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Only seven of the twelve family heads were present here today. At the round table placed in the council chamber, directly opposite Howard sat the chairman, August. To August’s right was Silense, and to his left, Alphonse—thus the three great houses sat together. On Howard’s left, on the southern side of the room, sat Gary and Frank, while on the northern side sat Harry and Richard.

On the wall, the nameplates showed that half of the higher row and a third of the middle row were turned white.

The nameplates were carved with names on both sides: black on the front, white on the back. Those currently staying in the village had their plates displayed in black, while those away on missions had theirs turned to white.

“Perhaps we were too hasty in letting Ryder depart…”
“It had to be done. Harry, you’ll go to Veird. They’ve asked for as many hands as possible. Select at least five teams, and report back once you’ve chosen them.”

Harry had been rubbing his chin and pondering as he stared at the nameplates, but at August’s words, he nodded, saying, “Understood.”

“What about the other villages? If need be, I can head out myself.”
“Alphonse. This isn’t the sort of task that can be handled with a two- or three-day trip. The heads of the three great houses can’t afford to leave Amukham for a long stretch, can they?” Howard said.
“That’s right, Alphonse. I appreciate the offer, but let’s not do it this time. As for the villages, Gary will go to Marvel, Frank to Argosi, and Richard to Wand. That leaves only our three houses to guard Amukham.”

August followed up after Howard cut Alphonse’s suggestion and named the villages for the others to cover. With a shrug, he reminded them that Amukham’s remaining strength now rested only on the three great families.

“You three alone are more than enough. Is there really any cause for worry?” Harry said with a chuckle.
“Indeed. Leave the village to us. You lot go and raise some hell.” Silense added with a fearless smile, leading Harry to grin.
“Stop that, Silense! Don’t go egging Harry on. What if he ends up destroying the entire mine?”

At August’s rebuke, Silense glanced at Harry.

“Would you really go that far?” Harry only shrugged. “Who knows?”
“In any case, the other villages are still suffering from overflow. Who can say how long our own lull will last? Prepare yourselves for a drawn-out fight.”
“And next month the knight order is supposed to arrive… We’re stretched far too thin.”
“True, the Graders will all be away, but we still have plenty left in the 10th teams. The knight order’s escorts can be chosen from among them without issue.”

August’s gaze swept the room as he explained his plan. Gary, however, voiced concern over whether there would be enough men to accompany the knight order in their exploration of Iroshio. Silense dismissed the concern, and Gary, though reluctant, nodded, “Very well.”

“In times like these, it’s a blessing we have the young lady with us.”
“Indeed. Without her, we’d never have managed to keep the village defenses intact.”

Propping both elbows on the table and resting his chin on his hands, Harry gazed at the newly added wooden plate that had been hung at the far end of the row today. Richard followed Harry’s gaze, he too showing his admiration for the plate’s owner.

“So? How was it, Alphonse? Our *princess’* trial?” Frank asked.
“Mm… yes… well, she did well,” Alphonse replied in a vague manner.
“Really? In any case, I heard she slew a great number of Demonic Beasts during the trial and even handled the Red Pongos almost entirely on her own.”
“Yes, that’s true. Lyam and the others showed me the remains they gathered.”

Despite Alphonse’s lack of enthusiasm, the others spoke more, and it was clear her performance had been splendid. Frank and Richard turned to Howard with words of congratulations.

“Truly magnificent! Congratulations once again, Boss.”
“Congratulations, Boss.”
“Mm, mm! Thank you, Frank, Richard! My daughter, Susie, seemed quite satisfied with the results as well. She even had some spare time to prepare a souvenir.”
“Oh? A souvenir? That’s impressive composure! And what sort of gift was it?”

Gary perked up at this, curious to know. At that moment, Howard’s eyes sparkled. August, Alphonse, and Silense all twitched in response, but Gary alone failed to notice.

“Heh heh… this!”
“…A carving?”
“Yes, a carving! It’s apparently a carving of me. She said she did it just to pass the time in her tent. Even as a pastime, it’s remarkably well done. Don’t you agree?”
“W-well, yes… It’s rather unrefined—or rather, bold.”
“Exactly! She said the knife marks were part of the charm. See this corner? She used it for my nose. Does it resemble me?”
“Er… I suppose, now that you mention it…”
“Right?! Yes! And here under the nose, she said, my dignified beard was the hardest part to capture. Isn’t it splendidly done? Ha ha ha ha!”
“I suppose…” Howard clapped Gary’s back with booming slaps as Gary forced a reply.

August felt a strange sense of déjà vu and sighed heavily, realizing this would continue for a while. Alphonse and Silense both cast pitying looks toward Gary. “Ah… a repeat of this morning.”

The loud slaps on Gary’s back grew heavier with each blow. “If we don’t wrap up soon, Gary will miss his departure.” August rubbed his own aching back and rose to stop Howard.

Even so, Howard’s booming laughter continued to ring throughout the council chamber.

***

“Hm. Well, my own daughter often gives me gifts, too…”
“Is that so, Silense? Tell me later.”
“No need to be shy, Alphonse. I can show you right now.”
“No, you don’t need to pull out that notebook from your breast pocket. And you certainly don’t need to open it, Silense!”

“Here, look. This is last year’s. Isn’t it beautiful?”
“Yes, yes, I know you press the flowers into that book. You don’t have to show me.”
“And here’s the one from the year before. See? The colors are still lovely.”
“Harry! Look at this! Don’t you dare avert your eyes!”

“For ten years now, she’s made me a flower crown for my birthday. Every year she says, ‘I’ll make one again next year.’ Such devotion, never breaking her promise. A truly good girl, don’t you think, Alphonse?”
“Yes, yes, a fine child indeed, Silense. …Frank! Why are you sliding your seat further away? Look here!”

“She always presses the crowns into flowers before they wither. Such kindness… See this one, from five years ago? This petal is different from the others. Can you tell?”
“Yes, yes, I understand now; you and the Boss are of the same breed. Richard! Don’t act like this doesn’t concern you. Look this way!”

“And here’s the one from six years ago—”
“…Somebody… please, stop him.”