The gentle morning sun shone in to dispel the thin white fog.
　The sun's light reflected off the pond in the garden, faintly illuminating the water's surface and entering the room.
　It was the morning of the sixth day of the Earth Spirit Festival.

　Nacht opens his eyes on the soft bedding on the tatami.
　Even if his eyes were closed, for Nahat, who was more than half conscious, sleep time was a time to feel the warmth of his beloved family.

''Hmm...''

　A small sleep breath touches my body.
　A tiny bit of weight and a comfortable warmth comes over the top of my spread out hands.
　Most of all, Shtel, who sleeps with his left hand, is a mischievous sleeper, so his little feet are on the spot where his head should have been.

　I want to stay like this forever, and it feels so peaceful.
　But I can't coast for too long, and when I make up my mind inwardly, I carefully pull my arms out with every bit of skill I have.
　Raising my upper body, I put on my usual equipment from my underwear, sit down beside Aisha, who is sleeping soundly, and slowly stroke her head.

''Hmm........''

　Then Aisha squeezed Nacht's outstretched hand.
　The little hand puts a slight pressure on it.
　She doesn't want to let go, as if to say so.

(Yesterday was a moderately difficult day...)

　Aisha, who had ruffled too many feathers, was severely depressed. It had already blocked her out so much that she could hear the sound effect without a hitch.
　Aisha has a strong sense of responsibility. Although their relationship is strong as a family now that Shtel is around, Aisha is also very conscious of her position as Nacht's squire. Even though Aisha was drunk, the fact that she spat at Nahat many times is unforgivable.

　It was really hard to appease the depressed Aisha in that way.
　It's not a matter for Nacht to worry about such things. It's not a problem for Nahat to worry about that much, after all, Aisha is his precious family and he is Nahat's beloved.
　You can speak out as much as you like if you don't like it, and you can hope for a much more relaxed, closer relationship.

　I'm sure Aisha understands that Nacht's feelings too.
　Nahat thinks that Aisha understands, but still feels unconvinced and self-loathing, and feels responsible for causing worry and trouble by blocking out again.

　It's a vacation now.
　Everyone experiences a drink that makes them forget themselves for once.
　It would be a shame to leave yourself exhausted on a trip to relax and enjoy yourself.　
　So, I thought, "Let's not be rude.
　It's okay to be a little naughty now, because it's special.
　I've seen this unexpected side of Aisha, and I like her even more.

　Nacht told her that she was getting more and more fond of him.
　Aisha apologized and looked like she was going to cry every time she did.
　She and Shtel encouraged her to cheer up, and finally they were able to sleep together as usual.

'Huh. Really, my Aisha is so cute.

　Normally, one might think that it would be a hassle. But Nacht is willing to take all the trouble from Aisha and Shtel.
　That's what it means to be a family.

　But even so, the debt was still indelible, and a boundary was needed for Aisha.
　So Nacht decided to take the opportunity to say.

''Well, I'll have you listen to one thing I say about anything one day.

　And.

"Well, it's no good being naughty, you know...

　This is a difficult question that cannot be answered easily, what do you ask of Aisha who says how embarrassed she is?
　It's a good thing that you're able to enjoy Aisha's sleeping face and give her a peck on the cheek in a mischievous manner.

'Aisha, it's morning,'

　Aisha twisted around ticklishly along with the feel of her soft cheeks, and half opened her eyes and let out a hmmm.
　Everyone in my family is still growing up and is vulnerable in the morning.
　Aisha looked at Nacht's face with unfocused eyes, and a happy and unexpected look on her face.

''Ehehe, it's Nacht-sama~''

　It's not as if she was sleepwalking, but Aisha reached out to Nahat's face and pulled Nahat's face into a tight hug.
　It is easy to resist because of the weak force, but Nahat can't help but relax from Aisha's forceful behavior, which is usually never shown.

''Hey, Aisha....!
　Nacht tried to escape, his face turning red.

Nunyus, Nahat-sama, let's get out of here!

　Such are Aisha's words that interrupt her.
　I'm used to being attacked, but I didn't expect to be attacked.
　As if to accelerate Nacht's confusion, Aisha held Nacht and didn't try to let go.

'Nacht-sama~, shukii~, Aisha is Nacht shama--'

　That's when Aisha cupped Nacht's cheek and slowly brought her face closer to his. Aisha's eyes, which were only half open, snap open.

The first thing that comes to mind is that Nahato-sama.....

Hey, hey, Aisha. Hi, Aisha. I'm real, but what on earth have I been dreaming about?

　Nacht and Aisha conversed with each other, keeping their faces close enough to feel each other's breath.

''Uh ... that, huh?　Uh, uh, uh, uh!　Why, Master Nacht, is that, like, close, that?

　Aisha's face, which erupted in a blaze of red, was filled with shame and confusion.

'Oh, calm down, Aisha. You were just a bit sleepy, so there's nothing wrong with that.

'Yes, of course. Aisha didn't do anything about it, did she?

　Nacht thinks calmly.
　Here, he thought, telling Aisha the truth was going to be second best to last night.

'Yeah, of course, Aisha didn't do anything. I tried to play a little prank on her, and Aisha was sleepwalking, that's all.

Oh, really?

