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We can only meet them until spring.

The non-hibernating spiderlings, who are resistant to cold, are all fired up.

Take it easy.

Of course, we’re counting on you.

However, each of you must have a hot stone* (thermal insulation stone).

TN: I guess it was concluded that it was easier to call it like that after several hundred chapters.

Also, even if you are holding onto a hot stone, you shouldn’t let your guard down.

It’s cold.

You wouldn’t want to stay frozen outside like the slimes until spring, do you?

When I said that, the slimes got angry at me.

But it’s true that those who are outside are frozen, right?

TN: Slimes: You just insulted our whole race of critters(?), but yes.

Look at how few you are now.

Before you get mad at me, make sure your whole race pays attention to it.

-0-

And following Zabuton’s group, the pond turtles in the reservoir went into hibernation too.

See you in spring.

…..

Ehto, Loo.

We’re actually saying goodbye.

Can you please stop dancing around while holding a pond turtle shell in your arms?

Besides, we receive a good amount of them every year.

They are not too rare for you to dance, right?

「Even so, this is precious. It’s a phantom material! There are so many uses for it so you can never have too many.」

She stopped dancing but she’s now skipping.

She must be very happy.

Maa, the shell of pond turtles can be used not only as medicinal material but also as magic catalyst or magic component for magic tools.

For Loo, it was as if she had fresh material to use for her research this winter.

However, that doesn’t mean you can monopolize it.

If Flora or Tier wants some, give them too.

「I-I know. If they ask, I’ll give some.」

Good.

By the way, dragon scales are also precious, why aren’t you as happy?

「They are indeed rare but they take a lot of work to process.」

It seems like it’s really troublesome to use since you have to use other precious materials just to process it.

「In addition, we have too many of them that no one would mind if you throw them away.」

If you really try throwing one, the people around will desperately stop you.

Next year, we’ll have to build more warehouses for the scales.

-0-

And so, winter came.

It suddenly started with a blizzard.

I was surprised.

However, we are well prepared.

There’s nothing to worry about.

Fufufu.

This level of blizzard won’t scare anyone.

That’s what I thought.

-0-

The next day.

When the blizzard subsided, we checked the village and found that a part of the wall of the cow barn broke.

Impossible!

The cow barn had never been broken before.

And it has always been taken care of.

There’s no way it would break with just a blizzard like that!

「Apparently, it was a cow who broke it.」

It seems like a young calf was startled by the sound of the blizzard and went berserk.

If that is the case, it can’t be helped.

Fortunately, the only one that was damaged was the wall of the barn and no cow was harmed.

Weren’t they cold?

I was worried since there are a lot of cows in the barn that would be directly impacted by what happened but the spiderlings with hot stones appeared and warmed the cows.

Ah, so they kept the cows warm with their hot stones?

Thank you very much.

That’s a big help.

Hnn?

You are apologizing because you weren’t able to call us?

No, no, there was a blizzard.

You did the right thing by not forcing yourself to go out.

You did well by staying.

However, there are a lot of spiderlings.

I knew there were a few of them are going in and out of here in shifts to protect the barn but I’m sure it shouldn’t be this many.

They didn’t move here because of the blizzard, right?

No?

They said the cows sometimes suddenly travel to the hot spring so they had to increase their number just in case.

I see.

And because you had increased your numbers, you were able to keep the cows warm.

Lucky.

Yeah, me and the cows are lucky.

The spiderlings were prepared and that gave me luck.

Again, thank you.

You saved us.

-0-

Now, the cow that destroyed the barn seemed to be sorry. As long as you don’t make the same mistake, there shouldn’t be a problem.

Other than the barn, there was no other place that was damaged.

Since that is the case, we must hurry and repair the barn.

First of all, we clean off all the snow inside the barn and thoroughly check the damage.

There seemed to be no damage on the foundation or any of the pillars.

It looks like only that particular part of the wall was damaged. Can this be repaired….immediately?

Just when I was getting a little worried, the high elves, mountain elves, and beastgirls came to help.

Thank goodness.

Ah, the spiderlings will help too?

Thanks.

I’ll leave the high places to you.

All right, let’s get this done before another blizzard comes.

-0-

After four hours of work, the barn was repaired.

After watching over it, the cows started to prepare to go out.

Where are you going?

Hot spring?

If so, why didn’t you just go immediately instead of leaving after the repair?

It’s not like we’re not going to do it if you are not watching.

That’s not it?

You can’t relax in the hot spring while we’re working here?

Is that so? Thanks for your concern then.

All right.

You can go and relax in the hot spring.

-0-

I already knew about it but seeing how these clever cows open and close the door themselves is really impressive.

We had to improve the lock on the door many times to make sure they wouldn’t be able to open it.

By the way, the horses and the goats can also open and close doors.

The animals here are generally smart.

Maa, unless they are trying to go somewhere dangerous, the spiderlings are the ones who open and close the door for them.

The spiderlings accompanied the cows.

They go with them in case something happens on the way.

Please take care of them.

Also, give my regards to the ghost knights at the hot spring.

Ah, I visit the hot springs a few times every winter.

Hot springs during winter feel great.

-0-

When I returned to my mansion, it was already dark.

However, it would still take some time before….dinner.

This doesn’t mean that Ann and other oni maids are slacking off. It’s just that the sun is setting earlier.

I offered my help in cooking dinner but they declined so I’ll just relax and wait in my room.

……

In my room, Kuro’s group was relaxing in the kotatsu.

Kuro and Yuki, Kuroichi and Alice, Kuroni and Iris, Uno and Kurosan, and Kuroyon and Eris.

The first generation of the kuro family is all here.

Well, the fenrirs are the mainstay of the village security during winter.

So, it’s okay for them to stay here……

By the way, why didn’t any of you accompany me today?

I saw a few of them when they saw me off as I left the compound.

Kuro and the others thought for a moment in response to my question then hid in the kotatsu.

All in together.

Well, it’s cold.

Also, I’m not mad.

I’m going to use the kotatsu too so make some space for me.

-0-

Fuu, it’s warm.

I’m going to make a potato dish tomorrow for the spiderlings as a reward for a job well done.

What would be good?

Mashed potato….it’s winter so the warmer, the better, right?

Steamed potato.

Steamed potato with lots of butter.

Not bad.

Ah, no, maybe they would be more pleased if it’s something unusual.

I thought about it while waiting for dinner.