第１２４４堀：女神という認識の違い (Part1)
Chapter 1244: A Difference in Perception of Goddesses
Side: Yuki
The sun had dipped well below the horizon, marking the end of another day’s work. Yet, unlike my usual routine, Orelia and her companions were accompanying me back to my home. It seemed that between yesterday and today, they had finally steeled their resolve. They had asked if they could tag along to ask a few more questions, and after checking with Seraria and the others, I received the green light, so I brought them along.
Even now, they were laughing as they listened to Cleena and Samantha talk about us. I suppose, naturally, they wouldn’t be discussing state secrets in a place like this; it was likely just harmless, everyday banter. Still, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety.
After all, those two aren't the only goddesses in existence. I had called upon Lilishe and Hairen to the church in Weed specifically to prove that gods truly exist, and in the stories I’d shared about my time at the academy—back when I first met Cleena and Samantha—I had only mentioned Lilishe. If it ended there, it would be easy on their hearts, but if I were to tell them that there are gods popping up everywhere, including some who act as monarchs, it would undoubtedly descend into absolute chaos. There are still plenty of deities, Luna included, whom I haven't even introduced yet.
I wonder... will their stomachs be able to handle the truth?
As I was lost in such worries, a familiar face came trotting toward us from a side path.
"Yuu-!"
"Whoa there."
I caught the small body as she leaped at me, and she immediately began nuzzling her face against my chest. I almost blurted out, "Are you a small animal?" but decided against it—given her physique and her behavior, she was, for all intents and purposes, a small animal.
"What’s wrong, Agil? Did something happen?"
"No, isn't it only natural for a husband and wife to be this affectionate when they happen to bump into each other?"
"You’ve really changed, you know that?"
"Hahaha. It’s the 'power of love,' you see. Even someone like me has started coming home on time every day."
"Ah, I see. The power of love is truly something."
It’s apparently effective enough to stop even a "research-obsessed sleepover." Though, having said that, it’s still common for her to stay overnight when she’s backed into a corner or makes an interesting discovery. Well, her appearance is much better than it used to be, and she’s cute, so I’ll let it slide.
"Right? But, putting that aside, well, unfortunately, that’s not the only reason I’m here."
"Meaning?"
"They should be catching up soon... Oh, here they come."
As Agil pulled away from me and looked back down the path she had come from, I saw a girl being chased by a pink-haired specter.
"H-huff... so fast... why..."
"Phew... hah... w-well, Agil is... phew... Yuki’s wife, after all..."
It was Wazfi and Nailua, both completely out of breath.
"What’s this? You two were working, too? I thought your heads were blown to bits by yesterday’s conversation."
"Ahahaha. It’s pathetic, isn't it? Even though 'the unknown' is what we truly seek."
"Ugh... it couldn't be helped. Gods are the one thing we researchers are worst at dealing with."
"R-right. Whether you believe or not is up to the individual, but in research, there is only 'fact.' There is no such thing as a god."
They were right, of course. A researcher’s job is to verify "facts." They strive to establish technologies by pursuing absolute results that don't rely on divine intervention. Well, many researchers do believe in gods for the sake of their own mental stability. There are plenty of cases where "facts" are twisted to suit religious doctrines, but that’s beside the point right now. These two, who had been overheating beyond their capacity to understand the impossible "stories of gods," had finally returned to their senses.
"So? Have you decided to believe?"
"Well... after having that much information shoved in our faces..."
"I-it’s just... the instantaneous granting of skills... that’s something only a god could... do."
"I don't know about that. Isn't it the same as the tools Nailua is developing?"
I deliberately threw that out there. Nailua’s research focuses on "magic tools," but she places particular emphasis on the field of "skill granting." She is searching for a way to grant talent so that anyone can use magic, and while the results are still quite low-rank, she has succeeded in creating them. In other words, even if she can't reach the level of skill granting that Lilishe and Hairen perform, there is a possibility she might catch up in the future.
"Y-you’re m-mocking me. Y-Yuki asked me to come to him because the skill-granting technology hasn't developed yet. I-if those two were from the technical field, there would be no need to ask me for research. In other words, that skill granting is based on individual 'talent.' E-even if they aren't gods, it’s a far too rare ability. T-that’s why I believed."
I see. She had acknowledged the true nature of those airheads from a researcher’s perspective. Personally, I still think they’re just empty-headed beings with a lot of power. Though, I suppose it’s precisely because they don't know how to "use their power effectively" that they were granted such abilities in the first place.
Still, what on earth were the selection criteria for the mid-level gods who were throwing their weight around in this world? Was it that people with too much knowledge or critical thinking were disqualified? I mean, sure, it’s easier to rule over fools, but that usually leads to a dead end.
Come to think of it, I wonder what would happen if I told them I could grant abilities as a Dungeon Master. So far, I’ve only told them about creating dungeons and pulling supplies out with DP. I pray they don't decide to start dissecting me.
"So, I understand you’ve come back to your senses, but that doesn't explain why you’re with Agil. Did something happen?"
"No, we couldn't digest what you said yesterday, and we felt terrible about it, so..."
"R-right. We came to apologize quickly. W-we knew Orelia and the others had gone ahead, so we did it on our way back."
"I see. And Agil, you were aiming for this?"
"Well, yes. We make sure we know what the other is doing, after all. By the way, it looks like things went well for Orelia and the others, too."
As Agil said this, she observed Orelia’s group. Orelia and the others, having realized Agil’s intention in interrupting, had watched without interjecting.
"Went well? I just told them that they’re going to keep doing what they’re doing and keep working hard, that’s all."
"That is what it means to 'go well.' To express your own will to a superior and have it accepted just like that—that’s not something that usually goes well, is it? I think even you understand that, Yuki?"
"Ah... now that you mention it, I suppose you’re right."
"Mm. Orelia and the others worked hard, and that’s why they got this result."
"Indeed. There is nothing strange about calling that 'going well.'"
Cleena and Samantha nodded in agreement. And Fiora, Orelia, and the others, too...