[Thank you for waiting, Hijiri-san ♪]
Pulling out the back of her tall chair, the Goddess sat down.
I, Takao Hijiri, was sitting in the chair across her low table.
The room I’m currently in looks similar to a reception room.
This is just one of the many rooms in the castle the Goddess can use privately.
The Goddess was apparently extremely busy these days.
It took her a long time to prepare this meeting with me.
In fact, it seems that the Goddess has been busy ever since the Great Demon Emperor’s army started moving.
In addition, there was also the declaration of war by the Mira Empire.
It seems that Mira’s “rebellion” was like a bolt out of the blue for the people of Alion.
[How unusual it is that you want to have this kind of meeting with me, isn’t it, Hijiri-san? Ara? Your little sister isn’t with you today? You’re quite close, aren’t you?]
[It’s just me today.]
[I see. So, what is it that you seek me for?]
[There are a few things I would like to ascertain of.]
I said with an extremely humble tone.
In a way, it’s just like the tone secretaries use to their bosses.
[First of all, I would like to ask you about your future plans for us Heroes.]
[If we’re going to talk about that, wouldn’t it be better if we have the other S-Rank Heroes here too? For example, a certain diligent and energetic Class President-san?]
[You know what we’re talking about, don’t you?]
[Ufu♪]
As her smile deepens, the Goddess claps her hands.
[Hijiri-san really is the Hero I expected you to be.]
[You now have 2-C under your control to some extent———– That’s how you see the situation now, right?]
[Fufufu, have I seen it incorrectly?]
[I’m not saying otherwise though.]
[I knew it. Ah, one moment please.]
The Goddess went over to the display shelf and brought out two silver cups.
Holding the two cups in one hand, she took out what seemed to be a bottle.
The Goddess then placed a cup on the table in front of us, before pouring the contents of the bottle into the cup.
[Tonoa Water.]
[Thank you.]
Thanking her for the drink, but I just let it sit on the table, not touching it at all.
Looking as if she’s chuckling to herself, the Goddess drank the contents of her cup.
[Back then…… You once snapped towards me, didn’t you? I think Hijiri-san grumbled—— Ah, I’m sorry——– adviced how “It’s not fair that only Sogou-san doesn’t have a teacher” or something like that, right?]
[Yes, I did. At that time, I am grateful for considering the matter of assigning a teacher to Sogou-san.]
[No, no~~ ? If you want to thank someone, please tell that to Dragonslayer-san who suddenly came forward to be their teacher at that time. Ah, but now…… I guess his character of pushing himself too hard caused his body to be in tatters. It’s as if it’s some kind of bad joke.]
[Why are you talking about that time now?]
[Ufufu, I’ve heard about it, you know? Hearing about that, everything became clear to me. Hijiri-san…… had romantic feelings for Sogou-san, right? If that’s the case, then it makes sense why you suddenly expressed your opinion at that moment.]
Adjusting my posture, I bowed my head.
[I’m sorry about that time. I thought I could attract her attention by defending her there, so I just did what I did on the spur of the moment.]
[……Well, it can’t be helped. At first, I was really distressed, thinking “How could Hijiri-san behave so badly, not knowing her own position?”. However…… If you are acting out of love, I can somewhat understand. If it’s something simply stupid———– ly beautiful of a reason, I couldn’t help but forgive you, don’t you think?]
[Thank you for your generosity.]
[………………No, I may have unintentionally been a bit offensive at times. Let’s just work things out between us, shall we, Hijiri-san? Are you not going to drink it? Is there something wrong? Or should I put it away?]
With a smile on her face, the Goddess pointed at the cup in front of me.
The cup that I still haven’t touched.
[I’ll drink it when I’m thirsty.]
[I see. Ah, speaking of which……]
The Goddess stood up.
Looking at the direction she’s going to, it seems like she’s heading for the door in this room that leads to what seems to be an inner room.
Leaving the door open, she left my sight from within that room.
She comes back soon after though, carrying something on her shoulder.
A large bag of thick cloth.
It…… doesn’t seem to be a sleeping bag though.
