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They opened the front door of my mansion and loudly greeted us, who were waiting for them.

「We’re home!」

The one with the loudest voice was Ursa.

Zabuton and Hakuren ran up to her.

Zabuton is especially happy to see Ursa before she goes into hibernation.

Oh, don’t fight for her. Look, Ursa looks troubled.

You want to take Ursa with you?

It was Nutt and the others.

I don’t mind.

However, we’ll have a sumptuous dinner later so don’t be late.

Ah, Loo.

Wait a minute. Don’t take Alfred with you yet.

I want to speak with him first.

「I’m home.」

How are you?

No, I received all your letters and know what you have been doing.

Hahaha.

I’m glad to hear that you’re doing great.

Even so, you’ve grown up a lot.

Given his age, he should be around middle school but he looks like a high schooler.

Children grow up fast.

While I was being overwhelmed with emotion, Loo asked me if I still need to speak with him.

Sorry.

Alfred, please keep Loo company.

Let’s talk later.

I left Alfred with Loo and went to Tiselle…..

Tiselle was surrounded by angels.

Her mother, Tier, and grandmother, Ruincia, are proudly introducing her to the other angels.

Let’s talk to her later.

I greeted Asa, Earth, and Metora, who have been taking care of Alfred and the others at school.

It must have been a lot of work.

Sorry for troubling you.

Alfred and the others are yet to graduate so I’ll trouble you again next year.

If you have any requests, I’ll be happy to comply.

「No, no, it should be us who should apologize for not being able to fully fulfill our duties. This winter, I wish to train hard again.」

Asa said that it was his personal request.

「I’m especially focusing on the store. However, troubles about the store all fell to Metora-san. If you could, please fulfill Metora-san’s wish.」

I understand.

Earth said that but, does Metora has any request?

「I do. I am very sorry since this is all rooted in me being inexperienced but….can I really?」

Of course, you can.

「Then, please send us additional personnel.」

…..

「Please send us additional personnel.」

I heard you the first time.

Ehto, are you saying that the three of you are not enough to get the job done?

「That’s right desu. Currently, we are getting help from Gol-sama, Sil-sama, and Bron-sama and there are also the high elf Rigune-san and the three impure dragons Ojess, Haifrigta, and Kihatroy. General Glatts’ men and the Dalfon Company also help us but if things continue as they are, it will become unmanageable.」

…..

「We don’t need a lot of people. We can hire them at the royal capital. We don’t even need someone with strong fighting power since the demon king is nearby. What we need is someone who can speak his mind to Alfred-sama, Tiselle-sama, and Ursa-sama. Someone who understands the wishes of Big Tree Village. Someone who can lead people. If I may say the person I choose, it would be Miyo-sama of Shashaato City. 」

That can’t be.

If we pull Miyo out there, Marla will be in big trouble.

In addition, Miyo is also involved in managing Big Roof Shashaato, and Governor Ifrus especially chose her to be his assistant.

「Youko-sama would be great too.」

If we do so, Village Five will fall.

I’m sure you’re aware of that.

「But if you don’t send another person to the capital, it will hinder our activities.」

Hmmm.

Do we even have someone like that available?

The first person that comes to my mind is Kierbit but she’s likely to refuse given her position in their race.

Malbit and Ruincia can’t be chosen too.

Until the issue with Garret Kingdom settles down, sending an angel will be tough.

Then, who?

……Flora.

However, no way she’ll leave her lab, right?

She’s also not the type who’ll lead other people.

Senna…..

She’s the representative of the beastkins of the village.

However, if we keep her away from the village for a long time, it will affect her standing among the beastkins.

In addition, Senna’s daughter, Sette, is still a child.

It would be difficult for her if her mother is outside the village.

As for Gutt….he has some leadership skills but it would be difficult to ask him to work in an unfamiliar territory especially if that place is the capital.

In addition, he won’t leave his job as a blacksmith.

Gulf and Daga are warriors.

They may be able to command battles and even implement complicated tactics but I’m doubtful if they can do the same about office work….

No, I shouldn’t stay away from what was needed.

What Metora wants is someone like Miyo and Youko who doesn’t need to move much themselves and can use subordinates to get things done.

I think the perfect person for the job is Tiselle when she grows up…..

