Autumn had arrived.
It was the season when training for the martial arts tournament took place all across the village. Everyone seemed to be giving it their all.
Wait, was I not going to train, you asked?
I was not.
Everyone put so much intensity into their training during this period that it was dangerous for an amateur to join in. I had no desire to get injured. Instead, I decided to spend some quiet time with those who also happened to be free.
Allow me to introduce the members!
The reliable first member: the sweets-loving Fairy Queen!
The powerful second member: Aegis, who lived a pampered life under the eagle's protection!
The indomitable third member: the Sake Slime, for whom alcohol was life itself!
The wise fourth member: Box No. 4051, featuring an automatic opening and closing function!
The free-spirited fifth member: the Flying Carpet, Ruler of the Low Altitudes!
And finally, our emergency sixth member: the High Ogre Maid Number Two, who happened to be passing by—Ramrias!
That was the group.
……
Ramrias, please don't say that you and the Fairy Queen were the only ones I could actually talk to.
"Sweets! Sweets!"
……
Ramrias, please don't say that you were the only one I could actually talk to. We could communicate just fine. It was all under control.
What happened to Kuro and Yuki, who usually looked so bored? They were busy overseeing the children's training. They probably would have joined us if I had asked, but it was rare to see the two of them displaying such leadership. I didn't want to get in their way.
As for the cats? The Older Sister Cats refused to leave the tiger Sougetsu's side, and the Younger Sister Cats were waiting for the Demon King to arrive. The father cat, Raigiel, and the mother cat, Jewel, were busy being a happy couple. I couldn't exactly disturb them.
No, there was no need to worry about me. I didn't need anyone to go out of their way to fetch someone else. Truly. I was just planning to relax. It was fine. I was perfectly fine.
I couldn't tell if Ramrias was just a natural worrywart or if she simply enjoyed treating me like a child... but either way, it didn't really matter. Let’s just relax.
The concept was simple: enjoying the autumn breeze. To that end, I set up a table and chairs in a sunny spot and prepared to enjoy a light meal. Of course, since the Fairy Queen and the Sake Slime were present, I couldn't forget the sweets and the alcohol. They would definitely sulk if I left those out.
When I tried to prepare them myself, however, Ramrias moved with startling speed to block my path.
...Fine, I would leave it to her.
A short while later, Ramrias returned with black tea and cookies. She set them out for me and the Fairy Queen, naturally, but she also placed portions in front of Aegis, the Sake Slime, Box No. 4051, and the Flying Carpet.
Wait. Why was there a tea cup in front of the Sake Slime? What about the sake? The Sake Slime's cup had less liquid than the others, but it looked like the same tea.
As if sensing my confusion, Ramrias produced a small jar and poured its contents into the slime's cup. I see; the jar contained the alcohol. It was like tea with brandy. Or rather, given the proportions, was it more like sake with a splash of tea? The Sake Slime didn't seem to have any complaints, so I assumed it was fine.
The cookies were from a batch made previously, but the flavor was excellent. They paired perfectly with the tea. Ramrias certainly knew how to pick them.
Box No. 4051 and the Flying Carpet couldn't actually eat or drink, but I hoped they were at least enjoying the atmosphere.
Yes, yes. Box No. 4051, you wanted me to put the tea and cookies inside you? Understood.
As for the Flying Carpet... it was trying to wedge itself underneath the tea cups and the cookie plates. Was it trying to do a reverse tablecloth pull? No, the carpet was quite thick, so that wasn't going to work. Putting the plates aside, if the tea spilled, it would definitely leave a stain.
Fairy Queen, just because you finished your portion doesn't mean you can target the Flying Carpet's cookies. I'll share some of mine with you.
Sake Slime, stop staring at the little jar in Ramrias's hand. Was it really that good? Fine, I get it. I'll ask the Dwarves for some later.
Aegis was... surprisingly well-behaved, sipping away quietly. There were no issues at all. No issues, and yet... how was it holding a tea cup with its wings? That was some impressive dexterity. Well, whatever.
"Um... Village Head, are you actually managing to relax?" Ramrias asked.
I was relaxing. Truly. I was.
...I needed to be honest with myself.
Reflection: I hadn't been able to relax at all. It was fun, sure, but not relaxing. What had gone wrong? Perhaps I had gathered too many people.
The following day, my relaxation was "produced" by Ramrias.
I was in a room in the mansion with large windows and plenty of sunlight. A sofa had been moved next to the window, and I lay down on it. This was certainly much more peaceful.
Oh? A pillow? I started to lift my head, expecting her to slide one underneath.
I was wrong. Ramrias gave me a lap pillow instead.
……
This was relaxation.
However, it was getting quite noisy outside the room.
"Don't let her monopolize the Village Head!"
"Breaching Unit, move out!"
"We must hold this line for Ramrias-sama! Show them the true power of the High Ogre Maids!"
When I looked toward the door with concern, Ramrias used soundproofing magic to cut off all noise from the hallway.
……
I suppose I would just stay here and relax until the door was finally breached.