Asa, the middle-aged butler, is currently on duty in the Royal Capital. Earth, Urza’s soil doll, is currently on duty in the Royal Capital. Mettora, a maid from the Post-Age of Gods Dragon Race, is currently on duty in the Royal Capital. Nart, a beastman girl and the children's leader while Urza is away. Miyo, a little girl maid currently stationed in Shashato City. Yoko, the nine-tailed fox and Acting Village Head of Village Five. Sena, a beastman woman, leader of the village beastmen, and Sette’s mother. Gatto, Sena’s older brother and Nart’s father. Galf, a powerful beastman warrior. Daga, the leader of the lizardmen. Isree, Urza’s friend from the Academy. Ann, the leader of the High Ogre maids. Ramrias, the number two of the High Ogre maids. Torain, the son of the Village Head and Ann.
Alfred and the others finally made it back to the village.
When the front door of the mansion swung open, they shouted a boisterous greeting to those of us waiting inside.
"We're home!"
Urza’s voice was easily the loudest of the bunch.
Zabuton and Hakuren immediately hurried over to her side. Zabuton seemed especially thrilled to see Urza before her winter hibernation began.
"Whoa there, you're overwhelming her. Try not to fight over her, okay?"
Are they taking Urza somewhere? Ah, right—to where Nart and the others are waiting.
"Go right ahead. But we’re having an extravagant dinner tonight, so make sure you aren't late."
I turned my attention to Lu.
"Hold on, Lu. Don't whisk Alfred away just yet. I want to greet him properly, too."
"I have returned, Father."
"Welcome back. Have you been doing well? Well, I suppose I already knew that from your letters, but still."
I laughed, feeling a wave of relief. "I'm glad to see you're healthy. But man, you’ve really grown."
He should have only been around middle-school age, yet he looked more like a high schooler. Children really do grow up fast.
As I was lost in sentiment, Lu began to fidget, pressing me to finish up.
"Sorry, sorry. Alfred, go ahead and keep Lu company. We’ll have a long talk later."
I handed Alfred over to Lu and turned to Tiselle, but...
She was already surrounded by the other Angels. Her mother, Tia, and her grandmother, Ruincia, were proudly introducing her to the rest of their kind.
I suppose I’d have to wait until later to talk to her.
Instead, I went to greet Asa, Earth, and Mettora, who had been supporting the kids' lives at the Academy.
"It must have been difficult for you all. Thank you. Since it looks like Alfred and the others won't be graduating for a while yet, I’ll be counting on you again next year. If there's anything you need, just let me know."
"Not at all, sir," Asa replied. "In fact, I must apologize. I feel I haven't fulfilled my duties perfectly. I intend to spend this winter retraining myself."
As soon as Asa voiced his request, Earth followed suit.
"Since I've been given a lot of leeway regarding the shop, I don't have any personal requests. However, the burden of running the establishment has fallen heavily on Mettora-san. I would appreciate it if you could grant whatever she asks for."
"I see. Mettora, do you have something in mind?"
"Yes. It shames me to admit my own inadequacy... but I do have one request. If you'll hear it?"
"If it's within my power," I told her.
"Then... please provide us with additional staffing."
I blinked. "Come again?"
"I am requesting additional personnel."
I heard her that time. "So, the work is getting too difficult for just the three of you?"
"It is. Currently, we have the assistance of Gol-sama, Sil-sama, and Bron-sama. We also have High Elf Rigne-san, as well as Ojes, Hyfryguta, and Kihatroy from the Dragon Race. We’ve even borrowed General Gratz’s subordinates and help from the Dalfon Company. We are barely keeping our heads above water. If things continue as they are, we won't be able to keep up."
"I see..."
"We don't need raw numbers," she clarified. "We can hire locals for that. Nor do we need martial prowess; the Demon King is nearby if we need muscle. What we truly need is someone who can stand their ground with Alfred-sama, Tiselle-sama, and Urza-sama—someone who understands the village's interests and can manage a large team. If I may be bold, I would ask for Miyo-sama from Shashato City."
"That's a no-go," I replied immediately. "If I pull Miyo, Maruura will be in trouble. Besides, she's vital to Big Roof Shashato, and Magistrate Ifuls specifically asked that she stay there."
"Yoko-sama would also suffice."
"Then Village Five would collapse. You know that as well as I do."
