Isekai Nonbiri Nouka-Chapter 917: From Spring to Summer

My name is Hiraku.

Hiraku Machio.

I’m the village chief of Big Tree Village.

…Or at least, that’s how I used to introduce myself.

Lately, I’ve changed that a bit.

Now I say: I’m the village chief of several villages, with Big Tree Village as the central one.

If you’re wondering whether I’ve only just now realized I’m also the chief of the other villages—of course not. I’ve been well aware of it.

After all, I’ve been receiving work for each of them, one way or another, as the village chief.

It’s just… I hesitated to say it outright, because I figured someone else would eventually take over as chief for the other villages.

That hesitation—Loo and Tier pointed it out.

They said, “That’s decades down the line. You don’t need to worry about it now.”

On the contrary, they told me, “The other villages will feel uneasy if you keep distancing yourself. You should assert your position as their village chief a bit more.”

Fair point.

So I changed the way I introduce myself.

Though I’ll probably still slip up and go back to the old way sometimes… please forgive me for that.

By the way, am I really going to be village chief for decades?

…

Seems that way.

Not that I mind.

I’ve grown fond of each village.

Yeah—I’ll do my best.

-0-

Big Tree Village has finished its spring harvest and entered the summer season.

Even in summer, not much changes in my daily life.

Farming, making my rounds, and handling petitions and requests from other villages.

If anything has clearly shifted due to the season, it’s probably just watching the kids happily run off to the pool after lunch on sunny days.

The summer fields are already planted, so things are pretty laid-back now.

Today, too, I finished dealing with a few matters, and now I’m quietly sipping tea in the Japanese style room.

Sitting on my lap is Himiko—the younger of the twins born to Hakuren.

She’s just over two years old.

When she was first born, she couldn’t control her powers and would plunge her surroundings into darkness, but lately, it seems she’s gained a fair amount of control.

Maybe that’s why she gives off a calm, dignified air far beyond her years.

…I’m just a doting parent?

No, really—she sits on my lap as if it’s her rightful throne.

Poised. Regal.

In her hands, she holds the wooden blocks I made.

She’s not stacking them, though. She’s inspecting the flatness of each block, comparing them, trying to find the flattest one.

I have no idea what that means to her, but it’s clearly important right now.

She’s completely serious about it.

Watching over her with gentle eyes are the devil midwife and Hitoe, Youko’s daughter.

…

Well, the devil midwife helps care for Himiko regularly, so her being here makes sense. But Hitoe?

Apparently, she’s been acting like an elder sister to Himiko lately.

I see.

Himiko’s still small, so I’ll be counting on you, Hitoe.

By the way, the older twin—Hikaru—is being dragged around by Dors.

Though only within the mansion.

Hikaru’s still little too, so even Dors hasn’t tried taking him outside.

Oh wait—he did try once and got scolded by Hakuren.

Figures.

Ah, and now Hakuren’s come to pick up Himiko.

Seems it’s nap time.

The devil midwife gently scoops her up, and Hitoe follows along.

See you later.

Good job saying goodbye, Himiko.

…Still, you know.

Couldn’t you have resisted just a little?

My lap feels kinda lonely now.

-0-

Dinner.

Since it’s summer, we usually get light, refreshing dishes.

Usually—but every now and then, as if someone remembered it last minute, a hot pot dish shows up on the table.

A hot pot? In summer?

「There was a request for it.」

The oni maid who brought the hot pot glances toward the corner of the dining hall.

There sits a magic tool that regulates room temperature.

Thanks to that thing, the interior stays comfortable no matter the season.

So even hot pot in summer isn’t really a problem.

Not a problem, but still…

Ah, the request must’ve come from the dwarves.

They probably just want an excuse to drink sake with hot pot.

「Also, we’re trying to use up leafy vegetables like the napa cabbage we harvested at the end of spring…」

Makes sense.

Even though the 【AFT】 lets us grow crops year-round, once they’re harvested, the seasons matter again.

Leafy greens spoil quickly in the summer.

And so, with the goals of the dwarves and the oni maids conveniently aligned, we get hot pot.

Not that I’m complaining.

It’s not like I’m suffering from summer fatigue or a sensitive stomach.

I’m always in perfect health.

Thanks, 【Healthy Body】.

Hot pot? Bring it on.

-0-

Maybe I overate a little.

As I sat back, relaxing and reflecting on that, ten angels arrived.

They were here to say their farewells—they’d be heading off to the Six Dragon God Kingdom.

A little while ago, that country had sent us a request for assistance.

The task? Negotiating with the legitimate Garett Kingdom.

Since the angel race once guided the former Garett Kingdom before its split, having people who understand its whole situation makes all the difference.

A completely reasonable request.

We do have Ruincia stationed in the Six Dragon God Kingdom, but she’s there for Tiselle’s education.

So they can’t use her for political negotiations.

Malbit, the chief of the angels, intended to send over thirty of the more… idle members of the angel community.

But they resisted.

They didn’t want to leave Big Tree Village.

And then—suddenly—they all started working with unprecedented zeal.

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While continuing their usual air patrols, they also began helping the oni maids, teaching the children, assisting the civil servant girls, managing supplies, transporting goods by air to other villages, even apprenticing under the tofu craftsmen.

Some even started supporting Youko and the shrine, hoping at least to be stationed in Village Five if they had to be reassigned.

Honestly, it’s been a huge help.

Their reputation’s been glowing.

This actually caused a problem for Malbit—until some of the angels who still held a strong sense of duty toward the Garett Kingdom volunteered themselves.

That’s how we ended up with the ten standing in front of me now.

Their farewell came after dinner—now—because they planned to head to Village Five next for an all-night farewell banquet.

They practically begged Malbit for that much, and had already reserved seats at Niz Alcomeat.

We’re even helping cover part of the alcohol bill.

They’re all planning to be down with hangovers tomorrow, so their departure is scheduled for the day after.

I offered a prayer for their safe journey and success in their mission.

With a bold declaration—“We’ll be back once talks with the Garett Kingdom are settled!”—they set off for Village Five.

-0-

Early afternoon the next day.

I received a message from the Goroun Company: the auction would proceed as scheduled.

If all goes according to plan, it’ll be held around mid-summer.

A letter also arrived from Prada, one of the ancient devil who’s been helping out with the auction. She asked me to come check the auction items before the event.

She also mentioned she had a few things to discuss.

……

Hopefully it’s not about any trouble.

Then again, since it’s Prada, maybe it’s about money.

Like asking for a bigger budget or something.

If that’s the case, I’d actually be grateful…

Well, no use overthinking it now.

I’ll give it proper thought when we meet in person.

As that thought passed through my mind, I reached out and patted Kuro and Yuki, who had come to my left and right.