Chapter 56: Takatsuki Makoto speaks to the Great Sage
What should I do…?
If I follow the advice of the Goddess, it would be better to not enter.
But, after coming all the way here?
“Are you here, Great Sage-sama?” (Sakurai)
There’s no response from the call of Sakurai-kun.
“Maybe she isn’t present?” (Lucy)
Alright, let’s go back!
“Eh?
Great Sage-sama, have only them enter?
…Okay…okay…understood.” (Sakurai)
“…Sakurai-kun, what happened all of a sudden?” (Makoto)
I get scared by Sakurai-kun who was talking to himself all of a sudden.
“A thought transmission from the Great Sage-sama came.
She told me that only you guys will be entering.” (Sakurai)
“Eeh?” (Makoto)
My uneasiness increases.
While I was hesitating, Sakurai-kun pushed us in.
?? “Excuse the intrusion…” (Makoto)
The inside of the tent is dark, and there’s magic lanterns floating in the air.
It was overflowing with things making a pseudo-passage that led deeper inside.
At the end of that passage, there’s a small mage in white robe sitting on a giant sofa.
Should we go there?
“Come closer.
It is hard to speak from there.”
Despite her title, it was the voice of a young girl.
I got a few meters closer to her just as she asked, and I could now see the pure white hair that was hidden within her white hood.
It certainly is the White Great Sage.
“I am the apprentice magician, Takatsuki Makoto.
The ones here are my comrades: Lucy Walker, and Sasaki Aya.” (Makoto)
“Nice to meet you.” (Lucy)
“Hello.” (Aya)
“Fumu.”
The Great Sage-sama walks over to us and looks at all of us.
Her red eyes that felt like they pierced through me were testament to her insight.
She has a pretty little girl face, but there’s a ghastliness to it that makes my back shiver.
How old is she?
I don’t think she is as old as her appearance states.
“You, you are the half of an elf and demon, huh”, she says while looking at Lucy.
I was shocked.
I look at Lucy.
She stiffened in place.
“You there are a Lamia, huh.
Moreover, on a level that can be designated as a Calamity.
Interesting.”
The Great Sage grins.
This is bad!
This person has the Appraisal Skill!
I looked at Sa-san, and it seems like she didn’t understand the situation and was dumbfounded.
Kuh, this is bad.
Demons and monsters are hunt targets!
I should have listened to the warning of the Goddess!
“Don’t get so on edge.
You helped the Light Hero boy, right?
Spirit Users in this day and age are rare.
I wanted to meet you.
Moreover, your comrades are quite the bundle of unique traits.”
The Great Sage still had that grin.
…Does that mean she doesn’t mind that they are a demon and monster?
“Looks like I scared you.
Sit here.
I will at least pour some tea.”
There were old-looking chairs around a round table that also looked pretty old.
Are they antiques?
“You sit here.”
For some reason, I was told to sit by the side of the Great Sage.
I-I’m nervous.
I thought that there would be a servant or something, but the teapot floated its way here, and the tea cups were placed in front of us.
When the tea was poured, a nice scent wafted around.
She does her daily life using magic?
People with mana to spare have it nice.
“For treats…well, this should do.”
A big plate with a variety of pastries suddenly appeared in front of us with a loud thud.
Where did she bring these pastries from just now…?
“Is this Teleport?” (Makoto)
“Hoh, I am impressed you could tell.”
C-Chantless Teleport Magic.
This person is on a whole other plane…
We must not fight her.
Or more like, I don’t think we can even run away…
“And so, what business did you have with us?” (Aya)
Sa-san was already munching on the pastries.
Hey, show some restraint!
“I told you already, didn’t I?
I was simply interested.
I heard about this Spirit User that managed to drag out the Taboo Dragons with Monarch Magic.
From my calculations, I predicted the Light Hero Boy would take 1 month to finish this task.”
“I heard that if you helped, it would have ended in an instant.” (Makoto)
I remember the words Yokoyama-san said.
“That won’t serve as training.
The Great Demon Lord will be reviving.
Having the Light Hero getting troubled with 2 mere Taboo Dragons would be problematic.”
I see.
So she purposely didn’t help.
“By the way…the red haired mage over there.”
“Y-Yes?!” (Lucy)
Lucy seems to be nervous, she is not speaking much.
“You, have you noticed that your body is being burned by your own mana?”
“Eh?” (Lucy)
Lucy had an expression of surprise, and me too.
“Did you think that was your constitution?
That body heat of yours is the result of your mana running out of control, you know?”
“W-What should I do…?” (Lucy)
“I will give you this.
Put it on.”
The Great Sage gave Lucy a bracelet that was lying around.
“An item that calms down the flow of mana.
It is an item that’s worth the price of a house.
Treat it with care.”
“I-Is that okay?” (Makoto)
Being a wary person, I ask in fear.
Isn’t this person a bit too kind?
She won’t be demanding a crazy amount of money later, right?
“We are currently searching for strong talents after all.
We can’t let capable mages sleep.
Oi, the lamia there who only eats.”
This time she looks at Sa-san.
“Yeph?” (Aya)
Sa-san!
At least swallow before replying.
“The [Change] Skill that you have is powerful.
You don’t have to turn into that half-assed human form with bluish skin, you can transform into a perfect human.
Not only that, it is a skill that lets you transform into anything.
Even a Dragon or Demon.” 
“Hm?
It was taught to me by my sisters as Human Transformation Magic though.” (Aya)
“That’s a skill that Lamias have.
Your skill is above that.”
“Hoh, is that so…
Thank you very much.” (Aya)
That’s incredible.
This person gives useful items and advice.
Isn’t she a support character?
“So, the problem is you, Spirit User-kun.”
“…I am a normal human.” (Makoto)
“Hooh.”
The eyes of the Great Sage curved into a smile, and a hand was placed on my head.
