250 - - 二百四十八話 精霊王様達との宴会 下

We held a banquet with the Spirit Kings, and greeted again with Wind, the Spirit King of Wind, Light, the Spirit King of Light, Dark, the Spirit King of Darkness, and Fire, the Spirit King of Fire. The rest of the Spirit Kings were the Spirit Kings of Water and Earth. That's a lot of work.

Leaving the Spirit Kings of Wind, Darkness, and Fire who are excited about spirits, I turn my attention to the Spirit Kings of Water and Earth.

"I guess I'm next. I'm Water, the Spirit King of Water.

A fresh brother greets you with a fresh look. He has the type of looks that will make men and women of all ages like him. I envy him.

"Mr. Water, it's nice to meet you."

"Yes, it's nice to meet you. Thanks to Yuta, springs and waterways have been created in the land of the dead. We can't move around so easily, so I really appreciate your help.

I've got an idea. This is the one person among the spirit kings we can count on. If I have any problems, I'll ask Master Water for help. ...... I'm horrified at the thought of consulting with the Spirit Kings. Let's hope we will never have such an opportunity.

"No, I was only acting for my own sake, and I've been getting a lot of help from Sylphy and the others. ...... haha..."

If I hadn't met Bell in the first place, I would almost certainly be dead.

"But still. A genie can't wield his power so easily without a contractor. This land has undoubtedly become a sanctuary thanks to you. You should be proud of that.

It's embarrassing to be praised so frankly. Let's change the subject. There's something I wanted to ask the king of spirits when I see him.

Thank you. I also have a question for you.

"Yeah?　No problem, what is it?"

Thank you very much. Do you know why I came to this world?

"Hmm, the reason why I came to this world. There have been a few cases in the past when inhabitants of other worlds have suddenly blended into this world. But we, the Spirit Kings, don't know why. It is highly unlikely that it is interference from a supernatural being. It would be impossible for an act that connects the world to be performed behind our backs."

I had been aware of it for a while, but it didn't seem to be a pattern of summoning heroes or anything like that. There were frequent wars, but there were no such events as the destruction of the world or the appearance of the Demon King. The first enemy was Guilmouth of the Adventurer's Guild, and he was just pissed off at being harassed.

"So it was just a coincidence?

"I can't say for sure that's the case. People from other worlds sometimes die easily, but they sometimes make great achievements, and the will of this planet, which even we can't sense, may have called Yuta here."

"Does this planet have a will?"

No, we have never checked. We just thought it was the will of the stars to call people without us knowing. Sorry."

I see. ...... it's either a coincidence, or some unknown force was at work. I have no idea.

"I see. So I was wondering, can I go back to my world?"

I have Sylphy and the others, Belle and the others, Gina and the others, and I'm attached to this place. But I'm not ready to leave the earth either. Especially family, friends, food and entertainment are important factors.

I don't think about my job, because I would have been fired. I'll have to at least go back to apologize when I get back. The best pattern is to be able to come and go between this world and Japan freely, but what do you think?

"Hmmm, at least not for us. We can connect to different worlds if we cooperate, but we can't choose where to connect. We can't be so reckless as to connect the worlds so many times, so I think the possibility of connecting to the world where Yuta was is close to zero.

I guess it's hard to say. But it's not zero. You'd need more luck than winning the lottery, though.

What happened to the other worldlings who came here besides me?

"We know of nine people. Some didn't adapt and died quickly, others blended in, others made their mark, and others did as they pleased. But we don't know of any otherworlders who have returned to their own worlds. I'm sorry."

"No, Master Water, you have nothing to apologize for. I'm sorry for the dark talk I gave at the banquet."

"It's your hometown, it's natural that you want to know about it. Hey, Yuta. Suddenly your life is ruined. I know how sad and painful it must have been for you. But even if you don't know why, you're going to live in this world. I know it's a cliché, but we'd be happy if you could live happily."

Well, I couldn't afford to be sad because I was on the verge of starving to death and dying of thirst as soon as I came to this world. And I was a little excited about the fantasy. .......

If I had a wife and children, the story would be different, but to be honest, I don't have the nostalgic feeling to cry at this moment. I feel sad, and sometimes I wonder if my family and friends are worried about me, but I try not to think about it.

Maybe someday the sadness will come rushing back to me. I feel like now is the time to cry because I've been told that the chance of going home is close to zero, but I've always felt that way, and strangely enough, I'm fine with it.

"Now I'm having a good time thanks to everyone. I have a goal, and I'm going to be happy in this world, so I'll be fine.

First I have to find a beautiful, big-breasted, spoiled bride.

"Good. I'm in a position where I can't move lightly, but there are things I can do to help. You can come to me for advice if you need anything.

I'll be counting on you then."

I think as I bow my head. I'm afraid of where I'm going to go for advice if I say, "Come to me for advice. Let's clean up as much as possible by ourselves. Since things are getting a little gloomy, we'll have a quick chat and say hello to the King of the Spirit of the Earth.

