It was noon.
It had started to get warmer lately, but it wasn't spring just yet. Since the Nyunyu-daphne insisted it was still winter, winter it remained. Therefore, I decided on a hot pot for dinner that night. It might have been getting warmer during the day, but the nights were still biting cold.
What kind of pot should I have? Honestly, I didn't have to think twice. It was going to be crab.
The crabs Miyo had sent from Shashato City via Village Five had just arrived. Naturally, they weren't the giant variety, but hand-sized crabs that were easy to prepare and eat. I was grateful for the timing. I’d already polished off the supply I’d requested from the Sea Race, and I’d resigned myself to waiting until next winter for more. Then, these arrived. I was certainly looking forward to the evening.
While it was still technically winter, spring was undeniably close. Consequently, the village residents were busy with various preparations. The most visible sign was the prep work for the Spring Parade. The Civil Official Girls and the High Elves were huddled around a map, seemingly finalizing the route.
It felt as though the parade route lengthened every year. It wasn't just my imagination; it was a cold, hard fact. Still, since so many residents looked forward to the event, I didn't want to scale it down without good reason. I’d only step in if it reached a truly unmanageable size.
The Mountain Elves were holed up in their workshop, crafting parts for something or other. They claimed this, too, was part of the parade preparations. I noticed several of them lying asleep in the corner. Apparently, that was the result of an all-nighter. They told me they’d simply started having too much fun to stop. I understood the feeling—it was like preparing for a school festival—but I made sure to tell them not to overdo it.
In the kitchen, Flora and the High Ogre Maids were gathered around several small barrels. They contained miso Flora had made; she was currently presenting her research results to the maids.
"I tried varying the production locations and methods, and it turned out rather well," she explained.
Her relentless pursuit of better miso was admirable.
"It’s mostly because the Village Head's standards are so high, though," she added.
Was that so?
"It is," she insisted.
Well, I suppose I couldn't complain about the miso becoming more delicious. The High Ogre Maids seemed impressed as well.
"With flavors this distinct, we could create entirely different dishes just by swapping the miso," one said.
"True, but I’m worried preferences will be split," another added.
"I personally like this pale miso."
"I think this darker one would be easier to work with."
"Isn't it more of a red than a black?"
"I think the usual miso is fine as it is. We’re already used to that flavor, after all."
The maids tasted the various samples Flora had brought and began testing them in simple dishes.
"Should we ask for Ann-sama and Ramrias-sama's opinions as well?"
"I’ve heard that the sense of taste can change during pregnancy. Would that be alright?"
"Ah, that’s a fair point. But not consulting them at all feels..."
"Until Ann-sama and Ramrias-sama return, the kitchen is our responsibility. Let’s serve what we’ve decided on with confidence."
"You’re right."
They were certainly reliable. It seemed they would manage just fine even with Ann and Ramrias away.
"Fufu, please leave it to us," they said.
I told them I would do just that. By the way, regarding the miso...
"Yes?"
"There's something called 'blended miso.' By combining the varieties you have there, you can pursue even deeper flavors."
"……Um, what are the proportions?"
"That’s entirely up to you. Everyone has different tastes, so there’s no single right answer. Maybe start with a one-to-one ratio?"
When I suggested that, Flora wore a mischievous smirk.
"Fufufu. I can leave this to you even while Ann and Ramrias are away, can't I? I’m looking forward to the blended miso you come up with."
I had to tell her not to be so overbearing. I told the maids they only had to do it if they felt up to it and not to push themselves.
"Thank you, Village Head. But please, leave it to us. We’ll come up with our own blends and serve dishes that complement them perfectly."
The "let us handle it" aura they were emitting was incredible. I told them I’d leave it in their hands and wished them luck. I reminded them that it would take time, so they shouldn't stress over it. There was no such thing as a flavor that satisfied everyone, after all.
The maids replied in unison and turned back to their work. As I saw them off, I looked over at Flora.
"They seemed a bit too relaxed with Ann and Ramrias gone. I thought they needed a little stimulation," she admitted.
I see.
"I’ll continue my miso research, but I’m going to focus on soy sauce for a while. The miso varieties we have here will be ready for sale by summer."
"By summer? That’s fast."
"I started the brewing process over the winter. Production volume is still an issue, so it’ll be a few years before we can sell them widely, but miso is fascinating. The flavor changes slightly depending on when you start the brew."
I understood. I asked if the production factory was in Village Five. She told me there was one there, but apparently, one had also been set up in Shashato City. I suspected Miyo had a hand in that—likely leaking information so that Michael-san would prepare the facility.
