Zabuton and her children began preparing for their winter hibernation. It was an annual occurrence, but this year, things looked a bit different. To be specific, they had prepared futons. Apparently, they were very particular about the weight of their quilts. ... Was that how hibernation worked? I’d never actually seen them in the middle of their winter sleep, so I couldn't say for sure. I’d always imagined them staying perfectly still inside a hole or a nest. Still, if Zabuton and her children said they were using futons, then that was that. I wasn't going to interfere. Some of them had even prepared pajamas and nightcaps. Again, I wasn't going to interfere. They actually looked quite good in them. It seemed like quite a chore to slip every single leg into its respective sleeve, though. Was it fine because the fabric was stretchy? And the absorbency was top-notch? I see. They were remarkably well-made. They’d even made a pair for me? I already had pajamas, but... ah, a new design. Understood. I’d be sure to wear them when I went to bed. By the way... I didn't mean to be a pest, but there was one nagging question I simply couldn't hold back. I was sorry. It was a simple thing. Could I ask? It was really, truly a basic question. When you wore those pajamas, put on those nightcaps, and crawled under the futons to hibernate... did you sleep on your backs? Or on your stomachs? ... I see. It depended on the individual. That made sense. Everyone had their preferences. I understood. Well, I just told them to be careful—anyone sleeping on their back might give someone a heart attack thinking they were dead.
Since the winter preparations were mostly finished, the village had shifted into a relaxed mode. However, that didn't mean there was nothing to do. For instance, making Reward Medals. That was my responsibility. Every winter, I carved several hundred new ones. I had until spring to finish, so there was plenty of time, but if I slacked off now, I’d pay for it later. I worked on them bit by bit whenever I had a moment. I also had to build the furniture and playground equipment meant to be exchanged for the medals. The High Elves and Mountain Elves helped with that part, so it was much easier than in the early days. Then there were the fields inside the dungeon. They were primarily for the residents living there, but in a crisis, they would serve as our emergency food supply. Because of that, I always grew a surplus. We hadn't encountered a situation that required emergency rations yet, but one can never be too careful. I worked with the assumption that it was fine even if the extra went to waste.
Beyond work, there were other things I needed to do. Bonding with my children was one of them. I hadn't seen Alfred, Tiselle, or Urza for a while. Oh, wait. I’d seen them in Shashato City recently. Well, whatever. If I said it had been a long time, then it had been a long time. If someone asked what exactly we were supposed to talk about, I’d be stuck for an answer, but heart-to-heart talks were important nonetheless. Very important. So why, then, was I playing mahjong with Urza’s friend, Isree? Mahjong is fundamentally a four-player game. Domaim, who had been playing with us, had taken so much mental damage from his losses that he’d been forced to take a break. We were short a person. As a result, the table consisted of me, Isree, Dos, and Draim. I suppose it was fine, as it gave me a chance to ask Isree about how Alfred and the others were faring at the Academy, but still...
"Draim. How’s your hand? Do you have any spare Souzu?" "Father. No cheating just because you’re losing." "It’s not cheating. It’s just idle chatter. As proof, I have no need for Souzu anyway." "I warned you before that that kind of talk is forbidden. Please don't drag me into this!" "Draim, you wound me. To think you’d prioritize methods over victory." "Victory only shines when the rules are followed." "Hmph... You’ve grown up, Draim. Oh, it's your turn." "Ah, my apologies. I’ll discard this." "Aha! That 3 Sou is mine! Ron! 11,600!" "F-Father!! You just said you didn't need Souzu!" "Heh. The world of gambling is a heartless one."
It must be nice to have a father-son talk like that. Technically, Dos and Draim were my in-laws, making us father and son as well... but I didn't want to talk as the "son." I wanted to talk as the "father." As a side note, mahjong usually has rules where the game ends if someone loses all their points, but the village hadn't adopted those. The general consensus was that the game ending too quickly was boring. So, the match continued until everyone had been the dealer twice. As a result, while Dos and Draim were trading ten thousand points back and forth, Isree sat in a realm far beyond their reach. Naturally, she was far beyond mine, too. I realized once again that the "bust" rule was actually a mercy meant to protect the weak. This match showed no sign of ending. My heart-to-heart with Alfred and the others felt very far away. Perhaps noticing my state of mind, Isree tried to be considerate. "Um, if you'd like, I can throw the game a bit?" Haha, thank you. But that was a bad move, Isree-kun. I didn't mind, but to those who were losing, that was a direct taunt. And the Dragon Race has zero tolerance for being taunted. According to my research, anyway. When you sit at the top of the biological hierarchy and no one ever dares to mock you, you never build up a resistance to it.
"Ho ho ho. It seems we’ve made you bored. My apologies." "Indeed, Father. We must tighten our focus." See? Dos and Draim had quietly snapped. Of course, snapping didn't magically make them better at mahjong.
"Tsumo. 8,000 / 16,000." "Ron. 32,000." "Tsumo. 16,000 All."