............I'd like to say hello to him, but it's hard to talk to him since he seems to be engrossed in a hearty meal. He is slowly munching on his food with almost all kinds of dishes gathered in front of him. It is hard to see his ...... expression, but he seems to be happy. He seems to be drinking only in between drinks, maybe he is more interested in unknown dishes than drinking at the moment.

"Look, Earth. Yuta wants to say hello. Stop eating and turn around.

When I was puzzled, Master Water came to my rescue. At the sound of Water's voice, the King of the Spirits of the Earth turned to me with a crinkle. He must have been so absorbed in his meal that he did not notice me at all.

I am Earth. Pleased to meet you."

What should I say?　In a voice that was somewhat materialistic but clear, rather than a sound made by shaking the vocal cords, Earth-sama introduced himself to me. And his name is Earth. I thought it was Soil, because it's earth.

My name is Yuta. Pleased to meet you."

"Yeah."

........................

An indescribable silence passes. I wonder if she's the type of person who doesn't talk much?

"How is the food?"

"Delicious."

"Did you like any of the dishes?"

"............ this and this."

"Carbonara and Neapolitan? I see you like pasta.

"Yes, it's delicious."

I'm starting to get worried about ............. I'm not offending you, am I?

"Yuta, don't worry. Earth is in a very good mood right now. I haven't seen him talk like this for a long time.

Master Water, perhaps sensing my confusion, followed up again. That helps.

"I'm glad to hear that. We have a lot of food, so please eat as much as you like.

"Thanks."

With that, Master Earth returned to his meal. Perhaps it is safe to say that the greeting went off without a hitch. I thanked Mr. Water for following me and looked around the banquet.

The drinking group is getting very excited with the addition of three spirit kings to the usual six spirits. They seem to be consuming their drinks very fast.

Belle and the others are hopping between dishes, happily picking at their food. Yeah, it's a bit rude, but we've got a big table today, so we can't eat unless we move around.

I wonder how the spirits that materialized in the sanctuary changed in the first place?　I'm sober now, so I'll ask for more details tomorrow.

Gina and Fuchu and the others are at ......, so it looks like they're OK. I think Gina and her friends are spoiling Fukuchan a little too much, but Fukuchan seems to be having a good time, so I guess it's all good. They're getting to see and touch things now, and we want to be involved.

I guess we're not out of food and drink yet, so I'm going to go have some food and a drink. Hmm?　Mr. Wright is standing on the table, staring at a point and stopping. His eyes are looking at ...... pudding and ice cream, or maybe he wants to eat ...... some?

"Mr. Light. Do you care for pudding and ice cream?"

I jumped up and down, perhaps because I had called out to him so suddenly. Even the King of Spirits is startled. That's how focused he was on the pudding and ice cream.

"What is it? Yuta, I don't care about sweets.

Mr. Wright turns his head to the side. Oh, I was making up a character, wasn't I? Perhaps in Mr. Light's mind, eating sweetmeats is a matter of dignity. At any rate, as the host of this banquet, he should be witty and have fun.

"Yeah?　That pudding and ice cream are new on the menu. I'd appreciate it if you could have Mr. Wright try it and give me some advice. ......"

"Mmm?　It is not that I have a sweet tooth, but if Yuta wants my advice so badly, then I will give it a try."

"Thank you very much."

Well, Yuta. Let's go."

A light floats up and flies toward pudding and ice cream. He has quite a difficult personality, doesn't he?

"Let's eat the pudding first!"

I secretly observed how she ate the pudding with her short hand, and she dexterously maneuvered the spoon with her magic power and brought the pudding to her mouth. I wanted to see her struggle to eat the pudding with her unreachable hand, but it seems that she had already taken measures against it. That's true. They've been alive for a long time. You know what you can and can't do.

"Sweet!　...... is not bad. It's a taste that children will enjoy. But if you make it a little more refined, it will be suitable for adults as well.

His expression falters for a moment, but he seems to be aware of the way I look at him, and gives me his opinion and advice. I don't see any problem with adults liking sweets, but I guess it's a non-negotiable part of Mr. Wright's ideal image. Light-sama eats his pudding with a serious expression on his face while his ears are twitching. Cute.

"I'll pass on Mr. Light's advice to the cook.

"Mm. I'll give you another sample when it's ready."

I hope it's okay to ask to be fed again.

"I'll serve it again when it's finished."

"Mm. Good."

"Yuta. Berumo plinta beru!"

When the Belles realized I was in the dessert section, they stormed in. Oh, Mr. Light is fading away.

I pass out pudding and ice cream while patting the charging belles around. ...... Later, I'll bring some of the ice cream and crepes to Mr. Light that he couldn't eat.

Belle and the others have already had their desserts, and in a little while we'll send the non-drinkers back to their rooms. Before that, we might as well ask the spirit kings if we can take a group photo of all of us. I know it's meh, but we have a great group of people here.