In the meadow area, the adults of the dungeon, minus Yuki, were gathered in a room overlooking the inn’s garden. Rir’s wife, Setsu, Riu, and Sakuya were with them too. They were hosting another meeting of the Council of Wives. Iluna and the others were at school, and Yuki and Rir had been banished as usual while the meeting was in session.
“Before we begin today’s meeting, I would like to make a suggestion. We have been calling ourselves the ‘Council of Wives’ thus far, but as we have children now, I wondered if we should change the name to the ‘Council of Matrons’ instead. What say you? Or perhaps the ‘Council of Mothers’?”
“Hmm, you’re right. The ‘Wives’ part isn’t the only thing that’s true, is it? But ‘Council of Mothers’ would leave Leila and me out.”
“But you are. Our family is made up of one husband and four wives, and my lord said we’re all Riu and Sakuya’s mothers. So ‘Council of Mothers’ works for me. Although I guess ‘matrons’ would apply to all of us now that we’re mature, married women. Heh.”
“I’m fine with either.”
“When you soothe them, Leila, Riu and Sakuya fall asleep right away. Perhaps you are the most motherly among us.”
“Her talent really wows you in times like these, huh? She picks up on stuff so quickly...”
“I completely agree. She just knows how to swim with the tide. I need to learn from her.”
“Tee hee, I’m simply a bit quicker at learning.”
“Grr.” Watching Lefi and the other women chat, Rir’s wife smiled and said, “As always, you all get along so well.”
“Well, we are family, after all. What say you, madam? Do not hesitate to voice your opinions.”
“Grr, grar.”
Translation: “I vote for ‘Council of Matrons.’ That will allow us to discuss a broader swathe of topics.”
With that, the majority had elected to change the name from “Council of Wives” to “Council of Matrons.”
“Excellent. We shall now officially commence the meeting. Now, does anyone have aught they wish to address?”
“Wait, we thought you called this meeting because you wanted to discuss something.”
“No. I only did so because we have not had one in some time, but now that Lew and I have given birth to Riu and Sakuya, I thought it prudent to start them again.”
“True. We haven’t really had much time to relax since we got pregnant. Even now, we’re busy taking care of the babies.”
“Okay! Then I have a topic! Mr. Yuki seems like he’s at loose ends recently, so maybe we should spend more time with him.”
“Ah, I see. Since he is no longer the emperor, he is at home more often. However, with Iluna and the others at school, he has fewer opportunities to venture out into the Forest, so he has less to do compared to before.”
“He does take care of Riu, Sakuya, and Setsu, but so do we. Our lives revolve around the children out of necessity, so the time we spend with Master Yuki has decreased, relatively speaking.”
“Exactly. Which is why I think we should take the initiative to spend more time with Mr. Yuki. He might be bored or lonely.”
“Gosh, if he really is feeling lonely, that’d be kind of cute. He’d never show that side to us, though. Then again, my lord is also the type who isn’t shy about saying what he wants to do and then just doing it.”
“Gah ha! True enough, Lew. Though he has been willing to lean on us more as of late, there is no doubt he has a stubborn side. What is the term again? Ah yes, ‘sore loser.’ That is what he is.”
“So are you, Lefi.”
“Lew’s right. You two are peas in a pod.”
“B-Bah! Ahem. How has Rir been faring? Is he, too, at loose ends now, with fewer occasions to hunt with Yuki in the Forest?”
“Grr, grar.”
Rir’s wife had said, “He said that the new wolf joining has made life for him easier lately, since he’s been able to delegate work.”
“Ah yes, the one Yuki brought from somewhere. Quite a promising fellow, I hear. Good, good. It seems Rir finally has a reliable subordinate.”
“Aha ha ha! Even with the other pets, Rir somehow ends up doing everything. He and Mr. Yuki are complete opposites, whereas Mr. Yuki and the other pets have similar personalities.”
“I concur. Everyone except Rir is quite free-spirited. I’m sure Master Yuki’s biological information was included when they were summoned.”
“It makes you wonder how free-spirited Riu and Sakuya will be. I’m looking forward to it, but I’m dreading it too.”
“Gah ha! They will likely grow up to be mischievous rascals whom even we cannot stop. Well, they will experience many things and make many mistakes, but we have to be wary of dangers that could put their lives at risk. Setsu, you listen carefully to what your parents say. Understood? Although if you wind up like your father, you are sure to have a difficult road ahead... Therefore, you should follow your mother’s example!”
Lefi petted the little pup, who cocked her head inquisitively, like she didn’t quite understand. Then, Leila spoke.
“Well, I have a feeling Riu will be an obedient child no matter what. Sakuya, however, is another story, since he is your and Master Yuki’s child, Lefi.”
“The child of the two most free-spirited people in our family... I sense trouble on the horizon!”
“Let me make one thing clear, Nell. Lately, you have become even more free-spirited than I.”
“I think I agree with Lefi. My lord takes the top spot in that category, of course, but number two just might be you, Nell.”
“What?! No way! No, no, that’s not true! As a career woman, I’m a very sensible person, a kind part-time hero who values order!”
“That’s exactly what we mean, Nell.”
“That is precisely our point, Nell.”
“Hmm, children inheriting their parents’ personalities... To be honest, I’m a bit worried about what would happen if my child wound up with my level of curiosity. If they’re born more ovine than demon lord, I’ll simply have to throw in the towel.”
“Wow, really?” Nell asked.
“It’s impossible to correct our natures, you see. So I’ll simply have to accept them, relentless thirst for knowledge and all.”
“You ovine are truly something else... Speaking of, I would like to ask your mentor, Eldgalia, for her counsel on child-rearing.”
“I couldn’t agree more.”
“Ladies, ladies, we shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves. Despite everything we’ve said, our personalities are ours, and the kids have their own. We’re all different. No matter who they’re like or who they’re not, we’ll accept them and love them. Right, Lady Rir?”
“Grr.”
“To think the day would come when Lew, of all people, would bring us together.”
“Goodness, Lew, you’ve gotten so much more responsible since becoming a mother!”
“That’s amazing!”
“Lew... I’m so very happy.”
“Why are you all like this? Stop it. Can’t you see how embarrassed I am? Wait, Leila, you’re actually serious?”
Though they called it a meeting, it was just a casual conversation. But communicating like this allowed them to relax and recharge. Rir’s wife listened with a smile, thinking, They’re so lively. She occasionally glanced at the babies, including her own, to make sure all was right with them—arguably making her the most motherly of the group.