Chapter 148.2 - Down the Mountain (2/3)

One was refined like a noble, a seemingly gentle middle-aged woman, while the other gave a sense of beauty, and yet at the same time, a sense of wildness. These two goddesses that gave completely different impressions from each other were seated around a table drinking tea.

“Oh my, a new guest? Welcome. We’ll have to serve more tea and sweets then.” [Refined Goddess]

“Ho… I heard the rumors, but I guess it is true that if you call him, he’ll appear.” [Wild Goddess]

“It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Ryouma Takebayashi.” [Ryouma]

“So, I have heard. You’re the person who came from Earth some time ago, yes?　I am Willieris. The Goddess of Land and Harvest. Thank you for cooperating with us to protect the people of this world. Also, please do be at ease.　I see that you’re relaxed around Rurutia. I would be saddened if you couldn’t see us in the same light.” [Willieris]

“R-Right… If you put it that way, then… I’ll do my best.” [Ryouma]

I feel like she’s the most formal of the gods I’ve met. That aside, could this other goddess be…

“I am Kirillel the Goddess of War and Judgment. It’s nice to meet you.” [Kirillel]

“The pleasure is mine.” [Ryouma]

So she really is the God of War.

“Ryouma, you’re too stiff.” [Rurutia]

“I may be used to you, but you can’t possibly expect me to be so relaxed with goddesses I’m meeting for the first time, can you? Besides, meeting two goddesses at the same time? …I’d appreciate it if you gave me some time to get used to their presence. But enough of that, what’s going on, Rurutia?” [Ryouma]

They had a welcoming mood on them right from the start.

“We tried out that Girls-Only Gathering from Earth, but we just couldn’t find a good topic to get things going.” [Rurutia]

“Oh, right. I heard about that from Gayn and the others…” [Ryouma]

Wait a moment.　Didn’t I hear about that yesterday? But, no. I pulled an all nighter searching for Pedro-san, so I guess that makes it two days ago.

“If you keep it up for so long, of course you’d run out of topics.” [Ryouma]

“She even dragged me out for that. I tried getting the conversation going, but…” [Kirillel]

Kirillel-sama glared reproachfully at Rurutia.

“But your topics are all too bloodthirsty… How are regional conflicts a suitable topic for a girls-only gathering!?” [Rurutia]

“You’re the one who said we should talk about the recent happenings in the world!” [Kirillel]

The goddesses started quarrelling.

“Sorry about this. You didn’t get a proper explanation and now the two of them are like this. Please do treat yourself to some tea and sweets.” [Willieris]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

Willieris-sama just carried on at her own pace. I got a cup of tea and some sweets from her.

“By the way, why are you at the church today?　Did you need something from someone?” [Willieris]

“Oh, there’s no particular reason. I just happened to be passing in front of the church when a man of the clergy invited me inside… Did Rurutia do something?” [Ryouma]

“?　Wait a moment.” [Willieris]

As she said that, she closed her eyes. Gayn and the others do this a lot when they want to find something out.

“Alright, I’ve got it. That child didn’t do anything in particular. The man just decided no his own to invite you after you appeared in front of the church. He seems to be planning on persuading you to join his denomination.” [Willieris]

“So he wants to convert me.” [Ryouma]

“That appears to be the case. Oh, but he’s not a bad person. He doesn’t have any intentions of soliciting donations from a child like you. He just wants to spread his faith.

And besides, while it is true that the God-of-Light Denomination is proactive in gathering donations, that in turn allows them to have the monetary power to provide food in times of crisis and watch over orphans. There are many among them who are genuinely thinking about others, so please don’t misunderstand.” [Willieris]

As expected, Willieris-sama is a peaceful person. She made sure to cover up for the man when she realized that I found him suspicious. Although he’s trying to convert me, it’s rude to be so suspicious. At the very least, I shouldn’t be so suspicious toward that person.

“I understand. Thank you.” [Ryouma]

“It’s fine. After all, the sort of clergymen that you’re so wary of do exist. Caution is important. Especially, since you received a divine protection not just from Rurutia, but also from Gayn and Kufo.” [Willieris]

“Yes. In fact, I got one from Tekun too.” [Ryouma]

“I see… Although there have been previous cases of a person receiving multiple divine protections. If word were to get out that you possess four divine protections, the people of the church will surely call out to you.

Especially, since those of the God-of-Light Denomination see the possessors of the divine protections as ‘saints’. They see them as an object of worship similar to us. If word were to get out, the situation will probably develop in a direction you do not wish. Even I would not wish to see such a situation, so please do be careful.” [Willieris]

“Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]

“Can’t you give it a rest already? There’s no end to this…” [Kirillel]

“Well, that’s true… Oh, my. What were the two of you talking about?” [Rurutia]

Looks like the two goddesses finally stopped arguing.