第１２４４堀：女神という認識の違い (Part2)
"Yes. Yuki-sama accepted us so readily this time, but under normal circumstances, failing to swear immediate loyalty would be seen as a grave breach of etiquette. I was quite nervous."
"I did suspect Yuki-sama wouldn't be angry, but the fear was still there, naturally."
"Y-yes. I couldn't help but wonder if I was just being incompetent."
"That’s true~. But I’m glad you spoke up~."
I suppose such anxieties are unavoidable when a hierarchy is involved. However, something else the others said—specifically Wazfi and Nailua—left me puzzled.
"I’m surprised that even you two were worried about such things, Wazfi, Nailua."
"“That’s rude!?”"
The two of them reacted instantly to my words.
"No, I mean, isn't that usually your style? When it comes to Hivia, or new species of monsters, or rare magical tools, you usually don't care about formalities, right?"
"“Ugh.”"
Unable to refute my assessment, they fell silent.
"Well, well, it can't be helped. The 'stories of Yuki' are enough to surprise even someone like me. For those of us who have been through so much and eventually became his wives, it’s easy to just think, 'As expected of my Yuki!' But they don't have that level of experience or established trust yet. It’s natural for them to be suspicious, and if someone suddenly starts talking about gods, it would be even stranger if they just believed it outright, wouldn't it?"
"That’s true. Especially considering those two airheads."
Indeed, Lilishe and Hairen. Even if someone told those scatterbrains that they were 'gods,' they would likely just assume it was a matter of being worshipped as such within their own religion.
"““Eh?””"
For some reason, not only Fiora and Orelia but even Wazfi and Nailua let out sounds of utter surprise.
"What is it?"
"What is it, you ask... I believe Lilishe-sama—no, Lilishe-sama and Hairen-sama are wonderful individuals. And the fact that they are goddesses is something I can accept, so to call them 'airheads'..."
"Um, if I may be so bold, isn't that disrespectful toward the goddesses?"
"Y-yes. I-isn't there a risk of divine retribution...?"
"I’m worried~. Besides, Yuki-sama, you don't really like those two, do you~?"
"Yeah. I thought that too. Yuki-sama, why are you so bold?"
"I-it’s impossible. To be that bold even toward 'beings that transcend human understanding'..."
Ah, so that’s what this is about. I suppose I can understand why they find my lack of reverence toward 'gods' excessive. But...
"Is it a matter of the 'God' brand name? Well, I can understand the sentiment. As for the 'airhead' description, those two have a very unique aura and atmosphere. That’s not because they’re 'gods,' but something inherent to them. Besides, their track record as goddesses is hardly stellar. I won’t go into detail here, but if you look at whether they’ve actually done anything 'god-like,' you’ll understand, right?"
"““?””"
Fiora and the others remained puzzled, but Wazfi and Nailua exchanged glances and nodded in realization.
"Indeed, I haven't heard any stories of Lilishe-sama or Hairen-sama performing any 'great feats'."
"Y-yeah. That’s right. I don't hear any 'myths.' I-in other words, they haven't really achieved much. Does that mean it was the people who did the work?"
"As expected of researchers. You see the essence of it. Mind you, that doesn't mean they aren't worthy of respect, but for me, my primary recognition of them is simply that they are 'part of the group that kidnapped me.'"
"““Ahhh.””"
Having heard the circumstances, Fiora and the others were immediately convinced.
"That is certainly a difficult story to accept."
"Indeed. If I may be blunt, Yuki-sama, you ended up here precisely because the goddesses failed to achieve their goals."
"W-when you put it that way, Yuki-sama’s attitude makes perfect sense."
"But still~. You really are 'fearless,' aren't you~? Is it really okay?"
"Oh, that’s not a problem. Those two are just lazing around in Weed, after all. They don't like conflict, and since they’re cooperating like this, it’s really just a bit of playful banter. That said, even if they lack those tangible results or obvious power, I do value the fact that they 'listen to people and save them.'"
"““Ahhh.””"
Fiora and the others nodded in agreement with my final assessment.
"That’s true. It’s thanks to Hairen-sama that I realized I couldn't just keep thinking about it. I decided to go to Yuki-sama today."
"Y-yeah. I suppose in that regard, they really are goddesses."
...I see. So those goddesses were the reason Fiora and the others returned so quickly. Should I honestly thank them? No, if I did that, they’d just get carried away.
How one perceives the word "goddess" is the question. When you write "goddess," what comes to mind?