Lesson learned.
Thinking sleds were safe had been a mistake.
True, it was harder to pick up speed on a sled, and stopping was as simple as leaning back. However, that didn't mean they couldn't go fast, nor did it mean they were guaranteed to stop. Furthermore, unlike skiing, where one slaloms down the slope, sledding is fundamentally about a straight descent. A straight shot down a mountain gains speed fast.
...
I’ll say it again. Even a sled is dangerous once you pick up speed.
That was my primary thought as I rocketed down the snow mountain in a straight line and continued skidding across the level ground for a considerable amount of time, trapped on a sled that refused to stop.
It was just past noon. I settled into the oversized kotatsu we’d set up in the guest room. The floor chairs provided excellent support. On the table sat a basket of mandarins. It was a perfect, classic look.
For my drink, I had black tea. While green tea is the traditional partner for a kotatsu, I felt the mandarins called for something else. It might just be personal preference, but I’ve always thought black tea pairs better with citrus. Then again, it probably depends on the specific blend. Regardless, I was enjoying the tea today.
The Demon King came and sat across from me. He brought the four younger sister cats with him. Since the older sisters were currently obsessed with the tiger, Sougetsu, they hadn't been spending as much time with the Demon King lately. The younger ones had seized the opportunity to monopolize his attention.
Hoping at least one of them might come to me, I lifted the edge of the kotatsu quilt and patted my thigh to invite them... but the one who responded was Kuro.
He was heavy. Having a full-grown Inferno Wolf climb into my lap was a bit much. Kuro seemed to realize this, as he immediately hopped down and rested his chin on my thigh instead.
"Good boy."
I’d put protective covers on his horns, so there was no danger. They were a great investment; even with him inside the kotatsu, I didn't have to worry about the fabric getting snagged or torn.
As I stroked Kuro’s head, Yuki arrived. She was wearing horn covers as well. She’d probably been delayed while waiting for hers to be put on. She tried to mimic Kuro and rest her chin on my thigh, but there wasn't enough room, so she settled for my shin instead.
I was happy she wanted to be close, but in that position, I could barely keep my toes inside the heated table. Plus, her head was so far away that it was awkward to pet her. Yuki seemed to realize this and began staring intensely at Kuro.
She stared.
And stared.
...
I have to give Kuro credit. He held his ground for a while. I think he should be proud. If I’d been in his position, I would have yielded immediately.
"Here, you can have the spot, Yuki."
She wanted to be right by my side? That was fine.
"There we go. Good girl, Yuki. But you have to be nice to Kuro, okay?"
I settled back into the warmth. Kuro and Yuki were now tucked into the kotatsu on either side of me. Across from us, the Demon King was relaxing with the kittens, a cup of coffee in one hand.
Then Yoko arrived. She took a spot on the right. It was unusual to see her in the Village of the Great Tree at this time of day. I asked if something was up.
"I’d promised to have lunch with Hitoe, but she insisted on eating here today. I simply finished my work early and followed her back."
Yoko really was a softie when it came to her daughter.
"It’s only natural to dote on one’s child. Besides, Hitoe went to the trouble of preparing a snow hut and nabeyaki udon for me."
Hitoe was still too young to have done all that alone—she must have had help—but the sentiment alone was enough to make Yoko beam with pride. I was honestly a little jealous.
The Demon King seemed to feel the same way. Not to be outdone, he started reminiscing about how his daughter, Yuri, had worked so hard to make him flower crowns when she was small.
I was about to join in with my own stories, but...
"Ah, wait, Village Head. We should discuss business for a moment."
Yoko cut me off.
"It’s about that monster investigation group you had me organize."
The one working out of Village Five? I wondered if there was a problem.
"Nothing direct. However, as they’ve been surveying the surrounding regions, they’ve encountered several small, isolated settlements. While exchanging information with the locals, they found something..."
Yoko spread a wide, horizontal map across the table. It showed the regions around Village Five and Shashato City. It was stretched wide because it was bordered by the mountains of Draim’s Nest to the north and the sea to the south. The Demon King looked over, clearly interested.
"Based on reports from these settlements, there are accounts of a plague that breaks out in forty-year cycles."
"A plague?"
"The symptoms include prolonged fever and vomiting. It’s said to be fatal for those with little physical resilience."
I realized the implication. "Is the cycle coming up?"
"According to the records, it’s due next winter."
Next winter. That meant we had a full year. We had plenty of time to prepare.
"A year should be enough to organize medicine and treatment protocols," Yoko continued. "However, there is another concerning report."
"What is it?"
"Well, to the northeast of the affected settlements—quite a distance away—there are stories of a type of monster that also becomes active every forty years."
A plague every forty years and monsters every forty years. It was hard not to see a connection.
"I don't know if they’re linked," Yoko said, "but the activity cycle for these monsters is this winter."
"This year? You mean right now?"
"Yes. How should we proceed?"
There wasn't much of a question. We had to investigate. If the monsters were the source of the plague, they needed to be dealt with. If not, we could leave them alone—unless they were particularly dangerous.
"I haven't heard anything about them being aggressive," Yoko noted. "They’re simply described as rare creatures seen once every four decades."
"Then let's look into it."
Normally, I’d want to handle these things myself, but Alfred and the others had just come home, and I didn't want to leave. Taking them with me was out of the question if a plague was involved. I couldn't risk their health.
"Yoko, can I leave the investigation to you?"
"Understood. I’ll hire adventurers through the guild. However, I’d like to keep casualties to a minimum."
"Of course."
"Falling in battle is an adventurer's lot, but it would be a pity for them to die just from getting too close to a disease. I’d like your permission to use World Tree leaves for treatment."
"Permission granted. Take... well, a hundred should do for now."
"Thank you. It would also be a help if you could speak with the World Tree silkworms personally."
I was happy to, but I thought they were hibernating.
"They’re special silkworms. If you knock on their cocoons, they’ll pop their heads out."
I hadn't known that. "Alright, I'll talk to them. For now, just tell them you have my authorization."
"Will do. I’m not heading back to Village Five until tomorrow, so I’ll take today to rest."
With that, Yoko rolled up her map and slipped out of the kotatsu. The Demon King watched her go, then bowed his head to me.
"My apologies, Village Head. If this involves a plague, the Demon Kingdom should have been the first to act. I will launch our own investigation immediately."
"It's fine. If you didn't know about the cycle, you couldn't have helped it. Don't worry about it. If you need World Tree leaves for treatment on your end, just say the word."
"You have my deepest gratitude. And while I’m imposing on your kindness..."
"Yes?"
"Could I get a copy of Lady Yoko’s map? Even the Demon Kingdom lacks a chart that precise."
"I'll ask her. She’ll probably want something in exchange, though."
"I understand the effort that goes into cartography. I have no intention of taking it for free; I will prepare ample compensation."
The Demon King started to get up, but the kittens protested. He spent about thirty seconds apologizing to the younger sisters and petting them before finally making his exit. He was probably heading back to the capital to issue the orders. He really was a model sovereign—not even cats could keep him from his duty for long.
Regarding the use of World Tree leaves: Outside the Village of the Great Tree, the name "World Tree Leaf" is never used. Instead, they are distributed under aliases such as "Village Five Elixir" or "Demon Kingdom Secret Medicine."