The Stampede.
　Demonic beasts lost their minds and ran out of control as a group; in other words, a tsunami of demonic beasts.
　No, it's not just monsters. The animals are also joining in and running amok.
　They'll be swarming here soon.
　What should we do now? If we're thinking about our own safety, we can just go back at the [Gate] like this.
　But unluckily, beyond the beasts' tsunami, there is a tribal settlement that lives in the Great Sea of Trees.
　It's because of this settlement that we decided to defeat the demonic dragons that live nearby this time.
　At this rate, I don't think they'll stop in front of the village....

''What do we do now?''
We can't just leave them alone, can we?

　I return that to Ende and put my phone away. Even Pam, the tribal chief of the Great Tree Sea, would be in trouble.

''You're going to slay a lot of monsters!　I want to be a part of it!
Oh, me too!　Hey, Your Majesty!　Let me join you!
We won't kill it. It would be a disaster for the ecosystem if they were overfished.
"Yeah...

　Linne and Alice are booing, but we can't just kill them without a fight. Even demonic beasts can be used as food for the people who live there. It's not something we can just randomly hunt for, is it?

So, for now, we should build a defensive wall. "Come earth, come earth wall.

　I've built a thick stone barrier several kilometers long in front of the stampede's approach, which should be about 20 meters high. It should be about 20 meters high. It's the Great Wall of China that can stop a dragon from charging through it. That should give us some peace of mind for now.

''It's still a mess, Winter Night...''

　Ende let out a dumbfounded voice. It's fine, I'll turn it off later when the stampede subsides.

''But if it's like this, won't they just keep rushing into the wall one by one and crush the first monster beast?
Don't worry. I made sure that if you hit the wall, the [Gate] would transfer you 20 kilometers backwards.

　As long as you keep running, you'll be on an endless loop. It would settle down once I lost my strength.
　I mean, why did the stampede happen?　As for the reason for the Stampede to happen, it could be a harbinger of a natural disaster or something.
　But there's no active volcanoes or anything around here, and if it's an earthquake or something like that, the spirits of the earth should be able to tell us.
　In the end, they're panicking because they feel like they're in danger. Has something appeared that could make the demonic beasts feel threatened...?
　We used the 【Gate】 and transferred to the top of the wall. It's more than ten meters thick, so there's no need to worry about it falling.
　A flock of demonic beasts are heading this way from the other side of the wall, sending up a cloud of dust from beyond the wall. It's as if they were running away from something.

''I see. I see.
What?

　When Karina-san looked at the endless sea of trees, she let out a sigh.
　Eh, what do you see?　I can only see the swaying trees and the dirt smoke coming towards us.

[Longsense]

　I improve my vision and stare further beyond the stampede.
　Hmmm?　It looks like........a chunk of forest is shaking....... Ooh, I just caught a glimpse of what looked like the head of something?
　When I stared at it closely, I finally realized what it was.
　It's a turtle. A big, stupid turtle. A tortoise with a forest on its back. Is it a giant beast?

Zaratan. It's very rare to see them on land. It's a magical beast that is normally found in the sea. It's such a huge tortoise hexenbiest that there are stories about it being on the back of Zaratan when it comes ashore by mistake. By the way, that's not a giant beast. That's just normal.
"So it's not a giant beast...

　No, it's just too big. How many hundreds of meters is that thing? I don't think it's more than a few hundred meters.
　I mean, if that thing started moving, of course the monsters would run away. Was that thing the cause of the stampede?

"Zaratan itself is a very gentle magical beast, but it's just because of its huge size. But with his huge body, it must not be easy to be around him. It must be very annoying for people around him.

　I feel a little bit of relief at sister Karina's explanation. I'd be scared if that was an aggressive turtle.

'Oto-san!　Oh, you're going to beat it!
No, I'm not going to beat him...

　I don't know what to say to Rinne who asks me innocently. Isn't that bigger than the Evil One, if only because of its size?　Can you defeat it? Furthermore, what should I do with the wreckage after defeating it?

I mean, why didn't the stampede happen until now?
Zaratan can hibernate for a thousand years. You wake up and find that a forest has formed on your back while you were asleep.

