"-And so I went to the beastmen's village ahead of the others and chased those monsters away. It was really nerve-wracking…"
After returning to the Dwarf village, I explained to Nell and Lyuu what had happened.
I also explained everything to the Dwarf King and his band of Dwarves when I was on the road after the incident, and we returned to the village together.
They seemed to have confirmed if there were any injured people on the roads, etc., but so far no damage had been confirmed, and I was deeply relieved.
Hearing my story, Nell said in an exaggerated manner, "Haaa, I see. Well, well, Onii-san really does cause problems everywhere he goes…"
"Can you please stop talking about me like I'm some kind of problem child, Nell-san?"
Before Nell could answer, Lyuu immediately followed up, "Unfortunately, husband, you are definitely a problem child. You have to admit that."
"Lyuu is right, Onii-san. Let's start by taking a look at what's going on, shall we? You should start by taking a look at yourself and admitting that you are like that."
"No, I mean, why are you talking to me like a counselor?"
I let out a wry smile before continuing.
"So, I'm kind of dripping with sweat right now because of weeding out quite a lot of monsters in order to diminish their numbers as much as possible. Let's continue our trip for now. I will take a bath later."
"Ah… now that I think about it, you are really sweating a lot. We're so used to your presence that it's hard to feel any discomfort, but… yes, not like you smelled bad, though."
"Oh, really? Ummm… I don't really feel it at home. Husband's smell, which I love, hasn't changed… Oh, no, no, it's nothing."
Lyuu's cheeks flushed, and she looked away from me, as if she had spoken out unintentionally.
I also felt embarrassed when she reacted like that.
"Muu~! Lyuu, you're so cute!"
And with that, Nell hugged Lyuu tightly.
"Hey, Nell, it's hot! And I've always thought that Nell has a habit of cuddling!"
"It's fine, Lyuu, just cuddle! People feel comfortable when they feel another person's warmth!"
"I understand that, but please consider the situation! Other people's eyes are on us, you know!"
"I'm sorry, but that's not enough to suppress these feelings that are gushing out of me! After all, I am a hero for protecting freedom!"
"You're really starting to sound and act like our Husband, you know?"
Seeing my two wives, who were so happy and energetic, I laughed heartily.
As their husband, I was glad to see that they seemed to be getting along so well.
Deciding that no matter what she said, Nell was unlikely to leave, Lyuu let out a sigh and, with Nell hugging her, she asked, "Well, but suppressing a strong presence is pretty important, isn't it? How is Nell doing in that area?"
"Well, I'm not as powerful as Onii-san or Lefi, so it's not like the monsters I encounter run away from me. But we Holy Knights are not like the normal soldiers that Onii-san was talking about before, we are part of the [Special Forces], so we have some training to make sure the enemy doesn't sense our power." (Nell)
Nell may be a hero, but her official position was that of a Holy Knight in the Order of the Holy Knights of the Goddess.
I asked Nell and Lyuu about some of the training methods they were using, but…well, I guess it was not something that could be done immediately.
They seemed to have learned the art of keeping their presence at bay through years of training.
"Well, I think the best thing to do is to ask Lefi. Since Lefi has basically been suppressing her presence, I think she knows more about such things than we do. But we've gotten so used to her that we can hardly tell the difference between when she's suppressing her presence and when she's not."
Lyuu nodded in agreement to Nell's words.
"Well, people get used to things. Lefi is the strongest creature in the world, but now I don't feel afraid of her despite her being the most powerful creature in the world, though I could certainly depend on her when needed."
"Yes, Lefi herself once told me, saying [I am the most powerful dragon in the world! You should be more afraid of me!] in an angry voice."
"Ahaha, I can easily imagine her saying that. And with red cheeks, too, because of embarrassment."
"Well, she's easy to understand, isn't she?"
While I was talking with the girls, Enne was walking towards us.
In her hand was a mining set (for kids) and a bag.
"Oh, what's up, Enne, that's a lot you got there?"
"…A lot. I got a lot of souvenirs."
Enne proudly opened the mouth of the bag and showed us what was inside.
"…This is for Illuna. This one is for Shii. This one is for the Wraith kids, and this one is for big sisters. This last one is for pets. I chose them based on color and the way they glow."
"Oh, they are beautiful, Enne! I'm sure they'll love them."
"Wow…that's amazing, Enne. I broke a lot of pieces when I was digging them up. Do you have any tips?"