Her fingers are cold like Sa-san’s.
“Let’s look at your Status.
It is easier to do Appraisal when my hand is in contact…
You have quite the one-sided Stats.
Even though they are extremely low, your Water Proficiency is abnormally high.”
It is kinda ticklish.
“Muuh…this ain’t good.”
She suddenly grabbed my head.
“You…are the believer of an Evil God?”
Time froze.
?? ““……”” Lucy and I were silent.
Only the sound of Sa-san munching on pastry could be heard.
“No, you are mistaken.” (Makoto)
For now, I try to fool her with a smile.
An Evil God believer is guilty no questions asked.
It is the common knowledge of Fuji-yan, Nina-san, and Lucy.
“The believer of the Evil God Noah, huh…
You are the second I have met.”
The Great Sage is making a complicated expression.
Her small hand is still holding my head.
“No…as I said, isn’t there some sort of mistake here…?” (Makoto)
“If I remember correctly, 1,000 years ago…it was one of the 9 Demon Generals serving under the Great Demon Lord, the Forbidden Black Knight.”
“Eh?
The legendary Hero Killer?” (Lucy)
Lucy says.
What’s that?
“Lucy, who is the Forbidden Black Knight?” (Makoto)
“The sworn enemy of humanity that appears in the story of the Saviour-sama.
It is said that he is the right hand of the Great Demon Lord, and a legendary warrior that slaughtered everyone except the Light Hero.
In the end, he was defeated by the Saviour Abel…
That is the Apostle of the Evil God Noah…?” (Lucy)
Lucy who was saying this began to feel anxious.
Eh, what are you doing, Noah-sama?
I didn’t hear anything about this.
“But…the Apostle of the Evil God was a lot crazier than you.
At the very least, he couldn’t hold a proper conversation.”
How was he, my Apostle senpai.
“You speak as if you saw him personally.” (Makoto)
“Yeah…I have the memories of 1,000 years ago after all.”
Is it the so-called Inherit Skill?
“Will you continue being the Apostle of the Evil God?”
The Great Sage-sama asks.
H-How should I answer this?
“No, as I said…I am not the believer of an Evil God…” (Makoto)
It is getting painful already, but I continue making the same excuse.
“Fumu…well, let’s leave it at that.”
She let go of my head.
And then, she rustled my hair.
“When you guys come to Highland, come to my place.
I will train you people.”
Eh?
Done?
“U-Uhm…is it okay?” (Makoto)
We are talking about a demon, a monster, and the Apostle of an Evil God.
It is triple the trouble and I feel like it is a red flag party though.
Is she gonna let us go?
“I said this before.
I want to get as many talented people as possible for when the Great Demon Lord revives.
If you guys turn into enemies, I will take responsibility and end you.”
She smiles.
Scary.
“We don’t have any intentions of fighting the Great Demon Lord though.” (Makoto)
“Eh, really, Takatsuki-kun?” (Aya)
Sa-san, why are you making a face as if it was unexpected?
I am not a hero, and I am not strong.
“When the Great Demon Lord revives, the people will fall into a war with the demons.
If we lose the war, everyone will become the livestock of the demons.”
“…” Meaning that we can’t run away, huh.
“Spirit User-kun, I recommend you to stop being the Apostle of the Evil God by the next time we meet.
Obeying that Evil God will only end in misery.”
Saying this, the Great Sage-sama lies sideways on the sofa.
In the end, she was a good person who gave us items and advice.
If only the last part of the conversation wasn’t there, it would have been the best though…
?? We return to our table with hazy feelings.
The banquet was close to ending.
I sobered up already.
My appetite is gone too.
I was spacing out with a blank head.
“Takatsuki-sama, there’s a guest”, Nina-san pokes my shoulder.
The one there was the Water Oracle, the Princess of Rozes, Sofia Rozes.
Chapter 57-58: Takatsuki Makoto speaks to Princess Sofia + Epilogue
Even though I am currently at a loss with our talk with the Great Sage…
From all people, it had to be you, huh.
“Takatsuki Makoto, do you have time?” (Sofia)
A clear voice that travels well.
It makes me feel the coldness of spring water from it.
And as always, she has a cold and unfriendly expression.
Princess Sofia had for some reason come to our table.
She has a knight as her bodyguard, but it is not the haughty knight of before.
“What is it?” (Makoto)
I can’t ignore a princess, so I ask reluctantly.
“I had him quit being my Guardian Knight.” (Sofia)
At first I couldn’t understand what she was saying, but after a while, I got that she was referring to that arrogant knight.
Wait, eh?
You fired him?
“It is the sin of displeasing the hero-sama that saved Laberintos.
Can you please forgive us with this?” (Sofia)
“Forgive…?
In the first place, I am not a hero though…” (Makoto)
“You are one of the heroes that came from the other world.
That’s why, I want you to please continue staying in Rozes.” (Sofia)
This is surprising.
Would she go this far?
I am just an apprentice mage here though.
“Hey hey.” (Lucy)
Lucy tugged my sleeve.
I know.
I am not going to be such a bully.
“…I like the city of Makkaren, so I will continue being an adventurer in Rozes.” (Makoto)
Hearing this, Princess Sofia made a relieved expression.
But she instantly returns to her previous expression.
“Do you wish for anything?
If it is something I can do…” (Sofia)
Oh, how generous.
But I don’t really have much of a wish though…
Right, let’s give this one to my friend that has been helping me out all this time.
“Actually, this here is my friend, Fujiwara-kun.” (Makoto)
“T-Takki-dono?!” (Fujiwara)
Fuji-yan who was suddenly pulled into it was surprised, but my thoughts should be transmitting to him.
“I was wondering if you could back him up for the sake of furthering my work.
He is also one of the heroes that come from the other world.
My achievements are thanks to his support.” (Makoto)
“…I see.
