"Oh...it's snow..." On the morning of December 30th, the last day of the year.
In Esendia, where even the calendar system is exactly the same as Earth's, I witnessed snowfall for the first time.
As winter gradually grew colder...even Esendia was finally experiencing a white powder snowfall.
Those white powders I used to loathe. But now that I live in a different place, they look somewhat different.
...No. Simply because of this, those powders that tormented me in the army could never become pleasing.
The reason I can now purely admire this snow scene is...
"Please wait a moment~ I'm coming~" It must be those guys who took on missions from the guild management office and ran around everywhere, those mages.
Good heavens.
Using magic to clear snow.
Never even considered it!
And the commission fee is paid by the government?
Doesn't this mean I can just enjoy the snow scene?
Since returning from the army, just seeing snow has made me feel terrible.
Now I just feel genuinely happy.
Not bad.
"Master. Everything you asked me to do is done~"
"Oh. Thank you for your hard work, Luna."
Just as I was gazing at the falling snow and lost in thought outside the adult toy shop, Luna, my slave, approached from behind carrying a box.
This adult toy shop, barely surviving on warehouse inventory and generating only a meager income, is located right next to the Demon King's castle.
This time, due to the enthusiastic recommendations of my females and slaves, I decided to turn it into a women-only adult toy shop.
Most of the products were originally geared towards women. My women said they wanted something different, so I changed it.
Plus, with the men of Esendia having such weak stamina, male products are really unpopular… um… no. Even with weak stamina, they should still be interested… Is it the location? Sigh, I don't understand.
Anyway, now the adult toy shop is filled with women's products except for condoms.
The remaining male products probably fill a whole box. It's a waste to throw them away, so I'll keep them for now.
Of course, due to the size issue, I probably won't need it... but throwing it away like this wouldn't be very nice, would it?
I packed up the male masturbation aid and went outside. A soldier lingering in front of the lord's city gate saw me, waved, and ran over.
"Ah, you're here. Lord Shimo! A message from the lord's city!"
"Uh. Hello. Is it a summons?"
"Yes. The lord requests your presence in the lord's city."
Hmm.
It's snowing at the end of the year, and they still want to summon me.
What a hassle... Although I'm involved with the lord because of the search for the Hero Devourer and Cecilia's training, sending someone out at the end of the year is a bit much!
And right now, my period is in two days!
"Hmm... I'm a little hesitant... Will it take a long time?"
"They said it's for you to go along the way, it shouldn't take too long."
"Is that so? Well... alright. I'll prepare now."
I have no choice. I can only think of going to see Ceresia's face while I'm there.
If they called me tomorrow, I'd definitely say I'd go next time and ignore them, but today it doesn't matter.
......
"Ugh~ The lord is so mean! Of all times!" Lisbeth grumbled angrily as she changed clothes at home, mentioning she was going to the lord's city.
Well, no wonder, given my current situation with my females and slaves…
"Master's birthday is in two days! Forget about presents…" Two days later.
To celebrate my birthday on January 1st, they're preparing a party.
Thankfully, we share the same calendar, so my special birthday is the same in Esendia. My females and slaves have been preparing lavishly since yesterday.
There are over ten women in total, including slaves and my females, who have prepared all sorts of food and entertainment to celebrate my birthday.
They even closed their shops for three days from the 31st to the 2nd, ready to indulge themselves.
They even said they'd take turns hosting a 24-hour mating party on my birthday… Now that I'm busy preparing, it's no surprise my females are angry to hear I'm being invited.
"…Since they've already said they're coming, there's no way around it, Master. How about inviting Ceres along?" Claire, with a thoughtful expression, helped me put on my shirt and offered a rather unusual suggestion with a smile.
Oh?
Bring Ceres along too?
"Inviting her now might still result in a refusal, right? Perhaps a duel or something…"
"Heh. I think Ceres's time is almost right. With a little effort to persuade her, she should agree…"
"Master. Even a duel wouldn't be bad, would it? There are spacious training grounds in the lord's city."
