Resumption of the Marriage Ceremony
Because the reception was tarnished by the arrival of the blue dragons, what was supposed to be the afterparty became the wedding ceremony.[1]
Nevertheless, something like the bride and groom giving marriage vows, such a rite doesn’t exist in a dragon’s wedding ceremony, so it wasn’t that big of a problem.
And now, the real afterparty.
Strictly speaking, it’s completely different from the first party.
At any rate, everyone came in their dragon form, but are now in their human forms.
The afterparty was held in a large building for the event. Mountains of cooking were line up on each round table. Nonetheless, judging from the size of the dragon that I saw during the first meeting, it was sensible.
There the dragon human-like people were lively chatting while eating.
The party was a perfectly normal styled buffet. The amount that everyone ate is not normal though. Even the people who seem to be considerably elderly are eating around five people’s worth of food.
We also helped out with the cooking, but since there were so many dishes, before I could grasp a full understanding of all the culinary delicacies, my stomach was inflated.
“Kaa-san, I’m already full…”
Sharusha was the first to go down, so Farufa took her to a chair that was by the wall of the room. It’s remarkable that she’s properly doing something so big sister like.
Farufa could relatively eat a lot. The amount that the twins can eat are different, so their physiques are also different, but their general appearances seem the same, likely due to the fact that they are spirits.
Furthermore, Harukara can surprisingly eat a lot.
“Apparently, somehow when I eat, the nourishment goes straight to my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and b.u.t.tocks~” she was saying such a thing.
She did not overeat to such a degree that she would be out of shape, but other parts were exhausted.
“Wow~, this alcohol, it’s toooo strong~ Already drunk…”
After drinking the alcohol, I instantly got drunk. While staggering, I ate some of the dishes, but I could only see the future where I vomited up everything I ate.
“Good grief, other that making ‘Nutritional Alcohol’, that elf has no good points.”
Beelzebub put heaps of spaghetti on a plate, then ate it greedily.
“Demons can eat quite a lot.”
“Eating delicious food, that is the secret to good health.”
I thought that living three thousand years means that health and the like probably had nothing to do with what she said, but it’s unsophisticated to purposely retort.
Also, because Leica is a dragon, she ate the most. It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet, but from what I can see, she has already devoured seven plates worth of food.
“From the viewpoint of a human, it might seem like binge eating” but for Leica, it’s normal, right.[2]
“Because I fought, I’m getting hungry, so it’s somewhat more than my usual.”
It seems like there’s no concept of a diet in the Dragon race.
Somehow, it seems to be only about meals, but of course there’s another element. At any rate, this is a wedding ceremony.
“Azusa-sama, I will introduce my elder sister’s spouse again.”
The bride and groom in their human forms were a good-looking couple, consisting of a handsome man and a beautiful woman. As was expected of Leica’s relative, the bride was quite a looker, and as for the groom, he had the appearance of a chiseled Hollywood Hunk.
“Azusa-sama, Beelzebub-sama, because of the great efforts you two gave this time, you allowed us to continue the ceremony once again. Together with my wife Reira, I express my grat.i.tude.”
“Thank you very much. From now on, we, the Red Dragons will also be in your care.”
She was so politely giving her grat.i.tude. “No, not at all, I only lent a hand for a bit…”
They immediately bowed their heads.
“You understand your position well. If you adore me so, I shan’t be opposed to lending my hand once more next time.”
With a hand on the groom’s back, Beelzebub took an ‘Ahem!’ pose.
“You’re putting on too much of an air! Modesty, modesty!”
“Why? I am great, so this is nothing bad. This is how I am normally~♪”
Alright, let’s use endless flattering from now on for this person.
――And, at that time, the atmosphere changed into a complicated one.
The child who was the supreme commander of the Blue Dragons came. She held a rose in her hand.
“Ah, you’re Cocoa Latte!”[3]
“It’s Furattorute! Why can’t you remember my name at all!”
That’s right, this child was left here in the form of a hostage.
“Um… Reira…”
Furattorute who came before the bride said “Congratulations… I hope you will be happen from now on…” while averting her eyes.
