第１０６４堀：答えは聞いたかい？ (Part2)
As expected of an adventurer guild receptionist and former scout. Even when monsters appeared, she blew them away in an instant.
I’m just a general, after all. Sure, I’ve bolstered my stats through training, but I’m just not accustomed to real combat in places like that.
"That’s true. Man, the weather in the mountains is never stable, is it?"
"So, today was just analysis, then? Judging by that look, it was a bust?"
"Yeah. A bust again today. Well, that’s just how research and investigation go."
"You said it. As if new discoveries were that easy to come by."
I nodded at Comet’s reply while munching on my meal.
Indeed, it’s not like world-shattering discoveries just fall into your lap.
Mmm. The meat is delicious.
"Oh, that reminds me. Yuki, has she mentioned anything about Gaeen?"
That’s right—what I’m investigating is the trail of a Dungeon Master named Gaeen.
And since Senal, the goddess who had been going around killing the Dungeon Masters in this region, is now with us, it wouldn’t be strange for her to have provided some information.
"I haven't asked her in detail about that yet. For now, she’s taking it slow with the children we rescued."
"Oh? Have they woken up?"
The children Yuki mentioned are the child gods that Senal had been protecting. That’s a matter of interest in its own right.
"Yeah. Once Senal undid her magic, they woke up. For now, Rurua, Lilishe, and Hifie have checked them out, and they say there are no issues with their physical functions."
"Huh. Rurua is a given, but I’m surprised Lilishe-sama checked them. And Hifie, too. They’ve both been awfully strict with Senal, haven't they?"
"Well, that can’t be helped. To you, Comet, she might just be another goddess. But to them, she’s a disgrace to the gods who ignored Luna’s orders and caused trouble instead."
Yeah, I’m well aware of the circumstances surrounding Senal.
When Yuki first said he wanted to bring her into the fold, I tried to stop him at first, but considering the situation, I eventually came around to supporting it.
Man, love is truly terrifying.
Just from the feeling of "I don't want Yuki to get hurt," I nearly ignored all the objective value of the information she could provide and the future developments, and was about to oppose it simply because my heart told me to.
Gaining her cooperation means there’s a high possibility we won’t have to fight other gods in similar circumstances.
They only turn hostile because they feel they have no choice for the sake of their own survival.
So, if they can be assured that their survival is guaranteed, they likely won’t be hostile anymore.
However, no matter how much we say that, it’s not enough on its own. Because the other side has no way of knowing if we’re lying or telling the truth.
That’s where Senal, who once rebelled in the same way, comes in to do the persuading.
After all, coming from a goddess like her, the words should be incredibly persuasive.
"So, what kind of gods are these children who woke up?"
"That’s the thing—we have no idea. Honestly, even they don’t seem to understand why they became gods. Right now, Aslin and the others are listening to their stories."
As Yuki said this, he looked toward Aslin and the others. Expecting to be asked for their input, they stopped eating and smiled.
"Yeah. All four of them are doing well."
"They’re energetic. Being gods or whatever doesn't really matter."
"That’s right. Those kids are just as they appear. They really don’t know anything about the situation."
"Yes. They don’t even have the self-awareness of being gods. That’s precisely why Senal-san..."
"Well, it’s obvious, isn't it? The mid-level gods probably turned them into gods for some reason or another... but in the end, they didn't have much power, ran out of magical energy in no time, and Senal had no choice but to put them to sleep."
"Indeed. She couldn't just stand by and watch children like that die. But I think anyone would feel the same."
"Yeah. Big Sister Senal just protected what was important as a person. She’s admirable."
We had no choice but to be convinced by that answer.
That’s right. Before being a god or anything else, and before being a leader who guides people, she just wanted to save the lives right in front of her. That’s all there was to it.
What kind of goddess would she be if she abandoned children dying right before her eyes?
"That’s how it is. Well, I’ll ask about Gaeen when the timing is right, so just wait a little longer."
"Yeah. I don’t mind. Besides, I’ve grown quite fond of that place."
"Ah, I’m curious too. Maybe I’ll go visit once?"
"Then how about tomorrow?"
And with that, dinner continued in a friendly, harmonious atmosphere.
Perhaps this is the kind of daily life she wanted to protect all along.
Maybe what the goddess was seeking wasn't anything grand.
Perhaps she was just looking for a future where she could talk to her friends like a normal person.
Thinking of such things, Agil continued her research for the day.