121 Signs of spring
"I'm glad the village of Irmhild is a peaceful place."
Sheila says while strolling through the village.
"I didn't say much about it, but I think my parents were just an illusion, and I was worried that they wouldn't accept me even if I went back. I have good memories of my parents, too."
That's certainly true.
Hearing Sheila's words, Grace and the others also smiled softly.
"But lately, he said it's been lively and fun."
"Hmm. Me too. Fun."
When Seraphina flew over and smiled at each other, Sheila put her on her shoulder and tilted her head slightly.
“Imhild was also a little relieved that she was with people who seemed to be having fun.”
Claudia narrows her eyes.
It seems that the villagers will hold a small drinking party to celebrate Irmhild's return home.
This time's search was a relatively large catch, so we couldn't eat it ourselves anyway. So I decided to provide the ingredients as well.
It seems that the villagers are preparing for a drinking party, and since it's been a while since we've had anything to do, we're taking a walk around the village.
Not only is the landscape reflected, but the sunlight feels warm, and the sun moves as time passes. The village is dyed red by the setting sun.
It was originally called a plot for growing crops, but... no, no.
There are small forests outside the village, ponds, fields, orchards, and so on...the plot as a whole is quite wide and varied.
It seems that some families also keep Luna worms and use them for weaving. This means that they can cover the necessary amount of food, clothing, and shelter.
It is said that there are many people who have mastered wood magic, earth magic, and water magic. There is no need to go out of your way to recreate bad weather, so the food supply may be stable.
"Theodore-kun, you're ready."
Irmhild, who was supposed to be spending some quiet time with her parents, came calling for us.
When I returned, a bonfire had been lit and all the villagers had gathered in the square in front of the largest mansion in the village.
The aroma of grilled sea urchin and grilled fish wafts through the air.
Seaweed salad with sautéed mushrooms. There are also things that are made by steaming and crushing grains and baking them like naan or pizza dough. There are surprisingly many variations to the cuisine. Tables were set up in the plaza, fruit wine was available, and the place looked very much like a drinking party.
Claudia went to the center of the square and called out to the villagers.
“Today... Irmhild came back home for the first time in a while. Her friends were also with us. We welcomed them and set up a banquet for tonight. Everyone can eat and drink as they like today. hey"
There is applause from the villagers. They're all monsters, but...they're really peaceful.
Irmhild was in tears as the villagers called out to her to go home.
A drinking party begins, and musical instruments are played. I see. It's an understandable sight when you say it's Irmhild's hometown.
"So...you guys have fun too."
"thank you"
When Claudia asked me, I answered with a smile. She seems to be enjoying her meal herself too.
But I wonder what it is. I feel like Claudia's every move is quite sophisticated. It's like that of the upper class... There are many mysteries.
whatever. Let's enjoy the meal too.
"Now that I think about it...I feel like I don't see many children here."
The party has progressed well. He suddenly became curious, so he asked Claudia about it.
It's not that there aren't any. Even now, there are children of harpies and lizardmen looking at us from a distance with interest, but even so, it seems like there are not many children.
"The population is gradually decreasing."
"A side effect of the bracelet...I guess."
"...Yeah. I know, but it's difficult."
I guess that can happen if you keep your emotions in check. This probably means that romance between villagers will also be toned down. Claudia must have understood that I was following the conversation closely, and her face turned a little red, but she cleared her throat and said,
“We do set aside periods where you can take off the bracelet.”
For village residents, it's like the season of love.
“Maybe Claudia’s role is to ensure safety at that time?”
"Yeah. That's right."
I see. In that case, aside from helping her in emergencies involving demons, you shouldn't normally rely on her.
You can tell from every word that he cares about this village, and if you think about it a little, you can understand why. The fact that Irmhild has looked the same since she was a child and has known her means that she has a long life.
That means... I've been watching over the residents of this village for a long time. If depopulation continues like this, I will be left alone in the labyrinth. It's not a good thing to ignore.
"I understand. I'll try my best not to ask for any kind of cooperation."
When I said that, he looked up as if he had just been told something unexpected.
“So, is that okay?”