Afterward, she handed the rose toward Reira.
Oh, this Blue Dragon has a considerably good point, right.
In the beginning, the bride was surprised, but she accepted that rose with a smile.
“Thank you, Furattorute.”
“This time, it’s my loss. Since I was defeated, I’ll obediently give my blessing.”[4]
Apparently, this child’s nature isn’t a bad dragon at the roots, it seems. On top of holding a connection, I could feel something resembling camaraderie.
“Yeah, since it’s not possible for you to get married… I’ll attain happiness in your stead.”
The bride’s words were biting, and complicated.
“What’s with that way of talking?! It’s not that I can’t get married! It’s just that there isn’t a good man!”
“Really? How many many times have you boasted about finding a good man, or decided on a wonderful engagement… I wonder~”
Perhaps she remembered some embarra.s.sing things, Furattorute’s face turned red.
“Humph! I hope you get divorced! I won’t send you my congratulations even if you have a child you know-!”
Furattorute escaped by running towards the corner of the venue.
“Somehow, that’s a complicated relationship, right Leica…”
“Although the relationship between the Red Dragons and Blue Dragons are as enemies, they aren’t mortal enemies, but it’s something that just runs deep. Although, this part may not be understood unless you were a dragon, but…”
No, I feel like I have a tiny understanding.
After that, I went to go get the dessert with Leica that I was aiming for since the beginning of the after party.
The egg tart, pudding, cheesecake, and other delectables that were made by the dragons were rumored to be exquisite items. Sweet things have to be eaten properly, as we have a different stomach for sweets (according to a theory, anyway).[5]
“Oh! A multi-layered deliciousness overflowing in the interior of sweetness, it’s just like a dream!”
Leica and I sat on a vacant seat alongside the wall of the venue.
“Um, Azusa-sama, I’d like to ask you for a favor, but…”
Leica was reserved for some reason.
“Sure, what is it?”
“M-may I please receive a lap pillow…?”
Quite an unusual request came out.
“Actually, a long time ago, I would often receive one from my elder sister…”
Ah, I see. For Leica, her older sister will be taken away with this marriage.
Calm Family Hot Spring
“Okay. I’ll give you as many lap pillows as you want. Here, lay your head down.”
“Sorry for saying such a strange thing……”
Slightly shy, Leica laid her head on my lap.
“From long ago, I was better than my older sister at exercising, and my fighting was also stronger, but I always felt like sleeping on my older sister’s lap pillow whenever something happened. It was just the right firmness, or rather……”
“I see. So, your older sister already got married, requesting such a thing from the wife is also inexcusable, kind of thing?”
“That’s right…… That’s quite close to the answer…… desu……”[1]
Leica answered embarra.s.sedly.
Always living firm and diligently, there’s also times when I want to be spoiled.
“Not as your master, but it’s okay to think of me as your older sister though.”
“No, in the end, this is just an exception……”
“Then, slowly fully enjoy your exception.”
By the way, I have daughters, but no younger sisters. It might be good to think of Leica as my little sister.
For a little time, time pa.s.sed strangely between Leica and me.
I lived for 300 years. This kind of time where you don’t know how to cla.s.sify is also good.
――Then, somehow the interior of the hall was noisy.
Looking closely, Harukara was sleeping on the floor of the hall.
What she doing, that child……
Farufa’s and Sharusha’s were calling out to her, but she doesn’t seem to be in a stage to wake up.
“Harukara Onee-san, wake upー!”
“Harukara-san, it’s dirty.”
“Oui~, I said not to drink my fruit wineee~ oui~”
It stood out the most in the hall. Certainly stood out more than the bride and groom.
Hey hey, don’t embarra.s.s me too much……”
“Good grief, what a troublesome Elf.”
After, Beelzebub came along, then put Harukara on her back.
“Let’s carry her somewhere where a bed or sofa is located.”
That person is really a good person…… I wonder if demons are that good of a person to tolerate her?
However, unable to let the conversation end on a high note, Harukara started getting sick.