The opening of the bag was tightly tied with a strap, so it seemed like there’s something within that bag.
[Excuse me, Hijiri-san, could you move your cup off the table for a moment?]
Seeing no problem with it, I did as I was told.
[Thank you♪]
Still carrying that sleeping bag on her shoulder——– The Goddess brings her hand near the strap.
———-Swoooshhh———
With blinding speed, the Goddess slashes the strap with her hand.
The know was then ripped apart and untied.
Sliippp…… Fwump.
Something fell on the tabletop.
Crashing down on the table, a small amount of black charred residue flew into the air.
It was a charred corpse.
It was in quite a terrible state.
I could even barely tell that it had originally been a humanoid.
It was hard to tell whether it’s a man or a woman though.
Obviously, there was no way for me to tell who this person could have been.
Even with all these thoughts popping in my mind though, there isn’t any change in my expression.
The Goddess had also maintained her smile.
[Goddess-sama, what is this?]
[Are you curious?]
[Yes.]
[It’s Nyantan.]
[…………………..]
[You haven’t seen her around lately, right? This is what happened to her.]
[…………………..]
[It’s a shame, isn’t it…… How pitiful.]
[Why has she become like this?]
[She’s been communicating with someone and making some unacceptable actions. Hmmm…… She may have been surprisingly in contact with the Mira Empire. Ahh, how sad.]
[Is that so?]
[She was so caring, so beautiful…… A strong, excellent child. Sniff…… The world really is cruel, isn’t it? Death would suddenly come unexpected.]
[I guess that’s really just how the world is.]
[…………………..]
[What is it?]
[……You’re a strange person, Hijiri-san.]
[Is that so?]
[Sniff…… I mean, wouldn’t you normally be more surprised if a charred corpse was suddenly brought in front of you? Especially since it’s the corpse of Nyantan, someone you should have known to some extent, right?]
[What do you mean “normally”?]
[Hmm? What are you suddenly saying?]
[According to how Goddess-sama described it, one would “normally” react with surprise when they see this corpse. However, there are some people who are surprised inside, but do not show their surprise on their faces. However, such a thing isn’t “normal” for you. In other words, I’m an “abnormal” person to you…… However, this is just something we call as “diversity”. People are creatures that are diverse from one another. That is “normal”.]
[Ah, that pattern where a person seems to be saying something great even though what they’re actually saying doesn’t really have any meaning…… I wonder if it’s the same whichever world it is, that the dumber they are, the more likely they are to use pointless and troublesome phrases.]
[That might be possible.]
[Hijiri-san.]
[Yes.]
[You pass.]
The Goddess pushes the corpse off the table.
The corpse then tumbles on the floor.
[………………..]
Brushing the soot off the tabletop, the Goddess said with a smile.
[To tell you the truth, that charred corpse———- isn’t actually Nyantan. It was the corpse of the daughter of a corrupt noble whose execution had already been decided. Fufu, are you surprised?]
[I’m human too. I would be relieved knowing that an acquaintance of mine was still alive.]
With a smile still on her face, the Goddess’ eyebrows lowered, as if to show she’s sorry.
[My apologies. I actually wanted to test you. Ahh, but it’s true that I’m concerned with Nyantan’s recent actions though? Ahh, incidentally, the reason you haven’t seen her lately is because she has been dispatched to where the White Wolf Knights are in the north.]
[Is there anything about me that makes you suspicious?]
[No, no…… It’s just that if there are people who are using my beloved Nyantan to do something devious…… I had thought of using this method to find them out. It seems that Hijiri-san isn’t like that.]
[In that case, has she been acting suspiciously lately?]
[Hmmm…… No, I don’t feel like she’s betraying me though. How should I say this…… I feel like she’s being cajoled by someone, being used by this person. So, it really isn’t something I can get rid of Nyantan for that.]
[If someone who uses her sees “Nyantan’s corpse”, they will obviously have an unusual reaction. That’s what you were thinking, right?]
