CH 66

[Attacked Village]

Having arrived at the place of the goddess of earth Terra-sama as originally planned, we joyfully caught up with each other.

Terra-sama apparently had been worrying about us the whole time.

I felt really grateful for her concern, and after introducing the three new additions to the party, I decided to quickly get into the main subject.

“I see. The dwarven village, is it.”

“Yes. It seems that no weapons can bear my power at this rate, so…”

“I understand. It certainly seems like you’ve grown a lot more than before. I think whilst it’s true that your gaining the power of other gods plays a part, the journey you’ve been through so far must have been an irreplaceable source of encouragement for you.

“Besides,” Terra-sama smiled happily and said, “I can feel the power of Igniver from all the saintesses here. It’s a proof of how deep your love is and that you love all of them without exception.”

“Uhh, well, yeah…”

Err, that’s a praise, right…?

As I was caught up in awkwardness, not knowing how to react, the saintesses whom we were talking about began to speak, “Fumu, he does love all of us without exception, but the one that he loves the most is unquestionably me.”

“Ufufu, what may you be talking about? No matter how you think about it, it can only be me, though?”

“No, it’s totally me, ain’t it? ‘cuz, though I never told ya all, our bodies have the highest compatibility with each other.”

“My, what weird stuff are you spouting. When it comes to compatibility, ours is the highest, and I’m sure he thinks so as well. That’s why the one he loves the most has to be me.”

“I see. To sum up, I’m your number one. Right? Exa.”

“U-umm…”

I can only see a bad ending no matter how I answer…

As I was deliberating if I should say that they were all my number one, Terra-sama said with a happy smile on her face, “Fufu, you are nurturing very good bonds, Exa.”

“Y-you think so?”

“Yes, I think so. That’s why, one day, please create a lively and loving family… no, a ‘large family’ with the power I gave you.”

“Large family!?”

That’s quite a high goal, would I be able to raise the kids well…

No, but I am a man, when that time comes, I’d just have to prepare myself and do my best.

As I was pumping my fist, Terra-sama watched me with a smile hanging on her face.

“Okay,” she then began to bring the conversation back on track, “you wanted to know about the location of the dwarven village, didn’t you?”

“Oh, yes. I’d like you to tell us if you don’t mind.”

“Of course, It’s not a problem, but as you all know, the dwarves live in seclusion from the other races. As such, even if I tell you where the village is, the chance that you can get their help isn’t high. Are you still going to see them even if that being the case?”

“Yes, of course.” I answered immediately.

Terra-sama softened the corners of her mouth and said, “I was sure that you would answer that way. —All right. The dwarven village is deep beneath the valley north of here. Proceed along the river. You should come across a huge waterfall, then. The entrance to the village is hidden behind it, but I have no doubt that you’ll be able to easily find it.”

“I understand. Thank you so much, Terra-sama. I’ll make sure to get the help of the dwarves!” I strongly declared.

Terra-sama then nodded with her unchanging soft smile, “Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Please continue to nurture good bonds on your journey.”

◇ ◇

And so, after the three new additions to the party received the power of Terra-sama, we flew toward the valley in the north that she had said.

If I wasn’t mistaken, if we go further north, we should reach the place where the goddess of thunder—Fluga resided.

In addition to ‘thunder’, she also governed over ‘destruction’.

She definitely wouldn’t be a simple character.

Anyways, as told, we went along the river and eventually found the landmark that was the huge waterfall.

Then, we went through the cave hidden behind the waterfall and arrived at a place that was most likely the dwarven village but,

“—Now, kill! Kill them all!”

“Uooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!”

――Bang!

“““““Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!?”””””

““““““Wha!?””””””

What we saw there was a pale-faced man in a black robe giving orders to a woman who seemed to be a dwarf while destroying the village.