Harukara’s face suddenly turned pale.
“Ough…… I feel bad…… I’m going to vomit……”
No! Hey! Don’t throw up on my back! Absolutely do not throw up!”
Beelzebub also turned quite pale as well.
“Even if you say such a thing, it’ll certainly come up……”
“If you throw up, I’ll cut you to pieces, then thoroughly burn your soul!”
“I’ll be k-killed! Ah, not good, not good! Oof, oofー!”
“The toilet! Where is the toiletー!”
In the end, the two of them disappeared into the restroom.
Because Harukara was not killed, she probably made it on time.
At the end of the afterparty, everyone sang the bride and groom a song of blessing to end it.
It was a dragon folk song, and it was quite a cheerful song.
Well, I thought it was a good time to return home, but――
“Since we have the occasion, you should all stay at the inn in the crater.”
Beelzebub said such a thing.
“Eh, come to think of it, there was also a hot springs right?”
“Yea. How should I put it, because there’s a hot spring, come stay with me.”
“Alright, let’s stay overnight!”
When Leica said the whole family wanted to stay overnight, they made arrangements immediately.
I was a hero who resolved the dispute this time, so the hotel charges were free this time.[2]
Thus, we are currently immersed in the hot springs.
Precisely because there was a volcano, the inn had many open air baths. Furthermore, a private use room’s splendid open air bath was such an extravagant method.
“Farufa is good at b.r.e.a.s.t.stroke~!” [3]
“I can only do doggy paddle……”
My two daughters were in quite high spirits in a large bath.
“Hey! Swimming in the bath is not allowed――wait I guess there’s no such thing. This is a room bath. It’s okay to swim, but don’t get dizzy.” [4]
“Ye―s!” “Ok.”
An understanding reply came, so it’s alright.
Everyone not in the children group were immersed carefreely in the hot water.
“For dragons, this kind of bath is not rare, but everyone entering is a fun thing.”
Leica was seated on the immediate right of me.
“That’s true. It’s really good hot water.”
I was in high spirits in today’s battle, so I’m thankful to wash away my fatigue like this.
Coincidentally, sitting on my left side is Harukara.
“A hot bath is good for sobering up drunkenness~. It feels good~.”
“It seems like Harukara has suffered terribly many times, but all’s well that ends well, so think about it positively.”
“Yes, I understand~. Eh………… it appears that I’m dizzy it seems……”
“The end was not particularly good!”
――And, someone pulled up Harukara from her back, then laid her beside the rock wall.
“Good grief, cool off over there. Because it’s open air, you’ll immediately feel more comfortable.”
As expected of Beelzebub.
“The rooms were supposed to be separate, but it can’t be helped to care about such a thing now. It’s open besides me, feel free.”
“Yes. Allow me to do so.”
Beelzebub settled in the place where Harukara was missing.
“When you people are around me, interesting things happen, so it’s enjoyable.”
“There are plenty of things that make it hard to say it’s fun unconditionally though. However, this time I was saved thanks to you. This town was protected thanks to you Beelzebub.”
“I said it many times, but the blue dragons were suppressed, not for the sake of you guys, but as a hindsight-based opinion. It’s you being selfish to show you thankful feelings.” [5]
“Well, I’ll selfishly thank you. If I asked you, you would still help out.”
“I-I guess so…… Leaving that aside, let’s have a one-on-one match.”
“Uh huh, I understand, Onee-chan.”
A strange moment pa.s.sed.
After I said it, I thought “huh?”.
“Why am I an Onee-chan……?”
“No, if I relied on you, you’ll help out one way or another, it’s bothersome, how should I put it, because you’re Onee-chan-like…… Onee-chan…… pu, pupu……”
After that, I laughed aloud.
“That’s right, that’s right. I have two daughters, Leica is my younger sister, Beelzebub is my older sister; that kind of family is also good, right.”
I enjoyed a slow life by myself for a long time, but a slow life with my family is also not bad. Rather, it was very good.
“Am I the younger sister…… I understand……. N-nee-san……”
“Being called this way by Leica is quite strange.”