“Claudia probably has something convenient for Claudia.”
"...Thank you, Theodore."
Claudia narrowed her eyes and lowered her head. Then he looks at me with a somewhat apologetic look.
"...If the bracelets were strong enough to ward off monsters even if you came face to face with them, I would have prepared them for each person. I'm sorry that they can't be of much use."
Hmm. It's not like emotions are suppressed.
I feel like I might make a mistake in judgment if it's not as usual...I didn't think to ask for the bracelet.
"I don't mind that. Gathering materials and fighting monsters are part of training. Besides, don't you think that cooperating with me too much will be seen as a betrayal to the labyrinth?"
"That's... it's okay. I would be happy if you could at least guide me to the sealing door of the magical water vein."
……ah. Does the position of the door remain unchanged? If that's the case, I guess I can give directions because it suits my purpose.
What I was originally doing was mowing down the monsters to get there. There can be no objection to that.
I would like to continue working with Claudia in the future.
--Now.
It was agreed that Claudia and I would cooperate and keep in touch to subjugate the demon.
As long as we stay in the village, we have to put up a barrier, and it was decided that we should release the bracelets during the village festival period, but... the monsters are calm even if we take off the bracelets. It was hilarious. It makes sense that Irmhild was a resident of the village.
However, after Claudia finished giving directions to the door of the Magical Water Vein, she went dormant for a while.
It was supposed to be dormant until spring, so it wasn't that long. He said he would contact me when he wakes up, but I wonder what he plans to do. Would it be best for her to prepare her own magic communication device?
In addition to conquering labyrinths, I also often make various things from Nautilus and Archelon materials and decipher codes. I have to finish what's in front of me.
Spring is when the doors of the Great Rotten Lake open. Next is the magical water vein. It seems like the last one will be the Flaming Citadel.
However, the Flaming Citadel is extremely difficult. I would like to train my teammates more and create a tighter margin of safety.
"Good morning, Mr. Theodore. It's getting warmer and warmer."
--morning. When I came down from her bedroom, Ashley greeted me like that.
"Good morning, Ashley."
When I yawned a little, Ashley smiled. Hmm. As the cold weather eases and the weather gets warmer, I find it difficult to sleep deeply. It's late at night because I'm decoding the code.
"Hmm? What is that?"
There was a potted plant in Ashley's hand. Some kind of plant was sprouting.
"Is this it? It's Evil Weed."
Evilweed... It's a weed monster. If you look closely, you can see that it has a mouth, although it is small.
“I was taking care of the garden, and Sheila-san said that if I raised it from a young age, it would be easier to get used to people.I thought it would be fun to put it outside the window and use it for crime prevention.”
Is that a potted plant?
……Yeah. It's a rather interesting experiment. If it's clearly left outside the window, burglars will probably think twice.
It's the same as declaring that you have security cameras installed. As long as thieves can tell that your house is difficult to get into, that's fine.
"That's interesting. Evilweed was kind of difficult to deal with."
If you can find a use for it, that's it.
If that's the case, I think it would be a good idea to prepare a few and select the ones that get used to people easily and breed them together. I don't mean to say something as exaggerated as breeding.
When I conveyed this idea to Ashley, she nodded with a serious look on her face.
"Theo. I see a customer. I'd like to speak to Theo in private."
Grace, who was setting out my breakfast on the dining table, popped her head into the living room and called out to me.
"Hmm. Understood. Tell them I'll be there right away."
"Understood"
A visitor, huh? Well, I'm often absent during the day.
Partly because I was late in the morning, the time was just barely insane.
If you want to talk to me, you'll have to catch me in the morning or when I get back from the workshop. In that case, morning would be more reliable.
After quickly arranging my appearance, I showed up at the door...and there was a man I didn't know.
“I apologize for coming so early in the morning. Are you Mr. Theodor Gartner?”
"Yes. Theodore is me."
When I answered, the man bowed his head and said.
"This is my first time meeting you. I am an errand of the Duke Broderick family."
...Hmm. Broderick? Kathryn's parents' house? Now that I think about it, I had completely lost my mind, but... why is that marquis' messenger coming to see me?
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