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A breeze enters through the window, slightly cool.

Many say that time passes by faster after graduating from school. That’s probably what I’m feeling right now.

“…Huh.”

I plant my elbow on the desk for support and rest my chin on my palm.

Tomorrow marks the beginning of September.

Before I noticed, summer is already about to end.

Time sure flies so fast.

Even Jade said something similar the other day, when he came to the mansion to talk about work matters. “The past month or two seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye! It’s really surprising…” he said with a sigh.

After graduating from the municipal school, the bratty trio, consisting of Jade, Jano, and Sney, remained in Leis village, just like me. They are to take over their respective family businesses.

Ever since we’ve graduated from school, the number of times we’ve met have considerably decreased. Well, it’s obvious why. Occasionally, they’ll stop by the mansion for some matters regarding work. And during their visits, they often update me on their life, talk about their worries, or just have some plain small talk over tea with me.

The twins Jade and Jano are the sons of the local lumberjack, whose job involves growing, cutting, and processing the trees in the forest near the village. After graduation, they began working in the lumber dealer, which is managed by their family. The wood processed from the trees around Leis Village are of good hardness and quality, while their white bark is incredibly popular among the rich. Thus, they’re sold for considerably high prices.

Meanwhile, Sney’s family owns a mine that is abundant in gems and metals. They also operate a factory where they process the mined materials and manufacture metal parts like nails and iron wires. He told me that the light-colored gems are especially popular as embellishments, selling well.

Aside from those, Sney’s family deals with timber and metal parts, materials that are indispensable for construction.

Their businesses have helped me a lot. Or rather, it’s Jade, Jano, and Sney who’ve been helpful.

Why, you ask? Because I now have a source of supply for the materials needed for the village’s fortification plan!

And at friend rates too!

They’ve really been a big help.

Jade and Jano supplied the wooden posts for the fences, while Sney supplied the metal parts such as iron wires and nails.

As expected, it’s impossible for me to manufacture all the materials for such a large-scale fencing project by myself. When those three’s family businesses came to mind, I approached them and offered them a business deal. They readily accepted, saying, “This isn’t a big deal!”

All I needed to have is the backing of those three bra—I mean, friends of mine.

Therefore, as soon as the parts, both non magical and magical, and materials I ordered were completed, I proceeded with the installation of fences and demon repellents along the village borders, starting with the western border. We’re already done with that, so now, we’ve begun construction on the northern and southern borders.

Things will be going well as long as we complete everything by the middle of next year.

Regarding the shelters, I’ve started the reconstruction of several empty houses in the village, with the church as the main base.

I’ve also posted notices around the village, along with maps, to guide the villagers to those shelters.

And as promised by the bespectacled knight captain, since New Year, a group of four knights are dispatched to Leis village every month, each group staying for a month after which the new group replaces them.

The Owens’ vacant house has been established as their branch office in the village. Every day, the knights patrol the village and interact with the villagers during their leisurely walks. They also report hazardous areas or areas that are dangerous due to disrepair. Like bridges or buildings.

And when they have time to spare, they apparently help the villagers with farming.

The other day, a village aunty captured me on the roa—I mean approached me to talk about how the knights helped her plant her vegetable seedlings, cheeks flushed from joy. She also said they were lifesavers since age has made it harder and harder for her to bend down. She talked on and on for about an hour.

The villagers repay the knights with food and alcohol, so the knights also seem to be enjoying themselves here. The knight who delivered the report to me the other day said with a grin, “It sure is relaxing in this village. There’s delicious food and alcohol, and the air’s fresh and clear. There’s no demon boss to deal with either!

Well, I’m happy that you like your job here, but do it properly. We’re depending on you, okay?!

With that, “Leis Village’s Fortification Plan” is going more smoothly than I thought. No, our progress is the best it can be.

I trace the schedule chart on my desk with my finger to reconfirm our progress so far.

After my numerous revisions, the paper is now crumpled and covered in patches.