What should I do in detail?” (Sofia)
Fuji-yan, sorry for putting you on the spot all of a sudden.
He is looking at me with eyes of ‘I didn’t hear anything about this-desu zo’.
But, as expected of him, he must have thought of something, he began speaking.
“Then, please grant me the freedom to do business in Rozes.
Especially in the noble districts.” (Fujiwara)
“Alright.
I will give you a permit with my name.
Please come to the capital later to get it.” (Sofia)
““Thank you very much.””
Fuji-yan and I lowered our heads.
Is this much okay?
“Well then, let’s meet again.” (Sofia)
Princess Sofia leaves with hurried feet.
?? “Takki-dono, I didn’t expect you to suddenly throw the topic to me-desu zo!” (Fujiwara)
He was slapping me multiple times on the back.
“Sorry about that.
But was that good enough?” (Makoto)
“It is great!
Being able to freely do business under the name of the Princess of Rozes!
With this, I will be winning it all in any businesses in the Water Country…” (Fujiwara)
Ooh, Fuji-yan is making an evil face.
“T-Takatsuki-sama, you do terrifying things…” (Nina)
Nina-san had a stiff expression.
“Did I say something weird?” (Makoto)
“Makoto…normally when royalty asks what you want, you normally refrain at first.” (Lucy)
“Goshujin-sama is also fearless.” (Nina)
I see, so that’s how the etiquette goes.
“Like I would know.
I am an otherworldler.” (Makoto)
“Anyways, that Princess just now was pretty persistent in wanting Takatsuki-kun to stay.” (Aya)
Sa-san says this on the passing.
“Aah, about that, even though you took such rude behaviour, she still came here herself and listened to your requests.” (Lucy)
“Princess Sofia must have been angry inside her heart.” (Fujiwara)
“…” If Fuji-yan says so, it must be.
Looks like the inside of Princess Sofia was burning.
“The warriors and mages that Princess Sofia scouted ended up running to other countries, or would get injured and not serve as fighting force”, Nina-san explains.
Hoh, is that so.
“And so, that includes our classmates?” (Makoto)
“Right.
It looks like the life in the royal castle of the Water Country didn’t fit them well.” (Fujiwara)
“Thanks to that, there’s rumours saying that Princess Sofia doesn’t have an eye for people.
On the other hand, at the place of Princess Noel, there’s a lot of talents gathered around.” (Nina)
Hohoh, that’s quite the shameful rumor to have.
“That’s why she is trying so desperately to have the apprentice mage -she once gave no concern to- stay, huh.” (Makoto)
“As a result, you didn’t get exiled from Makkaren.
Isn’t that great?!” (Lucy)
Right, it is as Lucy says.
“Then, let’s go back to Makkaren.” (Makoto)
“Okay!” (Lucy)
I want to go back and eat skewers.
And in this way, our adventure challenging Laberintos ended.
But my heart is not clearing up.
The words of the Great Sage.
The suspicions towards the Goddess remain.
Chapter 58: Epilogue (Second Arc)
I am dreaming.
I am in the space of the Goddess.
…I did expect her to call me here.
I see the Goddess sitting on the ground with laps touching.
What is she doing?
Even when I got close to her, she didn’t meet eyes with me.
“Goddess-sama?” (Makoto)
“Makoto, do you plan on stopping being my believer?” (Noah)
“I haven’t said anything yet.” (Makoto)
“You are worried about what that white one said, right?” (Noah)
White…she must be talking about the Great Sage-sama.
“Goddess-sama, were you the ally of the Demon Lord 1,000 years ago?” (Makoto)
“…Who knows.” (Noah)
“I didn’t say I would stop being your believer.” (Makoto)
It would trouble me to not be able to use Spirit Magic.
I wouldn’t be able to do anything.
“Even if you stop being my believer, the Spirit User Skill will stay, you know.” (Noah)
“Eh?
Really?” (Makoto)
“Gods are not so narrow-minded as to take away what has been given.” (Noah)
…Is that so.
“What will you do?
Quit?” (Noah)
“As I said, why are you so persistent about that?” (Makoto)
“After hearing about what that white one said, you are suspicious about me, right?” (Noah)
“I have been suspicious about you from the very beginning.” (Makoto)
You did things like not saying your name, and hiding that you were an Evil God.
Let’s try asking her stubbornly.
“Why did you make my predecessor Evil God Apostle ally with the Demon Lord?” (Makoto)
“A lot happened.” (Noah)
She doesn’t want to tell no matter what?
“Goddess-sama, what is it you truly want?
Please tell me.” (Makoto)
“…It is normally the other way around, you know.
Why is the believer asking for the wish of the Goddess?” (Noah)
She looks at me with a defeated look.
Our silence continued for a while.
The Goddess began to speak weakly.
“…By the time I gained awareness, the Titans had already lost the battle of the God Realm, and there was no one around.
Everyone was trapped in Tartaros, and I was alone.” (Noah)
“I lived together with the God Giants for a while, but they too fought the Holy Gods, and they were either killed or sealed…” (Noah)
“Since then, I was always alone for more than 15,000,000 years.
I tried a variety of things to save my comrades, but in the end, I ended up getting imprisoned in the Deep Sea Temple…” (Noah)
“I couldn’t do anything by myself anymore…” (Noah)
“Even so, I wanted to save everyone…” (Noah)
Saving her Titan God friends.
Is that her true wish as a Goddess?
But the Titans apparently have been sealed in a place that mortals can’t go to.
In the first place, was all the Apostle did something that helped out the Titans in some way?
“1,000 years ago, why did your Apostle kill the heroes?” (Makoto)
“The Devil bunch said that if I side with the Demon Lord and kill the heroes, they would save the Titans.” (Noah)
D-Devils?
This is the first time I heard of them, but there’s even those guys, huh.
“The Devils, the Gods that created the demons and monsters.
