Volume 8 - CH 25

Chapter 25 – Explanation of the Situation and Future Plans

In the divine realm, I received permission from the Creator God… I mean, God of Light-sama to explain to the ladies, and I received a lot of requests. I don’t know what to do, but if I talk about it in a complicated way, I might even say unnecessary things. I’ll try to keep it simple and minimize what I have to say as much as possible.

I drink a cup of coffee while I go over the content of my speech in my mind. I’m tired of thinking about it all the time. I want to speak quickly and clear my mind.

While I was lying on the sofa of the Castle, the Lutto came back. I went to the ramp to greet them. The women come up the ramp, looking refreshed from their wild journey.

“Welcome back. How was it?”

“Wataru-san, we’re back. Fuu-chan and Beni-chan have leveled up. So, please check on Rimu-chan, too, Wataru-san.”

Alessia-san replied happily. Dorothea-san and Marina-san pat Beni-chan and Fuu-chan happily. It looks like everything is going well.

“I understand. So, now that I’ve put together what I want to talk about, is that okay with you?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then… after you change into comfortable clothes, let’s go to the donut shop and have a snack while we talk.”

After changing into comfortable clothes, we went to the donut shop, ordered some tea and donuts, and sat down at a table.

“Then please keep what I’m about to tell you a secret.”

“Secret? If Wataru-san says so, we won’t talk about it, but it’s not a dangerous story, is it?”

It’s a dangerous story… if they don’t believe me, they’ll think I’m a dangerous person… I’m getting anxious to tell them.

“It’s not a dangerous story, but I think it’s hard to believe.”

“I’m afraid to ask about it.”

I’m afraid to talk too.

“Do you want me to stop?”

Alessia-san looks at all the women’s faces and checks them. They all nod their heads.

“Let’s hear it, Wataru-san.”

I knew they would ask.

“I understand. Simply put, during the three days I was away… the gods descended upon the Castle.”

Everyone except Ilma-san looked at me as if I were crazy. Ilma-san’s face was like I knew it. I’m afraid of Ilma-san’s deductive powers.

“…I wonder if you’re joking?”

“Sorry, Alessia-san, but it’s true.”

“Wa-Wataru-san, what made them come down?”

Claretta-san asked me with a fluttering voice. Her breasts swaying together were wonderful.

“They said they wanted to experience the culture of another world.”

It’s hard to say they came just to have fun.

“Could it be that you talk to the gods in the church? The other day, after you prayed, you suddenly summoned Saporabi-chans, didn’t you?”

“You’re right, Claretta-san.”

“Amazing, that’s amazing, Wataru-san. I can’t believe you can talk to the gods.”

Claretta-san’s tension is rising.

“Please calm down, Claretta-san. There is nothing to talk about as they have already descended.”

She turned her head in my direction. I don’t know what’s going on anymore. Her tension is clearly strange.

“That’s right, isn’t it? That’s right.”

I feel it is dangerous to continue the conversation with her. Let’s move on.

“Well, that’s how the gods came down and used their power for a small thing, and the result is that roar and light. Can you believe that?”

“Y-yes, if someone other than Wataru-san had said that, I would have thought he was crazy. But in Wataru-san’s case… I have no choice but to believe. Even if it’s just another world and Ship Summoning, I can imagine a connection with the gods.”

Thank God. I was able to avoid being a crazy person. And I’m glad they believe me, but I’m saying it myself, and it smells fishy. The gods have descended. If I were them, I’d go to the hospital.

“You are not wrong in general. The connection with the gods is just as Alessia-san said. Please keep it a secret as you promised.”

“Even if I told someone, they wouldn’t believe me. And even if they did, there would be a big fuss. I would never tell anyone.”

I guess Alessia-san had the same opinion as me. It’s the kind of thing you’d lose friends over if you told. Even when I asked her to spread the word, she would remain silent.

I managed to calm down Claretta-san, who was getting excited. I had to explain the next thing. I’m glad that I didn’t end up becoming a crazy person, but now I have to talk about the request of the gods, right?

