Chapter 404: The Hidden Goddess
“That’s why I can’t see them. I think it’s just how it is when it comes to the Spirit Realm; it’s like someone else’s problem,” Retze said, pressing the issue with Dinoss and Haulon.
I feel like he says that every time. If they could just make it so I could see the spirits at the Temple, would things change a bit? Even if I could see them, it would only be while standing on the Magic Circle there.
“Retze, you can see Wanwan and Rishu, right?!” Dinoss pressed Retze.
“Well… I’ve given up on understanding since the dimensions are just too different. I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it, so I just accept it as it is,” Retze replied, half-lidded eyes as he avoided Dinoss’s advances with a tilt of his chin.
“Why are you so enlightened about this?! You’re giving up too easily…!” Dinoss slammed his hands on the table.
“End of the—… kyaah! What are you doing?!” Haulon let out a surprisingly cute and short scream, twisting his body to swat away whatever had come flying at him with the hem of his robe.
A fork landed on the carpet.
It was the Butler’s attack, but why a fork? I wonder how Haulon is actually capable of such martial arts. No, given his physique, it would be strange if he couldn’t, right?
I saw the Butler launch the fork, but my mind was filled with nonsensical thoughts, leaving me unable to react. Even if I had the ability, this is what it feels like to not be able to make use of it.
“I am the puppy of Lord Jean,” the Butler said, smiling at Haulon.
“…Right, I forgot. I’m sorry,” Haulon apologized, picking up the fork and returning it to the Butler, who tucked it away into his sleeve.
So he really does have Hidden Weapons hidden in his sleeves?
“I hope you will always be a cute puppy for Lord Jean,” the Butler said, bowing towards me.
“Rishu is always cute. So? What was that about the end?” I asked Haulon.
“—Let’s end this conversation. By the way, have you made any progress with… Wanwan’s seat? If you’re looking for ebony, I can help,” Haulon bounced back! It’s rare for him to recover before Dinoss.
“Yeah, I’ve already got the ebony, so it’s all good. Can I consult you about the design of the doghouse?”
“Don’t call it a doghouse!” Another shout.
“Where did you even get ebony? It was just yesterday, right?” Retze tilted his head in confusion.
“Well, there’s a lake in the Northern Lands—”
“Wait a minute. I have a bad feeling about this,” Haulon interrupted, raising a hand to stop me.
“Don’t worry, I just made a contract with a Dogu,” I said, sipping my wine.
Haulon seemed to be trembling, building up to something.
“That’s not okay! The Northern Lands, a lake, and a clay figure all point to the Lost Goddess! Stop it! Why are you making a contract with the hidden goddess from the human world?!” Haulon was nearly in tears again.
“The Lost Goddess? Hidden?”
“She’s a goddess that greatly influences human life, yet at one point, she turned her back on humanity and hid herself! Only the Earth Folk can summon her, and only on the day of the summer solstice! How did you manage that?!”
Now that I think about it, I did mention something about performing a ritual to receive timber, right?
“Well, I didn’t summon her exactly; I just visited her in the lake.”
“In the unfrozen lake? The one that holds freezing water in an environment where ice shouldn’t form, and whose bottom is unknown? That lake?” Haulon, are you ever going to calm down?
It’s troublesome to see Dinoss slumped over the table like that, but I’d prefer it if Haulon could quietly drink like Karn, or reach for snacks like Retze, or even wipe a knife with a cloth like the Butler.
Wait, that last one seems off, doesn’t it? Huh? Isn’t that strange for the Butler? But isn’t that a Hidden Weapon? It’s a throwing knife, right?
“I’m not sure, but I don’t think there were any other lakes around there, so I think it’s right?”
I’m lost in all sorts of thoughts.
“For now, I brought back the ebony that was growing at the bottom of the lake, so the materials are fine.”
“That’s not fine, that’s not fine at all…” And Haulon slumped over the table again.
Two big guys are occupying the table meant for card games.
“Since it’s something to decorate in Karn’s Country, should we consult Karn about what kind of design he prefers?” I said, turning to Karn, who was silently staring at me with a glass at his lips.
Is he frozen?
“…As long as it doesn’t betray Lord Stekar’s expectations, I have no objections,” Karn replied slowly after placing his glass down.
He’s activated.
“Considering the pedestal for Asas, should we go for a flashy doghouse? We also need to think about the overall balance of the installation. I should have looked more closely at the entrance design of the room.”
Anything is fine, but that would be the most troublesome.
“If we don’t deny the doghouse now, it might really turn into a doghouse,” Retze said, addressing Karn.