Yeah, I do.

　Keeping their faces close to each other, Nacht and the others continued their vague conversation.
　Then.

Mommy and Daddy, you'll be best friends in the morning?

　What a noise, said Shtel, who had woken up from the noise.
　I had a feeling that Shtel was mindlessly dumbfounded.

'Ha, let's move away,'

Yeah, I'm afraid so.

　And with an indescribable air, a new morning arrived.






◇








　As Nacht and the others headed to the hall for breakfast, Filnelia, who had already finished a large amount of breakfast, greeted them while rubbing her stomach.

''Good morning, Filnelia,''

Good morning!

It's good to see you looking so good, have you had enough of that hangover?

'Yes, well, in moderation. I've got my appetite back now. You can't eat and drink too much, no matter how good it tastes....

　Cheaply paid military service and living in the forest.
　That's what Filnelia was complaining about, and I'm sure she's enjoying her current situation more than anyone else.

'What happened to that other guy who was down?

'.........Haruka would have been moving around something in the morning with Kensei-sama.......'

Is something wrong?

...I don't know. Well, it's the end of the festival, so I guess it's busy...?

'You don't look busy, do you? Isn't it part of your job to show us around and build friendships with the Wa Nation?

"....a mere lieutenant of one of my troops can't do such a big job, and the worst thing that could happen is that I'd be fired for causing a problem, and physically... 　To be frank, no one should be interested in the Elf Village, and they won't even touch it...

　Casually, Filnelia tries to quiet Nacht, but Nacht doesn't seem to be listening and smiles slightly.

''--That would take the fun out of me, wouldn't it?

Master Nacht!

'I'm joking, but it's Filneria. Are you sure about this?
　Fernalia's body trembled as she was hit by Nacht's quietly intimidating atmosphere.

''........What?''

If you make a mistake and mess with Aisha's hometown...

　Nacht crushed the wooden chopsticks in his hands, crushing them with both hands.
　He slowly placed the powdered piece of wood on the table.

''-- I'm going to turn against you guys?

..........

　Sweat trickled down Filnelia's cheeks.
　She understood.
　That fact that Nacht had, without the slightest pretense, declared itself hostile to and destroyed by a great power that could fight the world.　
　Filnelia held her head in her hands bitterly and let out a sigh.



For now, just till the festivities are over. Yes, but it's Shtel's hope. I suppose we'll just take one look at the sea and head out at leisure.

I love you, Mom.

　Shtel is happy that his request was remembered, and he jumps on Nacht.
　While receiving such a Shtel and stroking her head alright, Filnelia, who has a dumbfounded expression on her face, says.

''........If it's the sea, there's a sea in the demon country too, right?''

'Wouldn't you rather enjoy the seas of a peaceful country than the seas of a war-torn country?　Besides, don't you think it's more profitable to eat the seafood from the Land of Harmony?

''Well it's fine but you're going to do what you want anyway without me telling you to do what you want...''

You know as well as I do - you're here for a reason, and you're going to miss out on something.

　I was talking with Filnelia about the future.

''Then~ ah~, Haruka-chan will show you around again~, the sea was my domain~, you can count on it!

　'What a surprise,' says Haruka, interrupting out of nowhere.

'You look fine, are you done with your work?

''Thanks to you~. To begin with, Haruka's job right now is to welcome Nacht-chan and the rest of the team~, so it's your job to be here doing this~

Is there something wrong?

　When Aisha asked, Filnelia's expression darkened a bit.
　But it was only for a moment. She immediately laughed and opened her mouth lazily as usual.

''Well, it seems there was a bit of trouble. But~ Haruka-chan is out of my jurisdiction, so I don't know if I can interfere in an unnecessary way~. Well, don't worry about it, I'll probably be fine~

　If Haruka says so, Nacht and the others, who are outsiders, will not be able to interfere.
　After a leisurely breakfast and a food break, Haruka leans on Nacht's shoulder.

'Another prank?'

You're so boring. But I'm not! You once told me you were going to help me--

　I am indebted to Harka for the many favors he has provided me.
　The reason why Nacht and the others, who were not of the demon race and visited so suddenly, were able to enjoy the Land of Harmony so much was thanks to the welcome of the visitors from the door, and to Harka, the priest of the Madatari Grand Shrine, who had been entrusted with that responsibility.

'Yeah, you said it,'

So can I ask you for a favor?

Yeah, we're not allowed to get naughty!
　Yes, Aisha said.

"Hmm, I thought you were going to ask me to do something naughty. You must tell me what kind of things you thought you'd ask me to do.

　What a way to say, Haruka says, in an aggressive manner.

''Huh, that's, uh.........''

"Aisha's Etsy.

What--!

　Aisha is red in the face and writhing in shame.
　Honestly, it's extremely cute.

''Then what on earth are you going to ask Nacht-sama to do!

I'm afraid...

　Haruka smiles and says

''-- I was hoping that the massage I was giving Aisha-chan in the bathroom, I'd like to give the tired Haruka-chan one too.

　The air freezes.
　With the illusion of a cold wind blowing, Haruka was the only one with an unchanging smile on her face.
　Aisha clenched her fists in anger.

'Ya, I knew it was a naughty thing!

　Yes, it was an exclamation.