“It takes a lot to deal with a younger sister. No mistakes made.”
Beelzebub sighed and also agreed.
“Mama, you look very happy!”
“Kaa-san, you have a nice smile.”
My daughters also grasped my happy mood it seems.
“You, however, if that’s the case, aren’t you missing one person……?”
Beelzebub turned her gaze to the back.
“Hahhh~, the night breeze helps you cool off when you’re drunk and dizzyyy…”
Ah, Harukara was still left.
“Harukara is….. umm…… the troublesome junior……?”
“Master, that’s not itー!”
Everyone except Harukara was laughing hard.
It’s the evidence of a good family when the laughter does not stop.
Family without Outsiders
Now in a good mood after having refreshed ourselves at the hot springs of Rocko Volcano, we returned home in the plateaus.
“U~n! As expected, returning home feels so nice!”
Come to think of it, I’ve almost never experienced overnight trips, so this new feeling was quite fresh to me.
“Maaamaa, the bride was beautiful, riight!?”
The wedding ceremony had a few hiccups, like the Blue Dragon’s attack. But all in all, it seems my daughter has already rewritten those troubled memories with enjoyable ones; it’s a very good thing.
“That’s right. Leica’s older sister looked very happy, too.”
“If Farufa gets married one day, will Farufa be wearing those sorts of clothing?”
Farufa said innocently — But I, on the other hand, stiffened somewhat.
Perhaps a day will indeed come when Farufa gets married and leaves me for a life of her own.
Wait, but maybe since Farufa is a spirit and has had that form for fifty or so years now, it’s possible she’ll never become an adult. Since her appearance will stay that of a child, then perhaps she won’t get married after all?
d.a.m.n it! I fear that my daughter will leave me one day It makes me feel lonely…
However, as one would would expect, I’m just fretting over nothing. To admire a wedding ceremony is perfectly natural for a girl. It’d actually be strange if someone with the appearance of a ten year were to declare they wanted to be single their entire life.
“You know, when I get married, I want to live in a lovely red brick house.”
D-does that mean she’s planning on moving out?!
I received another shock.
Fa-Farufa… Even if you do get married, there’s always the option of the married couple moving into their parent’s house… Look, we can expand this house into a two-household residence.”
“Mama.. What are you talking about?’
Farufa tilted her head to the side, staring at me blankly.
Sharusha gave me a pat on the back without holding back.
“Sharusha wants to stay beside mother forever.. So, I’ve been studying cooking lately; I want mother to eat my delicious cooking.”
Ah, what a good child! She’s so considerate of her mother!
I reflexively pulled Sharusha into a close embrace.
My daughter is too cute. My heart can’t take it!
“Mother, are you happy?”
Sharusha is a cool-headed child whose feelings rarely show on her appearance. But I know that deep down, she’s a very kind-hearted child.
“Yeah, of course. Sharusha’s feelings managed to reach me.”
“It’s not fair for it to only be Shrusha, mama! hug me tightly too! Tightly!
Sharusha came begging while hopping in place. Farufa was honest with her feelings, but her consideration for others was the same as her younger sister, Sharusha.
“Yeah, yeah. Mama isn’t unfair.”
This time, I tightly embraced Farufa.
This might be a supremely blissful time for me.
“Well then, it’s been awhile since it was just the three of us, parent and children, so let’s sleep together.”
“Wa-i! Farufa is happy!”
Sharusha also nodded repeatedly.
To be perfectly frank, I’d be happier sleeping with my daughters than receiving 100,000,000 yen. I would never let the opportunity go.
――Then, I felt something.
It felt like Leica was watching us. When I shifted my attention to her, she immediately turned away, but…
“What’s wrong, Leica?”
“No.. It’s.. nothing..”
“Should I give Leica a hug as well?’
Like I said back at Rocko Volcano, Leica was like a little sister to me. Her appearance looked like it belonged to a middle school student, so she surely felt like a younger sister.
It seems like Leica is thinking for a while. Ah~ This is where I should be the a.s.sertive older sister!