　So what is it?　Has he been sleeping here for thousands of years?　That's a lot of sleepyheadedness again.
　Fortunately, Zaratan's movements are slow. However, every step he takes is big, so he's reasonably fast. If this is the case, it's coming this way.

"Why is it coming this way?
Maybe they're here to eat the Hexenbiest that got away.
'Ah. I get hungry just when I wake up.

　The children are talking about it casually, but is it really so? It's not possible to catch good prey with that movement.
　Ende, who was looking at Zaratan the same way I was, let out a small voice.


To the sea?
Yeah. He's supposed to be a sea monster, right?　I thought you were trying to get back to the ocean.

　Oh, I see. The sea, eh? It's true that there's an ocean just beyond the village.
　Is Zaratan itself just trying to get back to the sea? The only byproduct of that is the stampede.

'Then let's send it back to the sea.
What? You're not gonna knock it over?　I haven't been on frame gear in a long time!
We can't just take down everything.

　That's what I tell Lynne, who is buzzed. I'm not impressed with your father for doing everything in full force. Well, I do this a lot too, so I can't say that too strongly.

But you're throwing him back in the water?
What, we'll use the Gate to transfer it to the ocean.

　It's not hard to get a target lock with that kind of movement, and it should be able to transfer without any problems. On top of that, the trees in that area will be gone in a flash, but since they're being crushed by Zaratan anyway, I don't think that's a problem.
　To be more precise, though, it would be transferred to the coast, not to the sea. If we drop it directly into the ocean, it's that big, it could cause a tsunami.

But I wonder if there are still animals on that turtle. If they go into the sea, they will die.

　Ugh.
　I'm at a loss for words at Alice's casual words. That's for sure.
　I search my phone and sure enough, there are still some animals in the forest on Zaratan's back. Some are fleeing, some are still and motionless, but if I put Zaratan back in the ocean, he would definitely drown.
　We'll have to transfer these animals first.

"Target Lock. All animals on Zaratan's back.
Copy that. Target lock complete.
[Gate]

　Transfer all the animals to a different location than the direction of the Stampede.
　The animals are freed from the shaking ground and leave the place as if fleeing from danger.

'That's it. Now all that's left is to transfer Zaratan to the sea...
"Gmoaoaoaoao.........!

　Suddenly, a voice that sounded like it was hundreds of times the size of a conch echoed around the area. What the hell!
　When I looked, I saw that Zaratan was screaming at the sky. His movements have become more violent than before, and he is flailing about, swaying his large body from side to side.

''What's going on all of a sudden?''
I can't see clearly, but there's something underneath. I think we're under attack from Zaratan.
Attack?

　Narrowing her eyes, sister Karina replies. Don't tell me the people of the Tree Sea are attacking us?　No matter how reckless you think you are.

No, I'm not. No, they're not the Tree People. That's a Gigaant. d*mn, they're totally against Zaratan.

　Giga-Ant. They are giant ant monsters that swarm and mainly live underground. Once they bare their fangs, they are vicious monsters that will continue to attack until they die.
　Each individual has the ability to empathize with the other, and if you attack one of them, they'll call out to their friends and attack you as a group.
　The only way to survive against them is to eradicate them. They will chase you everywhere, even if you run away.
　That's what makes Zaratan turn on them. Probably one of them was trampled by Zaratan or trampled by Zaratan. All the giga-ants are turning on their enemies.
　The strength of the Gigaant's jaws was so strong that it could tear off a human's torso with ease.
　As one would expect of a Zaratan with such a huge body, it would not be bitten off so easily, but numbers are violence.
　It is said that the army ants living in the Amazon can devour cattle and horses.
　From the looks of it, Zaratan might be feeling more or less pain. This is bad.........
　I don't think it's strong enough to defeat Zaratan, no matter how much of a Giga-Ant. The problem is that it will cause Zaratan to lash out. The Stampede would accelerate even faster.

''Let's just transfer Zaratan for now.

