I’d heard from the lizardmen that fish had somehow found their way into the reservoir. I’d confirmed that while there weren't any giants down there, there were quite a few in the ten-centimeter range.
So, I launched a small boat onto the water and hopped in with my fishing gear. It was still hot out, so I made sure not to forget my straw hat. This particular hat had been made by the residents of Village One; they’d gotten quite good at the craft.
I also put a straw hat on Kuro, who had climbed into the boat with me. The one I gave him was one I’d made myself. Compared to the professional work from Village One, it was a bit misshapen, but I hoped he’d overlook the craftsmanship.
About two hours passed without so much as a twitch on the line.
A Pond Turtle living in the reservoir asked if I wanted them to drive the fish toward me. I told them that wasn't necessary. Knowing the fish were actually down there was enough for me.
Kuro was fast asleep beside me. That was fine; it would’ve been more pressure if he’d been awake and expectant.
By evening, I called it a day. Please don't ask about the catch. It was refreshing, and that's what mattered. I wasn't frustrated at all. This is just what happens when I don't use the Universal Farming Tool. I think I'll make a new rod and maybe experiment with the hooks, even though I didn't get a single bite today.
The bait wasn't the issue; the Pond Turtle told me the fish were happily eating any bait that wasn't attached to a hook. Hmm. Maybe the line? No, the line was Zabuton’s thread. It should've been fine. Before I started, Zabuton had used the same thread and hook to easily pull one up herself.
At any rate, Kuro was full of energy after his long nap. As I went to retrieve his straw hat, I saw his horn had poked right through it. I thought about fixing it, then decided to just let him keep it as his own. I’d display it at the mansion's entrance so he could wear it on sunny days. Not that he could put it on himself, of course.
Red Armor and White Armor, the mansion gatekeepers, raised their legs as if to say, "Leave that to us."
"Right, I’ll leave it in your care. Next time, I’ll make small hats for you two as well..."
I stopped mid-sentence as I felt eyes on me. Kuro’s children and Zabuton’s children were all staring. Making hats for everyone was impossible; I had the materials, but not enough time before summer ended. I settled on making a few for them to share and told them no fighting was allowed.
That night, Lu and Tia requested straw hats for the children. I pointed out we already had the ones from Village One, but they insisted mine were better. It didn't feel bad to be appreciated, so I promised to do my best.
Over in Village Five, it was decided that a festival would be held. They called it a "Village Founding Festival." According to Yoko, the residents had come up with it themselves as a way to celebrate me as the Village Head. She’d given them permission without stopping to ask me. They planned to carry a statue of me on a mikoshi through the streets.
I begged them to use the Creator God or the Agricultural God instead. I even offered to carve them myself. (Progenitor-san, please step back a bit.)
In the end, we reached a compromise. The residents would make my statue, and I would carve the Creator God and Agricultural God so that mine wouldn't stand out as much. It was better than being the sole focus, but it still felt a bit sacrilegious to be placed on their level. Saint Seles said it was fine as long as the actual gods were given higher symbolic priority, so I had the residents make their palanquins much grander than mine.
I also carved a statue of Yoko: it depicted her sitting in human form with her nine-tailed fox form looming behind her. Yoko burst into laughter when she saw it, claiming it was far too beautified, though her daughter Hitoe was thrilled.
Unfortunately, I miscalculated the scale. By making the human Yoko life-sized, the fox form became massive and wouldn't fit on the festival float. Since I’d gone to the trouble of making it, we placed it in front of Yoko’s mansion for the duration of the festival and planned to move it near the teleportation gate afterward.
My only role in the festival came at the very end. Wearing an outfit coordinated by Zabuton, I gave a closing speech drafted by the Civil Official Girls. It was nerve-wracking to speak before such a massive crowd, but I managed to finish without any issues. The festival technically ended with my speech, but a post-party kept the energy high throughout the night.
Just as we began the summer harvest back in the village, a visitor arrived: the angel Razmaria.
My first impression was that she looked like a goddess—gorgeous hair, a stunning figure, a calm presence, and a gentle smile. She was Granmaria’s mother. However, the moment her formal greeting to me ended, she and Suarlou began a brutal fistfight. So much for the goddess vibe.
Granmaria had visited the angel village in the spring to report Rosemaria’s birth and said she’d met her mother. I’d expected them to arrive together, but Suarlou had shown up first. I’d been so overwhelmed by Suarlou's intensity lately that I hadn't asked for details until now.
Suarliu and Suarkou explained that Suarlou had dumped her duties—specifically attending a ritual in another country—onto Razmaria. Suarlou had then deserted halfway through, dragging Granmaria and Kierbit along to our village. Razmaria had been stuck finishing the ritual alone and had even lost her guides to our village in the process.
After finishing her brawl with Suarlou, Razmaria turned her terrifying smile toward Granmaria and Kierbit.
"Did you two really think I wouldn't be troubled if you both vanished?" she asked softly.
It didn't turn into a fight, but Granmaria and Kierbit looked petrified. Suarlou looked even worse for wear. I wondered if she’d really been the "strongest angel" before Tia, or if she’d simply been overwhelmed by Razmaria's "grandchild-wanting power." Either way, I told them to apologize and had Granmaria let Razmaria hold Rosemaria.
Malbit, who had guided Razmaria here, arrived quite early. She was all smiles, but I suspected Ruincia would scold her later. She didn't seem to care, though. I told her not to come crying to me when it happened and put everyone to work.
Even Draim was helping pull daikon radishes. Suarlou, having recovered, was out picking carrots. When I told Malbit, she didn't believe me until I had Suarlou confirm it.
Suarlou simply replied, "The Village Head is God."
I don't know what she was so convinced of, but Malbit just nodded along.