They were also battling the Holy Gods.
But, in the end, they didn’t keep their promise though…” (Noah)
Noah-sama says this in sorrow.
“Then, this time around, you won’t be asking me to kill the heroes, right?” (Makoto)
“In the first place, do you think you can defeat them, Makoto?” (Noah)
I remember the figure of Sakurai-kun defeating the Taboo Dragon in one hit.
…There’s no way I can.
“The situation is completely different from 1,000 years ago.
At that time, the mortal plane was ruled by the Great Demon Lord and demons.
The people despaired, and the faith towards the Holy Gods had weakened.
That’s why I thought the Devil’s side was in the advantage.” (Noah)
“Hmm…I see.” (Makoto)
“Maybe they learned from that.
Now, everyone in the mortal plane is obligated to enter the religion of one of the Goddesses the moment they are born!
With this, I can’t get any believers!” (Noah)
The Goddess raises her voice.
“That’s why, when your classmates came to this world, I thought it was my chance.
The japanese were all without religion.” (Noah)
“But everyone got scouted.” (Makoto)
“The remaining one was you.
Moreover, my charm magic didn’t work.
It was totally outside my plans…” (Noah)
My Goddess is a real schemer.
“What are you talking about?
All Goddesses do something like show their believers good dreams, you know?” (Noah)
“…Is that so.” (Makoto)
It isn’t something I really wanted to hear though.
“So, what are you going to be doing from now on, Goddess-sama?” (Makoto)
“…The source of the Holy Gods’ strength is faith.
The stronger and plentiful the faith from their believers is, the stronger their control.
On the other hand, if the believers fall into despair, their faith lowers, and the strength of the Holy Gods lowers.” (Noah)
A situation where humans despair…
“The revival of the Great Demon Lord?” (Makoto)
It is apparently going to happen in a few years from now.
“But I don’t want to become a pawn of the Demon Lord.” (Makoto)
“I know that.
I won’t trust them anymore.” (Noah)
Hm, this is complicated.
“Right right.
Just like the white one said, if the Great Demon Lord rules over the mortal plane, the humans will receive treatment lower than that of slaves. 1,000 years ago was a terrible state.” (Noah)
I would like Sakurai-kun to be the one doing his best on that front.
Maybe there really is the need to gather the strength of everyone?
“There’s a lot of scattered information, so I will arrange it.” (Makoto)
I place a hand on my head, and arrange the pieces of information one by one.
“The wish of the Goddess is:
Do something about the threat of the Great Demon Lord that will be reviving in a few years.
Weaken the faith for the Holy Gods to lower the strength of the Holy Gods.
Once the strength of the Holy Gods is weakened, we might be able to save the Titans.
Is that how it is?” (Makoto)
Can I do something like that?
It sounds crazy difficult.
“I don’t plan on asking such unreasonableness from my only believer.
I am letting you be free, right?” (Noah)
It is true that if I were to be asked that the moment I left the Water Temple, I would have immediately withdrawn.
“The reason why I told you to go to Laberintos was out of good will of wanting to have you meet your friend.” (Noah)
‘Isn’t that right?’, is what Noah-sama says with a cute face.
“But it is my chance now.
In these 1,000 years, the faith towards the Holy Gods has been one-sidedly rising.
The Devils that don’t find it agreeable are putting strenuous efforts to have the demons attack the mortal plane.
You might be able to slip in well in that.” (Noah)
“Slip in, as in what exactly?” (Makoto)
“You will be doing greater achievements than the heroes the Holy Gods chose.
By doing that, they will begin thinking: ‘The Holy Gods are unreliable.
Isn’t the God that Makoto believes in better?’” (Noah)
“Do you think it will go that smoothly?” (Makoto)
I am not sure.
The Goddess must have read that sentiment of mine, her expression softens.
“Well, I won’t force you.
Do as you please, Makoto.” (Noah)
Fumu.
So, choose yourself, huh.
But the Great Sage-sama said something that bothered me a lot.
“My Evil God Apostle senpai apparently had gone crazy.” (Makoto)
“T-That was…her putting it in an evil way.
It was just that my believer got a bit crazy after falling way too deep into my charm!
The person himself looked really happy, you know?!” (Noah)
Hmm?
Is that considered happiness?
Isn’t that the pattern where only the person himself is happy when falling deep into an evil cult?
“Charm doesn’t work on you, Makoto, so it shouldn’t be a problem with you.” (Noah)
“That’s true, but…” (Makoto)
“So, what will you do?” (Noah)
The Goddess looks up at me while still sitting there.
[Will you accept the invitation of the Evil God Noah and turn around the system of the world?]
Yes
No ?
…This is the hardest choice to make in my whole life.
I once again look at Noah-sama.
She looks divine, beautiful, and lovely.
(She continued to challenge the Holy Gods all alone…) (Makoto)
Since mythological times.
Honestly speaking, I can’t even begin to imagine it.
Several millions of times more loneliness than my lonely training of around 1 year since coming to this world.
Noah-sama is the first person that called out to me when leaving the Water Temple.
Even if she had ulterior motives.
The reason why I survived when fighting the Griffon was thanks to the Divine Protection of Noah-sama.
Spirit Magic was something Noah-sama gave to me.
I managed to reunite with Sa-san and Sakurai-kun.
(I have been receiving all this time.) (Makoto)
I haven’t given anything back yet.
“What will you do?” (Noah)
Noah-sama was resting her chin in one hand as she looked over here.
I once again look at the options.
[Will you accept the invitation of the Evil God Noah and turn around the system of the world?]
Yes ?
No
This world is being controlled by the Holy Gods.
Different from my predecessor, I have to go against the Devils.
I am the only Evil God believer in this world.
In other words…the enemy of the world.
(The difficulty balance is messed up…) (Makoto)
But fine.
The answer was obvious from the very beginning.
