As usual, the nuns, Riera-san and Bell-san, were standing by the gate of the church. I’ve been helping out with the children’s training, and have also been going to the church for personal reasons frequently, so I’m well acquainted with them. After I greeted them, I quickly headed to the chapel.
There were already people praying in the chapel by the time I got there. So I quietly entered the chapel so as not to disturb them. Then I sat by a corner, and prayed.
The usual light filled my vision, and my consciousness was taken to the divine realm. Before me was Gayn, Kufo, and Rurutia.
The gods no longer found it surprising for me to visit them, but the atmosphere about them this time was different.
Normally, they would welcome me with warm smiles, but this time, they’re looking at me with suspicion.
I don’t know if I did something wrong, but they’re not talking to me. If this keeps up, we’ll just end up wasting time.
With that, I decided to break the silence myself.
“Gayn, Kufo, Rurutia, I know I suddenly came, but I wanted to ask you guys something.” [Ryouma]
“Ah, right… That’s fine, but there’s also something we want to ask you.” [Rurutia]
“Ryouma-kun, did you do something strange? You’re different from usual.” [Kufo]
I don’t really think I’m acting any different than normal, but something strange did happen.
“What you want to know is probably the same as what I want to talk to you about.” [Ryouma]
“Then let’s hear what you have to say first.” [Gayn]
At Gayn’s urging, I opened my ‘Item Box’, and brought out the stone that the magic gem was in.
I was thinking of all sorts, trying to make out what Gayn and the others were talking about a while ago, but as soon as they saw the magic gem, their expressions turned grim.
“Ryouma-kun, you should hand that over to us.” [Gayn]
Gayn spoke in a heavy voice I’ve never heard before. I nervously handed the magic gem to him. Gayn waved his hand, and the magic gem floated toward his hands. The three gods surrounded the magic gem.
“Sorry, but just wait for a sec.” [Rurutia]
Rurutia spoke in a gentle manner, but she was clearly too busy to bother herself with me right now. I couldn’t do anything else but stay quiet as the three gods fiddled with the magic gem.
The three gods caused the stone the magic gem was in to crumble, revealing the magic gem in its full glory. Their expression turned even grimmer. Then they stretched out the palm of their hands toward the magic gem. In the next moment, light shone from their hands. And it wrapped itself around the magic gem completely, turning it into a ball of light.
I couldn’t tell at all what they were doing, but the three gods breathed a sigh of relief as they finished wrapping the magic gem in light. It must have been hard work.
That guess was proven true as the gods began to talk amongst themselves. Then suddenly, Kufo and Rurutia disappeared along with the ball of light.
Then Gayn, who was the only one remaining, turned toward me, and his face quickly changed from that grim expression to a troubled one.
“Ryouma-kun, you’ve done well. It’s a good thing that you were able to bring that thing to us.” [Gayn]
Those words left me confused.
All I did was come here to ask about something I felt was off from the people I consider to be the most knowledgeable. I didn’t expect to be thanked at all. And since the gods themselves are thanking me, that magic gem must have been something really dangerous.
Cold sweat permeated my back as I realized that fact.
“Exactly what was that?” [Ryouma]
Gayn hesitated for a bit, but in the end, he answered.
“If I were to put it in simple words…” [Gayn]
“In simple words it’s?” [Ryouma
“A god.” [Gayn]
The shock from that answer petrified me.