Winter had arrived.
It had grown cold. Did the cold bring winter, or did winter bring the cold? It didn't really matter either way. For now, it was simply winter.
The Eagle occasionally flew off to distant places. When I wondered where he was going, it turned out to be the Northern Dungeon where the Giant Race lived. Apparently, he was using the area around the dungeon as a feeding ground.
The fact that he had been talking to the Giants shortly before the Harvest Festival was seemingly to exchange information about those feeding grounds. I had been certain they were discussing their performance for the festival. Well, the Eagle had worked hard alongside the Phoenix Chick Aegis, and the Giants had done their best with the Lamia Race, so I probably should have realized their earlier meetings weren't about the festival at all.
Wait, if he was going to the Northern Dungeon so frequently, could I have him carry letters to the Giants? Since they were for the Giants to read, I had to write them on wooden boards, making them quite heavy. However, he carried them without a problem.
"I'm sorry to trouble you, but I'll leave this in your care. As for the reward... is Daikon alright?"
He seemed satisfied. I paid him in advance.
I sliced a Daikon into rounds and tossed several pieces into the air. The Eagle skillfully caught and ate them mid-flight. He was quite talented.
Just then, Aegis appeared out of nowhere and insisted that I throw some to him as well. I explained that these were a reward for delivering letters. He chirped back, claiming he would help with the delivery if I threw him some.
"Eagle, Aegis says he wants to help. Is that alright with you?"
The Eagle's expression suggested he would just be a nuisance.
"I see... Aegis, final confirmation. I can already see how this is going to end, but are you sure you want me to throw it?"
Aegis gave me a determined look.
"Alright, here it goes."
I tossed a single slice of Daikon into the air, aiming as close to Aegis as possible. I thought I was being quite generous with the placement, but as expected, Aegis failed to catch it.
The slice was snatched up by one of Kuro's children who had been standing by my side. He gulped it down and trotted over to me, wagging his tail with a look that asked, "How was that?"
I had no choice but to praise him. While trying to avoid looking at the dejected Aegis, I patted the wolf's head. The Eagle did his best to console the little phoenix. Once the Eagle took flight with the letter in his talons and Aegis riding on his back, I headed inside to relax in my room at the Village Head's Mansion.
I had actually intended to do some woodworking, but I had recently been cautioned by the Ogre Maid Ann that I was overworking myself. I didn't think I was doing anything of the sort, but when she told me to follow the Demon King's example, it gave me pause.
The example I was supposed to follow was how the Demon King regularly visited the village just to play with the kittens. She meant I should take proper breaks like that. I thought I was taking breaks, but I suppose it didn't look that way to the people around me. Taking her advice to heart, I decided to spend today relaxing in a very obvious manner.
First, I sank into a large sofa. This sofa was my own handiwork; I had worked hard on it between the winter preparations. It had been a real struggle to achieve this level of softness.
...And that's exactly why people think I'm working too much. I reflected on my habits once again.
I basked in the comfort of the sofa. The sun was still high in the sky, making this feel like an incredible luxury.
Suddenly, I felt a weight. It was Miel. She climbed onto my stomach... wow, she had really grown. The Demon King had mentioned that she should start looking for a partner soon, but when I asked her, she didn't seem interested yet.
Following Miel, the other sisters and kittens—Rael, Uel, Gael, Ariel, Haniel, Zeruel, and Samael—all piled onto my stomach one after another. They were heavy. And I really wished they wouldn't fight on top of me; their claws hurt.
Before I knew it, the cats had successfully evicted me from my own sofa. They claimed their spots and began to lounge together in harmony.
Did they think this sofa belonged to them?
I gave up on my room and headed to the guest room. I figured if I was going to relax, I should do it where people could actually see me doing it. It definitely wasn't because I had lost to the cats.
In the guest room, the most prominent sight was Malbit, fully entrenched in the kotatsu. She was day-drinking with the Sake Slime. I had been told to follow the Demon King's example, but certainly not Malbit's. Still, one had to admit she was a master of leisure.
"No, she isn't. She is simply a slacker."
Ruincia stopped me as I moved toward the kotatsu. She then reached in, dragged Malbit out, and tossed her aside.
"I believe I told you we were gathering outside for Kierbit's training."
"But I said I'd pass!" Malbit whined.
"Participation is mandatory."
A struggle broke out between the two—or rather, it was a one-sided thrashing from Ruincia. The Sake Slime took the opportunity to gulp down the remaining alcohol on the table before being promptly collected by Saint Seles.
Well, now what? Should I take the spot in the kotatsu that Malbit had vacated? Thinking of the sight of Malbit being hauled away in a headlock, I felt a bit of hesitation. Maybe I'd save the kotatsu for later.
Looking toward another corner of the room, I saw Hiichiro's heroic figure projected onto a white cloth screen. It was footage from the Harvest Festival. He was in his dragon form, fully armed and striking poses. He looked so powerful it was hard to believe he was my son. Gral and Lananon were also on the screen in their human forms.
It was only a five-minute clip, but Raimeiren, Dos, Giral, and Graffaloon were watching it on a continuous loop. Ire, who was managing the broadcast, looked at me with a pleading expression. I asked him how many times they had watched it.
"I've lost count. They've been at it since this morning."
I couldn't exactly tell them to stop, so I tried to think of a solution. Bringing Hiichiro, Gral, and Lananon here in person would be best; the real thing was always better than a recording.
"Hiichiro-sama and Gral-sama are currently studying. Lananon-sama is taking a nap," a nearby High Ogre Maid informed me.
"Just hold out until the children are finished with their lessons. Hang in there."
I shook off Ire's desperate gaze and left the room. With the children studying, the mansion was quite peaceful. I wondered what I should do until they were finished.
Kuro's children looked at me with expectant eyes. Zabuton's children did the same.
Fine then. I decided to spend the rest of the afternoon playing with the wolves and the spiders.
By nightfall, I was exhausted as I sat down for dinner.
"I believe I suggested that you should rest?"
Ann's gaze was sharp. I'd have to make sure I rested properly tomorrow, so I hoped she would forgive me for today. It had been a relaxing winter day.
Hiichiro: Grandchild of Dos and Raimeiren. Gral: Giral's Daughter. Lananon: Grandchild of Graffaloon.