落とし穴１６０堀：穏やかな年末 (Part1)
**Dungeon Pit 160: A Peaceful Year-End**
**A Peaceful Year-End**
**Side: Yuki**
The spring cleaning had been completed without a hitch, and before I knew it, only two days remained in the year—it was the 29th.
Thankfully, we, the heavyweights of Weed, were enjoying a peaceful year-end. Well, it wasn't as if our work had dropped to zero, but since the founding of the nation, these were arguably the most tranquil days we had ever experienced. The year-end and New Year events in Weed were being handled by our successors, who were doing a fantastic job. There was no longer any need for us old-timers to stick our noses in.
"Ah, being able to spend time relaxing in the *kotatsu* like this is wonderful. Oh, these mandarin oranges are delicious."
"Indeed. I never imagined that Eris and I would be able to relax like this at the end of the year."
The two people currently enjoying the ultimate winter combination of a *kotatsu* and mandarin oranges were, surprisingly, Eris and Ratz—the very people who should have been the busiest at year-end. Under normal circumstances, the head of accounting and the deputy representative of the commercial district would never be able to be in a place like this.
As for why these two were here…
"Are you two really okay being here? Even if you left things to your successors, aren't you worried? Here, tea."
Exactly as Milly said, Eris and Ratz had entrusted everything to their successors to secure their year-end break.
"Thank you. And, well, it’s not that I’m completely without worry, but those kids need to learn to handle things on their own eventually."
"Eris is right. We can't let them rely on us forever. Besides, rather than worrying about us, Milly, are you sure you’re okay? I don't think there’s anyone who can replace you at the guild yet, is there?"
"I'm fine. Recently, adventurers have been cutting back on their activities during the year-end and New Year holidays, so the Adventurer Guild is quiet. It’s like the winter hibernation state from the old days."
"“Ahhh.”"
The two of them nodded in understanding. However, there were some who couldn't quite grasp the meaning of that conversation.
"Um, Milly? What is a 'winter hibernation state'?"
"Right, there aren't any adventurers where Mikos and the others are, are there?"
That’s right—Kagura and the others were here with us. Since marrying me, they had set aside their titles as diplomats, and their primary role had shifted to being the bridge between me and my other wives. Because they were now much easier to talk to than when they were formal diplomats, they were arguably busier than before, but it was still a good thing that they could prioritize family over official duties at times like this.
Regardless, since the profession of "adventurer" didn't exist on the continent where Kagura and the others lived, the term "winter hibernation" must have sounded like gibberish to them.
"Ah, 'winter hibernation' just means that we take a break from work during the winter. It was a common occurrence before Weed was established."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. During the winter, food is scarce and the cold is brutal, so securing supplies costs more than usual—things like winter gear, for example."
"Exactly. Eris is right. Back when I was working as an adventurer-merchant, the golden rule was to avoid moving as much as possible during the winter. It’s not that there’s no work, but the difficulty level skyrockets due to various factors."
Ratz gave a wry smile, as if she had some unpleasant memories associated with it.
"I see. It’s like being a farmer in winter. You can’t really do farm work during that season, after all."
Seeing Mikos nod in agreement, I suddenly remembered something.
"Speaking of which, Mikos. You were providing agricultural support to Baron Jama’s territory, right? How is that going?"
When the forces of Cysypho were closing in, we had scrambled to build an airbase in the territory of Mikos’s father, the Baron, as a countermeasure. In return, we had set up a gate, commercial facilities, welfare centers, and the agricultural support I was just talking about.
"Oh, come to think of it, I haven't heard a report on that. The Princess hasn't mentioned anything, so it seems Mikos’s father is reporting properly, but how is it in reality?"
"Um, it seems my dad’s territory management is going well. Though, I hear a lot about how they’re just so busy that they’re short on hands."
"Well, that’s to be expected. It’s impossible for people not to flock to a territory equipped with Weed’s facilities. Even the Haire Church was in such a rush that they built a new church."
Ah, that’s right, I heard from Enora that they were rebuilding the church. They probably wanted to improve their image by riding our coattails.
"As for the agricultural support Yuki-sensei mentioned… Oh, right! They said the greenhouses are amazing. They use magic to raise the temperature inside, and the crops grow really well."
"I see, so it worked out. That means we can grow strawberries."
"Exactly! They wrote that those red strawberries are delicious and are becoming a specialty product."
"I’ve caused Father-in-law Jama a lot of trouble, so I’m glad it worked out. Tell him—or rather, tell him that Weed will buy them if they have a surplus in production. That’s fine, right, Ratz?"
"Yes, of course. Strawberries are incredibly popular, after all."
"Understood. I’ll let my dad know."
With this, it had been confirmed that Earth’s crops could grow on the new continent where Kagura and the others lived. Comet and Agil would be thrilled when I brought them this data.
As I was thinking about that, Kirue, Ria, Aslin, and Firia entered the room, carrying various items in their hands.
"Everyone, the snacks are ready. Would you like some?"
"Yay! I helped out this time, too!"
"We made a lot!"
"It’s delicious!"
So, the reason they were bustling about in the kitchen was to make snacks. However, for some reason, Kirue placed a bowl right in front of me with a heavy thud. Even though she said "snacks," it was a mixing bowl. Kirue, who as a maid was always conscious of presentation, would never serve snacks in a piece of cooking equipment like this.
Looking inside, I saw a yellow liquid. It looked thick and viscous.
"Oh? Ria, is this pancake batter?"
"Spot on, Milly! I thought we could all make some and eat together."
"We have cookies prepared to eat while we wait for them to be ready."
Ah, so there were finished goods as well.
"Let’s all make pancakes!"
"We must prepare the hot plates!"
Aslin and Firia were eager, taking out the hot plates and plugging them in. They must have been looking forward to making pancakes. After all, there is no snack easier to make and more versatile in flavor than a pancake.
However…
"…Um, Kirue. Isn't the amount in the bowl a bit excessive?"
"Oh, so Eris sees it that way too. I can see six bowls filled with batter."
"That’s true. To my eyes, it looks like Aslin and the others have prepared three hot plates. What about you, Yuki-san?"