落とし穴外伝：夏の記憶
Dungeon Pit Side Story: Summer Memories
Summer Memories
Side: Seraria
*Gingin, sansan.*
The sunlight pouring through the window seemed to hum with the very sound of those onomatopoeia.
"Qual. The curtains."
"Yes, my lady."
At my clipped command, she responded instantly, drawing the curtains shut.
"Thank you."
The oppressive heat that had been piercing my skin finally softened. I could feel the cool, refreshing breeze from the air conditioner finally reaching me.
"Goodness, it’s hot again this year."
"Indeed. Though, it is still far better here in Weed than it was back in the Royal Capital of Roschur."
"That goes without saying. I honestly wonder how we ever endured it back then."
In this day and age, using air conditioning is a matter of course, but there was a time when we performed our daily duties in places with absolutely nothing of the sort. I can say with certainty that I could never go back to those days.
"Well, people are creatures of habit, so I believe Her Majesty doesn't mind it during training, at least."
"That’s because it’s training. I wouldn't go out of my way to endure the heat during my administrative work. Come to think of it, didn't I used to go for a swim during those times?"
I remembered. It had been so stiflingly hot that I would leave my office to bathe. When I saw Qual’s expression shift as if she’d remembered too, her face quickly twisted into a scowl.
"You would suddenly go missing, and it was terrifying. And you’d go into the forest all by yourself, no less."
"It was the Royal Forest behind the castle; there was no need to worry about monsters, was there?"
"Even so, who goes off without a single guard?"
The Royal Forest was exactly what it sounded like—a forest reserved exclusively for the royal family. It was kept intentionally wild so that those of us who couldn't travel far could still experience nature. It was heavily patrolled, and incidents were virtually unheard of. There was a spring there, which is where I used to bathe.
"I’d been going there since I was a child, so it was never a problem."
"That kind of complacency is exactly what I mean. Well, those worries have lessened now. It’s all thanks to Yuki-sama."
"That’s true. It’s convenient to be able to track where Sakura and the others are whenever they go out to play."
As I said this, I opened the call screen to check on their location. Sakura and the others were currently on summer vacation, spending their days playing freely. Of course, they were accompanied by slime guards, so there was no danger, but being able to see exactly where they were provided a genuine sense of relief.
"Today, they’re at the park fountain."
"…Are you saying Sakura-sama and the others are exposing their naked selves to the public eye?"
"Don't make such a fuss over what children do. They aren't actually stripping down, so calm yourself."
Qual tends to be overly protective of Sakura and the others. Thanks to her, I’m able to take a step back and watch over the children with a cooler head.
"Muu, understood. In that case, I shall finish my work quickly and go… to play, as a guard for Sakura-sama and the others."
"Isn't that backwards? Though, Sakura hates it when we call it 'guarding'."
Sakura is just like I was when I was little; she dislikes the overprotectiveness of adults. Yet, she is deeply affectionate and protective of her younger sisters. I was just talking to my husband about how it might be time to teach her the sword…
"Come to think of it…"
"Hm? What is it?"
"No, I was just thinking—since we and Sakura have our own summer memories, I wonder if my husband has any of his own."
"That is… surely he has… some?"
"Why are you phrasing that as a question?"
"Well, it’s just… I have a hard time imagining Yuki-sama as a child."
"You’re right about that."
To begin with, I can hardly imagine what my husband looked like as a child. Our summer play consists of wearing swimsuits, swimming, beach volleyball, or fishing—I wonder if his childhood summers were the same?
Carrying that question with me, I finished my work and returned home…
"Summer vacation as a child?"
I asked my husband quite casually. He tilted his head, looking puzzled.
"Yeah. Seeing Qual and Sakura running around, I was just wondering how you spent your summer vacations when you were young."
"Ah, is that all? Hmm, well, the major events weren't much different. Going to the beach, playing in the river, going to summer festivals, doing homework."
He paused there, and then…
"And spending the whole time in a room with the AC on, playing games."
"I see…"
What on earth is he smiling about? How is that the highlight of a summer vacation? He does that all the time anyway.
"You don't think it changed, do you? It’s different. Unlike adults, we didn't have work. During summer vacation, once we finished our homework, all our time was our own. In other words, I could spend the whole day—no, three whole days—just playing games."
"Yes, I can see why parents on the other side would put limits on gaming."