“Goddess-sama, let’s make your wish a reality together.” (Makoto)
I kneeled in front of Noah-sama and, while making eye contact, I answered her.
…Aah, maybe I have also been charmed?
“Thank you, Makoto.” (Noah)
The smile of Noah-sama was radiant.
And in this way, I officially became the Apostle of the Evil God Noah, aiming to overturn the world together.
Chapter 59: Sasaki Aya is guided in the city of Makkaren
-Sasaki Aya POV-
“So this is the city that Takatsuki-kun lives in.” (Aya)
I was looking around restlessly in curiosity.
What a beautiful city!
“This is the water city of Makkaren.
For now, let’s go to the Adventurer Guild.” (Makoto)
“There’s waterways running around the city, huh.
How dreamy.” (Aya)
“Aya, if you move so much, you are going to bump into someone, you know.” (Lucy)
Just as Lucy-san warned, I was about to bump into a passerby, and just as I thought ‘Ah!’, I avoided them.
Once I was about to bump into someone else, I would avoid again, and again.
So fun!
This is my first time in a normal human city since coming to this world!
I moved in between the crowd of people as if sewing through them, and looked around like a kid.
“That’s impressive reflexes.” (Makoto)
“So that’s someone who was raised in Laberintos, huh.” (Lucy)
I heard the voice of Takatsuki-kun and Lucy-san from behind.
Ah?
They are bemused at me?
?? “Makoto-kun!
I so wanted to see you again~!”
The moment we entered the Adventurer Guild, a blonde pretty lady hugged Takatsuki-kun!
“L-Lucy-san…who is that?” (Aya)
“Mary.
The guild receptionist that’s aiming for Makoto”, she says displeased.
“Oh, is that so.” (Aya)
Hmm…
Takatsuki-kun is popular in this world, huh.
“Oh my, who is that girl there?” (Mary)
“I am Sasaki Aya.
Nice to meet you.” (Aya)
“I am an employee of the Makkaren Adventurer Guild, Mary.
Nice to meet you, too.
Are you going to be registering here for the first time?” (Mary)
He separated from Takatsuki-kun and entered her work mode face.
What a mature person.
“Mary-san, Sa-san has already finished registering herself as an adventurer in the Labyrinth City.
She is in the same party as Lucy and I. We came here to report that.” (Makoto)
“Is that so?
I will register your party then.
Can you please show me your adventurer card?” (Mary)
“Yes, here.” (Aya)
I gave the adventurer card that Fujiwara-kun made for me.
“Sasaki Aya-san.
An otherworldler like Makoto-kun, huh…
No achievements as an adventurer.
Stone rank, then.
.There’s no particular proble—-eh?” (Mary)
Mary-san’s eyes open wide.
Oh no!
Did she discover that I am a monster?
But that wasn’t the case.
The calm Takatsuki-kun unexpectedly skeeted his way to Mary-san and said: “The Stats of Sa-san are incredible, right?”
“…These Stats slightly surpass that of a Gold Rank adventurer.
If you were free, there would be more than 20 parties who would want you in their party.” (Mary)
Takatsuki-kun and Mary-san were whispering to each other with their faces really close.
Aren’t they a bit too close?
“By the way!
So you actually did bring a girl back from Laberintos.
Makoto-kun, you liar!” (Mary)
“No, I didn’t promise anything.” (Makoto)
“Shut up!
I’m not letting you sleep tonight!
Show up at night in the guild.” (Mary)
Mary-san does a headlock on Takatsuki-kun.
Isn’t his head pushing against her breasts like that…?
“Lucy!
You were back?”
When I look back, there’s a girl with brown hair and comfortable clothes moving towards Lucy-san.
“Emily.
I came back just now.
You are not adventuring today?” (Lucy)
“I am helping out the church today.
There’s a lot of people getting injured lately from monster attacks.
By the way, if you have time, tell me stories about your time in Laberintos.” (Emily)
“Okay.
I will let you listen to my great achievements!” (Lucy)
“You must have caused problems for Makoto all the time, right?” (Emily)
“That’s not true!
I will shock you with the story about my new magic, [Meteor Shower]!” (Lucy)
They are getting lively there.
After being introduced to her, it seems she is a priest called Emily-san.
She apparently has adventured together with Takatsuki-kun and Lucy-san.
Lucy-san went together with Emily-san somewhere.
“Then, Sa-san, I will guide you through the city.” (Makoto)
The party registration seems to have finished.
“O-Okay.” (Aya)
Alone with Takatsuki-kun!
Maybe Lucy-san showed me consideration.
It is a date!
I followed after him in high spirits.
?? “This is the main street.
It is the liveliest place in Makkaren.” (Makoto)
“The food in that establishment is good.
Let’s go there later.” (Makoto)
“One street deeper, there’s the food district.
It is not as packed right now, but at night, there will be a lot of people in the bars.” (Makoto)
“Let’s go to the store of Fuji-yan later too.” (Makoto)
“That way there is…well, there’s stuff like the night stores.” (Makoto)
Takatsuki-kun guides me through the city with familiar steps.
There’s a lot of fancy stores made of bricks.
There’s an atmosphere to it.
Makkaren has several areas with waterways, and boats were passing by in them.
“We can’t get on those boats?” (Aya)
“If you pay the fare, yeah, but moving with my water magic would be faster.” (Makoto)
Now that Takatsuki-kun mentions it, he does have a spell that lets him move on water.
“Then, what about that big building?” (Aya)
I point at a stone-made building.
“Aah, that’s where the hot springs are.
There’s apparently a source for that close to Makkaren.” (Makoto)
“Ooh!
The city is beautiful, and there’s even hot springs.
It is a nice place!” (Aya)
“The hot spring inns are apparently the major business in this city.
I haven’t gone though.” (Makoto)
‘Didn’t have the luxury to’, is what Takatsuki-kun says with a wry smile.
He is aloof as always.
He looks like he always does, but…
(He doesn’t seem to be too energetic.) (Aya)
That face is…yeah.
It is like that time in middle school when Takatsuki-kun was looking forward to a famous RPG’s sequel that he had reserved a few months before, and ended up becoming a board-like game because of lack of budget…and got depressed.
Well, it seems like it was decently fun after he tried it out though.
What happened, I wonder.
Takatsuki-kun has been a friend of mine since middle school and has become a benefactor of mine.
If he is worrying about something, I want to encourage him.
“Hey, since we are already here, how about we go to the hot springs?” (Aya)
I brave on and try inviting him.
“If you want to go, I am fine too.” (Makoto)
“It says there’s also mixed baths!” (Aya)
It is embarrassing but I try to endure.
“…………….Eh?” (Makoto)
Takatsuki-kun who made the face of a shocked chihuahua was a sight to see.
?? -Takatsuki Makoto POV-
This is strange.
What’s with this situation?
“Aah, what a nice bath.”
Sa-san with a loose and relaxed expression was by my side.
A classmate was bucknaked.
No, that’s not true.
She has a bath towel wrapped around her body.
But!
She is naked below that!
…Calm down.
[Clear Mind], lend me your strength!
‘There’s also mixed baths’, is what was written, but that was apparently something called a family bath.
We could reserve a small open air bath.
Of course, it is a bit pricey, but with defeating the Minotaur and the Harpy Queen, our pockets have gotten a bit of leeway.
I wanted to listen to the request of Sa-san.
“Aah~, it really brings me back to life.” (Aya)
“Aah…yeah…” (Makoto)
Sa-san went ‘Uungh~’ as she stretched, and her bath towel was on the verge of falling off…
So I tried not to look and faced upwards instead.
“A city with hot springs is nice.” (Aya)
“Were you a hot spring lover, Sa-san?” (Makoto)
“There weren’t baths in Laberintos, so we always went to the underground lake to bath in cold water.
There was no knowing when a monster would attack us, so we couldn’t let our guards down.” (Aya)
That does sound unrelaxing.
We continued chatting for a while.
“By the way, Sa-san, you are using your Change Skill to take that form, right?” (Makoto)
“Yeah.
My skin color was bluish before, but now it is human-like, right?” (Aya)
Saying this, she shows me her upper arm.
No, you don’t need to show me in that way, you know.
I cough.
“Next time, teach me that transformation skill of yours.
I will teach you Evade and Escape.” (Makoto)
“Okay.
But, are you going to use a skill like Change?” (Aya)
What are you saying?!
Changing your appearance is the basics of assassin games and ninja games!
“Your gaming brain is going wild again, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)
“How rude.” (Makoto)
Won’t deny it though.
“What’s your level, Takatsuki-kun?” (Aya)
“21.
I lose to Sa-san by more than 10 levels.” (Makoto)
“Weren’t you the type to increase your level as much as possible?” (Aya)
I am surprised Sa-san remembers even my playstyle.
“In the beginning I did.
But my initial stats were way too low, so there’s no increasing them.
Even if I raise my level, my stats don’t rise too much.” (Makoto)
“You are sad because of that?” (Aya)
“Eh?
No, I don’t mind it anymore.
Right now it is fun to increase my Water Proficiency.
I will top up my Spirit Magic, too.” (Makoto)
“‘Top up’, that was your favorite phase in the past, wasn’t it, Takatsuki-kun?” (Aya)
She says this as if nostalgic.
Was it?
“Sa-san, increase your level.
Your base stats are high unlike me, so it has a lot of growth.
Moreover, your Action Game Player gives them 3 times the effect.” (Makoto)
“I am not good at increasing levels though.” (Aya)
Right.
That’s why Sa-san liked action games.
“Hey, Takatsuki-kun.” (Aya)
“What’s the matter, Sa-san?” (Makoto)
“If you have any worries, tell me.” (Aya)
“…Eh?” (Makoto)
“I can see that you are worrying about something.” (Aya)
“…Really?” (Makoto)
So I really can’t fool the eyes of a friend, huh.
I have to tell Sa-san the details about being the believer of an Evil God.
“Thanks.” (Makoto)
“Don’t mind it.” (Aya)
As I thought, it is easy to speak to an old friend.
?? “Alright!
Let’s celebrate the return of Makoto and Lucy to Makkaren!” (Lucas)
Lucas-san gathered the adventurers and opened a drinking party.
“Makoto!
Tell us about Laberintos!” (Jean)
The drunk Jean came to me.
“Jean was saying everyday ‘is Makoto okay?’, you know?” (Emily)
Emily says this with a grin.
“O-Oi, Emily, what are you saying?!” (Jean)
“We didn’t really have that big of an adventure.” (Makoto)
“Makoto…that would fall into the category of a lie…” (Lucy)
It was a pain to talk while drunk, but Lucy retorts.
Aah, this feeling, it really tells me that I am back in Makkaren.
I looked to check if Sa-san was having fun, and she was gulping down liquor with glee.
Sa-san is strong to alcohol.
“What did you do today with Aya?”, Lucy asks.
“Let’s see, I had Takatsuki-kun guide me through the city.
We went to the store of Fujiwara-kun.
Had lunch.
And we also went to the hot spring”, Sa-san answers.
“““““Eh?”””””
“A-Aya…U-Uhm, you entered the hot springs separately, right?” (Lucy)
“No, we went together to something called a ‘family bath’.
Isn’t that right, Takatsuki-kun?” (Aya)
“Yeah.” (Makoto)
A family bath is normal in this world, right?
There’s a whole lot in the city after all.
“M-Makoto…” (Jean)
Why is Jean looking at me with those eyes of respect?
“…Right in daytime…
The worst.” (Emily)
Why is Emily looking at me as if I am trash?
“…” Lucy is frozen in place.
Why?
“N-No way…
Even though I planned to be the first woman of Makoto-kun.” (Mary)
“Mary-san, what are you talking about?” (Makoto)
“Well, fine.
I will be the second, so let’s go together next time.” (Mary)
Mary-san wraps her arms around mine.
What is this?
Are they misunderstanding something here?
“Ooi, Makoto has become a man!
We are celebrating!” (Lucas)
Lucas-san?!
“Damn it!” “Explode!” “You two-timing bastard!” “A harem party is nice.”
Even though it has been a while since I came back to home, the adventurers were jeering at me.
Why?!
—Family baths.
The young men and women who enter there apparently do so with ‘that’ objective in mind without exception.
It is the ‘amusement quarters’ of men and women.
As if I would know such foreign world knowledge!
The Water Temple didn’t teach me that!
Chapter 60: Lucy feels affection towards Takatsuki Makoto
-Lucy POV-
“Eh?
You are dating Jean now?!” (Lucy)
It was something that happened while I was having lunch together with Emily.
“Yeah.
Or more like, you were the one who told me to confess already.” (Emily)
“D-Did I?” (Lucy)
The friend I hadn’t seen in a while now has a man.
Well, they were practically dating since the moment I met them though.
“But what about you, Lucy?” (Emily)
“Uuuh…” (Lucy)
Of course she would ask.
“Uhm, the new girl that joined the party, that Aya girl…yesterday, she and Makoto-kun…” (Emily)
“M-Makoto said nothing happened there!” (Lucy)
“But they did enter the hot spring together.” (Emily)
“Ugh…” (Lucy)
Yesterday I thought they would want to have alone time to talk, so I gave them some space, but…
I didn’t think they would have so much progress in just half a day!
“It seems like they have known each other since way back in their world.
Aren’t you in trouble, Lucy?” (Emily)
“Wuuuh…” (Lucy)
It has been a party of Makoto and I only until now.
From now on, it will be a party of three.
“Makoto-kun and Aya-chan might become an item, you know.” (Emily)
“…” I imagine what might happen the next time we go out to an adventure.
Makoto and Aya get excited as they talk about their previous world.
When the adventure is over, they will say: ‘We are going to go to the hot spring together for a bit’, ‘wait in the guild, Lucy-san’, and then I will go: ‘Eh?
Wait…’
I would then wait with my head down at the guild’s stalls.
And then, the two of them will appear with arms linked…
“N-Noooo!”, I screamed.
“Then, confess already.” (Emily)
Emily says straight.
Damn it, just because you have a boyfriend already, you are acting as if you are above me.
“Emily-san…how should I confess?” (Lucy)
“Uhm, in my case…” (Emily)
I consulted with Emily about the way to confess.
?? -Takatsuki Makoto POV-
“Eh?
You want to go goblin hunting, Lucy?” (Makoto)
It was pretty rare of her.
We have some leeway because of our earnings in Laberintos, so there’s no need to go get such small change.
“Y-Yeah.
Y-You know, isn’t it important to go back to your roots?” (Lucy)
That’s a nice saying.
“Alright then, let’s go too, Sa-san.” (Makoto)
It has been a while since I have gone goblin hunting.
It is just the right thing for our first campaign as a party of three!
It is safe too.
“Goblins, huh.
I would rather not.
I am being taught martial arts by Nina-san recently.
I will be showing up there”, is what Sa-san said.
“….Eeeh?” (Makoto)
“Don’t make that face.
I have already seen goblins a plenty lot in Laberintos.” (Aya)
Even though it is our first campaign as a party of three, she went ‘I would rather not’.
Alright, I will go alone with Lucy then~.
Lucy pumps her fist lightly.
Hm?
?? I use water magic to advance upstream through the river that flows in the Great Forest.
Lucy was clinging to me.
It has been a while since we have done this.
“Hey, can I ask one thing?”, Lucy asks.
“What’s the matter?” (Makoto)
“The Moving Water Walk, you can use it even if you don’t touch each other’s body, right?” (Lucy)
“Of course, I can use it even if we are apart.
It is just that we can economize the mana used if our bodies are touching each other.” (Makoto)
The amount of mana I have is low, so the economization habit has stuck into me pretty deeply.
…I do think I have a bit of a poor man’s mentality.
“It is not that you want me to hug you that you are telling me all the time to cling onto you, right?” (Lucy)
“No.
Or more like, you can just put your hand on my shoulder.
There’s no need to hug me so tightly.” (Makoto)
Lucy’s chest is pressing against me and even now I still get nervous.
“I don’t wanna.
When you use your water magic to move, I feel like I will get shaken off at a curve or something.” (Lucy)
“Aah, that’s true.” (Makoto)
It feels good to accelerate to the peak when turning.
While we were having that casual talk, we arrived at our objective location.
The mist was thick and it was dark.
Even though it is morning, the air is cold.
We are close to the Demonic Forest.
There’s a whole lot of monster alerts from Detection.
Aah, how nostalgic.
“Fuuh!
I have returned.” (Makoto)
“…I may have been the one who invited you, but Makoto, you really do love hunting goblins.” (Lucy)
I even got an embarrassing nickname after all.
It is the quest that I have the most confidence in since coming to this world.
The two of us hunted goblins for a while.
“Lucy, your control with magic has gotten better.” (Makoto)
Lucy’s face brightens up in an instant.
“Right?!
It is thanks to the magic bracelet that the Great Sage-sama gave me.
When I have this on, my magic proficiency gets amplified.” (Lucy)
“Ooh, can I borrow it later?” (Makoto)
“It doesn’t have any effect when over 50 in proficiency, is what was written in the instructions.” (Lucy)
There was an instruction manual?!
Great Sage-sama even gives thorough service.
It doesn’t seem like it would do much for me then.
I am over 100 now in proficiency.
“Hey, you have any plans later?” (Lucy)
Lucy changes the subject.
“Hmm, I was thinking about continuing hunting.
Do you have something in mind?” (Makoto)
“There’s a place I would like to go to.” (Lucy)
“Alright, I will accompany you.” (Makoto)
The precision of Lucy’s magic has increased, and there’s no dangers for now.
As long as we don’t go deep into the Demonic Forest, it should be okay.
I use water magic and we once again move.
“Where to?” (Makoto)
“Uhm, turn right around there, I think.” (Lucy)
“…That’s the Forest of the Lost, you know?” (Makoto)
It doesn’t have monsters as dangerous as the ones in the Demonic Forest, but the whole forest there is a dungeon.
Unless you have the Map skill, it is said that you would get lost and can’t get out.
Recommended rank is above Iron.
We do pass that bar, but I wasn’t planning on going to a dungeon today.
“It is okay.
The Forest of the Lost is the playing ground of the elf children.
I have gone a whole lot in the past, so I know the safe routes.” (Lucy)
If Lucy says so, it should be fine.
“I leave the navigation to you.” (Makoto)
“Got it~.” (Lucy)
We proceed deeper into the dungeon forest.
“Lucy, we are lost, aren’t we?” (Makoto)
“W-We are not!
It has been a while since I have been here so, uhm…it should be around here.” (Lucy)
“…I will make sure we can return by using my Mapping Skill.” (Makoto)
Will it be okay?
While having slight doubts, we go deeper.
?? “Hoh, it is here, huh.” (Makoto)
We were at a blooming flower bed that covered my whole sight.
It is an isekai flower bed with a whole lot of flowers that I have never seen in Japan.
“It is beautiful, isn’t it?
It is the secret place of the elves.” (Lucy)
It was natural for Lucy to be bragging about it, that’s how beautiful it is.
I look around and advance while making sure I don’t step on any flowers.
A sweet scent tickles my nostrils.
“Hey, sit here.” (Lucy)
Within the flower bed, there was a rock with a size good enough for two people to sit on.
I sat by the side of Lucy.
“……” “……” What is it?
The silence continues.
Now that I think about it, did Lucy have some business?
“H-Hey, how has it been lately?” (Lucy)
“Even if you ask me how it has been…” (Makoto)
We meet every day.
“Is the Goddess doing well?” (Lucy)
“…Yeah, she is.” (Makoto)
She throws me a weirdly positioned topic.
Could it be that she has noticed that I have been worrying about Noah-sama lately?
“Did something happen?” (Lucy)
“…No, it is okay.” (Makoto)
“If you are troubled by something, tell me.
We are comrades, right?” (Lucy)
The big eyes of Lucy were looking at my face.
Lucy is my first companion since coming to this world.
I don’t really want to hide too much from her.
But the matter about being the Apostle of an Evil God is still a mess inside my head.
I would like her to wait for a bit more.
Now that I think about it, I have known Lucy for a good amount of time now.
When I was in the Water Temple, I would go ‘I am going to push through solo!’.
And I actually did go solo for a few months in Makkaren.
(But the Griffon subjugation and the Laberintos exploration would have been unthinkable without Lucy.) (Makoto)
If I was told to go solo as an adventurer, would I be able to?
I have become stronger than 1 year ago.
But I don’t want to be an adventurer alone anymore…
Lucy was fiddling with her legs while sitting on the rock.
Her eyebrows were knitted.
Her side-profile is as beautiful as always.
I should thank Lucy.
About everything she has done for me, and that I look forward to continuing working with her.
“Hey, Lucy.” “Hey, Makoto.”
We both speak at the same time.
““……”” We fall silent while looking at each other.
I am just gonna thank her, but now that I think again, it is a bit embarrassing.
Lucy skids closer to me.
A distance where her breath could touch me.
I could feel the high temperature of Lucy.
“U-Uhm…Makoto…” (Lucy)
“…Yeah, what is it, Lucy?” (Makoto)
What’s going on?
What’s this atmosphere?
It is as if she is about to confess to me…
No no no, don’t misunderstand, me.
Didn’t Jean tell me that I shouldn’t cause love troubles within the party?
“Uhm…I…”, Lucy wanted to say something, but…
“…Wait, Lucy.
We are being watched.” (Makoto)
“Eh?!” (Lucy)
I was late to notice!
We are surrounded.
I get down from the rock and take a stance with my dagger.
This is bad.
There’s no water around.
Lucy is grabbing my sleeve.
(I have to let Lucy escape…) (Makoto)
“…They are not attacking?” (Makoto)
“…Could it be…” (Lucy)
Lucy makes a troubled expression.
“Oh my, we were caught.” “Lucy-neechan, is that your boyfriend?” “As I thought, it really is the daughter of Rozari-san.
You have brought a man from a nice race.” “Hey hey!
Introduce us to your boyfriend, Lucy!”
People were coming out in droves?!
Moreover, they are all elves!
“Eh?!
No way.
Why is everyone…” (Lucy)
Lucy was flustered.
“Acquaintances?” (Makoto)
“N-Neighbors in my hometown…” (Lucy)
“We were planning on having a picnic with everyone today~.”
“When we were about to, Lucy-neechan came with a man.”
“So we all hid.”
Uwaah, I didn’t notice at all.
As expected of elves that live in the forest.
Does everyone have the Stealth Skill?
“S-S-Since when were you watching?!” (Lucy)
“““““From the very beginning.””””””
“NOOOOO!!” (Lucy)
Ah, Lucy ran away.
The elf children ran after her.
I was attacked by questions from the neighbors of Lucy.
The elf acquaintances of Lucy were all friendly.
They weren’t the isolated and unfriendly type that I imagined they would be.
Also, the old lady elf gave me a mountain-like amount of fruits, and it was really hard to bring them back.