“Good grief. It can’t be helped~.”
I hugged Leica from here.
“Ah, sorry, Azusa-sama.”
“I can stop if you want.”
“No… It’s not.. unpleasant..”
In other words, she was holding back. That’s no good.
“Leica, you act too much like an honor student. You have to tell me what you want with your own words.”
“Y-yes.. That’s right..”
Being selfish is part of the younger sister role, right?
Leica quietly nodded. In Leica’s case, she’s with our family; since she’s alone, I must fill the older sister position for her.
“Ji~”
And this time, it’s the elf, Harukara, looking over.
“Master,that hug.. Please give it to me too!”
Harukara requested while expressively raising her hand.
“Ah~ Harukara… “
Certainly, partiality wouldn’t be good, but..
“You don’t feel like a daughter or a younger sister… “
Harukara is a two-hundred year old elf, but her appearance is precisely like a girl just crossing into adulthood. Furthermore, her appearance is.. um .. to sensual.. so embracing her might be.. a bit too much..
“Eh~, isn’t it fine since we are fellow girls? Look, like a tomo-cake.”[1]
What’s that concept similar to tomo-choco..
I have recollection of it from my memories in j.a.pan.
“Back in my hometown, during winter, we would give home-made cakes to the same-s.e.x whom we received a favor from.”
Does this world also have a custom similar to Valentine’s Day……?
“Haa, I see, I see. Then, get over here.”
“Ye-s! Thank you, Master!”
Harukara started clinging onto me.
Bounce.
Harukara’s b.r.e.a.s.t.s pressed against me.
“Huh.. I can’t get close to you like Leica did… Why?”
This kid sure says whatever’s on her mind.. I think she needs to be a bit more aware of her breast size, though..
“Would it be possible for me to absorb a portion of that chest size.. ? I wonder if such a spell exists..”
“What are you saying, Master?”
“Nothing.”
Like this, everyone member of the family got a hug and it ended safely.
That being said, I thought I was going to return to my normal everyday life, but――
“Azusa-sama, I have to prepare dinner soon, but I couldn’t buy enough groceries before travelling, so there aren’t that many ingredients to work with.”
Leica reported so. There were hardly any ingredients, for sure. But even if I go shopping now, there’s a chance the vegetables might already be sold out.
This calls for a special occasion.
“All right. In that case, let’s eat out with the entire family today.”
Festival Preparation
While walking at a leisurely pace as per usual, we headed for the village
On the way there, however, we decided to do a bit of work.
And by work, I mean wantonly exterminating slimes.
Slimes appear, we kill them; simple as that.
“Everyone, defeat all the slimes you find so we can get their magic stones.”
To even out the cost of five people dining out, we’d have to kill approximately twenty-five slimes. One is worth around two hundred gold. The magic stones we get from them are about two hundred j.a.panese yen each.
The restaurants and stores in the village are not at all high end, so one person can probably dine out for one thousand gold or so, if you include the costs of drinks, etc. I would like to earn a bit more. It’s not Like I’m particularly worried about money, but I might as well spend the money I earn on the same day.
“If it’s a slime we’re talking about, even I can defeat it~”
Harukara, like she was doing some exercise routine, went to strike the slime.
But Farufa stopped her from doing so.
“Big sis Harukara, this is a good slime; defeating it would be a bad thing.”
“Eh, is that so.. ?”
“That’s right. Those other two slimes are bad, so it’s good if you kill them instead.”
“Umm… This one?”
“Not that one! That’s a good slime!”
“It’s hard to tell them apart..”
I am also not too confident about differentiating between good and bad slimes.
“Harukara-san, slimes with pale colors are bad. Darker colors are good. You should remember it like that.”
“I understand where Sharusha-chan is coming from. It’s hard to distinguish their hue…”
Nevertheless, a decent amount of slimes were exterminated. We were able to beat a total of thirty-eight slimes.
With this, it should be enough to cover the costs of eating at a restaurant.
Also, as we arrived at Futara village, we saw that various places were adorned with decorations.
A colorful cloth was pasted onto the walls. Even the village streets looked decorated.
