Volume 16 Chapter 21: Snowball Launching

“Inti, what are you doing?!” The other snowballs were not moving, but Carolyn and the little ones were bouncing up and down from this seismic force.

Inti stopped and waddled over to him, “Po! Po!”

“Is that what you call playing?” Keith glanced at Lei, who was in Eri’s arms; his eyes were rolling round and round.

“Boo.” Inti looked down.

“I know you’re playing, but be mindful. You’re not a child anymore.” Keith held his forehead; this snowball would be the death of him one day. It was being tackled to death or dying from worrying. It was the latter this time; this snowball was his bane.

“Bo.” Inti’s body drooped down; a hand was placed on his head, “Inti, not bad.”

“Po!” Inti licked Eri’s face. Just like that, the two became friends.

Eri, I know you’re trying to help, but he launched Lei into the sky. He returned only to see Mir catching Lei. It turned out Inti had launched him like a ball to play catch.

“...” Keith sighed, “Just don’t do it again.” Am I the only one who’s worried? Glancing over at Lei, it seemed he wanted to be launched into the sky once more after recovering.

Carolyn giggled, “You’re always worrying about the small matters, Keith.”

“Because no one will if I don’t.” He stared at the ground with a deep breath, “No more launching people into the sky.” With their nod, they continued playing before Keith called it in: “We have to return home now.” I have to check on them as well. Eri and the others nodded as they huddled together.

Mir and the other babies let Eri and the two ride them. Keith was slowly walking with Miyuki by his side. He glanced at Eri and the kids. At least they showed some signs of being friends. Wary, but they were becoming closer because of the snowball’s involvement. Slowly, they reached the middle point of the forest.

“Po!Po!”  

“Hmm? You guys want to come with me?”

“Po! Po!” The “little” ones jumped up and down. It wasn’t the first time they had come to the mansion. He turned to Miyuki, “Yuki, do you want to come with us?”  

“Bo.”

“Okay, then I will see you later.” Keith waved as the group waddled over to the mansion. While they walked,

“Kwak!” That was when they heard a loud squawking; they glanced up to see a giant bird circling them.

“We got ourselves some produce.” Keith raised his blade. It had been some time since he had hunted; now he had the chance to do so!

“Carolyn?”

“I’ll stay here and watch the little ones.” She was riding Lily.

Keith nodded as he rushed at the largest tree near him and ran up it. Carolyn smiled, “So energetic.”

“Big brother is flying!” Leon laughed.

“Yes, he is.” Carolyn nodded. It didn’t take long before an enormous shadow made a thud on the ground. Flying down was Keith, who landed on the corpse, “This is some good meat. I’ll fry it up when we return home.”

“Yay!” He placed it into his belt, and the group exited the forest and headed for the mansion. The guards there had long known about Inti and the others; they were numb to their presence. The group slowly walked across the pergola section.

“Keith, welcome home.” Sophia greeted him; she was not alone.

“Hello, Aunt Thalia, Aunt Violet.” He was surprised to see the two together with Sophia. Thalia smiled, “Hello, Keith. Did you bring the little ones out to play?”

“Mmhmm. They were playing in the forest with the puffballs.”

“Po! Po!” Inti and the others nudged him. Keith rolled his eyes, “Yes, yes. A bunch of cute puffballs.” Did you guys really want me to add that to the end? Yes, he had to, as they gave light thumps to the ground; that caused the ground to shake and the tea to sway around.  

“Hey, didn’t I warn you all to be careful?” In one ear and out the other.

“I see.” Sophia held her teacup so her drink wouldn’t spill.

“Keith, I heard that you have gone to the demon kingdom. Did you get any items?”

“I have bought a few ingredients. I got some outfits and pendants from the trip.” Tapping the belt, the items appeared. He bought the latter as presents for the others.

“Are they fine? I don’t know what everyone liked.” Keith scratched his head. Since they were all high-ranking nobles, that meant they had more than enough items on them. Violet shook her head, “Keith, it is difficult to procure clothing from other kingdoms without paying a large sum.”

“Oh.” He was lucky he was with Scarlet, as she made sure he was treated fairly.

“By the way, I also heard you’re engaged to the demon princess.” Thalia’s eyes narrowed, “Are you going to abandon my Carolyn?”

“My Krystal as well?” Violet smiled, but it was anything but that.

“Of course not! What do you mean?!”

“You heard that, Carolyn?!”

“Mmhmm!” Carolyn giggled as she held her hand, “I knew my husband would never do something like that.”

“…” Keith sighed as he headed inside. That only caused the others to giggle.