My name was Kierbit.
I was the daughter of the Angel Race Leader and the former Heavenly Wing Shrine Maiden of the Garlet Kingdom. Given my background, I held a position of considerable prestige and authority.
Yet, despite my status, a woman with a truly terrifying expression stood before me.
She was the Chief Assistant, the leader of the staff who supported the Heavenly Wing Shrine Maiden. She was also Tia’s mother, Ruincia. While she was usually a composed, cool-headed woman, it seemed my choice of words had been exceptionally poor.
"Kierbit-sama. I didn’t quite catch that. Would you mind repeating yourself?"
She was lying. If she truly hadn’t heard me, she wouldn't be looking at me like she wanted to skin me alive. But I knew better than to point that out.
"Tia is busy caring for her second-born," I said immediately, "so she cannot return at this time."
Ruincia fell silent, appearing to be deep in thought. I wondered if there was something specific she was pondering.
"Kierbit-sama, just to confirm... who exactly gave birth to this second child?"
"Eh? Tia did, of course."
Why was she asking something so obvious?
Wait. Could it be? I knew Tia hadn't officially reported the children yet, but...
"By any chance... did you already know that Tia got married... right?" I tried to sound as cute and endearing as possible at the end, but it fell flat.
"I did not."
For some reason, I was the one who got scolded. I truly didn't understand why. I was technically her former superior, the Heavenly Wing Shrine Maiden herself! She really should have adjusted her attitude—or so I thought, until I realized it was safer to keep my mouth shut.
"Yes, I understand perfectly. I’ll be sure to pass your message along to Tia."
Unlike Tia, I had been keeping in contact with my own mother. I had told her that the man I had my eye on was still quite young, so marriage would likely be a few years off.
"Oh, that’s right. I almost forgot. I have a letter from Tia for you, Chief Assistant."
It was a rare occurrence, to be sure. I had practically forced her to write it.
The moment she saw it, Ruincia’s stoic facade began to crumble. She tried to maintain her cool expression, but it was a lost cause; the wings on her back were fluttering with sheer delight. If I had just handed the letter over first, I probably could have cut my lecturing time in half. That was a major tactical error on my part.
Then again, why was I the one being yelled at for Tia’s failure to file reports? When I arrived back in the village, I shouldn't have stopped by my old workplace just because it was nearby. I should have hurried straight home—
"Chief Assistant? Why are you grabbing my wings? I can't fly if you hold me there."
"What is my grandchild’s name? How old are they? What do they look like? I require a detailed description."
"Isn't that written in the letter?" I asked. Ruincia was clutching the envelope as if it were a sacred relic.
"Aren't you going to read it?"
"This is Tia we are talking about. There is no way she would have actually written about things like that."
They had a strange sort of mutual understanding, those two.
"Chief Assistant, as much as I’d love to stay and chat, I really want to see my mother."
"Your mother is right here in the temple."
"Eh?"
"Since no successor was chosen after you resigned as the Shrine Maiden, Malbit has been serving in the role temporarily."
Malbit was my mother’s name.
"Why hasn't a successor been decided?"
"Why? Think about it. In your mind, who were the top candidates to replace you?"
"Well, based on raw ability, it would be Granmaria, Kudel, or Corone. After them, maybe the sisters Suarliu and Suarkou, though they're a bit behind the others... Oh."
"I thought the same. However, I haven't been able to contact a single one of them. By the way, Kierbit-sama, do you happen to know where they are?"
I broke into a cold sweat. What should I do?
"So you do know. Excellent. You will tell me everything. But first, we shall discuss my grandchild. Start from the beginning."
I had arrived at the village at the crack of dawn, yet I wasn't released until well after sunset. By the time I got home, my mother was already there.
"Why didn't you help me!" I cried.
She just laughed and brushed me off. I knew why, of course. Even my mother struggled to handle the Chief Assistant. We both recognized that Ruincia was incredibly capable—honestly, the Angel Race village wouldn't function without her. She handled almost all the diplomacy with the Garlet Kingdom by herself and managed the Elder Council to boot. If she ever went on strike, we would be in serious trouble.
I understood why Mother didn't want to get on her bad side, but that didn't mean I had to like it. I decided right then to reduce the number of souvenirs I gave her.
"Kii-chan, welcome home~"
My mother always called me Kii-chan. No matter how many times I told her to stop, she never listened. Eventually, I just gave up.
"I’m home. Did the souvenirs arrive? Don't you dare eat them yet; I have to give some to the neighbors."
"I know, I know. I’m going to whip up something special for dinner tonight, so look forward to it!"
"Wait, if you’re cooking, please use the seasonings I brought back. Lately, food feels like it’s missing something without them."
"Are you talking about the ones you brought back last time? Those were delicious. They’re being produced in Village Five and sold in Shashato City now, aren't they?"
"Mother, please don't test me. I can't give you any information about that."
"Fufu. It was just a simple question. Oh, and I already helped myself to the seasonings from the new batch."
"...Good grief. I’ll be looking forward to dinner, then."
"Leave it to me!"
My mother’s cooking was legendary. Or at least, it used to be.
As I ate, I realized with a sinking heart that my palate had grown far too sophisticated. I’m sorry, Mother.
"Now then, Kii-chan. I’m glad you’re back, but I have to ask... why are you here?"
"What do you mean 'why'? It’s because... wait."
Now that she mentioned it, why was I here? It started with my mother's letter. Tia ignored it, then we decided someone had to go back to report, and I lost the lottery...
Why on earth did I even agree to participate in that lottery?!
"Kii-chan, it’s frightening when you suddenly start thrashing around like that."
"S-sorry. I came back because I wanted to see you, Mother. Obviously."
Yes, that was it. I missed my mother. It certainly wasn't because my brain had been turned to mush by the kotatsu and mandarins.
"I see. I’m so happy to hear that."
For her sake, that was the only acceptable answer.
"So, when do I get to see my grandchild?"
"...As I’ve said before, the man I’m interested in is still very young. You’ll probably have to wait at least another ten years."
"Kii-chan, didn't you say before that you were also aiming for the boy's father?"
"The competition was far too fierce."
"I see. That’s a pity. You know, I once had a friend who said the exact same thing."
"Eh?"
"She said if the father was no good, she’d take the son. If the son was no good, she’d take the grandson... In the end, she never got married at all."
"I-I’ll work hard to make sure that doesn't happen to me."
"Good luck. Also, I’m sorry to ask this when you’ve only just returned, but could you head out toward the west for me?"
"Did something happen?"
"The Heroes are acting strange."
"The Heroes are acting strange?"
"Yes. Every single Hero we’re currently monitoring."
"Forgive me, but haven't the Heroes always been a bit strange?"
"True, but this time it seems to be quite serious. Specifically, one group we tasked with an undead subjugation has completely abandoned their post."
"And that’s in the west?"
"Yes. About two weeks from here. You can take five people with you. Will you handle it?"
"I understand. I’ll depart tomorrow. But about the Heroes... exactly how have they become 'strange'? What makes it so serious?"
"This is a secret, alright? It's a top-secret matter."
"I understand. I won't tell a soul."
"Alright then. Listen..."
Mother leaned in and whispered the details. I was stunned.
It really was a serious matter.