“Ah, that’s right. It’s almost time for the Dancing Festival.”[1]
I recalled that event.
The Dancing Festival is a traditional festival held in Furata village. Although I say traditional, there wasn’t any sort of custom back when I first started living near here.
Approximately 250 years ago, they established it. I guess, from the sense of a normal person, an event existing over the course of 250 years is considered traditional.
“Azusa-sama, what kind of festival is this?”
Leica has never seen it before, so she wouldn’t know..
“You can freely partic.i.p.ate in the village square. The dance isn’t too hard to do, so just try your best to match with the music and have fun. Of course, if you don’t want to dance, there’s always the food stands; it’s fun for anyone.”
“I see. It has such folk customs. Quite interesting.”
Originally, it was intended as a harvest offering event to the G.o.d of Earth. But the people who organized it for that purpose are long gone.”
Exercising is a good stress-reliever. From dancing all day long, I felt a renewed sense of energy. ‘I’ll do my best again,’ it made me think.
“Ah, isn’t this Majo-sama’s party?”[2]
The old man who was always selling b.u.t.ter called out to us. He was also working on putting up a colorful cloth on his wall.
“It’s almost time for the festival.”
“Right, it is. Wait, won’t Majo-sama be doing something for the festival as well? Majo-sama’s event would be warmly received. But of course, simply having you visit makes us happy.”
“Ah~ I see. But~, I’ll have to refrain from directly taking part in the festival. If I did, the festival would just end up taking my lead..”
In other words, the independence of this village would be lost.
I am a witch who has lived before this festival’s inception. Such an existence appearing during the festival would likely apprehend people with fear of speaking out of turn. If that were to happen, the festival would be one where the villagers all conform to the witch’s whims.
Since I don’t want to control the village myself, I stuck to a more neutral, observer stance. All I can do is dance with the residents and eat from the stalls.
However, the situation is different this time around.
“The festival looks fun! Will another candy stall appear, I wonder!?”
“You can feel the village’s nature from the festival. The research went into the festival is also pretty important, historically.”[3]
Both Farufa and Sharusha have shown interest. There’s a big gap in where their interests lie, however.
“A festival? I usually sold special drinks at elven festivals for some income. When I put a vegetable drink that curbed hangovers, it sold like hotcakes.Maybe I should see to it doing it again. Because it’s a festival, even if the price mark up is high, it’ll still sell. Huh, this is quite the profitable business opportunity.”
Harukara’s memories of it were impure, but at least it was festive.
Also, Leica was gazing at the scenery of the festival preparations.
The size of my family had suddenly increased.
Since I had the occasion, let’s revise my relation with this festival.
Serving food as a family would be a high hurdle, nonetheless. And it would certainly eat up a bunch of our time; my family would hardly be able to enjoy the festival like normal. It would be putting the cart before the horse.
I wonder if there’s a middle ground.
“Majo-sama, might I remind you there is also a pre-festival. It would be good if you did something then,” The old man who sold b.u.t.ter said.
“I guess so. In that case, it wouldn’t overlap with my time at the main festival.”
Not responding with my direct answer, I instead told them of my favorite restaurant, “Elegant Eagle”, and everyone ate an extravagant dinner.
Roasted duck meat is in season, and the way they cooked it is perfect. Even me, who isn’t one to drink much alcohol, drank. Harukara also drank, albeit excessively.
“Harukara, drinking is well and fine, but don’t black out before the wedding ceremony.”
“I unconsciously likened this drink to fruit wine. Even I can make a lot of vegetable drinks by myself.”[4]
Harukara, being an elf apothecary, has considerable knowledge concerning that. Even if not for medical use, she could make something suitable.
Then, at that moment, it occurred to me.
“Hey, Harukara, can you really make non-alcoholic drinks? And various types of it as well?”
“Yes, even with just the fruits in the nearby forest. I made several prototypes, and managed to produce a more health-conscious mushroom extract.”
Then, it seems like my plan will work.
“Let’s do a cafe, “Witch’s House”, during the pre-festival!”