First, let me make one thing clear.
You must not pack your snowballs too tightly. If you make them too hard, it causes problems.
Allow me to show you a bad example.
"Hakuren."
"Hah!"
Hakuren threw her compressed snowball at a wooden target.
Well—her aim was off, and she completely pulverized a nearby snowman instead.
It was a snowman Tia had worked so hard to build...
Ah, Tia noticed.
...
Everyone, stop what you’re doing.
We’re on snowman repair duty.
Now, once more.
Let me show you a bad example.
"Hakuren."
...Actually, let's not throw it in that direction.
Yes, over there.
Are you confident you can hit the target?
You’re sure?
You don't have to push yourself, okay?
"Hah!"
The snowball Hakuren threw flew past the side of the target and struck a tree in the forest.
With a thunderous crack, the tree shuddered, shaking loose all the snow on its branches.
"Um... I think everyone understands the power behind a 'bad example' now. Do you really want to throw things like that at each other?"
I was relieved.
There wasn't much of a gap between my way of thinking and the villagers'.
My apologies to the few who were raring to go, but...
If you get hit by one of those, you’ll die.
A shield won't save you.
Yeah, just give it up.
Squeeze your snowballs gently.
This is a game.
It’s not a hunt to take down prey.
We decided to hold a village-wide snowball fight.
It was a competition between two teams.
One hit meant you were disqualified.
You were allowed to make your snowballs on the spot.
First up was the Family Division, where the children participated.
It was decided that adults who weren't related to the kids could join in as well.
However, the adults had to hold back.
I told them not to get too carried away.
...
Yeah, I should have known.
It was a wasted effort.
Sigh.
I’ll ask them to get the bath nice and hot.
Everyone must take a bath immediately after the snowball fight is over.
Don't go walking around while you’re wet.
A small amount of snow will melt, but a large amount won't.
The snow mountain that had formed on the south side of the village would likely remain for quite some time.
As for this snow mountain.
I tried climbing it myself, and I was shocked to find it was much higher than it looked.
From the bottom, it didn't seem like much.
And yet, the children—Urza, Gural, and Alfred included—were they really climbing all the way up here just to go sledding?
That was impressive.
Oh, sometimes Tia or Granmaria and her team carried them up?
I see.
Make sure you thank them properly.
Even if the children were playing by themselves, they weren't left unattended.
Someone was always acting as a lookout.
Today, it was one of the High Ogre Maids.
"Thank you for your hard work in this cold."
I grilled some mochi on the brazier I’d brought and handed it to her.
The flavor was sugar soy sauce, wrapped in nori.
...
Before I knew it, the children were hovering by the brazier.
I didn't have enough mochi for everyone...
I left the brazier and the remaining mochi with the High Ogre Maid and ran back to the Village Head's Mansion.
And of course, Kuro's children were there.
They happily ran alongside me, but this wasn't a race.
I was just heading back to get more mochi.
It would only take a second.
I really wished they wouldn't look at me with such expectant eyes.
After delivering the extra mochi, I spent some time running through the snow-covered village with Kuro's children.
On a clear day, the Minotaur Race from Village Two and the Giant Race from the Northern Dungeon arrived.
It wasn't a coincidence.
They had coordinated this.
There were fifteen on each side. The Minotaurs could make the trip in a few hours, but it must have taken the Giants several days to travel from the Northern Dungeon.
And what did these two groups come here to do?
A snowball fight.
Apparently, they had made a promise back during the martial arts tournament.
I told them I’d lend them the space, but they absolutely must not pack the snowballs hard.
I meant absolutely.
I’d have the bath heated, but given their size, it was impossible for everyone to get in at once.
"Well then, do your best."
...
"Wait a second."
"Please do it a little further south. The stray shots are dangerous."
While watching the match between the Minotaur Race and the Giant Race, I seared slices of Katsuo-like fish over the brazier.
If I seared them indoors, the oil smoke would be a nightmare.
Heh heh heh.
I seared them slowly and carefully.
Katsuo-like fish tataki.
It wasn't exactly the right season for it, but Michael-san had sent the fish over, so what else was I supposed to do?
Yes, it was unavoidable.
I’d already prepared a ponzu-like sauce.
I’d also prepared plenty of green onions.
Garlic and onions were sliced and standing by.
Ah, I couldn't wait to—!
A snowball like a cannonball blew my brazier away, fish and all.
...
It was fine.
They were just covered in snow.
Safe.
They were still safe, right?!
The Katsuo-like fish tataki was gifted to Kuro's children, who happened to be nearby.
They ate it with great relish.
Ugh...
There were no more slices of Katsuo-like fish left.
What should I do with the condiments I’d prepared?
Maybe I should try searing a different fish.
This time... I know.
How about wrapping it in straw before roasting it?
That sounded like a plan.
Now, I wasn't a fool.
First, I built a wall of snow.
Until a moment ago, I had been far too defenseless against stray shots.
Heh heh heh.
Now I was perfectly prepared.
I put fresh charcoal in the brazier, set the wire rack, and placed the fish wrapped in straw on top—
A volley of snowballs rained down from the sky.
"Sooorry!"
It looked like an accidental bombardment from the Angel Race.
Hahaha.
I wondered when they had joined in.
"Anyone with free hands, gather up! We’re going into anti-air combat!"
"Grab your shields!"
"Secure the summit of the snow mountain!"
"Don't let the enemy replenish their ammunition!"
What?
You were already hit by a snowball and disqualified?
Don't worry about that.
We’re restarting the match right now.
The bath after playing in the snow felt wonderful. It really let me unwind.
I wondered if I should build a bath that the Minotaur Race and Giant Race could enter comfortably.
It was fine for a few people, but thirty of them at once was a bit much.
I hoped none of them caught a cold.
For dinner, seared fish was served.
That made me a little happy.
Oh, and I finally got to use those condiments I’d prepared earlier.