“Thank you very much. Well, I still need to talk to you. Actually, I have permission to tell you all about the gods, but I’ve received three requests. I was wondering if you could help me out.”

“Um, Wataru-san, the requests, are they from the gods?”

“Yes.”

Alessia-san holds her head.

“Um, is that a no?”

“Do you think I can refuse a request from the gods? I will do it. I have no choice but to.”

I’m sorry to involve them. But if I don’t involve them, I can’t do it alone. I’m worried about the positive impression I’m making.

“I am sorry for involving you. The God of Commerce-sama told me to splurge on the request fee, so you can expect that.”

“Hah, I’m afraid the name of the god usually comes up. So what are the requests?”

“The first is to open the luxury liner that the God of Gastronomy-sama and the God of Entertainment-sama asked me to open. I heard that this can be done after I buy a new luxury liner, so there is plenty of time to do it. The second is a request from the God of Commerce-sama to use the money collected in the divine realm for the sake of the world to turn the money around. Most of the money was collected from the Ship Summoning, so it’s my own fault. I haven’t decided on a plan yet, but I’m thinking of building an orphanage or something like that. The third is a request from the Goddess of the Forest-sama to go rescue the dark elves who are hiding. She told me where they are, so I’ll go there and convince them to come to the Dark Elf Island. Those are the requests.”

“An orphanage! That sounds wonderful. I would love to help.”

Claretta-san’s tension rises again. It’s going to be hard to calm her down.

“I’m counting on you, Claretta-san.”

“Yes!”

“Um, Master. Do you think the Goddess of the Forest-sama is worried about us dark elves?”

Oh, well, Felicia is worried about that. She has always believed in the Goddess of the Forest.

“Yes, she is very worried about the dark elves. She seemed to be in pain, saying that she could not interfere in the lower world and that she could only make the forest a little richer. She was very happy to hear from me about the dark elves.”

Ah, Felicia is in tears. But I can never tell her that I was promised a date and an ear wax in return. I’m really going to be despised.

“Felicia, this is good, isn’t it?”

“Y-yes.”

The ladies are also very touched; their eyes are moist. I am ashamed of myself for being afraid to keep a secret in this situation. Rimu is so concerned about Felicia that he climbs up and rubs her cheek. It’s a beautiful sight.

Time passes peacefully. After a few moments of relaxation and peace, we resume our conversation.

“But, Wataru-san. I know it’s the request of the gods, but the first topic will cause a big fuss. Is that okay?”

It’s not okay. Troublesome things will come. I regret that I agreed to this on the spur of the moment.

“It is not good. But right now, the only thing I can think of is to draw the attention to the mage. Also, if possible, I would like to recruit Camille-san to manage the luxury liner.”

It’s impossible for me to manage a luxury liner by myself, isn’t it? I don’t even know how to decide on the prices of things and rooms. I have mixed desires, but I think Camille-san will be fine.

“Hmm, Wataru-san, in what order do you want to move?”

“In what order? …Claretta-san, what is the orphanage in the Southern City like?”

“The orphanage in the Southern City isn’t exactly wealthy, but it manages somehow.”

“Well, should we build an orphanage then?”

“Well, they have extra space, so I think it would be more helpful if you could donate some money. Of course, if the orphanage is built, it would definitely make things easier for them.”

“I see. The God of Commerce-sama said that a small donation would be fine if the place does a faithful job, so I’ll just make a donation. If it is in the Southern City, I can donate repeatedly. Then where should we build the orphanage?”

“I know it’s a bit impertinent of me to ask, but could you please build one in Lucca, Wataru-san? The Kingdom of Brescia has been attacked by the Empire. I believe there are many orphans there.”

Well, I was told about the forest where the dark elves of the Kingdom of Brescia live, so it would be more efficient if I went there to encourage them to migrate. What about setting up a luxury liner in the Kingdom of Brescia?

Then only the Marquis of Lucca and the Crown Prince, who know the mage’s power, might be involved. Other nobles will probably make a move, but if I can get the Marquis of Lucca and the Crown Prince to back me up, I should be able to manage.

