I started building the village dining hall by felling trees with the Universal Farming Tool, processing them immediately, and having the High Elves handle the assembly.
The building was finished in no time at all.
Normally, processing wood without letting it season leads to warping over time, but that isn't an issue when it is cut with the Universal Farming Tool. It truly is a convenient thing.
"The interior looks like it will take a bit longer," a Civil Official Girl reported, reviewing the schedule with me.
Zabuton had worked hard to provide the fabrics, so we already had the tablecloths and curtains, but the tables and chairs weren't ready yet. We were also still missing the windows, cupboards, and tableware.
Normally, I would have handled those myself, but I was forbidden from doing so this time.
"The apprentice cooks haven't arrived yet anyway, so there's no need to rush. Let's commission the furniture and tableware from the craftsmen in Village Five."
That was the final decision. Apparently, it was part of a strategy to spend the money we had accumulated. It was true that I shouldn't be doing every single thing myself. Besides, no matter how hard I tried, my work was still that of an amateur. It could never compare to the quality of a professional.
I figured I should take this chance to study their craftsmanship. Even so, I really wanted to make them myself. It was frustrating.
"We have the money issue, sure, but couldn't we have just left the furniture and dishes to the Village Head?"
"Since they're items meant for Reward Medal exchange, I thought it would be a bit much to make him mass-produce them, even if it is for a public facility."
"What’s your real reason?"
"If we order a 'simple table,' he’ll bring us one with a god carved into some hidden spot..."
"So that’s why Shiso-san has been flipping over and dismantling every new table he sees lately..."
I headed to the pool for a change of pace. It was summer, after all.
The children were gathered there, and the atmosphere was nice and lively. The cats were there too, lounging in a shaded area where the water wouldn't splash them. The Jewel Cat let out a meow when she saw me, so I waved back in greeting.
Wait, was that not it? Ah, her water dish was empty.
Allow me to refill it with fresh water.
A High Ogre Maid in a swimsuit tried to go in my place, but I declined. I asked her to keep an eye on the children instead.
Once I finished refilling the cat's water, I walked a little past the pool. There, I swung the Universal Farming Tool and transformed the ground into a sandy area. It was about fifty meters square—the size of a single field.
"Village Head, what's this for?" asked Ria, the High Elf who had been watching me.
"It’s a stage for a little game."
I’d prepared it for beach flags. Some might say we should just go to the actual beach, but why not do it here?
Beach flags. You stick a flag in the sand and lie face down a short distance away, with your feet pointed toward the flag. At the signal, you scramble up and sprint to grab the flag.
I had hoped for a friendly, lighthearted atmosphere, but things quickly took a turn.
"Hyaaah!"
Attacking your opponent while running is against the rules.
"Oraaa!"
Magic is also forbidden.
"If I just do this..."
Don't fly. The whole point is the challenge of running through the sand.
At first, the children were having a great time, but then the Lizardmen, High Elves, Mountain Elves, Beastmen, and Angels joined in. It was intense and exciting... but not quite what I had envisioned.
"Aren't the Dwarves joining?"
"We aren't confident in our speed. Besides, sitting by the pool and drinking sake while watching isn't a bad way to spend the day."
The Dwarves were lounging in beach chairs, dressed in casual clothes and enjoying their drinks. Most of them were wearing swim trunks, aloha-style shirts, and round hats. I kept the observation that they looked like a group of mobsters on vacation to myself.
Among the children, Urza won by a landslide. Among the adults, the Lamias, who had come to the pool for a dip, were incredibly strong. Apparently, they could glide across the sand with ease. Kuro's children and Zabuton's children joined in as well, and the games continued.
Since the children were waiting for their turn, I called them over. Then I brought out the watermelons I’d prepared.
If you have a sandy beach and watermelons, you have to do watermelon splitting. If you put them directly on the sand, they’ll get covered in grit when they break, so I laid down a cloth first.
Now then, which child should go first... Gral, do you want to try?
I gave Gral a stick and a blindfold. Then, I spun her around a few times. The children watching seemed to understand the gist of it. They started shouting directions to guide her toward the target.
"Straight ahead!"
"A little to the right!"
Yes, this was exactly the kind of teamwork I’d wanted to see.
"Two small steps to the right, then twelve steps forward... no, thirteen. Umu, right there!"
The one giving the most precise instructions was Giral, Gral's father. When did he get here? And he was in a swimsuit, too.
"Just arrived. Raimeiren summoned me."
"Raimeiren?"
"Yeah. Apparently she ran into some minor trouble and wanted my advice. We’re supposed to meet here, but she hasn't shown up yet."
"Is it serious?"
"It'll be fine. If it were something she truly couldn't handle, she wouldn't be asking me for advice."
I wasn't sure if that was something he should be proud of. Giral didn't seem to care and went over to eat the watermelon Gral had split.
"That’s rare for you, Village Head," one of the High Ogre Maids keeping watch over the children remarked. "I thought you disliked playing with food?"
"I do... but well, watermelon splitting is an exception."
Why? Because it's watermelon splitting.
To be honest, I’d never actually done it myself. I’d only ever seen it in manga or on TV. Perhaps that was why it felt special to me.
However, I’d definitely be angry if they did this with the watermelons in the fields. Watermelon splitting was strictly limited to this sandy area. And the only watermelons allowed to be smashed were the ones I had provided.
"Papa, my dad ate all the watermelon!" Urza shouted, looking longingly at the reserve watermelons I had tucked away behind me.
Hahaha. I wonder who's next.
Ah, right, Giral. Hold on. I know you want to look good for Gral, but let the children finish their turns first.