The nyunyudaphnes said “It’s still winter” and just like that, the cold weather returned.
It’s not freezing cold but it’s still cold so the heaters in my residence are all working again.
The kotatsu in my room is also working hard.
I’m glad I hadn’t put it away.
-0-
I’m enjoying a tangerine while using the kotatsu in my room.
I had frozen these tangerines to keep them fresh.
It will be spring soon, so it is best to consume them.
Incidentally, some of the strawberries were also frozen and stored but they are already consumed because they are popular with the children.
Let’s plant more strawberries next time.
No, it’s not that tangerines are not popular.
It’s just that we have an enormous harvest so there are still surplus.
There are even kuros and spiderlings who are tangerine lovers.
…….
Yeah.
It’s just that there are more strawberry lovers.
-0-
Even so, I miss TV when I do things like this.
When I was lying in my hospital room, there was nothing to do but watch TV….
Well, there’s no use in asking for something that doesn’t exist.
Even if I wanted to make a TV, I don’t really know how it works.
Let’s hope that Irre’s activities will develop and become a TV broadcast.
I don’t know how many years it will be though.
-0-
While I was enjoying tangerines, Kuro and Yuki came over.
They came to join me in the kotatsu.
Of course, I let them.
I rolled up the futon and invited them to come in. Kuro and Yui turned their butts to me and went in.
Backstep.
They’re dexterous.
However, didn’t you enter with your head first before?
To avoid damaging the futon with your horns?
Right, the oni maids certainly complained about that.
However, Kuro and Yuki wouldn’t make that mistake, right?
Ah, if the higher ups of the pack don’t do it, no one else will?
I see.
That’s tough.
Want some tangerines?
…..
You’d rather have strawberries?
Unfortunately, we have run out of strawberries.
You want dried fruits?
It can’t be helped.
…….
Dried fruits are always available in my room.
However, it’s currently located in a place where I have to get out of the kotatsu first in order to get there.
…..
I lied down and reached for it.
…..
I can’t reach it.
….
Darn.
Is this as far as I can go?
No, it’s too early to give up!
I have the AFT!
I need a long stick….not a spear…..not a sickle with chain…..and certainly not a grim reaper’s scythe.
It shouldn’t have a blade.
Ehto, a rake.
Yes, a rake.
I want a long rake.
…..
Not a farming tool?
Eh?
Is that so?
I heard they are used for clamming….I guess it’s a fishing tool.
I’m imagining a clamming rake.
…..
Wait a minute.
Rakes are also used as a farming tool.
Yeah.
Let’s see, rake or rake or whatever it is called.
A tool used to gather fallen leaves and stir up soil.
In other words, a farming tool.
Calm down?
What does the farming tool rake look like?
Right, like that.
I think they were the ones sold some time after new year.
I think they are farming tools.
Don’t panic.
It’s not as simple as the other tools but….
Should I really use it?
Strictly speaking, it will be used to rake things if I’m farming but, should I use something like that just to not leave the kotatsu?
What will happen if I use it like that?
I shouldn’t!
Sorry.
I gave up.
Kuro and Yuki looked at me.
Don’t panic.
I just gave up on using the AFT.
I’ll just get out of the kotatsu and get them.
I know that there are spiderlings on the ceiling beams. They have been waiting for me to ask them to pick them out since a while ago but I’ve made a disgusting scene myself.
Thus, I have to take it myself.
I know.
I’ll give the spiderlings dried fruits too.
Let’s eat them together.
-0-
While Kuro, Yuki, and the spiderlings were enjoying dried fruits, Kierbit came in.
I’m a man with thousand visitors, aren’t I?
Looking at her expression, I felt a bit nervous.
What’s the matter?
You want to talk about the preparations for your trip to the royal capital?
「That’s one thing but, do you know about this?」
Kierbit spread out a map on the table of the kotatsu.
It’s a map that shows the road from the royal capital to….the outskirts of Shashaato City.
Kierbit points to a place between the royal capital and Shashaato City.
There’s a small dot there.
Is it a city? Or a village?
I know there are cities and villages along the way. They’ve always been there after all.
「No, I’m talking about the control rate of the cities and villages between the royal capital and Shashaato City.」
?
Control rate? I mean, all the cities and villages in those areas are under the control of the Demon King’s Kingdom, right?
They should be under their direct control.
That is why the short range teleportation gates were smoothly….
It wasn’t smoothly set up.
Yuri was doing the preliminary work but then, they changed their attitudes, so she was forced to stop.
「As anyone would expect, just looking at the map, anyone would think that the control over the short range teleportation gates must be tightened in order to make sure there won’t be any problem. Tiselle and Miyo already made their moves.」
Is that so?
「They did. I just heard from Tiselle that the Dalfon Company under her controls around 30% of the market, while the Goroun Company under Miyo controls 10%.」
Ehto, that may be true, but the Dalfon Company is not under Tiselle’s control.
According to the report, they are on friendly terms.
Also, the Goroun Company doesn’t work for Miyo.
「Those are just appearances. I’m talking about facts here.」
Those appearances are the facts.
So, what are you worried about?
「I mean, how can Tiselle and Miyo can’t even control 50% of it after making their moves for a year?」
Eh?
「Think about it, Tiselle and Miyo are working together with the demon king and Youko-san of Village Five. Yuri-san is also cooperating with Miyo. And yet, their control rate doesn’t even reach 50%. It is clear that there is a hostile force. There is an enemy there.」
Hostile force?
「I don’t know if they are armed or not but they are a force that doesn’t want the Demon King’s Kingdom’s economy to operate in a healthy manner. In short, it’s an anti Demon King’s Kingdom faction which is supported by the human kingdoms….though I don’t know if the demon king is aware of it.」
Then, did you tell the demon king about it?
「I told Tiselle, Miyo, Youko-san, and Yuri-san. They seem to be aware of it.」
I see.
If the demon king’s faction is already aware of this, there’s nothing for us to do.
Or so I think but the fact that Kierbit went to the trouble of talking to me suggests that she wants me to do something.
I don’t want any trouble.
「I think you could at least do a favor for your future daughter-in-law, right?」
Hahaha.
I thought angels had to go through the trial before they could get married?
Shall I prepare it for you?
「Ahahahaha. It should be the ones who’ll marry the angel who’ll undergo the trial….」
I think I should be the one who asks for it though.
「Y-you’re absolutely right. Of course, I’m prepared to go through the trial! Yeah, I’m ready! So, I’m asking for your hand and heart! ……what I did before? Yes, I greatly regret it! Once again, I am convinced that no one must interfere with someone’s love life! Excuse me!」
Kierbit said so and walked out of the room.
Fufufu.
It seems that she felt that if this conversation continued, she would be at a disadvantage.
Excellent situation assessment.
As expected of her.
Well, if both parties want it, I won’t get in the way.
Ann….how about her?
She should be okay with it.
As I was thinking about it, Tiselle and the demon king arrived.
Yeah, I know.
What do you want me to do?
Ah, it’s okay.
I was mean to Kierbit but I don’t want any trouble happening between the royal capital and Shashaato City.
I know a lot of people in Shashaato City and it would affect Village Five.
Thus, I’m prepared to do something.
Bring it on.
However, I want to avoid trouble as much as possible.
And also, I want to avoid any bloodshed.
-0-
Village Chief: Control rate? Why don’t you just replace all the governors?
Demon King: I’ll explain why that’s not a wise thing to do in the next chapter!
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