Malbit and Ruincia were enjoying after-dinner tea in the guest room of my mansion, tucked into the kotatsu I’d brought out a little early this year.
"That tree certainly took root with incredible speed, didn't it?"
"It’s exactly as I expected. Besides, the truth is that we wouldn't have been able to raise that tree ourselves anyway. For the tree’s sake, I believe this was for the best."
"I suppose so, but won't the elders make a fuss about it?"
"What right do those elders have to say anything? They just planted it in a corner of the village and left it neglected."
"Well, that tree is a symbol of the era when we still called ourselves the God-kin. If they find out it’s been sent elsewhere, they'll surely have something to say."
"If they complain, just retort with, 'Ooh, look at the scary God-kin~' at them. That will shut them right up."
"I’m fairly certain both you and I were also rampaging around back when we called ourselves God-kin, though."
"I’ve already forgotten those days. Right now, I am simply the grandmother to Tiselle and Aurora."
"Ugh. I’m honestly jealous that you have grandchildren. I’ll have to make Kierbit step up her game."
"It seems that very Kierbit has arrived. Most likely about the tree."
Kierbit followed Ruincia's gaze and rushed over to confront Malbit.
"Mother! What is the meaning of this?!"
Malbit thought for a moment before replying.
"Ooh, look at the scary God-kin~"
And so, a rematch of the martial arts tournament broke out. Or rather, it was just a mother-daughter spat. Malbit, refusing to leave the warmth of the kotatsu, seemed to be at a distinct disadvantage.
By the way, I was sitting in the kotatsu with them, sipping my tea. I’d thought it might be too early in the season, but the kotatsu's allure is truly difficult to resist.
"So, Ruincia. Apparently, that tree is a symbol of the Angel Race. Is it really alright for me to keep growing it like this?"
"I wouldn't have brought it here if it were a problem. Tia and Kierbit live here, as do Tiselle and Aurora. Please consider it part of the process of handing things over to the next generation."
"Well, as long as there’s no issue, I don't mind. I heard the leaves have various properties; would you mind if we looked into them? Actually, Lu and Flora have already plucked a few and taken them away."
Tia had looked like she wanted to pluck some too, but she’d done her best to hold back. Next to her, Aegis, the phoenix chick, was eating the leaves without a care in the world, though the "not-so-tasty" look on his face was quite amusing.
"I don't mind the investigation, but most of the relevant information is already recorded in the books I provided."
"Oh, is that so?"
"Yes."
I’d put them aside for later, but I should probably make an effort to read them. Or maybe it would be faster to just hand them over to Lu?
Still, Lu really does love her research. She was doing it at Shashato City, and she’s right back at it now that she’s home. She wasn't quite this intense when she first arrived... actually, no, she was always researching medicinal herbs and the like. Looking back, not much has changed. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but having a passion is healthy.
Ah, wait. She'd probably be annoyed if I called it a "hobby." It's good to be dedicated to one's work.
"Village Head. About the matter I’ve been discussing with you for a while now..."
Ruincia pulled out a sheet of parchment. It was the topic she’d brought up before: the migration of the Angel Race.
"I had been moving forward with plans for a total migration of our people, but the Garlet Kingdom came to us pleading for a reversal, so the plan stalled."
The Garlet Kingdom is where the Angel Race Village is located. Since they apparently worship the Angels, it would naturally be a problem for them if the objects of their faith moved away entirely.
"I was proceeding in absolute secrecy, but it seems someone co-opted by the kingdom... or perhaps someone who felt too indebted to them... leaked the information. Rest assured, the purge has been completed. Such a lapse will not happen again."
"Purge" is a terrifying word to hear in casual conversation. Surely she didn't...
"I sentenced them to the Ban on Sweets Punishment. When everyone else is eating dessert, I make sure they are served something bitter and astringent instead."
...I see.
I wonder if that actually qualifies as a purge. Regardless, I’m glad it wasn't an execution.
"So, while the migration plan has been put on hold, I’ve prepared this alternative instead."
Ruincia handed the parchment to me. I scanned the contents.
"Angel Race Branch Office Construction Plan?"
"It’s labeled as a branch office, but to be honest, it’s a winter villa. I’d like permission to build a house in the village large enough to accommodate about ten people."
"I don't mind that, but is just for the winter enough?"
"Our numbers will be highest during the winter. Otherwise, I expect only one or two residents. The primary goal is to familiarize the rest of the Angel Race with this village to prevent any of them from taking foolish actions."
"Foolish actions?"
I instinctively glanced over at Malbit, who was currently being dragged out of the kotatsu by Kierbit.
"That one is simply a fool. However, there are those among the Angel Race who cannot be satisfied unless we are treated as superior to everyone else."
"There are people like that?"
"Unfortunately, that is the mainstream view. The ones who have come to this village are the exceptions—those who have distanced themselves from that mindset and possess flexible thinking."
I got the feeling she’d almost said "eccentrics" instead of "exceptions." I see. I’d been using Tia and Granmaria as my baseline, but apparently, they’re the weird ones among their kind.
"Of course, I will personally educate anyone coming to the villa beforehand, so I don't believe they will cause any trouble for the village. In the unlikely event that something does happen, you have my permission to dispose of them as you see fit, Village Head."
"I understand. While they're here, I'll treat them as guests."
"Thank you. For now, I’ve outlined the budget for the villa's construction, stay expenses, and even a 'trouble fee' at the bottom of the parchment. Please look it over."
When she asked me to look it over, I saw a staggering number of zeros lined up. And that was just the amount for a single year.
"I'll treat them as guests, but I'll give you a discount if they're willing to work for the village."
"I have some hopes for that, though I suspect some will refuse to lift a finger."
Ruincia’s gaze drifted toward Malbit, who was now tickling Kierbit’s sides. The tables had turned.
"Anyway, the villa construction is approved. Is the residential area alright for the location?"
"I leave the placement to you."
"Any specific requests for the building itself?"
"As long as it’s within budget, we have no complaints. However, it would be a huge help if it could be finished before next winter."
"Hmm... for a project of this scale, it could probably be done before this winter even starts."
As if they’d been waiting for those exact words, the High Elves and the Civil Official girls appeared.
"Forget winter; we’ll have it finished before the harvest. Here is the projected drawing for the completed villa."
"And here is the construction estimate. Please confirm that everything is within budget. Will you be bringing your own furniture, or should we prepare it here in the village?"
The conversation shifted seamlessly from me to the High Elves and the Civil Official girls. It’s always best to leave the details to the experts. I decided to enjoy the kotatsu a while longer before my bath.
Hm? Is that Ariel?
She’d reached a size where calling her a kitten didn't quite fit anymore. She looked sleek and elegant.
"Do you want to get in too?"
I lifted the edge of the kotatsu blanket to invite her, but she ignored me. I guess it was still too early in the year for her to go inside. Instead, Ariel jumped onto the top of the kotatsu and turned her back to me.
Right, right. You want your back scratched.
I stroked Ariel’s back while finishing my tea. Based on the discussion between Ruincia and the girls, it looked like we’d be starting on the villa tomorrow.
Malbit, having claimed victory in her battle with Kierbit, returned to the kotatsu and went back to her snacks. The defeated Kierbit, meanwhile... was lying there in a state that really shouldn't be seen in polite company. It seemed she was incredibly ticklish.
Averting my eyes, I asked the nearby sisters, Suarliu and Suarkou, to go and help her.