「The person I want is someone who can fill in for Tiselle-sama.」

Is that….by the way, why do you even need additional personnel? Is it that hard to take care of children that are going to school?

When the three beastboys were there…..

Well, yeah, they graduated right away and became teachers so I guess their situation is completely different.

「No, not really….To put it bluntly, every time Alfred-sama, Tiselle-sama, or Ursa-sama face and solve a problem, the faction will grow…..」

Faction?

「Please think of it as a faction within the Nobles Academy. Originally, it was Tiselle-sama who’s managing the faction until she was taken to the royal castle.」

Asa followed Tiselle to act as her bodyguard and Earth is in charge of the store.

Metora is taking care of Alfred and Ursa alone while managing the faction on their behalf.

「We have some excellent students in the faction so we leave some things to them but there are some situations where we need someone with proper position to take charge….Gol-sama, Sil-sama, and Bron-sama can do it but they’re not always in the royal capital.」

I see.

Then, who can I send?

If I take someone from outside the village, it will be…. Pirika of Village Five.

But, does Pirika have the power to make Alfred and Ursa listen?

And what will happen to the guards of Village Five if she leaves?

Is there anyone who can replace Pirika’s position?

…….

There’s no point in thinking about it alone.

Let’s consult others.

Metora.

My apologies but I can’t give you an answer yet.

Though I assure you I’ll do what I can.

「Thank you very much.」

-0-

Well, it looks like…. Tiselle can’t leave yet.

I guess I’ll….areh?

I think I saw Ursa’s friend, E-Three, there.

TN: E-Three because of the image below but if you prefer E3, I’ll retain it as E3.

Where have you gone to?

Dors and the others took you with them?

Ah, mahjong.

I hope the stakes won’t pile up again….

I’ll check on them later.

In the meantime, let’s help prepare for tonight’s dinner.

Ah, Tier.

When Tiselle is free, could you call her for me?

Thanks.

-0-

After dinner.

「Village chief, I wish to speak with you about Metora-sama’s request.」

Ann, who brought me the after-dinner tea, asked me that.

「I have someone I would like to recommend.」

Eh?

Who?

You’re not talking about Ramuria, right?

If Ann or Ramurias leave for a long time, the mansion will have a lot of trouble.

「Thank you for listening. It’s not her. I would like to recommend someone else. My son, that is desu.」

Ann’s son….

Torain?

He’s not even ten yet, right?

He should have been born nine years ago.

「Right and he’s amazing desu.」

I know.

Loo and Hakuren praised him too.

However, he’s just a child.

「He has grown horns.」

I see, so he has grown horns.

No, his horns grew some time ago, right?

In addition, that’s not a good reason.

Even if we send him to the academy, he would only be a junior student of Alfred and the others and not the additional personnel that Metora was asking for.

「It wouldn’t matter if they make him a student of the academy. That much is expected. However, he still can’t do much given that he’s still so small so I would like one of the mountain elves to assist him.」

One of the mountain elves?

Ah, that one.

The mountain elf who often hangs out with Torain.

To be more specific, she’s the mountain elf who gives shape to Torain’s ideas.

She’s like Torain’s personal engineer.

「Yes, I’m talking about her. I think the two of them could do it together.」

Can they really do it?

「They can. He’s mine and village chief’s son after all.」

I’m not convinced.

「In addition, one more person will automatically follow them. I originally thought that things should be left to that person and the problem will be solved.」

….?

What are you talking about?

Someone will follow Torain?

Automatically?

One of the oni maids?

「No, it’s her.」

Ann said that and moved her gaze to Kierbit.

The person in question is looking at Torain.

Torain was distributing tea just like Ann.

He’s helping the oni maids.

Impressive.

Kierbit is looking at Torain with a smile.

「It’s unofficial but she asked me what plans I have about Torain’s wife. Of course, we’ll have to wait until Torain’s a little older.」

………………………….

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

-0-

Torain’s partner, the mountain elf, has yet to appear.

She asked Ann because Torain is still a child.

Once she gets a good response from Ann, Kierbit is thinking of talking to Malbit and village chief about her intention….that’s when Torain is of a reasonable age.

Malbit: I thought you were aiming for village chief?

Kierbit: There are too many rivals. Not to mention Tier….

Malbit: What about Alfred-kun?

Kierbit: Wall Ursa is too thick….