落とし穴８５堀：正月は飲め 女子会暴露大会 (Part2)
"If we're talking about that, shouldn't that apply to us too? We were the ones who didn't lend a hand, after all. You were talking to Nogosh normally at the after-party, weren't you?"
"Is it only Faide-san?"
That's right. It wasn't just Faide who had been turning a cold shoulder toward Litea. Nonoa and Nogosh were the same. In fact, considering the degree of resentment, it should be even more natural to hold a grudge against the two who actually possessed nations, rather than Faide, who held no land and did nothing.
"Oh my? Putting Hifi-chan aside, Nonoa and Nogosh don't know about me and Faide? I actually thought that 'dirt-tinkerer' had been talking about it."
"Eh? Did something happen?"
"Did something happen?"
"Hmm. It's not really something to bring up at such a celebratory gathering, but since not knowing will be a problem later, I'll tell you. That 'dirt-tinkerer' and I were once married."
" " "Pffft—!?" " "
Everyone present spat out their drinks. Literally, like a volcano erupting.
"Gah—! Wait a minute, Lilishe. This is the first time I've heard that you and Faide were married!?"
"Luna-sama, that's only natural. I wouldn't go around talking about my... stain, would I?"
"A 'stain,' you say? Well, you certainly don't hold back. So, is there any room for improvement?"
"Absolutely not. When my daughter and I were working so hard to build the church, he was the only one who opposed it, just tinkering with the dirt all the time."
"W-wait a second!! Daughter? A daughter!? You had a child!?"
"Yes. She was a proud, lovely child."
" 'Was'... so she passed away. Is that why..."
Ah, that runs deep...
"No, it's not like that. My daughter died of old age. That's natural if you aren't a god, I suppose. That part is fine, but even though I was working hard for the sake of so many people, that man kept saying that getting involved in such worldly affairs was wrong. He's a god, but I just don't understand him."
"...It's a matter of policy, then."
I see. Faide likely felt that people should strive through their own strength, and that he should only provide secret, minimal assistance. In contrast, Lilishe wanted to build a church with her daughter and help people with her own hands.
"Hm? Wait a second. Lilishe, you just said you built the church with your daughter, right?"
"Yes, that's right."
"And that church is Litea, right?"
"Isn't that obvious?"
"That means the first Saint of Litea was..."
"My daughter, Litea."
A new fact has emerged!? Or rather, it's a natural conclusion that the Church of Litea would worship Lilishe. Because her mother is a Goddess!! And a hybrid with an Agricultural God at that!!
"The regrettable thing is that Litea put so much effort into saving the world that she never married. Well, that's fine. I cut ties with that man who wouldn't even help his own daughter who was working so hard."
In a sense, this is a bigger issue than the nature of gods. It's a difference in parenting philosophy, and the daughter chose her mother. No wonder he hasn't shown his face until now. It's a wonder he showed up at all this time. If it were me, I'd have passed.
Everyone was surprised to hear this, but the most shocked of all was, naturally, Rurua, who had served as a Saint in Litea.
"The founder of Litea and the first Saint of Litea was the daughter of Lilishe-sama and Faide-sama!? T-this, I must contact Alstaire-sama and have a passage added to the scriptures..."
"Ah, Rurua-chan. You don't need to include Faide's name. Just say I gave birth to her alone."
"E-eh, um..."
"Rurua, let it go. This conversation is off the record. Spreading it will only cause confusion. And everyone, let's keep our hands off Lilishe and Faide. Got it?"
Everyone nodded in unison.
"Haa, at this rate, it doesn't look like you two will be getting back together."
"That's impossible. Marrying that man was just a momentary lapse in judgment."
I feel like the Goddess of Love is saying something that really shouldn't be said.
"That is precisely why I will devote myself to ensuring others have lives overflowing with happy love. So they don't end up meeting a fool of a man like I did."
Is that what you mean by being the Goddess of Love!? Is this some kind of revenge against Faide!?
"...Well, it's better than them standing face-to-face and trying to kill each other. Perhaps this event will bring them back together?"
"Impossible! Absolutely, totally impossible!"
"Yes, yes. For now, let's just enjoy our drinks. Cheers!!"
" " "Cheers!!" " "
With that, the drinking party resumed. However, as the only man who heard all of this, I suppose I'll have to be the one to do some damage control later.
Happy New Year.
I wish you all the best for the coming year.
Also, I forgot to mention it last time, but I uploaded the 39th Q&A session to the activity report on the 31st.
My apologies for the delay.
Well then, have a wonderful New Year.