[Correct. And then, after seeing Hijiri-san’s reaction, I’m convinced you’re not someone like that. You passed. The same also goes for the Tonoa Water I just served you. I like the fact that you were cautious enough not to take a sip. I judge that Hijiri-san is someone with whom I can build a cooperative relationship with. I would like to appoint you…… Hijiri Takao——–]
The Goddess’ expression did not change.
However, the smile on her face——— turned dark.
[——–as one of my, Vysis’ Apostles.]
▽
[Please let me think about it for a while.]
[Eh? Ara? You’re rejecting me? That’s making me…… very sad.]
[You’re not really expecting that my, Hijiri Takao’s eyes would brighten and immediately agree, are you?]
[…………………….Ufufu.]
A sharp light lit up in the Goddess’ eyes.
[Hijiri-san…… might be a little far more capable than I had expected. It seems that I really wasn’t mistaken in my expectations for you. Anyway…… you can at least cooperate with me, right?]
[So, you want me to control 2-C the way you want?]
[My, oh my, how lovely♪ Hijiri-san, I see you can immediately understand what I’m saying ♪]
With her hands clasped together, the Goddess tilted her head with a grin on her lips.
[What do you think? I think it’s possible if Hijiri-san is on my side.]
[I suppose it isn’t impossible.]
[Thank you for giving me the answer I’m hoping for ♪]
[It goes without saying that you shouldn’t tell this to my little sister Itsuki and Sogou-san, right?]
[I heard you’ve been quite close with each other lately that I’m even thinking you’re that~~, you know? That~~♪ You also seemed to be visiting her room frequently. No, no, isn’t it alright? Even if it’s between two people of the same gender, I won’t interfere in your relationship. Go on, feel free to do as you wish♪ I hope your relationship lasts.]
[There are some negative connotations in the way you say that though.]
[I’m sorry, I’m a bit of an airhead. Ummm…… Please don’t talk to me that way, okay? That scares me. Please.]
[Anyway, with our relationship, she should be listening to what I tell her.]
[That’s wonderful.]
[And then…… The light-colored Heroes should be obeying what Sogou-san is saying.]
[Ummm, what about him…… Kirihara-san, I mean. With all due respect, I think he’s even crazier than I thought. To tell you the truth, he’s kind of scaring me lately……]
[From what I saw, there is some kind of regularity to his thoughts and desires. Depending on the way you handle him, it may even be impossible to control him.]
[……What are the odds that he would be brought under my control?]
[Less than 90%.]
[Are you sure?]
[He doesn’t take his surroundings as seriously as you do.]
[Ara ara~~ My, oh my♪]
[Which should mean———- that he isn’t as careful about this as one thinks. People like him are easy to manipulate.]
[And now, Oyamada-san who disturbs the harmony was also finished.]
According to Goddess, she’s describing Oyama Shougo’s current state as “being finished”.
Contemplating a bit, I lowered my gaze.
A few moments later, I looked back to the Goddess again.
[Was the reason you secretly kept Yasu Tomohiro away because he was disruptive to the harmony?]
[Hmmm? What are you suddenly talking about? Are you alright?]
The atmosphere came to a standstill.
Feeling the change in the atmosphere, I slowly lowered my eyes.]
[I’m sorry. It was something unnecessary to talk about. Please forget about it.]
[Ufu, ufufu, fufuu…… This- is- it-♪ That’s what I was talking about♪ That respect and self-reflection is what you have and what the other Heroes lack. Especially her, you know…… I couldn’t feel any hint of respect or self-reflection from Sogou-san. Ummm…… I’m sorry if I sound like I’m badmouthing your girlfriend, okay? That’s not what I meant by my words.]
[……There’s no problem.]
[Even at that time when Sogou-san…… Errr, what’s his name again…… You know, that one with the worst rank…… Even though I wasted no time throwing away someone so pitifully useless——— Well, putting aside that Hero that died long ago…… Sogou-san defied me in disposing that thing for some reason, you know? She still doesn’t seem to think that such an act of treason was wrong…… I still didn’t hear her say anything about reflecting in her actions. I’ve been bothered about that…… I guess this is how her parents must have felt for her. How pitiful, they are.]
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