Volume 6 Chapter 5 (1/2)
While Procell had gone to the [Plain] to master [Awakening], Kuina the Celestial Fox, Rorono the Elder Dwarf, and Aura the Ancient Elf all gathered in Kuina's secret base.
It was an underground room that was not known even by Procell.
By nature, foxes had the habit of digging out a hole in the ground and Kuina was no exception.
Through the help of Rorono, who possessed the best smithing abilities in the world, Kuina's secret den was built to be extremely pleasant despite it being under the ground.
The three girls would gather here whenever they wanted to talk with one another but not be heard by Procell. After all, even though they were his [Monsters of the Covenant], there were still things that adolescent girls didn't want their father to know about.
”The third [Monsters of the Covenant] meeting hereby begins!”
Presiding over today's meeting was Kuina.
By striking the blackboard in the torch-lit room, she signified the start of their meeting.
Her trademark fox ears were upright and her mood motivated.
In contrast, Rorono and Aura simply ate the cookies they bought in Avalon while cozily sitting on a sofa.
”Rorono-chan, Aura-chan, why aren't you more focused?! This is a serious matter!”
Kuina uncharacteristically shouted and then puffed her cheeks.
In response, Rorono issued out a small sigh and then spoke:
”Kuina, why did you have to turn it into a [Monsters of the Covenant] meeting? All I wanted was to consult you on what to ask for my reward.”
A [Monsters of the Covenant] meeting wasn't held unless there was something very important that its members needed to discuss.
As for how this particular meeting came to be, Rorono had visited Kuina to ask the latter for advice when Kuina suddenly suggested to hold a meeting and then forcefully dragged Aura into it all.
Rorono thought that her reward wasn't enough of a reason to warrant a meeting. They were busy enough as they were; if they were to use any of their time, it had to be for something productive.
”Don't worry, your reward isn't today's main topic but it is related to that!”
Kuina proudly said so.
Meanwhile, Aura raised a hand.
”Aura-chan, you have the floor.”
”Chairman Kuina, please inform us the purpose of this meeting. Depending on that, I may choose to go back. As I wasn't able to yesterday, I want to have fun with the High Elves today.”
”Mhm. I want to go back too; I want to repair the golems.”
For today and yesterday, all of Procell's monsters were given holidays.
However, due to Aura's absence—which was because of the war—the apple trees needed thorough care and thus resulted in her having to forfeit her day off yesterday.
Thankfully, yesterday was enough to finish all those tasks. So, after doing only the absolutely necessary tasks in the morning, it was planned that from noon today, she and her subordinates, the High Elves, were to enjoy their holiday together.
As for Rorono, she had finished all the gathered smithing jobs yesterday and today, her plan was to repair the golems using the golems parts recovered from the [Beast] Demon Lord's dungeon.
In short, both Aura and Rorono were extremely busy.
”Listen carefully. Today's main topic is”
Kuina said so as she vigorously wrote the words for the main topic on the blackboard, making each character as big as possible.
”How do we make sure that Oto-san won't be taken away?”
Kuina excitedly asked so but again, Rorono and Aura looked disinterested.
”Kuina-chan, I'm going back now, okay?”
”Bye, Kuina. If you think of a good reward, let me know.”
The two stood up and began their way back.
”Wait, hold on. Listen to what Kuina has to say first”
Kuina then grabbed the hem of their clothes and stood her ground.
”You know, Kuina-chan, there's no need to worry about master being taken away.”
”I agree. Master loves us all.”
Aura and Rorono gently told so to Kuina to persuade her.
”You two are being naïve. Yesterday was supposed to be Kuina's turn at Oto-san's day but… but… Fel stole it away!”
In a teary voice, Kuina complained so.
Each day, through rotation, the one who gets the chance to sleep together with Procell would change. Officially though, the rotation was to decide which one was going to guard Procell for that day. At any rate, it was a most enjoyable day for them where they could act all spoiled. And thus, such a day was referred to as Father's day—or Oto-san's day for Kuina.
”It was the day for Oto-san give Fel-chan her reward so even if it was Kuina's turn, Kuina didn't sleep together with Oto-san. Kuina didn't get to enjoy Oto-san's day.”
It was definitely a big deal for Kuina, as evidenced by her flopped-down fox-ears and her unmoving fox-tail.
”Kuina, these things happen; you don't have to feel so down. Moreover, I'll talk to master and ask him to adjust the schedule.”
”Rorono-chan, I love you!”
Kuina declared so and hugged Rorono.
Meanwhile, Rorono returned the embraced, and then patted Kuina on the head while saying there, there, to comfort her.
However, looking still worried, Kuina continued to talk.
”…but still, this is the first time that this happened. Even when Wight was reborn or when Ruru-chan showed up, this didn't happen. And Kuina doesn't think this will be the last.”
”You have a point.”
”It's already a problem with just Fel-chan but now, the [Beast] Demon Lord Marchosias is here and that person's special to Oto-san.”
Upon hearing those words, the gravity of the situation finally dawned on Rorono and Aura.
”This requires consideration.”
”Yeah, it might be a bit bad for us.”
The two said so and sat down on the sofa.
Meanwhile, Kuina returned to the front of the blackboard.
”The worst case scenario is that from now on, Marchosias-sama will be the only one to enjoy Oto-san's day. If charmed by her, Oto-san might no longer notice us.”
The three Covenant Monsters' face all went pale.
A scenario where the [Creation] Demon Lord they love and respect was no longer interested in them anymore was nothing but a nightmare to them.
”It is at this time that we need to stand as one!”
Kuina once again raised her voice.
This time, being aware of the situation, Rorono and Aura nodded.
”Kuina-chan, first, we should think of how we will get master to love and keep loving us. I think that if we make ourselves absolutely indispensable, master will continue to care about us.”
”Exactly. Oto-san does often say he rewards hard work.”
While keeping her eyes on Aura, Kuina continued to speak.
”First up, Aura-chan, you're amazing. It is because of you that the humans can farm with ease. Plus, your apples are amazing! So, Aura-chan, you're without a doubt absolutely essential to Avalon!”
”If you say things like that, you're going to make me blush.”
In order to feed on human emotions, humans must first be gathered. In this regard, Aura was very helpful.
If crops were grown in Avalon's fields, they would grow big, nutritious, and delicious tasting. Moreover, abundant harvests were guaranteed along with the promises of no diseases or calamity befalling on the crops. This information became well-known among humans, thus prompting the successive immigration of farmers into Avalon. All of these were due to Aura and the High Elves' blessings.
Additionally, there were also the apples they personally raised themselves. These products, even when eaten as they were, were more potent than low grade potions. And then, among those, there were the much more potent golden apples from the very special [First Tree].
Truly, Aura was indispensable for Avalon.
”Rorono-chan, you're amazing too! You make lots of amazing weapons and draw lots of humans into Avalon! And it's thank to you that humans can live comfortably here!”
”Your praise make me glad but I am only doing duty.”
Whatever look Rorono had, it wasn't of dissatisfaction.