Kokoro, acting on instructions from Kousuke (with Silvia behind him), immediately headed to Sarasa’s location.
While Kokoro knew Sarasa worked at the Crown, she didn’t know where she lived. This was the perfect chance to talk to her while she could be caught. Kokoro had confirmed Sarasa was still present while talking to Kousuke.
Meanwhile, Sarasa, looking troubled as Kokoro approached, tilted her head inwardly. Though not outwardly visible, Sarasa had spent a long time as a receptionist in the Adventurer Division, making her skilled at reading people’s expressions. This skill was likely why she had attained her current position despite being a slave. Kokoro’s troubled expression was immediately apparent, leading Sarasa to guess that something had happened between their previous, ordinary interactions and now. Of course, Sarasa, lacking any special abilities, couldn’t know what Kokoro was worried about.
Kokoro had considered what to say as she headed to Sarasa, but realized she would need more time. Deciding against discussing it on the spot, she chose to talk elsewhere.
“Um, excuse me, would you have some time later today? I’d like to discuss something with you.”
“What kind of discussion would that be?” Sarasa couldn’t reply without knowing the content. Even though Kokoro was a shrine maiden who worshipped the Avatar, Sarasa couldn’t unconditionally trust her. Their relationship was merely that of acquaintances who had seen each other a few times at the temple.
Of course, Kokoro understood this and had no intention of simply dismissing her. She offered a hint of what she wanted to discuss.
“Actually, I have a proposal or rather, a consultation regarding the Avatar.”
“The Avatar…? So, it’s about Kousuke-sama…” While the latter part was a soft murmur that Kokoro didn’t hear, the first part was clear. Kokoro nodded and continued, “Since this is at the temple, discussing matters of gods isn’t an issue, but the content is rather…” Kokoro explained, making an excuse that the current location, where many people could come and go, was not suitable for their conversation, and proposed talking elsewhere.
After considering Kokoro’s proposal, Sarasa tilted her head slightly before finally nodding.
“…Understood. I have time. Where should I go? Should we go now?”
“Ah, no. I think my room in the castle would be best. However, I need to inform them, so how about an hour from now?”
Sarasa, who often went to the castle as a Crown staff member, readily agreed. She knew that while outsiders faced complex procedures to enter, it was quick if arranged by someone inside.
“Understood. So I should come in an hour?”
“Yes. That will be fine.” Kokoro wasn’t new to inviting guests to the castle and knew the general process. While meetings with others could take time, arranging one for herself wouldn’t take long.
With Sarasa’s agreement, Kokoro returned to the castle to make preparations. Her steps were noticeably lighter than when she had approached Sarasa. Seeing this, Sarasa wondered what kind of discussion related to the Avatar awaited her as she tidied up the purification tools.
***
Ririka, who was organizing documents in her office at the castle, blinked slightly as Kokoro returned in a flustered state, having supposedly been training at the temple.
“What’s wrong? Isn’t it training time?”
“Yes, but something else has come up! Ririka-san, please help me!”
“Yes?” Ririka tilted her head, confused by Kokoro’s sudden words. Kokoro, understanding this, began to explain the situation from the beginning.
After hearing Kokoro’s story, Ririka nodded in understanding.
“…I see. So you’re consulting me about this.”
“Yes. Ririka-san, you’ve experienced this, so you understand, right?” Kokoro looked at Ririka with expectant eyes, and Ririka chuckled wryly and nodded.
“Well, I suppose I am experienced. Dealing with being told I have the right to receive a blessing suddenly…” Ririka narrowed her eyes, reminiscing about the past, and then smiled faintly. Shaking her head, she tucked away those memories and looked seriously at Kokoro.
“However, my situation then and Sarasa’s situation now are quite different. While some things can serve as a reference, they won’t all be the same.”
“Of course.” Kokoro understood this and nodded firmly.
Ririka, being a shrine maiden, had the capacity and honor to accept blessings. Sarasa, however, was an ordinary person, even if she was a slave. How she would react to being told she had the right to receive a blessing from a god was unknown even to Ririka.
“Sarasa has her normal life. How she feels about the blessing will be up to her.”
“I see. If that’s how you feel, Kokoro, then I think that’s fine.”
“Yes. Father said not to force it.” Ririka chuckled at Kokoro’s words.
“Those are words befitting the Avatar.”
“He’s my father.” At Kokoro’s brief reply, Ririka burst into laughter.
Sarasa arrived at the castle at the appointed time and wore a surprised expression after hearing Kokoro’s explanation. She hadn’t been this surprised in a long time.
“I, I get Kousuke-sama’s blessing!?”
She accidentally called him by name instead of Avatar, but neither Kokoro nor Ririka corrected her. Kousuke wasn’t the type to get angry over such things, and they both knew Sarasa had worked as Kousuke’s slave for a long time. Incidentally, Kokoro hadn’t known this until Ririka mentioned it earlier, but Ririka had heard from Silvia that Kousuke had slaves directly employed by him. Furthermore, she remembered discussing this while cleaning the temple.
Neither Kokoro nor Ririka said anything further to Sarasa, who was frozen in surprise. Ririka’s past experience suggested it was better to wait for her to calm down rather than to say anything. Whether her guess was correct, or if Sarasa had calmed down after about a minute, Sarasa looked directly at Kokoro.
“May I hear more details?”
“Of course. Although, I don’t have much I can say…” With that preamble, Kokoro slowly reiterated that Sarasa was eligible to receive Kousuke’s blessing and that Kousuke wished for Sarasa herself to decide whether to grant it.
Ultimately, Sarasa stated that she couldn’t give an immediate answer and would reply at a later date. Kokoro, not in a rush, agreed. Then, one week later, Sarasa agreed to receive Kousuke’s blessing. Sarasa has become someone who possesses Kousuke’s blessing. However, Sarasa, being an ordinary person(?), has no intention of making it public. Kousuke has no intention of restricting her, taking the stance that she can do as she pleases.