I wasn't going to scold Miyo. She’d clearly observed our needs and prepared in advance. It was a great help. Of course, the same applied to Flora, who had stayed up past her usual sleeping hours just to give the maids that extra bit of motivation.
"If you say things like that so smoothly, Big Sister Lu will scold you," Flora teased.
That would be a problem. Flora headed off to her research room to catch up on sleep. She’d been staying there instead of her own room lately because she’d moved her bedding and clothes inside to facilitate her work. I just hoped she was getting enough rest.
After seeing Flora off, a suspicious group caught my eye. It was a cluster of Civil Official Girls and Angels moving strangely in the hallway. I wondered what they were up to.
Apparently, they were trying to burn off the fat they’d accumulated over the winter. They were terrified of the "physique checks" performed by Fracia, who liked soft bellies, and Aegis, who preferred sturdy wings. I decided it wouldn't be wise to linger there. I pretended I hadn't seen them and kept moving.
Voices drifted out from a nearby room. It was Yoko; she’d finished her work in Village Five and hurried back to the Village of the Great Tree.
When I checked on her, she seemed to be in the middle of a serious meeting with Zabuton's Children. They looked like they were coordinating lines and positions. Perhaps they were putting on a play? I asked if I could watch.
"Is that you, Village Head? If you can watch with the appropriate level of tension, I don't mind. This is the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime showdown."
Zabuton's Children nodded solemnly alongside her.
Actually, it turned out to be practice for greeting Zabuton when she woke up. It all stemmed from the incident where I’d been targeted by the Silver Fox Race at a meeting Yoko had arranged. I hadn't been hurt, but Zabuton's Children were furious that I’d been put in danger. They planned to report it to Zabuton as soon as she woke—though apparently, she’d know even while she was sleeping. I didn't know the specifics of how that worked.
The plan was for Yoko to give a morning greeting in a "cute" outfit to smooth things over.
"Of course, I intend to offer a formal apology as well," Yoko added.
"Is that so?"
"A mistake is a mistake. Besides, it would be troublesome if the spiders directed their anger toward the Silver Fox Race."
I understood. I asked if there was anything I could do to help.
"I considered having the Village Head shield me... but even if I were forgiven in the moment, the aftermath would be terrifying. It might even invite further wrath. I appreciate the offer, but I’ll decline."
That was a shame.
"Wait! Don't be so quick to give up! I’m not saying you shouldn't show up at just the right moment to help soothe her!"
She wouldn't ask for it directly because she’d be scolded if it looked staged.
"So, if you could just... happen to move out of the goodness of your heart, it would be appreciated."
I told her I’d think about it. But then I noticed something. Weren't the spiderlings supposed to be the ones angry with Yoko? From the look of things, they were practicing the greeting and apology together.
"Hahaha. These little ones have their own reasons to fear Zabuton's scolding," Yoko explained.
"Oh?"
"That matter of them being seen by a resident in Village Five. It took a fair bit of effort to handle that."
It hadn't really been that much of an expense, had it? As I recalled, we’d settled it with some cloth the spiderlings had woven, buttons I’d made, and Yoko’s autograph. The other party had been satisfied with that.
"Since these little ones couldn't exactly show their faces, I was the one who went to apologize. It’s only fair they apologize alongside me now."
Beside the laughing Yoko, Zabuton's Children took up a reflection pose. Apparently, they’d let their guard down because the person in question looked like someone they could talk about fashion with. Well, if they were all in agreement, I wouldn't pry. They had certainly startled an ordinary person, after all.
"Right, break’s over. Let’s resume!"
Yoko adopted a "cute" persona and began practicing her morning greeting again. She was certainly cute, but it felt a little... calculated.
"Nuh, that won't do... I mean, that's a problem, kon! I have to find a more natural cuteness..."
Yoko continued her practice with feverish intensity. I quietly slipped out of the room so as not to disturb them. There was no half-heartedness in Yoko’s training. It was the kind of dedication that made me feel like I needed to step up my game as well.
I had to work hard, too.
Oh, Hitoe. Your mother is busy right now. No, don't peek. Why don't you come with me and help me maintain the tools?
I decided to spend the time until dinner polishing the Universal Farming Tool. It would be a while yet before I’d be swinging the hoe in the fields, but proper maintenance was never a waste of time.
I was certainly looking forward to spring.
At dinner, just as I’d requested, crab hot pot was served. However, the broth was miso-based. It wasn't quite the flavor profile I’d been envisioning, but it was delicious in its own right, so I decided it was perfectly fine.