"Hmm… If you listen to the stone's pulse, you will know how to strike the stone to make it beautifully mined."
"Stone's pulse? Well, that's a realm I'm probably a little far from."
We were currently in a tunnel called the Gem Tunnel, which was located inside the volcano in the Dwarven Village.
It was a different tunnel from the one we passed through a while ago on our way to the Shrine of the End, in the center of the volcano, but here, as well, the walls of the passageway were covered in a multicolored, jewel-like light, creating a fantastic sight.
However, these were not real gems.
It seemed to be commonly known as rainbow ore, a scarce ore that glowed in seven different colors when charged with magic power.
However, although it was scarce ore, it was not that rare to find it here, and that was because the tremendous amount of magic power stored in this volcano transformed ordinary rocks and soil into rainbow ore.
I heard that the rainbow ores that had been mined would continue to glow as long as there was magic power inside them, and even if the magic power inside got depleted, it would once again start glowing when filled with magic power.
So I heard that it was popular as a little souvenir.
Four of us had been doing a lot of stuff like shopping together until a little while ago, but three of them got a little tired, so we finished moving around and were taking a break.
Enne was the kind of kid who would not compromise and would enter into her own world while doing something endlessly.
Illuna and Shii being children, they want to do things with us, but Enne, on the other hand, if there was something she wanted to do, she would do it alone and quietly.
She was a very independent child…but Enne had the heart of a craftsman, you could say.
Incidentally, I already bought something else for Enne that wasn't rainbow ore.
I bought a lot of the Dwarves Village specialty, immoral junk food, and stuck them in my item box.
Illuna and Shii would probably be pleased…but Lefi and Layla would probably make a subtle scowl. To be honest, I'd like to see that look.
Layla, of course, and Lefi, for that matter, had normal food preferences. Except for being a candy fiend.
"…I dug a lot and I'm hungry."
"Oh, well, let's have dinner here. Enne, there seems to be running water over there, so when you get your digging set back, go wash your hands. What do you want to eat?"
"…meat!"
"Okay, meat. But the food in this village is all meat. How about you two?"
"Well, I've been eating a lot of strong food since I came here, so I'd like to eat something light and refreshing. I'd be happy if you have stir-fried vegetables…"
"Oh, I'm sure we have something like that here. I also want stir-fried vegetables and ham…ham! Thick sliced! And alcohol!"
"Alcohol! And something to eat!"
"Okay, okay. -Excuse me!"
While Enne went to wash her hands, I called the waiter, who was moving busily at work, and asked him for some food.
Actually, the place where we now stand was a large cavern, where the dining area was set up.
The wooden pillars and scaffolding that made up the second floor and walls of the bar had become a very atmospheric place to eat.
It was an elaborate structure that looked like something out of Disneyland. It almost felt like a whip-using archaeologist teacher would come here.
Even looking at it this way, you could see that the place was crowded with Dwarves and tourist-like beastmen.
When I first arrived here, I felt a few stares, but now things had calmed down and there were no such stares.
Maybe someone had the ability to sense the strength of others among them. Sorry about that.
Enne also came back to us after a short while, just as we were waiting for the food to be delivered.
"…Oh. The food is already here. Looks delicious."
"Oh, eat up, eat up! Then, you guys, cheers to the Dwarven Village!"
""Cheers!"
"…Cheers."
With a clink, together we raised our cups.
We chatted willy-nilly in a rainbow-colored, glowing world.
***
The next day.
In front of the main gate leading out from Dwarven Village, I was facing Dwarf King Doda.
"Dwarf King, I've put you through a lot of trouble."
"Oh, don't mind it, these have been some of the most eventful days of my life."
The Dwarf King grinned.
"But now that you are here, we have accomplished the mission that has been handed down from generation to generation. You are the one that the first Dwarf King sought. Thank you, Demon Lord."
"I thank you, as well. You showed such an important thing to someone like me."
We shook hands firmly.
"If we meet again, it will be at a diplomatic meeting. Please give my regards to the Beast King."
"Oooh, I'll see you soon. It was a pleasure, come again to our Dwarven Village."
And so, after parting ways with the Dwarf King, I boarded the carriage that would take me and the rest of my family to the beastmen's village.
Well, it was a very hectic time, but my stay in the Dwarven Village was over, and I was now heading to the Beast Tribe's Village.
I didn't intend to stay there too long, due to the effects of becoming the High Lord, but I was looking forward to it as well.