"I understand. But I am telling you that unless someone of that caliber is assigned to us, our activities in the Royal Capital will suffer."
I hummed, deep in thought. Was there anyone like that? Kierbit came to mind, but she was busy with her own duties as an Angel. Malbit and Ruincia were also out of the question; until things settled in the Garlet Kingdom, the Angels would have their hands full.
Who else?
Flora? No, she never leaves her research lab. She isn't the type to lead people.
Sena? She was the leader of the village's beastmen. If she was gone for months, it would mess with their internal hierarchy. Plus, her daughter Sette was still very young. It was too much to ask her to move.
Gatto? He had leadership skills, but he’d likely be miserable in the Royal Capital, and I couldn't exactly take him away from his forge.
Daga and Galf were warriors. They could command a unit in a fight, but sitting in an office giving orders? That was doubtful. They’d probably just end up charging out into the field themselves.
What Mettora wanted was a delegator—someone like Miyo or Yoko who avoided doing the grunt work themselves and instead managed others to get results. Once Tiselle grew up, she’d be perfect, but...
"I want someone who can act as a proxy for Tiselle-sama," Mettora added.
"I see. But is looking after them at the Academy really that much work? When Gol and the others were there..."
Wait, the situation was different now. They had graduated quickly and become teachers.
"No, that's not it," Mettora explained. "To put it bluntly... every time Alfred-sama, Tiselle-sama, and Urza-sama face a problem and solve it, their organization grows."
"Organization?"
"Think of it as a faction within the Noble Academy. Originally, Tiselle-sama managed it, but she's been spending more and more time at the Royal Castle."
Asa was with Tiselle as her guard, and Earth was tied up at the shop. That left Mettora alone to look after Alfred and Urza while also managing their growing faction as a proxy.
"There are talented students in the group, so I delegate to them when I can, but there are situations where a proper adult is required. Gol-sama, Sil-sama, and Bron-sama aren't always in the Capital, either."
I understood the problem now. But who was left? Outside the village... there was Pirika in Village Five. But could she really stand up to Alfred and Urza? And what about her job leading the Security Team? Was there anyone who could replace her?
There was no point going in circles. I’d have to consult with the others.
"Mettora, I'm sorry, but I’ll have to put your request on hold for now. I’ll see what I can do."
"I'll leave it in your hands."
I looked over at Tiselle again, but she still seemed busy. On that note... wait, where was Isree, Urza’s friend?
Did Dos and the others take her? It must have been for Mahjong. I just hoped they weren't gambling away a fortune again.
I’d go check on them later. For now, I decided to help get dinner ready.
"Tia, if Tiselle’s hands are free, could you call her over? Thanks."
After dinner.
"Village Head. Regarding Mettora-sama's request."
Ann, who had brought me my after-dinner tea, spoke up.
"I have someone I’d like to recommend."
"Really? Who? Not you or Ramrias, surely? If either of you left for a long time, the mansion wouldn't be able to run."
"Thank you, but I am recommending someone else. My son."
"Ann’s son... you mean Torain?"
He wasn't even ten years old yet. He was only nine.
"But he is very capable," she insisted.
"I know. Lu and Hakuren have both praised him. But he’s still just a boy."
"His horns have already come in."
"I know, but they came in quite a while ago. That isn't a reason." Even if I did send him to the Academy, it would be as Alfred’s junior, not as the administrative reinforcement Mettora was asking for.
"I don't mind if he’s a student. He can handle that much. However, since his small stature is an issue, I ask that you send one of the Mountain Elves to assist him."
One of the Mountain Elves... I knew exactly who she meant. The one who was always with Torain. To be precise, she was the technician who gave physical form to Torain’s ideas. She had practically become his private engineer.
"Yes, her. If the two of them go together, they should be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"They will manage. He is our son, after all."
Well, when she put it like that...
"Besides," Ann added, "one more person will likely follow him of their own accord. If we leave the immediate problem-solving to her, it should resolve everything."
"What do you mean? Follow him? Automatically? Is it one of the other maids?"
"No. Her."
Ann glanced over toward Kierbit.
Kierbit was watching Torain, the boy in question. He was currently going around handing out tea just like Ann and the others—helping the maids with their work. It was an admirable sight.
Kierbit was watching him with a fond, wistful smile.
"Unofficially, she’s already approached me to ask how I’d feel about her becoming Torain’s wife. Once he’s a bit older, of course."
"......................Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeh?!"