Published: August 25, 2025
Today, four chapters are posted simultaneously.
This story is the second chapter.
Two weeks later.
Time flew by quickly with meetings with various parties and interactions with the employees. Preparations were perfect. I could now set off for the great Tree Sea without any worries. But before that... I returned to the house in Gana Forest, the place where this life began. The reason was that it was on the way to the Tree Sea. Also, because I was finally achieving a big goal, I wanted to return to my starting point. And there was one more reason.
“There’s dust accumulated, but not much. Cleaner slimes.”
The cleaner slimes I had released scattered inside and cleaned every corner of the hallway and rooms. I left this to them and headed to the back room.
“Only about a year has passed, but it feels like a long time...”
That room only had statues of the gods. I used to meditate and train here. I set up tables and chairs to welcome visitors here... but since I had prepared them in advance, it didn’t take much time.
The scheduled time was still some way off, so I decided to add more statues of gods in the room.
“When I made this place, I had only met Gain and the others... but now I have many more connections with the gods.”
While thinking that, I carved out space in the wall to place the statues, and used the earth from the work to craft the statues.
Tekun, Felnoberia, Kiriluel, Wilieris, Glimp, Seerelipta, Meltrise... along with Gain, Kufo, and Lurutia that were made previously, there were a total of ten statues. There was one more god, Mano Airoa, but their appearance was unknown.
The statues I had seen before were humanoid but very simple, without detailed faces or clothing. I wondered what kind of god it was. Maybe I should ask next time I go to the divine realm.
After finishing the work and cleaning up, I still had some time left, so I prepared tea and snacks.
While doing this, I received word from the Stone Slimes stationed outside that guests had arrived. When I went out, I saw the Duke and Duchess, Mr. Sebas, and the usual four guards, and felt relieved.
However, today, in addition to them, there were unfamiliar man and woman accompanying them. The man looked to be in his early thirties and wore a robe typical of a mage, but his hair, skin, and beard were well-groomed, giving off a gentlemanly air.
The woman was well-dressed and poised, beautiful even. Yet, there was an unmistakable fatigue that couldn’t be hidden in her expression, giving off a tense atmosphere. Also, even though she wore a maid outfit, she didn’t strike me as a typical maid. Rather, she gave more the impression of someone from the city’s security forces.
“We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Ryoma-kun, please make yourself comfortable. These two are fine as well.”
“Thank you. Please come inside for now.”
The room was prepared, and although it was relatively safe here, it was still forest. There was no need for a long conversation outside. Once they entered, I had the four guards relax in a room near the entrance, and then I took the remaining five to the back room I had just prepared.
“Oh!”
As soon as they entered the room, the Duchess’s small voice was heard, and it seemed the other four were surprised as well. Mr. Reinhardt and Mr. Sebas were relatively calm, but the unfamiliar woman stood quietly, her gaze moving back and forth along the row of god statues lining the wall. The man was also quiet, but he moved his whole face, not trying much to hide his observations.
“There are so many statues of gods in this room.”
“Except for the three, these were added just now... Huh? Didn’t I show you this last time?”
“I don’t think we entered this room. When we last came, we had only recently met, and it felt improper to wander freely in someone else’s home.”
That was right. Since this room didn’t need cleaning, I had them rest first.
Feeling nostalgic about just a year ago, I invited them to the seats I had prepared. There were enough seats for everyone. The Duke and Duchess took the main seats, with the unfamiliar man sitting next to them. Mr. Sebas and the woman stood quietly in the corner.