The role of this chart is almost over.

I read all the dates I’ve written on the chart. It actually resembles a chronology.

That is, until I reach the last line.

It states the remaining time until “that day,” which is… less than fourteen months.

They don’t display the specific date in the game, but I have a guess.

That it will happen in autumn.

Specifically, in October.

If you’re asking how I arrived at that guess, it’s from the words Marie tells Al in the game on the evening of the day of disaster, during his usual visit to the church.

“It’s three days until the start of November… In the next three days, the gods of the stars will be taking a break from their positions in the sky.

“Those are also the days when the Moon Goddess is hidden from view, so the pure moonlight constantly protecting us from those lurking in the dark won’t reach us for the next three days.

“So, in lieu of the Moon Goddess’ light, we light a fire, maintain it all night, and pray.

“You should do that too. Even lighting a small candle is fine. Just keep it lit for the next three nights.

“Never go outside at night. Pray calmly, quietly, and wholeheartedly in your room.

“Once the three days of darkness are over and the dawn of the first day of next month arrives, the gods will return to the sky. And they will once again protect us with their pure light.”

She said that. That it’s three days before the first day of November.

The calendar used in the world of Arcadia is the same as the Gregorian calendar from my original world. So October here is also 31 days long.

Three days before the 1st of November is… the 29th.

Therefore, the day of the disaster must be on the 29th of October.

Before that day arrives, I have to do everything I can.

So that the villagers and I can survive.

After coming this far…

The rest is a battle against time.

　＊　＊　＊

I climb down the stairs to the first floor and enter the dining room for a break. There, I see Marie writing and sewing as usual.

As I enter the room, she raises her head and flashes me a smile. “Oh my. Have you come to take a break, Lian-sama?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

She lets out a brief laugh. “Then let me boil you a cup of tea! Please take a seat. It’ll be ready in a while, okay?”

“Thank you very much.” I say, sitting on the seat across Marie’s in wait.

The church’s outer walls are made of stone, so the church is well-insulated from the heat outside. That’s why it’s moderately cool inside the church even during summer.

A slightly cool breeze blows in through the open window in the dining room.

The clouds in the sky are wispy and thin, unlike the fluffy giant clouds during the peak of summer.

I also faintly hear insect noises. Sounds like a bell cricket.

My mind is blank as I watch the wispy clouds. After a while, Marie returns with a tray. On it is a pot and two teacups.

She sets a teacup down in front of me and pours some tea. Then gazes out of the window, small eyes squinted in pleasure. “The wind sure feels good… The heat has finally broken.”

“Yeah, you’re right…” I look out of the window again and break into a smile.

In the lush, grassy garden, six or seven young children chase after the ball rolling on the ground, the picture of delight. Some older kids are playing with them too.

Last month, I spotted a soft, round ball, similar to a beach ball, on the shelves of a store selling playground equipment. After buying it, I donated it to the church.

Then, relying on my hazy childhood memory, I taught the kids in the church how to play pseudo-dodgeball. It’s now the second most popular game, right after “Daruman has fallen.”

The ball’s flabby since it’s made of rubber, so getting hit by it won’t hurt, even if the person is a child. This way, even the younger kids can play the game.

The store where I bought that ball also sells other types of balls, all somewhat harder than the rubber ones. But after some worrying and deliberation, I bought the softest one they have. Looks like my intuition and choice weren’t wrong.

Looking into the distance, I also notice how the peaks of the mountains forming the mountain range have gained yellow and red hues.

“Marie-sama. The mountaintops have slightly changed color,” I say, pointing out the window. Marie’s eyes follow the direction of my finger. Then she nods and says with a sigh, placing her hand on her cheek. “Oh dear. It’s already starting to change color. Hmm… To think it’s almost autumn now… Time sure flies.”

“Yes. It’s running too fast…” I say.

Just like her, I heave a sigh. I also nod in agreement.

Time really is flying by so quickly. It’s quite shocking.