第１２４１堀：難しく考えるのが難しくなる原因だったりする (Part1)
Chapter 1241: Sometimes, Thinking Too Hard Makes It Hard to Think
Side: Hairen
The savory aroma of miso soup fills the air.
Ah, my stomach gives a hungry growl—this breakfast is a far cry from the usual fare at the church.
Still, I wouldn’t be so ill-mannered as to start eating before everyone else.
After all, Aslin and the others are working hard to serve the rice and soup, and right now, Orelia and her group are just receiving their portions.
For the record, the reason I’m at Yuki’s house this early is that last night, Orelia’s group asked for our divine protection so they could better understand the "Yuki situation." I came along with Lilishe-sama to grant it.
If Souta or someone like him heard, they’d probably lecture me about not cheapening the value of a goddess’s blessing, but I don’t really care.
Orelia and the others will never betray us, and I know they’re going to be a huge help moving forward.
Incidentally, when Yuki asked, "What kind of intuition is that?", I retorted, "You’re the one who asked for the favor, aren't you?" and he just went silent.
I did it. I actually did it! I beat Yuki for the first time!
I gave Kagura a peace sign, though she just offered a wry smile, as if she felt a bit bad for her husband losing.
Lilishe-sama felt the same way, so to show off some real goddess power, I poured my all into bestowing that blessing.
Well, it was also good practice for me.
My blessing is only a minor one, and since it overlapped with Lilishe-sama’s, I carefully selected "Enhanced Natural Healing."
That’s right—it turns out I can actually choose the type of blessing I bestow.
It seems I have more talent for being a goddess than I thought.
As I’m reminiscing about yesterday, everyone finishes preparing breakfast, and we all press our hands together...
"Itadakimasu."
With that greeting, I carry a spoonful of fluffy white rice to my mouth.
"Mmm, freshly cooked rice is just the best."
"Indeed. Bread is best when it’s fresh from the oven, so I suppose everything tastes better when it’s just made."
Beside me, Lilishe-sama is eating just as happily, alternating between a bite of the rolled omelet and a mouthful of white rice.
It really is a mystery, isn't it?
How can something as simple as whisking eggs and frying them taste this incredible?
Plus, Yuki and his group prepared everything and will handle the cleanup, so we don’t have to lift a finger!
I’m going to eat my fill while I have the chance!
And so, I polish off my bowl, drink my miso soup, finish the omelet, and devour the salmon...
"Refill!"
"Coming right up."
As I hold out my bowl, Yuki diligently scoops more rice from the cooker.
"Make it a large serving!"
"I’d like a large serving too, please!"
Lilishe-sama and I both opt for the extra portion.
"I’ll take a regular serving, please."
Wait, Rurua? She’s only taking a regular portion?
Usually, she’s the one asking for large refills. Is she feeling unwell?
I get worried and ask...
"Hey, Rurua, are you feeling sick?"
"Huh?"
My question catches Yuki and Lilishe-sama off guard, and they both turn their gaze toward Rurua.
"You’re only having a regular serving, after all."
"Ah, now that you mention it, you’re right. Are you okay?"
"Do you have no appetite?"
"N-no, it’s not like that."
Rurua replies, looking troubled.
Well, she certainly doesn’t look ill.
But it’s true that she’s acting strange, and it’s true that her appetite is down.
That leaves only one possibility...
"Are you worried about something?"
If your appetite drops, it’s usually because of stress.
I learned from Rurua herself that mental strain can kill your appetite.
"In that case, you can tell us about it."
"Ah, a problem, huh? Is this something I’m allowed to hear?"
I see. The reason Rurua was being vague might be because it involves Yuki.
I don’t think she’s so tactless that she’d talk about such things right in front of him.
But aren't these two usually all lovey-dovey?
Or is there some sort of issue between them?
"Haha, it does involve the Master, yes. To be honest, it’s about 'yesterday'."
"Yesterday?"
Did something happen?
"After we explained the Master’s background and his history, the reactions from Fiora and Orelia’s group were..."
"Ah..."
Now that I think about it, after we gave them our blessings, they were dazed for a while, but during the "Yuki explanation," their eyes were glazed over for half the time.
Well, Yuki’s very existence is like a bad joke.
It’s only natural they’d end up like that.
I, of course, am a goddess—and a brilliant one at that—so I understood it perfectly from the start.
Souta was there, too, after all.
Lilishe-sama seems to agree, as she offers a wry smile and says...
"Well, that much is to be expected, isn't it? So, how are they? Oh, wait, I can see for myself."
Lilishe-sama glances toward Fiora and the others, and we follow her lead. They’re eating like broken machines, their minds clearly somewhere else.
"My, my, they still seem to be in a state of confusion. I heard they had a bath last night and felt a bit refreshed?"
"That’s true. They said they would spend the night thinking it over and trying to process it all..."
"Well, it’s not something you can wrap your head around in a day or two. I’m the one who explained it, but even I have to admit it’s a crazy story. Goddesses, other worlds, and all that."
"What was that!?"
I can’t help but raise my voice at Yuki’s comment.
I mean, come on. The implication of that statement...
"Setting aside whether it’s hard to believe you came from another world, Lilishe-sama and I were literally demonstrating the act of granting blessings. Don’t lump us in with that."
He made it sound like our blessings were a sham. I won’t stand for that.
"Ah, I didn't mean it like that. I just meant they’ve hit their limit. They need time to process everything. It’s not just the shock of goddesses; it’s me, a person from another world, and then the mana depletion phenomenon on top of it. Of course their brains are going to fry."
"Eh? Is that how it works? I didn't get confused at all, though?"
"That’s because you were already used to Souta-san, and you already had some understanding of Dungeon Masters through the dungeon cores. You had way too much prior information. Anyway, back to the point—if they stay like this, they won't be able to work, right?"
When Yuki asks Rurua to confirm, she offers a bitter smile.
"At that rate, I’m worried about letting them handle any work. Whether it’s diplomacy or budget calculations, one mistake could lead to a major disaster."
Ah, that’s true.
If I make a calculation error, Lilishe-sama scolds me relentlessly.
Well, it makes sense. If the budget is wrong, the presents for the children get cut.
You can’t have mistakes like that.
"Hmm, if that’s the case, even if we let them rest today... they can’t stay like this forever, can they?"
"Indeed. But as for when they might recover..."
Rurua shakes her head, looking completely at a loss.