第１３５掘：嫁さん勇者爆誕 (Part2)
Perhaps sensing that I had come to terms with it, everyone ignored me and began talking to Ria.
"Looks like it went well."
"Yes, thank you so much!!"
"Congratulations. From today on, you're one of us—a wife."
And so on. Why are these wives always so harmonious? I’m just glad there are no problems.
As I watched Ria, Labyris climbed up onto me as she usually does.
"Did you do it?"
"Yeah. Ria was quite proactive."
"I see. That explains why she looks so happy."
Once Labyris finished climbing up, we headed to the kitchen. Everyone else was busy chatting with Ria, so there was no need to interrupt them.
"So, I did what I had to do, but there doesn't seem to be any change."
"Oh? Did you not receive the Hero's blessing?"
"I'll need to ask Lilishe about that."
"True. I'll call her over. By the way, what’s for dinner tonight?"
"Gratin."
As I projected the image in my mind, Labyris peered into my memory through our physical contact.
"Hmm, I see. It doesn't look like a particularly difficult dish."
"The ingredients and the sauce are the tricky parts. It’s a huge help having you around, Labyris."
"I’m Yuki’s wife, so it’s only natural."
Since Labyris can see the images in my memory, she can act as my proxy, and she puts that skill to excellent use for things like cooking. She’s a beautiful, petite girl with a figure far too good for a guy like me.
"Complimenting me won't make the night any more intense, you know?"
Labyris clung to my head, looking delighted.
"Well then, shall we get to work?"
"Yes, let's."
"Oh, over here, Big Sister Ria."
"Yes. I’ll help with the cooking."
"Sorry, I got caught up talking with everyone."
"Kirue, what are we making today?"
"I have heard from Yuki-sama that it is gratin."
And just like that, the cooking team for the day was assembled. Before I knew it, the kitchen had become quite lively.
"Phew, you know, homemade gratin is pretty good too."
"Wait, Ratz, you’ve had gratin before?"
"It’s sold as a frozen food at the store, you know."
"Whoa, I had no idea."
"Heh heh heh, I’ve kept a pretty close eye on the delicious things from your world, Brother."
"Teach me. I promise I won't do anything bad."
After Ratz and Milly finished their gratin, they started having a strange staring contest.
"Whew, that was delicious. It’s so good. Maybe I should try making it at the church?"
"I’ll help you with that, Priestess."
"Thank you, Ria-chan."
Ria was talking with Lilishe, whom Labyris had summoned. She currently serves as the priestess at the Weed church, though the name is a bit too on-the-nose, don't you think? Lilishe had been a priestess at the church in Ria's village as well, and it seemed Ria remembered her; they were both overjoyed at the reunion.
Well, that priestess was the one who turned Ria into a Hero, after all.
"I'm so happy for you, Ria-chan."
"Eh?"
"You found a wonderful person, didn't you?"
"Ah, yes."
Ria answered Lilishe with a beautiful smile.
"It’s Yuki-san, isn't it?"
"Eh, how did you know?"
"Fufu, that’s because... Ria-chan is my Hero."
"Yes?"
Yeah, as usual, this goddess just skips all the context and drops bombshells.
"Check your status."
"H-huh?"
At those words, the expression on Ria’s face froze.
"E-eh!? Hero of Love? Lilishe-sama’s blessing!?"
"That’s right. I am actually Lilishe. For certain reasons, I descended to the surface to find a human who could become a Hero. That person was you, Ria-chan."
"M-me? Not Yuki-san?"
"Yes. He is someone far more incredible than that. I think Ria-chan understands that, doesn't she?"
"I do!! B-but for me to be a Hero..."
"It’s alright. Everyone here knows. And it is precisely because you are a Hero—no, because you are Ria-chan—that they need you. To serve as a shield to protect him, the cornerstone."
"What on earth is going on..."
Ria was starting to panic. I decided to calm her down with my signature move: a tight hug.
"U-um, Yuki-san?"
"Listen calmly. About Ria being a Hero, and what happens from here on out."
"...Yes."
With everyone’s eyes on us, I slowly explained it to her. That she had the skills of an unawakened Hero when we first met. That asking Lilishe for an explanation might have caused an explosion. That awakening was essentially unavoidable. And that I had done it intentionally for the sake of Weed.
"Pfft, that’s a lie."
Just as I was explaining it with a heavy heart, Ria started to laugh.
"Eh?"
"You say you did it for Weed from the start, Yuki-san. If that were true, why are you hugging me like this?"
"That’s... well, I couldn't let you get away..."
"That’s a lie, too. You aren't holding me very tightly at all."
"M-muh."
"Sigh, I understand now. No wonder the other wives were worried. But no, I am one of your wives now. I will definitely protect you from those who would take advantage of your kindness."
Ria said that, and I felt a bit confused. I had been the one manipulating people's feelings, yet the emotion reflected in Ria’s eyes was nothing but pure joy.
"I love you from the bottom of my heart. And I do not doubt your love. The power of the Hero that dwells within this body is all for your sake."
At Ria’s declaration, everyone smiled happily. It seems I’m the only one who still doesn't quite get it.
"A maiden's heart is both complex and simple, you know."
That’s what Seraria told me.
No, that doesn't make any sense.
And so, on this day, Ria, the Hero-wife, was born.
The detailed explanation of Ria’s Hero skills will be for another day.
Ria is a very strong girl.
The type who pushes, pushes, and keeps on pushing.