Published: September 9, 2025
Correction of typos made on 2015/3/22.
This is Satou. For some reason, I have a lingering memory of a group parading around while handing out flyers, something that rarely appeared in manga from the last century. When I tried mimicking it during college club recruitment, I got a severe scolding from the student council.
Cleaning up the flyers and confetti was quite a hassle...
◇
I had a good, long sleep after a while.
The morning sun was shining through the canopy curtains.
I must have been in a very deep sleep because I didn’t even notice when Lulu or the little girls sleeping clinging to me slipped into the bed.
...Wait, I was supposed to be the only one sleeping in the mansion in the Royal Capital to keep an eye on the Green Demon Race. So why is everyone here?
Since Arisa’s magic power shouldn’t be able to teleport all the way to the Royal Capital, they probably were sent here by Ms. Aze.
“Good morning, Master.”
“Ah, good morning.”
Lulu, who had just opened the curtains, noticed I was awake and greeted me cheerfully.
“Unyu~”
“Good morning~ desu.”
At that sound, Pochi and Tama woke up, rolling over on my stomach, resting their chins on my chest and greeting me.
“Master, good morning,” they greeted.
“Good morning, Mashtaa.”
“Mashtaa, good morning.”
Nana, who had been sleeping at the edge of the bed with Shiro and Crow, joined in the morning greetings.
Shiro, still half-asleep, was holding onto the hem of Nana’s shirt, which pulled on it and triggered a charm effect.
“Muu.”
Mia pulled on my ear, but I forcibly resisted the charm effect, turned toward her, and made her remove her finger from my ear.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning, Mia. And Arisa—”
I smacked Arisa’s head gently when she tried to lift my shirt hem and sneak under.
“If you don’t stop that sexual harassment right now, you’ll skip breakfast.”
“Goshujinium is insufficient. Please supply it immediately.”
Arisa sat up with a sleepy face and said something ridiculous in front of me.
“Tama is insufficient too~”
“Pochi is insufficient as well.”
“Hm, insufficient.”
The youngest three lined up beside Arisa and sat properly together.
“Um, um—I’m also... kind of insufficient.”
Lulu timidly said that and sat beside the four of them.
Since I hadn’t really paid attention to them since the New Year, they seemed lonely.
As an apology, I hugged each of them in turn and supplied the mysterious substance called Goshujinium.
“Muu, that’s unfair.”
“The time differs depending on the size of the boobs.”
“That’s just your imagination.”
To be able to discern a difference of a few tenths of a second, these Mithril Explorers really are impressive.
◇
“Good morning, Satou-sama (・),” said Ms. Zena in a formal military uniform-like outfit worn by officers.
The crest of Count Seryu’s domain was embroidered on her chest and shoulders.
Everyone was surprised by Zena’s rare outfit as she was escorted into the living room by a butler.
I was more intrigued by the honorific she used for me.
“Good morning, Ms. Zena.”
My children followed my lead, greeting her one after another.
“What’s up with Zena-tan?” Arisa tugged on my clothes and whispered suspiciously in my ear.
I started telling everyone about the luncheon meeting with Count Seryu as we headed to the dining room.
“Count Seryu is really pushing it—it's like picking a fight with Count Muno.”
“Maybe he was trying to negotiate by prioritizing the supply of demon cores produced from the labyrinth.”
“Ah, that could be it. Even in the Kuboark Kingdom, the minister often complained about not being able to operate refining equipment due to the demon core shortage.”
I chatted with Arisa as we sat at the table.
For some reason, Zena remained standing near the entrance, not sitting down, so I called out to her.
“Is something the matter?”
“No, since I had breakfast at Count Seryu’s mansion this morning, I am standing watch here.”
Because Count Seryu ordered her to act as my attendant, Zena replied with a soldier’s formality.