I will invite the Crown Prince and the Marquis of Lucca to the luxury liner and prove the advantage of having a luxury liner in the Kingdom of Brescia. If I tell them I’ll go to another country if there are troublesome people there, they’ll do their best to protect me, won’t they?

And if they do, we’ll build a city? A city built around a luxury liner… that might be cool. Oh, it would expose my summoning ability, and it would be easier to threaten to leave at any time when it is floating on the sea. Then we can gather many orphans in the Brescia Kingdom, and it will be easier to fulfill the request of the God of Commerce-sama.

“Thank you, Wataru-san.”

Hmm, I think my likeability has been greatly increased by this matter with Claretta-san. But I hope it hasn’t decreased… for the other members of Girasole.

“Well, I’ll go to the Southern City to wholesale pepper, and then I’ll try to recruit Camille-san from the Merchant’s Guild. After that, how about we go to Lucca to set up an orphanage and encourage the dark elves in the Kingdom of Brescia to relocate?”

“So there are dark elf villages in the Kingdom of Brescia, huh? I think it would be easy to set up an orphanage in Lucca since we know a lot of people there. I have been to most of the country, so I think I can help.”

Oh, Alessia-san is very confident. Come to think of it, she’s become quite popular during the war, so it’ll work out even better. Let’s decide on Lucca first.

“Then let’s set up an orphanage in Lucca with Alessia-san and the others as negotiators.”

“Fufu, we’ll do our best, but you can’t just throw it all away. Wataru-san, please do your best as well.”

Isn’t it okay to throw it all away? I thought it would be easy. …Well, I’ll do my best.

“Master, is it okay if I ask you to stop by the Dark Elf Island before you go to the Southern City?”

“Hmm? It’s close by, so it’s totally okay, but why?”

“Yes, if you know the location, I think more people will settle on the Dark Elf Island. I thought it would be better to tell them to prepare wood for construction first. Also, I want to tell them to build a fine temple for the Goddess of the Forest-sama.”

“Ah, yes, I think we should tell them. There is also the matter of the hot springs. But not about the temple. The matter of the gods is a secret between us. They can build a fine temple if they can afford it, can’t they?”

“I see; I was talking about a secret. I am sorry, Master.”

Felicia was so overcome with emotion. I don’t blame her for forgetting.

“Yes, it’s okay this time, but be careful from now on.”

“Yes.”

After switching to the Seeker for the time being, we leave for the Dark Elf Island. During a leisurely lunch, we discussed the future.

A few hours later, when we stopped the Seeker at the usual place, the village chief called out to us in a loud voice. This is unusual; he usually waits until we get off the ship. Are we safe, he said? What does that mean?

“We’re safe, but is something wrong?”

“No, we were worried when we heard a series of intense lights and loud noises echoing from where Wataru-san was heading.”

Did it reach this far…? Was it because of the lack of cover? But it’s causing trouble in many places. As expected of the gods.

“Oh, those were the people from Girasole who were practicing magic. I’m surprised it got this far. I apologize for the inconvenience.”

What a bitter excuse.

“Is that so? A-class adventurers are awesome, aren’t they?”

He seemed to believe me. I wonder if he just went along with my story.

“Haha, I can’t even imagine how strong they are. Village Chief-san, what happened to the hot springs and the mine?”

“The vice chief and some villagers went there, but they haven’t returned yet. They are doing thorough maintenance, so it will take some time for them to come back. Do you want to move to the village?”

“No, I am sorry, but we will leave right away. I have received some information about the Dark Elf village, and there may be more immigrants in a few months. I just wanted to tell you that.”

“My goodness! Thank you very much. We’ll have to work hard to prepare the wood.”

“Yes, they may refuse to accept us, but we would appreciate it if you would at least make the preparations.”

“There is a possibility that they will refuse. It would have been nice if there had been a sign among the dark elves. Unfortunately, there is none. My apologies.”

If there were such a thing, it would be easier to convince them. Well, we’ll just have to do our best.

“No, no, I’ll try my best to convince them. Well, I’d better go.”

We said goodbye to the village chief, returned to the Seeker, and left for the Southern City.