It was the day after the martial arts tournament.
While the group still intent on feasting was moved to the mansion, the cleanup began. My motto was to leave a place cleaner than it was before we used it. Of course, the residents would do exactly that even if I didn't say a word, so I kept the thought to myself.
Once I finished my assigned tasks, I went to see off the participants and spectators from the various villages as they gradually began their journeys home.
Jack from Village One performed brilliantly this year. As a result, he was graduating from the General Division and would compete in the Warrior Division next time. He looked happy, yet he confessed he was a bit frightened of what lay ahead. Still, compared to when he first arrived at the village, he had become exceptionally strong. I’m sure he’ll do great next year, too. The other residents had their share of wins and losses, but none of them suffered a one-sided defeat. I was impressed by how much everyone had grown.
Most of the Minotaur Race from Village Two entered the General Division, while Gordon entered the Warrior Division, though none of them made much of an impact. Gordon spent the banquet last night slumped over with his knees to his chest in a fit of depression, but he seems to have bounced back today. That’s a relief. The Minotaurs who didn't participate in the tournament had spent their time helping at the food stalls. The High Ogre Maids were delighted, saying they had been a massive help, so I wanted to ask for their assistance again next year. With the number of attendees increasing, we needed all the hands we could get.
The Centaurs from Village Three weren't particularly enthusiastic about entering. Only a few young ones joined the General Division. It’s a species-specific issue; the tournament stage doesn't provide enough space for them to build up the momentum needed for their strongest attacks. While it wasn't necessary for every single person to participate, I wanted to avoid a situation where people felt they couldn't enter because of their race. The Centaurs told me not to worry about it, but I felt we needed to find a solution. Come to think of it, the Nyunyu-daphne and Harpies from Village One weren't able to participate effectively either. I should bring this up at the Review Meeting. Choosing not to participate is fine, but being unable to participate is a different matter entirely.
Incidentally, during the tournament, the Centaurs helped transport competitors and spectators by pulling small, one-seater carriages. I had dubbed those "Centaur Rickshaws."
The Devil Race and Dream Demons of Village Four don't participate much either. Apparently, in their case, it isn't a racial trait but simply a lack of combat prowess. I thought they’d be fine in the General Division, but if they say they prefer peace, I won’t argue. Cheering is a form of participation, too. The Mercury Race didn't enter either, claiming that working behind the scenes suited them better. Instead, they helped the Civil Official Girls. They were a big help in many ways, and I was grateful for it.
The Lamia Race from the Southern Dungeon seem to have sent a hand-picked elite, as they saw great results in both the Warrior and Knight Divisions. Their excitement hadn't cooled down even after the tournament ended; they were still holding mock battles inside the dungeon. They’re certainly more bellicose than the group from Village Four. Since the Lamias will be helping with the autumn harvest, they’ll be living in the dungeon for a while instead of heading home. I get the feeling their numbers increase every time they visit; I wondered if they had enough daily necessities. I made a mental note to tell them not to hesitate if they needed anything. Also, it seemed they were consulting Frau about how many Reward Medals they would need to trade for me to visit the Southern Dungeon, but Reward Medals aren't necessary for something like that. I’ll do my best to find some time to go.
The Giant Race from the Northern Dungeon also sent their best and performed well in the Warrior and Knight Divisions. Unlike the Lamias, the Giants usually vented their post-tournament energy through sumo rather than mock battles... though apparently, a few of them have joined the Lamias' fray anyway. Well, I didn't mind, as long as they didn't cause trouble for anyone else. Like the Lamias, the Giants would be staying to help with the harvest. They mentioned being short on bedding—specifically, they lacked enough giant-sized sets. We had some spares for the Minotaur Race, so I asked them to make do with those for the time being.
Pirika headed back to Village Five via the teleportation gate. She looked like she wanted to stay longer, but Yoko requested her return, saying it was about time she got back to the security team. Pirika was our only entrant from Village Five this time; I wondered if I should find a way to encourage more people to join. However, the residents there are still terrified of Kuro and the other wolves. It’s hard to invite them from our side without it feeling like a command they can't refuse. I didn't want to force anyone. Besides, Village Five has plenty of its own events to keep people busy.
The Demon King headed home with Beezel. The injuries he sustained in his match against Graffaloon—the one right after his fight with Pirika—seemed to be fully healed. Graffaloon had praised him, saying he was even stronger than usual. He was quite disappointed, however, that he’d spent last night focused on recovery and missed out on playing with the kittens. Well, he’ll probably be back soon, so he can see the cats then. More importantly, I asked him to look after Alfred, Gol, and the others at the Royal Capital. They seem quite busy lately, and I’d be happy if he kept an eye on them. Also, while I wouldn't stop Tiselle from helping him with his work, I told him not to push her too hard. She’s still just a child, after all.
The dragons' banquet shows no signs of stopping. I suppose with Hakuren and Rusty’s pregnancies and the tournament, they have plenty to talk about. I didn't see Raimeiren or Gral around, so they were likely visiting Hiichiro. Kuorun and Domaim were missing too—apparently, they’re off training in the dungeon to process the frustration of losing to Kuro and Yuki. I had thought the mock battles between the Lamias and Giants were getting a bit flashy, but it turned out the dragons were participating as well.
Regarding Zabuton, she lost her match against Guronde. Or rather, after they both showcased their respective techniques, she conceded the win. Neither of them took any damage. Zabuton had only participated in the hopes that Urza would return to watch; since Urza wasn't there, she didn't see much point in fighting seriously. Guronde mentioned that she could still manage against Zabuton if she were in her dragon form, but in human form, the spider was too much for her. She looked relieved to have avoided a pathetic showing. That same Guronde was currently acting all spoiled toward Giral at the banquet. It wasn't just her; most dragon couples seemed to get along famously. I decided it was best not to disturb them.
Once the send-offs were finished, I spent some quiet time in my room with Kuro, Yuki, and Zabuton. We’ll need to start preparing for winter soon, but I think it’s fine to just relax for today. I do feel a bit bad that Zabuton will be hibernating by the time Urza returns for the winter holidays. I hope Urza can make it back before she falls asleep, or perhaps stay long enough to see her wake up in the spring.