Isree’s relentless winning streak drove the game forward. Since I was also being bled for points, I really wanted this futile struggle to end. We needed to cooperate to finish Isree’s turn as the dealer. By "cooperate," I didn't mean anything illegal. We would all aim for a win, but we’d just use an unspoken understanding to support whoever looked like they were closest to finishing first. Could we pull off something so professional? We could! I believed in us! Dos and Draim responded to my silent proposal with their eyes. So, how were our hands? Mine was a mess. It would take forever to finish. "I can't do it either. My hand is too heavy." "I'm out too. This round is a wash." ... I see. So that meant... "Tsumo. 16,000 All." It just meant Isree was simply faster. Well, let's stay positive and keep trying. Optimism is everything.
It was another hour before I was finally released from the mahjong table. The game itself was still going, though. The current players were Isree, Hakuren, Urza, and the team of Hiichiro and Raimeiren. If Urza was playing, I could have stayed, but the mental fatigue from the crushing defeat was a bit much. I’d talk to Urza later. As for Alfred... He was deep in what looked like a complicated discussion with Lu. I didn't quite follow the details, but from the jargon, it was clearly related to magicology. I wanted to join in, but I stood no chance. I’d talk to Alfred later. That left... Tiselle. She’d been whisked away by the other Angels when she first arrived, but she should be free by now. I found her in the living room, sipping tea. Time for that father-daughter talk! "Father! I had something I wanted to discuss with you as well!" Oh, as expected of Tiselle! Ask me anything. "Is it all right if my topic goes first?" I didn't mind at all. My goal was simply to communicate with my child. "I see. In that case... who is my marriage partner?" ... Excuse me? I was sorry. Did I mishear her? I could have sworn she just asked who she was supposed to marry. "That is exactly what I asked." Why? How did we even get to that topic? "Because I heard that Torain’s partner has been decided. I assumed mine had been as well." How does one lead to the other? "Our mothers are different, but I am still Torain’s older sister. Shouldn't the elder sister be wed first?" Ah... I could understand the logic, but it wasn't an absolute rule. Look, Hakuren’s younger brother, Draim, got married before she did, right? If you ask around, I'm sure you’ll find plenty of cases where the order was swapped. "At the Academy, everyone followed the proper order." Hmm... well, that’s a school for nobles. I imagine there are all sorts of political problems if people don't marry in sequence. Please consider that place an exception. "The members of the Angel Race also said that order is vital." Wait, really? Wasn't the Angel Race a culture where they didn't worry about that and just settled everything with their fists? "Violence is the final resort. Malbit-san said that order is about resolving things before it comes to blows." I-I see. While I had plenty of doubts about whether they actually practiced what they preached, it wasn't a bad philosophy. I hoped they’d keep valuing it. But let's make that an exception, too. "There are an awful lot of exceptions." True. Besides, I don't know who told you, but Torain’s marriage hasn't been officially decided. We just confirmed that a proposal was made. Personally, I want to respect Torain’s wishes. And the same goes for you, Tiselle. That's why I would never go behind your back and pick a partner for you. "Father..." On the contrary, if you find someone you think is a good match, don't hesitate to bring them to the village and introduce them to me. "Oh, goodness. Hearing about Torain made me think I was being sent off next, but it's far too early for me to get married." Is that so? Well, you’re a lovely girl, Tiselle. I doubt men will leave you alone for long. So, the moment you find someone you like, bring them here. Got it? "Yes. I will do as you say, Father."
Good. Tiselle returned to her room, leaving me in the living room feeling satisfied with our bonding time. That was when Tia walked in. "Are you sure about that? Letting Tiselle choose and bring someone back herself?" Were you listening? "It’s more accurate to say the conversation reached my ears." I see. "So, are you really sure?" I trust my daughter. I doubt she’d bring home anyone truly terrible. "Do you think so? I feel like she’s the type who might pick a husband based entirely on political leverage..." Ah... That did sound like her. Well, the relationships between men and women are a mystery. Sometimes people get married just because of the way things flow. I’m not going to be overly picky. No, that’s not it. The truth was, I just didn't want Tiselle to think of me as an overbearing father. I also thought it was way too early for her to marry. Another ten years... no, I’d like her to stay as my child for twenty more. "If you dote on her too much, it’ll be a problem if she misses her chance... although, there is talk of searching for a partner for Tiselle within the Angel Race." If you go that route, some guy I can't turn down might appear, so please don't. "I thought you’d say that, which is why I’m stopping it. Forcing things won't make anyone happy." Exactly. "However, it would be a problem if people think they can become Tiselle’s husband too easily." What? "It might not be as intense as the traditional Trials of the Angel Race, but surely we’re allowed to prepare some sort of trial to welcome him?" Um... "Think of it as entertainment. Entertainment. Like having him fight a dragon for a bit." ... "In their dragon form, of course. Their power is far too limited in human form." Tia. Let's stop talking about Tiselle’s marriage. I understand now that you’re against it. Yes, I'm sure it’s a story for the very distant future. Until then, Tiselle is our daughter.
Angel Race A: "No younger sister can ever surpass her older sister!" Angel Race B: "You say that, but back at home, you spoil your little sister like she’s a pet!" Angel Race A: "I-I don't spoil her that much!"
Village Head: "By the way, what did you tell Tiselle about how we first met...?" Tia: "I described it as a beautiful romance." Village Head: "..." Tia: "It was a beautiful romance, wasn't it?" Village Head: "Yeah, you're right. It was a beautiful story."