It’s already February, and winter is passing quickly.

The processing of materials from the monsters obtained in the previous attack has been completely finished, and most of their buyers have been decided.

Once spring arrives, the Knight Order will launch a large-scale cleanup effort to restore and maintain security along the highways. After that, they’ll likely sell the materials at high prices to other territories and kingdoms.

This revenue will enrich the territory as well.

Unfortunately, many adventurers lost their lives in the previous incident. However, compensation for the bereaved families is being properly arranged. While the scale of the event was somewhat unexpected, in the end, Riana was able to turn it into a positive outcome.

The dungeon, which had been temporarily closed to prevent further accidents, has reopened after a cooling-off period.

Despite the break, it’s as bustling as ever, with adventurers flocking in every day.

It seems the cooling-off period was effective, as no one is overexerting themselves, and there haven’t been any deaths or even serious injuries.

Even in this freezing cold, the routine of having a drink at the street stalls after returning from the dungeon before heading off for more serious drinking remains unchanged. Thanks to this, Seriana, who authorized the food stalls, continues to maintain a high reputation… or so they say.

Lately, I’ve been holed up indoors, so I don’t know much about what’s happening in the city.

The dungeon is too crowded to hunt properly, and as for outdoor hunting, while I can handle the cold, the monsters have retreated deeper into the forests, making it difficult to find any in the shallower areas.

Right now, there’s nothing I can do outside the mansion.

So, I spend my days lounging around, reading books, and taking naps in elegance.

Now, as for everyone else…

Zighart, wanting to refine his monster-hunting tactics in coordination with the Knight Order, has taken a group of knights and headed out for a hunt.

Their destination is the frontier outpost where Liesel and the others had set up base during the previous battle against Cymodoki.

Apparently, they’re pushing forward with the development efforts while hunting at the same time.

Alec is patrolling the territory.

The master of the wolves has been decided, and together with them, Alec is conducting training in relatively safe areas west of the capital—meaning the forests and plains that aren’t part of the demon-infested lands.

He’s accompanying them in this endeavor.

The 1st Squad is also assisting, working alongside them to investigate scattered monsters.

August, meanwhile, is covering for the two absent squad captains who have left the capital, moving around to fill in the gaps.

One moment, he’s in the dungeon, the next, he’s patrolling the city—he seems to be quite busy.

As for the women… I have no idea.

Fiora has been carefully selecting high-quality materials from the vast amount of monster parts we acquired recently and has been visiting the underground laboratory every day to process and refine them.

I know that much, but as for what exactly she’s working on—I have no clue.

Seriana and Liesel seem to have some understanding of it, so… well, it should be fine.

Elena and Teresa continue their usual work.

Seriana and Liesel are no longer locked up in the office like before, but they’re still constantly busy writing letters and handling other matters to maintain and expand their connections.

Everyone sure is busy…

I was lying on the sofa, thinking about this while continuing my reading when—

“Sera.”

Seriana, noticing something, called my name and pointed toward the door.

If it were Elena or Teresa, she wouldn’t bother calling me over, so… is it a servant?

I rolled off the sofa with a grunt, got on the 【Floating Orb】, and moved to open the door.

Just as I reached it, someone on the other side arrived and knocked.

Perfect timing…

“Yes, come in—huh?”

“Excuse me. I have a package for Sera-sama.”

I had assumed it was a servant from the South Wing, but instead, it was staff from the Main Wing.

Not just one, but three people—a rather dignified-looking older woman and two younger women.

The two younger ones were carrying what seemed to be a fairly large package. And it was addressed to me?

“Ah… alright. Thank you. Please bring it inside.”

I let them carry it in, but… a package for me? What could it be?

“It was delivered directly from the Commercial Guild. The payment has already been received from you, Sera-sama.”

“Hmm?”

I watched them bring it in, trying to remember what it could be. The older woman must have noticed my confusion, as she kindly provided an explanation.

A delivery related to the Commercial Guild… and I had already paid for it.

“Ah!”

I finally remembered.

It’s the cushions I ordered before!

◇

After carrying in the box, the servants quickly left.

They were efficient, not wasting a single word beyond what was necessary.

The servants in the South Wing weren’t lazy by any means, but they were definitely more friendly.

The Main Wing’s servants, on the other hand, gave off a more formal and rigid atmosphere.

After seeing them off, I immediately reached for the lid.

The box was far sturdier than needed for what was inside, and even the lid was quite heavy.

No wonder it took two people to carry it.

I should make sure to thank them properly next time I see them…

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind Garment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・19 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・34 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards