Despite the rather stinging expenses incurred during the daytime incident, I’ll consider them necessary costs.
However, no matter how capable Keiri-san is, results won’t appear in just a few hours.
While I won’t go as far as saying all good things come to those who wait, time must pass.
Therefore, today, while not exactly peaceful, I can spend the rest of the day at ease, even if a slight unease about the future lingers.
“My home, after so long, is exceptionally wonderful!”
“Heh, welcome back. You must be tired.”
“And my daughter, as always, is so cute.”
After work, I’ll relax.
My wife, Suella, who expresses mild exasperation with affectionate “Oh my”s but never without a smile, and I play with our child in response to my words.
I dote on my child, as if to release all the stress I’ve been feeling.
I wouldn’t say my face crumbles with joy like, “It’s Daddy~,” but I’m aware my cheeks are considerably relaxed.
And when our daughter happily voices her delight, it only amplifies the looseness of my cheeks.
I now understand why fathers become so doting towards their daughters.
Leisurely time.
A relaxing space.
And my lovely wife and daughter.
In the past, coming home after work was merely an act of devouring sleep and rest. Yet, compared to that, the level of healing I feel now is so profound it makes me want to exclaim, “What’s with this difference in solace?”
Himik is cooking in the kitchen, Memoria is leisurely reading on the sofa,
and across from her, I hold Yukiera, while Suella beside me holds Sachiera.
To others, it might seem extraordinary, but for me now, it’s a moment that truly makes me feel I’ve returned to my everyday life.
The dispirited feelings from the negotiation with those scheming foxes are quickly soothed by the innocent faces of Yukiera and Sachiera.
Ah, I truly feel the wonder of family.
“It seems your business trip this time was also quite eventful,” Suella said.
Even as my daughters, who don’t stop smiling even when held by their father, grasp my small hands with their tiny fingers, I won’t ignore Suella’s words from beside me.
“Thinking of it as ‘just the usual’ is probably still a lingering habit from being a corporate slave.”
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve heard the word “eventful.”
Actually, when the word “eventful” comes up, I believe it’s an emotional limiter that kicks in when one undertakes actions beyond their own capabilities.
In my own terms, based on what I told Suella, it means I’m constantly overworking myself physically, mentally, and technically.
“But when I think about what I do compared to the work Evia handles with her status, I still have more to do, so I need to keep going.”
Yet, if I consider quitting because things are tough, a person’s will can easily falter.
That’s probably why people tell themselves they can still manage and push forward.
However, there is a reason needed to keep going.
For the future of my children, whom I hold in my arms, I must work hard as the pillar of our family. While thinking this, I draw energy from my daughter’s smile, feeling I can still persevere.
“Please don’t overexert yourself. Your efforts are always life-threatening, Jiro-san.”
“Even considering the nature of your business, Jiro-san has been particularly like that lately.”
“I can’t deny that…”
Honestly, my job should only consist of dungeon testing and managing testers.
However, at some point, I ended up taking on all sorts of tasks.
Outside of my designated duties, I’ve even participated in wars. Other times, I’ve been fending off heroes during defenses, and each time I do, my body falls apart.
I want to respond with a little more leeway, but that wish rarely comes true.
And, I wonder how Suella and the others will react when I say there’s a possibility of contact with an organization perhaps representing the greatest darkness of this otherworld – related to gods.
No, no, bringing work thoughts into private time is a bad sign.
Right now, I must cherish my time with my family.
“All I can say is that I’ll be careful, which is a sad thing to say.”
“That’s also something you say every time.”
Thinking such thoughts, I wear an apologetic expression, which makes Suella chuckle.
And seeing her mother laugh, Sachiera also starts giggling and cooing.
While thinking what a wonderful thing it is for a parent and child to interact, I recall what kind of interactions I had with my own parents.
“Let’s go to the park, son!”
Yeah, an incredibly nostalgic memory resurfaces.
It was my mother, who back then had more spirit than me, her young son, as if accompanied by a “Baban!” sound effect.
Back then, before smartphones or games, the image of my mother holding a child’s shovel and bucket in her large hand was memorable to me as a child.
Compared to that, I wonder if Suella is on the milder side? But, in terms of combat effectiveness, she’s incomparable to Japan. Still, when compared to my mother’s proactiveness, she’s still within the cute category.
“Dinner is ready!”
As I was thinking that, a delicious smell wafted from the kitchen, and Himik’s energetic voice was heard.
Knowing it was already that time, I gently handed Yukiera over to Suella and moved the baby crib next to Suella’s seat, by the table where the dishes were laid out.
This measure allows the child to feel the presence of their mother nearby. It’s also a formation that allows for quick responses if the child starts crying.
It was then, while I was making such preparations, that I heard the sound of the entrance door opening.
And everyone present here sensed who had returned from the magical energy emanating from the entrance area.
“I’m back.”
“Indeed, it’s excellent timing.”
Today’s menu is Chinese, as one can tell. Carrying plates filled with dishes like gyoza and mapo tofu in both hands, she placed them on the dining table.
It’s a scene that makes one think Himik’s culinary repertoire has grown.
Himik, holding the plates laden with food, greeted Evia, who showed a slightly tired expression.
I had assumed it would take time for Evia, who comes from a noble background, to get used to general household dining customs, but she adapted quickly, saying it was fine not to worry about manners.
“It’s Chinese tonight.”
As proof, she naturally sat down in her usual seat. Then, with the natural flow of things, I put my hands together and said, “Itadakimasu,” and after a slight delay, they too offered a prayer at the table, and the meal quietly began.
Surprisingly, Memoria is the one among us who likes spicy food. Despite her small frame, she has an unbelievable fondness for spicy food, and she enjoys reading magazines featuring famous super-spicy ramen reviews. I heard that the thing she was most happy about upon coming to Japan was the variety and affordability of seasonings. Even now, she’s adding a quantity of shichimi pepper to her mapo tofu that goes beyond a simple ‘a little extra.’
“Hmm, isn’t this a bit too spicy?”
And, surprisingly, Evia is the one who dislikes spicy food. She’s more of a sweet tooth. She’s also knowledgeable about Japanese sweets and desserts.
“Is it? Hmm, if I reduce the spiciness any further, it will be difficult to balance the flavors.”
“It’s just right for me.”
“Me too.”
So, when we have meals together like this, Himik is sometimes perplexed by the balance of tastes, but it’s a scene we often witness. At those times, I and Suella, who prides ourselves on standard flavor balancing, usually chide them. And as the meal progresses, the conversation gradually increases.
“Ah, before I forget, I need to tell you that I might not be home for a while.”
“Is it for work?”
“Yes, I’ve been assigned to the Temple. The duration is undecided. It shouldn’t take more than a month at most, but just in case.”
“The Temple?”
It’s common to relay messages at those times.
“Only Evia?”
“No, Pascal will be going with her as her bodyguard.”
“The Dragon King, you say?”
Whether to confirm at that time depends on the content, but when I inquired because she’s heading somewhere rather shady, a potentially problematic combination emerged. Suella, eating beside me, also widened her eyes in surprise and asked Evia again.
“Yes, that’s right. Pascal the Dragon King and I are heading there.”
“That’s certainly a formidable combination.”
When it comes to negotiations, sending Evia, who is versatile, is likely a matter concerning Mimamori-sama, the god I met in Japan. But what reason is there to pair her with Dragon King Pascal, who is specialized in combat and seemingly inflexible? It’s described as a bodyguard role, but the choice of personnel seems clearly mistaken! I couldn’t say it directly, so I tried to phrase it ambiguously, but Evia, perhaps finding it a bit difficult, slightly grimaced and put down her spoon after finishing her mapo tofu.
“He’s from the Temple. There’s no one more suitable than him in the Demon Lord’s Army to act as a guide.”
“Huh?”
“What, you didn’t know? Among the generals, he’s the most devout.”
“…Seriously?”
She says that, seemingly sensing my expression, but as someone who has fought him many times, I have to say it’s unbelievable, and my thoughts freeze.
In my mind, there are two types of clergy, especially priests. One type is truly devout and acts as support for the protagonist. This type is often disliked by the central authority and sent to the provinces. The other type is the opposite: utterly lacking in devotion, driven by power and doing as they please. In other words, a corrupt priest. So, if asked which category the Dragon King, whom Evia called devout, falls into.
“It’s understandable to be confused. He’s changed quite a bit.”
“Huh? Was he gentler in the past?”
“When I met him, the first thing he said was, ‘Fighting is not good.'”
“….?”
“I know who you’re talking about, but at least speak with words.”
It was impossible to say which it was, so much so that I couldn’t imagine it. I casually asked Suella and Memoria if they knew, and both shook their heads as if it were obvious. Then, with a “?”, I sent another question mark, as the image didn’t align with someone I had met, and Evia gave me a wry smile.
“His adoptive parent is, perhaps surprisingly, the god Luina. He owes her a debt of gratitude from when he was an egg, so to speak.”
“Then why is the Dragon King now a General?”
“It happened a few years after the Demon Lord began his rule; there was a small incident.”
“For ordinary people, that ‘small incident’ must have been anything but small, right?”
“You guessed it.”
“How could I not know?”
Evia’s definition of “small” is definitely not what an ordinary person would consider small. It’s the kind of incident that could easily escalate into a large-scale battle. In fact, it probably did happen. And somehow, things led to him ending up in his current position.
“…? Since he’s from the Temple, he came out of the Temple, yes?”
Then, it suddenly occurs to me. What Keiri-san told me during the day contradicts this story.
“Ah, that’s right.”
“Is that story quite well-known?”
“No, only a select few know. He doesn’t often talk about his origins.”
“I see.”
However, I can quickly surmise the reason for that as well. It’s simply that I didn’t know.
“So, what about the meaning of that rumor?”
“Rumor?”
“Yes.”
If that’s the case, the sooner I confirm it, the better. I tell Evia what Keiri-san told me during the day.
“Ah, you’re talking about that.”
“You’re talking about that? I was on pins and needles, worrying my own daughter might be targeted!”
Indeed, Yukiera and Sachiera were targeted by a god named Isaliza. So, I was worried that perhaps God Luina would be similar.
“While there are some embellishments, it’s true that children are being protected by the Temple. The difference is the part about them being sacrifices. Think about it – to maintain a whole continent, do you really think the magical power possessed by just one child could achieve it?”
“No, I thought it would be through some kind of magic.”
“Foolishness, magic isn’t that omnipotent. To wield magic on the scale you’re suggesting would require ten thousand times that amount. Even the Demon Lord wouldn’t overlook such a large-scale event.”
Evia says that with a look of exasperation, as if to ask what I’m talking about, and I apologize for being presumptuous. Then the question arises: why are the children being protected?
“So, does that mean the rumor about charitable activities is true?”
“No…”
If that’s the case, I could feel relatively at ease, thinking of her as a benevolent deity. However, Evia dodges my gaze as if hesitant.
“Luina-sama… has a fondness for infants.”
“That’s even worse!”
And with that, I obtain rather unfortunate information about a god.
Today’s Word: I didn’t want to know, but I needed to.
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*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume was released on December 19. The third volume was released on February 20, 2019. The content includes revisions and additions to the content posted on Shōsetsuka ni Narō, with the inclusion of unpublished interlude chapters. Please also check out the new releases!! We would appreciate your continued support for this work.