Hmm…Although I don't think it's time yet and I didn't plan to invite her, after hearing their suggestion, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to give it a try.
Celestea's attitude has gradually softened lately…although her level of dislike LV.1 still lingers.
However, the number of times she's shown me displeasure lately has definitely decreased significantly.
A birthday and mating party that includes someone like Ceres…not bad. No, I have to try!
"Hmm…alright. Go and try to persuade her. I'm off."
"Yes, sir. Be careful on the road, Master."
"Don't come back too late~ Come back quickly~"
......
"…So, there's nothing particularly noteworthy about this area. All that's left is this outer region…" The lord spread the map on the table and pointed around, continuing to explain the search for the Hero Devourer.
His voice sounded tired; he'd been busy for quite some time.
"The outer area is quite far from Radia, making the search very troublesome. So, I was hoping that you, who discovered the traces, could help search possible locations with the Saintess..."
"Hmm... It's a bit difficult now, but it should be possible in a few days. Is that alright?"
"Of course. You should also take a break for the New Year. Your presence has already greatly reduced the burden on the soldiers; we are truly grateful. Whew..."
"...You seem a little tired. Are you alright?"
"Hmm? Ah... I received orders that not a single piece of information about the Hero Devourer could be missed; it must be reported accurately. The Director of the Guild Management Office has also been away recently, and there are many things to worry about, so I'm a bit tired."
Ah, the Director?
That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I've seen him either.
Besides the few times I saw him when I first came to Radia, I haven't run into him since.
I heard you're the highest-ranking person in charge of the Guild Management Office.
Is it really alright for you to be away from your post for so long?
"Ah, that person... I haven't seen them in a long time either... Come to think of it, it's been quite a while since they left their post. Is this really alright?"
"...Well, that friend's family has some...cough cough."
I sensed something was off about their expression. What's going on? But they seem to know something...well, that makes sense. As the head of the guild's management office, they should meet with the lord frequently.
"If you're interested in the management office head, go ask Celestia. They're friends, they should know them better than I do."
Oh? The management office head and Celestia are friends?
Come to think of it, that management office head does look about the same age as Celestia.
Actually, I was trying to build a better relationship when they suddenly disappeared, so I'm not particularly bothered...but they were the one who helped me settle in Radia. Maybe I should ask them another day.
"I see... May I ask where Lady Celestia is now...?"
"She's been staying in her laboratory lately. Is there something you need to see her for?"
"Ah, yes. I want to see her before I go back. Will it be difficult?"
"Once she's in the lab, she won't come out no matter how much I call her... um..."
A lab... is she preparing for my duel?
I don't know what she's researching, but if even the lord won't come, there's nothing I can do.
Sigh, what a pity... I really wanted to bring her to my birthday mating party.
"But just in case, let's go try to call her. I'll lead the way."
"Uh. Is that really alright?"
"Haha. If you can help me call Celestia out, I'd be more than happy. Consider it a short break and a quick trip."
"Thank you, Lord."
He's really a nice guy. This old man. If he weren't a hero, he'd be perfect.
But because he's a hero, he's taking my wife Celestia away from me. What a pity.
But what can I do, my lord? It's all your fault, you hero. I'm sorry.
Soon your wife will become my female completely.
This is fate. Even if you find out later, please accept it calmly.
However, considering your kindness to me, I will try my best to give you the respect you deserve.
The two heroes who met me before you had their lovers stolen and were executed as males by them.
Unlike those guys, I will try my best to give you the most 'happy ending' possible.
"...Hmm? What's wrong? Shimo-kun?"
"Ah, no. Nothing. Yes."
...Pfft. I really have a terrible personality. Even with the lord right in front of me, I feel absolutely no guilt.
Why do I feel so happy taking away the wife of this kind old man?
Am I always like this? ...Oh well, it doesn't matter anyway.
Humans. And the misfortunes of other males are completely irrelevant to a beast like me.
So please continue to remain impotent, oblivious to everything.
Even if that rat-penis-like human genitalia recovers soon, it will be too late.
My lord, you only need to stay put.
Until the moment Celestia fully becomes my female.