Humans were adaptable creatures.
Take the Demon Spiders, for instance. I eventually learned they were actually Demon Spider Spiderlings, but I no longer felt any reason to fear them. They simply went about their chores within the Village Head’s Mansion. I was told their primary duties were security and escorting, but I soon discovered that clothing maintenance was also an essential part of their job.
"Wait, so you were the one who embroidered my clothes?" I asked.
One of the spiders raised a leg with a troubled air.
"It was you, then? Look, I don't particularly mind the embroidery, but please ask for my permission first. This is my underwear, after all."
Besides, white thread on a white background was a bit too extravagant for my taste.
"Ah, there’s no need to look so dejected. The craftsmanship is magnificent. And you were trying to hide a hole for me, weren't you? Thank you."
I couldn't help but chuckle.
The spiders weren't the only ones working; the Inferno Wolves were quite diligent as well. Despite the freezing winter weather, they frequently ventured into the forest to hunt. They sometimes brought back prey larger than their own bodies, which was truly impressive, even if dragging the kills home looked like a monumental struggle.
"Oh, here, let me help you with that."
It was incredibly heavy.
That said, not every Inferno Wolf was a hard worker. Some individuals did nothing but lounge around in the warmest spots of the mansion. I suppose every organization had its slackers; my own group certainly did.
"You lot shouldn't grow up to be like them," I muttered to the younger ones.
...As for the group holding a massive banquet in one corner of the mansion, I decided it was best to pretend I hadn't seen them. It was clearly a group one should never approach.
Thanks to an introduction from Guronde-san, I also became quite close with the village children. A girl named Nart seemed to be their undisputed leader. There was no doubt about her authority, considering she gave orders to Urza-san, Alfred-kun, and Tiselle-san without a moment's hesitation.
Naturally, I figured that if I defeated her, I would become the leader. It was with that ambitious mindset that I challenged her to a game of bowling. While they had a smaller version called mini bowling, the full-sized game suited my disposition much better. The larger pins were far more intimidating, especially since they were carved with the likenesses of various villains like murderers and arsonists.
"Um, excuse me... could you please swap out the Assassin Pin for something else? Also, real assassins don't dress in such a cliché manner. I realize you have to make them recognizable for the sake of the game, but still..."
And Urza-san, I really don't think you should be aiming exclusively for the murderers. The goal is to knock them all down.
I ended up losing the bowling match to Nart-san, but I managed to win our knife-throwing competition. I felt a swell of pride. Knives were my absolute specialty, after all. Hearing the children’s cheers of admiration was a wonderful feeling.
"Oh, um, pardon me. Who are these Elves and Dwarves?"
"A knife-throwing match against me?"
Hmph. Fine. I decided to show them my true power.
I quickly learned that there was always someone better. I chose to tell myself that I simply had more room to grow. From that day forward, I vowed to redouble my efforts in both bowling and knife-throwing.
I also made sure to memorize the details of the important figures in the village. One of them was Pirika Winup.
...Wait, wasn't she the Sword Saint? The one who had gone missing? Why was she here?
"Ah, no, pay me no mind! I'm just an ordinary person! Er, um..."
"Train together?"
I-I was honored.
Because it was a bitter winter day, training took place in a spacious hall within the mansion. Quite a crowd gathered. Was that beastman the legendary God of War Galf? I had heard rumors of his strength, but seeing him in person was something else entirely. He was powerful.
However, the one sparring with him was a Lizardman named Daga, and Daga actually seemed to win more often. Even the High Elves were formidable. I had always imagined Elves were strictly archers, but these individuals were proficient in swordsmanship, knife-throwing, and even grappling.
Then there were the Lamia. I had heard stories that a single member of the Lamia Race possessed the strength of several hundred soldiers. Yet, I watched one lose quite decisively to a member of the Devil Race dressed as a butler.
Yes, there was definitely always someone better. I couldn't afford to be conceited.
"By the way, Pirika-sama... Everyone is beating you except me. Are you perhaps in the middle of some special training, like wearing heavy weights under your clothes?"
"You're not? Oh. I see."
...Perhaps making an enemy of the Demon Kingdom was a terrible mistake. I made a mental note to report that finding very clearly once I returned to the Academy.
Later, I was caught by the group holding the banquet in the corner of the mansion.
"Mahjong?"
I didn't really know the rules, but they insisted.
"Y-Yes, I'll learn right away."
Let's see...
"Ron. Tanpin Iipeiko Dora Dora."
"Gunuuuh!"
I landed a direct hit on the old man sitting across from me and managed to hold onto my lead until the end. Mahjong turned out to be quite a fun game.
Wait, what were all these gold coins being piled up behind me? In games like this, the stakes were usually Medium Copper Coins. Even high-ranking nobles only played for Silver Coins. And please, stop talking about terrifying things like Gold Mine Rights or rare metal mining concessions. I-I wasn't going to let their psychological warfare get to me!
By the end of it, I had become incredibly wealthy. It was so terrifying that I immediately handed it all over to Urza’s father. I had lived my entire life without ever seeing a Gold Coin. I rarely even saw Silver Coins. A whole barrel full of Gold Coins was enough to give me a heart attack.
(Well, I did keep just one hidden away, just in case.)
Urza’s father seemed to have a hobby of sculpting. Or perhaps it was his actual profession? His work was magnificent. The Statues of God, in particular, radiated an extraordinary, almost divine aura.
"Pardon me, who is this gentleman explaining the statues?"
His face looked familiar... but there was no way he was a high-ranking official of the Korin Religion. He wouldn't be in a place like this. He simply smiled at me and didn't offer a name.
Finally, I encountered a face I recognized for certain: Saint Seles.
Years ago, I had assisted in her kidnapping. Since we were both women, I had been assigned as her caretaker, and we lived together for several months. That was how I knew. The moment she saw me, her footwork changed. She was in a combat stance.
I responded in kind. My opponent was unarmed, but I drew my knives without hesitation. She wouldn't consider it unfair. I didn't just pull one; I drew two. I didn't intend to kill her, of course. I just wanted to show her which of us was superior now.
Wait—she was fast! My knives couldn't touch her. Impossible! Moreover, her movements were no longer as linear as they were in the past; her feints were incredibly sophisticated. Before I realized it, her hook slammed into my side. I could endure one hit—then she followed up with a triple-hit combination!
This was bad. The next straight punch was coming for my face. I moved to guard—
The punch hit my stomach instead. I collapsed, gasping as I doubled over.
"Keep your mouth shut about the past," Seles said.
She then carried me back to my room. Seles... no, Seles-san. If you have a request, you really shouldn't lead with a punch. Also, I felt terrible for Urza’s father, who had to clean up the floor afterward.
"Oh, Seles-san. Don't put me on top of the bed. Put me under it. I feel much more relaxed down there."