The next morning was a peaceful one. Just the sound of villagers moving outside and some kids arguing loudly with someone before breakfast.

"...You lair, there’s more meat in your bowl."

"No there isn’t ."

"You hid extra meat inside your bowl! I know it."

"Maybe lady lucked just blessed me with extra meat today."

"That’s just you stealing!"

I stared at the ceiling for a few seconds before sighing. ’Peaceful mornings are quite noisy.’ After washing my face, I stepped outside the cabin. Compared to before, the atmosphere felt much lighter now.

Villagers walked through the snowy roads carrying decorations, lanterns, wood and food supplies. Hunters repaired the damaged barricades while children ran around throwing snow at each other. Life was slowly returning to the village.

Mira immediately spotted me the moment I stepped outside. "Ren!"

"...Why do you sound excited in the early morning?."

"Mom said you’re helping us today."

"When did I say that? I don’t remember."

"You don’t need to remember, come help us prepare for the festival."

"I hate working you know." Mira ignored me completely before grabbing and dragging me through the village.

"You’re helping prepare for the Winter Festival."

"...Why am I being forced into labor? And what about my pay?"

"You get to live and eat for free here. Don’t you think its time you pay up a bit."

"If you put it that way, I have no choice then." The center of the village had become much busier compared to before. Several demon women prepared food near large cooking fires while hunters carried wooden poles and lanterns around. Demon children painted symbols onto pieces of cloth while the older villagers carved names into small wooden tablets. The atmosphere felt warm despite the freezing weather.

"...What exactly happens during this festival?" I asked while Mira continued dragging me around.

"It’s to remember people. The people we lost." Her tone became quieter. "The people who died during the attack."

"I see." I replied. I watched one old demon carefully carving names into wood while sitting beside a fire. His hands trembled slightly the entire time. Maybe from old age or....from grief.

Mira eventually stopped near a large pile of lanterns before crossing her arms proudly. "Your mission is helping us hang these."

"...Mission?"

"Yes. This is your mission. Make sure you complete it like your life depends on it."

One of the hunters nearby laughed loudly afterward. "Our Mira is very dangerous Ren. Make sure to complete her mission."

We continued walking and the further we walked, the more I noticed something. The villagers weren’t avoiding Korin anymore. Not that they feared him before. But after his son’s death, most people had been giving him space.

"...They care about him a lot," I muttered. Mira followed my gaze quietly.

"Everyone respects Korin." Her tail swayed slower than usual. "He protected the village with his life for many years. He’s our hero."

Mira lowered her head slightly afterward. "...Mom says Korin stopped smiling after auntie died." Her voice became softer. "Now his son is gone too."

"Cheer up, he would be back to normal soon. Korin isn’t weak to be like that forever."

"Mm." Mira said. We eventually reached the northern barricade where Korin was currently arguing with three hunters.

"I already said the lanterns should be higher."

"If we put them any higher then nobody will see them!"

"That’s because you’re short."

"...Chief, you’re literally insulting us because of height now?"

"Yes. Blame your mothers."

Korin noticed us approaching afterward.

"Ren, you’re here."

"This little demon brought me here." I sighed. Mira immediately pointed toward the unfinished barricade nearby.

"Ren’s helping today."

Korin looked genuinely surprised for a moment.

"...You?"

"Yes. Apparently I’ve been enslaved by her."

"That means Mira succeeded where the Fallen failed." Several nearby hunters burst into laughter. One of the hunters suddenly tossed a hammer toward me.

"Human, help us fix this side."

"...Why is everyone assigning me work today?"

"Because you’re standing around doing nothing. So just help us, would you."

"Sigh... fine. Let’s get to work."

The next few hours passed quickly. I helped repair damaged fences, hung the lanterns around pathways, and carried wood across half the village alone because apparently demons believed I had infinite stamina now. And somehow got dragged into decorating children’s lanterns despite repeatedly saying I had absolutely no artistic talent.

"...Why does mine look deformed?" I asked while staring at the crooked lantern in my hands. Mira nearly fell over laughing after seeing it.

"You really have no talent in it."

"That’s rude. And besides I have other things I’m good at, like being ridiculously handsome. I might have to hide my face if I get anymore handsome."

"What a narcissistic fellow." Mira muttered looking baffled by my words.

"Oye, I’m just self aware unlike others."

"Sure sure, but Ren... what exactly did you try to draw here?"

"...A wolf. A mighty wolf of the legends."

"That’s supposed to be a wolf?!"

"It looks like it’s suffering. Make sure you give it a mercy kill."

They were bullying me now. The atmosphere around the village continued growing livelier as evening approached. Warm orange fires illuminated the snowy roads while the smell of cooked meat spread through the cold air. The village genuinely felt alive now.

"Ren." I turned slightly after hearing Lyra’s voice. She stood beside one of the lantern posts while fixing blue cloth around it. Snowflakes rested softly against her purple hair while warm firelight illuminated her face. She looked beautiful.

’Do I have a thing for milfs?’ Maybe I do, but how our relationship unfolds only time will tell. I might not even return to this village after I leave. Then she would only be a memory for me.

"...what is it Lyra?"

"What are you worrying about."

Was it showing on my face. Maybe I should work on my facial expressions.

"Just worrying how my family is doing. Specially my little sister, she’s annoying but very cute."

"Now that I think about it." Lyra put on a thoughtful expression. "We know nothing much about you. Why don’t you tell us about yourself."

"Yeah Ren, tell us about yourself." Mira chimed in.

"Yes, we ought to know about our saviour." Another drunk demon said. And soon more people joined in who wanted to hear my story.

"Alright, prepare to listen to the legend of Ren Valecrest people." I said. Although I won’t say anything about my transmigration or system.