there was no point in doing this if I didn't participate myself.
"Besides, I need to go greet the Giants living in the Northern Dungeon."
I had known about them for a long time, but I still hadn't met them in person. I offered up various reasons to justify reforming the team and my own participation, but the residents' resistance was fierce.
"First of all, we have no objection to reforming the investigation team," the residents conceded.
"However, it is far too dangerous for the Village Head to participate, so we must ask you to refrain."
This was their main point of contention. Was the north really that dangerous?
"If a greeting with the Giants is necessary, we shall simply summon them here," they suggested.
"Eh? No, wouldn't that be rude?"
"In terms of our relative standing, it would be perfectly fine. In fact, one could argue that their failure to come here and pay their respects already is a problem."
"No, no, wait a minute."
They were supposed to be a friendly race, weren't they? We didn't need to be so formal about paying respects or summoning people...
"We have not received enough favors from them to warrant a formal visit from the Village Head," they argued.
"We've been helped by them quite a bit! Uh... look, last year. When the houses for the new residents weren't finished in time, they promised to take people in."
"We provided them with ample supplies in exchange. Furthermore, it was Hakuren-san and Rusty-san who exterminated the majority of the Bloody Vipers that were plagueing them."
The conversation was rapidly shifting toward the conclusion that we should just order the Giants to come to us. Usually, I would have just gone with the flow. But today was different.
"No, I'm going."
I wasn't entirely sure what made me so stubborn. Was it the hot spring? No, that wasn't it. It was more that I wanted to avoid the awkwardness of summoning the Giants of the Northern Dungeon like they were subordinates. Unless they had actual business with us, I didn't want to drag them out. I preferred to just leave them be.
And, though the topic had drifted, I was pretty sure the hot spring wouldn't be functional unless I was there to help build it.
"If I decide it's dangerous, I'll turn back immediately."
Based on everyone's reactions, it clearly wasn't a safe place, but I hated the idea of sending the residents into danger while I stayed behind in safety. I stood my ground and pushed the plan through.
The hot spring investigation team was officially reformed.
Leader: Me!
Members: Lu and Flora (Vampires). Tia and Granmaria (Angels). Ria (High Elf). Ann (High Ogre). Daga (Lizardman). Bulga and Stifano (Devil Race). Hakuren and Rusty (Dragons). Kuro, Yuki, and fifty other Inferno Wolves. Makura and one hundred other children of Zabuton.
Additionally, the Progenitor, Kierbit, and Galf joined us as well.
...
"It looks less like an investigation team and more like an invasion army," Frau muttered as she saw us off.
"Don't be dramatic. Though, admittedly, the group is a bit larger than I expected..."
More High Elves, Mountain Elves, and Lizardmen had tried to join, but I’d asked them to stay behind. I needed them to protect the Village of the Great Tree while we were gone.
"Leave the village to us," Frau promised.
I entrusted the home front to Frau, Ya the Mountain Elf, and Donovan the Dwarf. I also gave instructions to Zabuton and the wolves staying behind.
"Well then, we're off."
I moved to shoulder my pack, but Kuro’s children insisted on carrying it for me. I was left empty-handed. It felt a bit lonely, so I looked for a fallen branch to carry... but there weren't any.
I shifted the Universal Farming Tool into its hoe form and held it ready.
"Alright, let's go!"
As I made my declaration, the Progenitor walked up to me.
"Um, I can just send us there with magic, you know?"
...
The Progenitor looked toward Hakuren and Rusty to see if I preferred that option instead.
Yeah. I suppose there really wasn't any reason to walk, was there?