When the newly imported lace fabric arrived in Shashaato City, the awake spiderlings began to stir.

Lace itself wasn’t rare in the Demon King’s Kingdom, but the patterns on this imported fabric were remarkable.

Which was why the price is quite high.

Still, the fabric sent as a gift to Miyo in Shashaato City and to Youko in Village Five made its way to Big Tree Village, catching the eyes of the spiderlings.

They immediately tried to copy it.

But the pattern was extremely complex.

It wasn’t something they could imitate so easily.

They struggled.

Even so, the spiderlings refused to give up.

They kept working at it again and again.

……

What’s wrong?

You’ll wait to try copying it until Zabuton wakes up?

For now, you want to focus on making clothes using the lace fabric.

I see.

That sounds fine.

Apparently, I’m the model.

First, they dressed me in black pants, a black long-sleeved shirt, and black boots.

Then they began attaching the black lace fabric to that simple outfit.

Hmm…

What is this?

Some kind of luxurious nobleman’s attire?

The frills on the sleeves were huge.

It looked like gothic lolita fashion, or rather the male version of it, so maybe it wasn’t strange for a man to wear it, but…

I didn’t think it suited me.

I explained my idea of goth loli to the spiderlings and negotiated with them.

How about using the lace fabric for the clothes of my daughters and sons instead?

-0-

The children then appeared, dressed in gothic lolita outfits made with plenty of lace fabric.

White goth, black goth, red goth, green goth, blue goth.

Very festive.

The girls wore headpieces that matched their outfits.

The boys wore hats that matched theirs.

Yes, it suited them.

My decision had been correct.

But these outfits…

Some children loved them, while others did not.

The one who loved hers the most was Frau’s daughter, Fracia.

She twirled around, making the red goth skirt full of lace flutter beautifully.

She also seemed to like the optional lace parasol.

Though I wasn’t sure how I felt about opening a parasol indoors.

And don’t swing it around.

That’s dangerous.

The representative of the children who did not like gothic lolita fashion was Hakuren’s son, Hiichirou.

Guraru praised him endlessly in his male black goth outfit, but it really didn’t suit him.

Of course, I didn’t force him.

Wearing clothes that don’t suit you is uncomfortable.

He should wear what he likes.

But for the sake of the spiderlings who made the clothes, try wearing it just a little longer.

Sorry.

I’m still wearing mine too, so forgive me for that.

Ah, we match.

-0-

The children’s gothic lolita outfits stirred all kinds of reactions among the adults.

The ones who rejoiced the most were the civil servant girls.

They squealed with delight, pointing out what they liked here and there.

Then they started discussing new designs with the spiderlings.

…No, that wasn’t quite it.

They had brought along Yuri, the Demon King’s daughter, who happened to be visiting my mansion, and were trying to have a goth loli outfit made for her.

Civil servant girls.

I don’t mind that, but is it really okay to drag a resisting Yuri away with three of you?

Aren’t you handling her a bit roughly?

Ah, wait, stop, don’t start taking Yuri’s clothes off yet.

Men, out of the room.

Spiderlings.

The rest is up to you.

-0-

Yuri, dressed in pure white goth loli, received an avalanche of praise from the civil servant girls.

Yuri herself looked displeased, though.

As for the Demon King… what’s wrong?

Ah, he said the outfit looked like something a bride would wear, and he didn’t know how to react.

The troubles of a father with a daughter of marriageable age.

The gothic lolita fashion briefly became popular in Big Tree Village, and then spread to Village Five.

-0-

When I arrived at Village Five, Youko told me I had a visitor, which was rare.

I asked who it was, and she said it seemed to be someone connected to Niz.

Niz was the familiar of the Serpent god and the acting manager of Niz’s Alcomeat.

If it were someone related to Niz’s Alcomeat, they wouldn’t have business with me.

Even if they did, Niz had enough authority to handle it.

Which meant… it was probably snake-related or familiar-of-a-god-related?

I really hoped it wouldn’t be troublesome.

「It is snake-related, but it is only an apology」

An apology? Did they do something?

「They had a dispute with the guards. Niz mediated and settled it」

That was good.

But then, why apologize to me?

「They want to live in Village Five. Niz said it would be best to apologize properly to village chief」

I see.

So, they’ll apologize and I’ll accept it. Simple enough.

「That is how it should be」

Got it.

Let’s meet them then.

-0-

The person Niz brought with her was a tall woman.

She was over two meters.

Her entire body was wrapped in a white robe. A mage… no, with that massive sword on her back, she was probably a swordswoman.

On the parts of her skin that were visible, snake scales appeared here and there.

Her eyes were clearly those of a snake.

To be honest, she looked like she was halfway through transforming from a snake into a person.

「M-my name is Ekido. I am an old friend of Niz. I caused a disturbance this time because of my own carelessness. I apologize.」

Ekido offered her apology honestly.

Since she did, I had no reason to make things complicated. I accepted her apology.

If you plan to stay in Village Five, you simply need to avoid causing trouble.

Niz, can I leave the rest to you?

「Understood. I will explain the rules here.」

Yeah, I’m counting on you.

Niz and Ekido stepped away.

Gulf, Daga, and Reginleif, who had been standing by as my guards, let out breaths of relief.

Good. Nothing happened.

When I heard she had clashed with the guards, I imagined she’d be the stubborn, overbearing type.

「You’re not wrong. Ekido is strong-willed and doesn’t bow her head easily.」

Then why earlier?

「Her spirit is broken right now.」

Because she lost to the guards?

「That as well, but it seems she lost to Ursa before coming to Village Five.」

To Ursa?

「Yes. Apparently, she was beaten quite badly.」

Ah… I’m not sure what to say to that.

If she held a grudge, that would be troublesome.

「No need to worry. Ekido brought a letter of introduction from Ursa. She and Ursa have already settled things.」

A letter?

What did it say?

「‘I won Ekido over with fine food. If possible, please arrange work and lodging for her in Village Five.’ That sort of thing.」

I see.

Someone travelling with Ursa must’ve written that.

Ursa would never use the phrase “won her over”.

So, she’ll be working at Niz’s shop?

「I considered it, but with that appearance… Serving customers would be difficult. They’d be startled. So, she’ll work at the shrine for now and stay there too.」

Won’t the shrine have trouble?

「Not at all. Ekido is acquainted with the Silver Fox Kon, who manages the shrine. It will be fine. And it’s only until her strength returns.」

Her strength?

「Losing to Ursa caused her to lose her power, leaving her in that half-changed form. Once her strength returns, she’ll regain a proper human appearance. When that happens, she won’t shock customers, and she can work at Niz’s shop without issue.」

Huh?

「Her human form is famous for being a beauty. There’s even a tale about her charming the king of some country.」

That sounds like she has potential to be a star employee.

「Hahaha. Whether she’ll actually, work, well is another matter. But as long as Niz handles it, there should be no problem.」

-0-

As a side note, the guard Ekido clashed with was none other than the Sword Saint Pirika.

It seemed Pirika cut Ekido, who was in her snake form, into three pieces before Niz stepped in to stop her.

Youko had said that if Ekido were at full strength, Pirika would have a hard time winning, so it looked like the damage from her fight with Ursa still hadn’t healed.

Ursa… isn’t that a bit too much?

Ah, no, maybe Pirika simply grew a lot stronger.

Yeah.

Let’s believe that instead.