　I opened [Gate] under Zaratan's feet and sent him to the coast of the Sandra region. The forest trees and giga-ants that were knocked down with us also fall into [Gate]. The beach where we were relocating to was an unpopulated place, so I think it was safe, but we also transferred through 【Gate】 as if we were chasing after them.
　The destination was a rocky coastline with the sea spreading out in front of us. A Zaratan with a forest on its back was slowly trying to return to that sea.
　But thousands of Giga-Ant clinging to its feet, attacking Zaratan mercilessly.
　Its feet were covered in wounds, flesh gouged out in places, and blood flowed as it walked.

''Hey!　Don't mess with the turtle!

　As if she couldn't stand the painfulness of it, Alice shouted at Giga-Ant and manifested 【Rose Crystal Thorn 《Prisma Rose】 and made it twitch like a whip.

''Ah, Aris!

　Ende's voice is also empty, and the swinging 【Rose Crystal Thorn 【Prisma Rose】 strikes down one of the Giga-Ant's that bite Zaratan, striking down.
　The Giga-Ant has the ability to empathize. The pain of one Gigaant is received as the pain of all of them. The Gigaant's gaze turns to me. Oh, this is bad.
　I hear a sickening creaking sound, and the Gigaant heads towards us. We seem to have been recognized as enemies, too.

Hey, hey, hey, Otosan!　In cases like this, you can take them out!　Hey!
I don't care if I kill you.
'Yes!　Eeeeee!

　Linne happily punched Giga-Ant's side. I wonder why this happens........

''Hmph. We're going to do a test cut!

　When I looked to the side, I saw Frey holding a vicious-looking twin swords in both hands and decapitating the Giga-Ant. ''Over here too!
　The children are destroying the swarm of ants that are attacking us one by one.
　Every once in a while they would come our way, but the kids would sidestep them and finish off the giga-ants. How badly do you want to fight?
　It's not difficult to eradicate them if I use my magic. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

I don't know. I think it's good to know that you're fine, but...
It's a bit of a mixed feeling for a parent...

　I look at the children who are happily slaughtering the Giga-Ant and sigh with Ende.
　It's not that I'm a violent person, and I don't think I'm a battle fanatic 《battle maniac》 either. That's why I wonder what it's like to be a girl. Will she be able to marry in the future?
　
　I mean, I'm sure she'll be all right. No problem.

"Gigaant's shell could be sold for a good price. Pick it up.
Uh, hi.

　As I was thinking about such a stupid thing, a voice flew over to me from Karina-san. As I was told, I put away the giga-ant that the children defeated into 【Storage】.

''【Shouki Striking Hammer【Prisma Hammer】!

　Alice is flattening all the Giga-Antos together with what looks like a giant crystal fly swatter. That thing is indeed useless as material. Let's give up on the collection.
　In the meantime, the Gigaantos are being defeated and their numbers are dwindling.
　Before I knew it, there were only a few Gigantos biting Zaratan, and most of them were stored in my 【Storage】.
　Zaratan's paw goes into the sea with the Gigant that was biting it, the Gigant that was biting it. It will be okay over there now.

''That's the last time!

　Linne's kick exploded, and the giga-ant was blown to the sandy beach and stopped moving. A giant ant lay dead on the sandy beach.
　There were no more Giga-Ant on the beach. Zaratan was already immersed all over in the sea. 'So it's over.

''That was fun!
I think the turtle is okay.
Whew, that felt good.

　The kids are 'done!' He looked like that, but me and Ende only gave him a drawn-out smile. If the kids enjoyed it, the result is okay........?

'Zaratan is moving away........ I guess he wanted to go back to the sea after all.

　Ende muttered this to himself as he watched Zaratan return to the sea. I've just run into the most ridiculous guy in the world.

'Bye Bye!　You can't go on land anymore!

　As the children waved from the shore, Zaratan raised his head once, as if in reply, and then slowly sank into the sea.

'He's gone,'
I'll go back to the Great Treeline. We'll see if the stampede has subsided.

　I took the children and transitioned back to the top of the Great Tree Wall.
　Perhaps because Zaratan is gone, the stampede seems to be coming to an end. The demonic beasts and animals that used to be heading towards us in a straight line are now heading in different directions. With this, it's safe to erase the wall.
　I used earth magic to erase the wall and returned the great sea of trees to its original form.