Even I’ve pulled all-nighters playing adventure games, so I understand the appeal, but I also know that doing it day after day is ruinous.
"Ahaha, that’s true. I understand it now that I’m an adult. Still, it was fun in its own way. Look, Sakura and the others play games too, right? And they’re surprisingly quiet when they do, aren't they?"
"Muu, that is true… they do stay quiet in their rooms."
As a parent, it’s a relief to know they’re glued to the television playing together rather than running wild outside, but I do feel it lacks a bit of stimulation. That’s why I tell them to set a time limit for games and play outside for the rest.
"Wait, I didn't mean to start a discussion on child-rearing. I was asking about *your* summer vacation."
"Like I said, it was pretty much what I just described. If you want something more specific… well, remember when Luna transferred that abandoned village to the resort area?"
"I remember. Isn't that village managed by Suzuhime now?"
"Managed, sure, but it’s mostly just negotiating with the local deity at the shrine. Usually, she’s there to keep an eye on Sakura and the others, and they play games together."
Yes, Suzuhime is a very capable girl. Or rather, in her own words:
*"It’s easier than getting Amaterasu-Omikami out of the Heavenly Rock Cave. Besides, it’s fun. I don't have to make anyone do a naked dance, mainly."*
She told me with a smile just how much of a struggle that had been back then. What on earth was Luna doing?
"So, summer vacation was like staying in a place like that, catching bugs in the mountains, swimming in the river—can you picture it?"
"Well, now that you mention it, I suppose I can. Watching the fireflies, for instance?"
"The firefly season is already over, though."
"Come to think of it, Aslin and the others took the children to see them when they were in season."
"Raising fireflies is Aslin’s job, after all. She probably wanted to show them to the kids since they hatched successfully. Autumn Sky and the others were there too, so there were no issues."
"Was that village made safe, too?"
When Luna first summoned that settlement, it was in ruins. It was a lot of work cleaning it up and renovating the older sections.
"Yeah, they’ve even built hot spring facilities now, so I think it’s quite enjoyable. Actually, now that I think about it, Lilishe was saying she wanted to hold a summer festival there this year, after hearing the local deity's opinion."
"A summer festival? Like a fireworks display?"
"Well, it’s similar, but the scale is different. No fireworks, and few stalls. It’s just the right size for that settlement. I believe Suzuhime said she’d help, too. And Hairen as well."
"I hadn't heard about this. Why is that?"
"Probably because they haven't found a way to make it happen yet. The budget is coming out of my pocket, but since that place is our private territory, Lilishe and the others can't exactly call in outside help."
"Why don't you help them?"
"It’s a completely private festival. And given the location, I can't exactly deploy my subordinates. Besides, if you ask if I have the time to spare to help…"
"Impossible. I suppose that goes for Lilishe-sama, Hairen, and Suzuhime as well."
Everyone has their own work. We don't have summer vacations like children do. If we can't use our subordinates to prepare, it’s no wonder the preparations aren't moving forward. In that case…
"How about our family helps out? You were just wondering when to take our summer vacation, weren't you?"
"That’s true, but preparing for a summer festival is surprisingly hard work, isn't it? If we spend all our time on that, won't we just end up exhausted and defeat the whole purpose?"
"It’s not like it’s the scale of Weed’s summer festival, is it? We just need to enjoy ourselves, so why not keep it limited?"
"It’s not impossible, but I can't decide without hearing everyone else's opinion…"
As my husband hesitated, a chorus of voices rang out.
"We'll do it!"
The response was immediate. Everyone who had been relaxing after dinner was there.
"That sounds wonderful. A summer festival just for us."
"Indeed. It’s not a large scale, and the budget can be covered by pocket money."
"In that case, a stall for sake would be nice, wouldn't it?"
Ratz, Eris, and Milly were clearly excited. I think a bit of recreation like that is a good idea.
"Also, let's invite Emperor Eupia and Show-oneechan!"
"Then we should bring Fusora, Havia, Nairua, and Wazfi as well. That’s alright, isn't it, Brother?"
"If they say they’re fine with it, sure. Though, we need to decide on a date before we can tell them. It’ll be a hassle if we invite too many people, though."
That’s true. Leaving aside Eupia and Show who visited recently, Havia, Nairua, and Wazfi would be newcomers, so we’d need to talk to them about it.
And thus, our summer vacation began.
Speaking of stalls at a summer festival, what comes to mind?
Which stalls do you all think of?