I'm sure you'll be able to find it. Huh. It's a hell of a hunt...
But it was fun!

　Linne replies with a big smile. .........Well, that's fine then.

''Alright, let's go home.''

　One by one, the children enter the 【Gate】 I opened, one by one. We followed them and moved into the salon of Brunhild Castle.
　It seems they were just having a tea party, and everyone was there. Mel, Ney and Lise are also there.

''Mother, I'm home!''
'Oh!　Alice, you're back!　Are you safe?!

　Ney stands up and catches Alice, who runs out first, firmly.

''Welcome back, Alice.
Are you hurt?
I'll be fine.

　Mel and Lise also headed down to Alice. I guess they were worried about what was going on.
　When I looked away, beside them, Lynne was hugging Linse and Frey was being patted on the head by Hilda.
　I feel like I'm back.

''Thank you for your hard work, Fuyuya-san. Were you okay?''
'No, it's okay, I mean, what can I say.... Well, it went off without a hitch.

　I didn't know how to respond to Yumina's labored words, and I had to answer with a wry smile.

'Would you like some tea, Fuyu-sama?　Karina-sama and Ende, too.

　With that said, Lou prepares a tea set for me. That's right, I need to have a little smoke until dinner.
　I will make your father's tea! "Stay back!　This is my 《I》 work! And let's go through the mother-daughter conversation.
　I sit down on the sofa and rest my body against the backrest. Huh..... I'm so tired.
　I feel like I've been swept up in the power of these kids.
　A languid sense of exhaustion washes over me, but when I see Linse, Else and the others trying so hard to talk about defeating the demon dragon and the story of Zaratan, I feel that all the exhaustion is blown away.
　........It's kind of nice, isn't it?
　As I was watching the children and their wives happily talking to each other, something suddenly appeared in front of my eyes as if it were a pop and fell straight onto my stomach.

''Goof!
Mummies?

　Something that made a strange noise and rolled from my stomach to the side of the couch.
　It's not something. It's a little girl. Where the hell did it come from........eh?　No way!

Father!

　As soon as she saw my face, she shouted that and hugged me. Uh........I knew it?

Yoshino!
Yoshino-oneechan!

　Frey and Lynne shout. Yoshino. She was the daughter of Sakura, as I recall. I see, she was transferred through 【teleport】.
　The sixth one, huh? They're gathering at a pretty fast pace.......
　For the time being, I let go of Yoshino, who was hugging me.
　It's the same light red hair as the cherry blossom, but it's fluffy and short, and the bangs are trimmed. A hair pin in the shape of a small cherry blossom was fastened to her hair.
　If she's a child with cherry blossoms, she should be a demon royal, but I can't see her horns. Are they hidden in her hair?
　If I remember correctly, he's younger than Kuhn and older than Arcia, nine years old?　She's a bit small for that.
　She's wearing a navy blue dress with a collar that looks like a sailor's dress with lace at the hem. Was it called a sailor dress?　It looks good on you. Yeah, it's cute.

"...you're Yoshino?
Oh, mother!

　When I found Sakura, who had put down the cup of tea she was drinking and stood up, Yoshino moved away from me and flew toward her. I hugged her with all my strength.
　I'm not sure what to say to her, but she seems to be confused.

It's a very good idea to be able to have a good time.
I'm home!

　Yoshino replied cheerfully. The children gathered around him in a huddle.


You're welcome, Yoshino.
Indeed, Yoshino's sister...
Yoshino Sis!
Hey, Yoshino-onee-chan, hey, hey!

　The children are noisy and excited about each other. Let's see, now we have the second daughter, Frey, the third daughter, Kuhn, the fourth daughter, Yoshino, the fifth daughter, Ayrshire, the sixth daughter, Erna, and the seventh daughter, Lynne.
　Once again, I realize that we have a lot of children. It's a natural thing to have so many wives, but.....

''Ah!　I didn't want to do that!　Father, please!　Help us all!

　Yoshino looks back at me and gives me a desperate look. 'Guys?　What's with everyone?
　It seems to be a big deal. There was no way I was going to ignore my daughter's request, no matter what it was.
　I don't know what's going on, but I took care of it all anyway!