Novels2Search

14: Chance Meeting

Good day everyone!

I'd like to once again thank everyone who have read this far!

I apologize for the slow release. As real life is almost upon me, I won't be able to update constantly but I will do my best to bring out at least a chapter every week.

Once again, thank you and enjoy!

=====

“Welcome! What will you be doing here today?”

After entering the main temple, I’m greeted by a girl in her late-teens wearing a pure white nun-like outfit. Only a bit of her pink hair was showing through the headpiece that covered most of her head.

“Ah, yes. I would like to give offerings to the god, Libreria.”

“Oh my, Libreria, you say?”

For a moment, her face showed a surprised expression.

This also happened back in Gramsfer when I said the same thing.

Unlike in my old world, the gods of this world were a bit more active in proving their existence so only one religion existed wherever you went to.

Similar to different mythologies, there were a number of gods that are being worshipped in this world. To be more specific, there is one god for each race, serving as the race’s respective guardian.

Scattered around the temple were identical wooden doors with symbols carved above them, symbolizing the god a room was to be worshipped in.

The rooms’ assignments from left to right were:

Fyeus, the god of Humans.

Yshena, the goddess of Elves.

Utix, the goddess of Beastkins.

Luxorh, the god of Dwarves.

Xytesis, the god of Dragons.

Hyrsyn, the goddess of Demons.

Adar, the god of Giants.

Jodione, the goddess of Orcs.

And Raella, the goddess of Succubi.

“Very well. This way please.”

The nun motioned for me to follow her. Leaving the main room where the rooms for the 9 ‘major’ gods were, we arrived in another section of the temple with another set of wooden doors around it.

Just like in the previous section, there were also symbols above the doors.

Other than the gods that were the guardians of the races, there were also ‘minor’ gods that represented specific aspect of civilization. Although it wasn’t necessary to worship them, since they focused on only one aspect, the blessings that could be received were far stronger.

In layman terms, the blessing of a ‘major’ god would give an average boost to all the stats of a person while a ‘minor’ god’s blessing would give a large boost to a person’s single stat.

The number of doors I could see were around 20.

Though out of those 20, I only knew 6 so far, including Libreria.

Esra, goddess of marriage.

Ydharr, god of merchants.

Tozlid, god of adventurers.

Yxphyn, goddess of farming.

Ilaris, goddess of crafting.

And,

“We have arrived. This is the room for Libreria, god of luck.”

Yes, the god who had been given all the work of dealing with summoned humans was the same god who was responsible for all luck in this world’s inhabitants……………..or lack of it.

“Pretty ironic huh.”

“Excuse me?”

“Ah! No, it’s nothing. Thank you very much!”

“You’re welcome. Please take your time!”

Bowing her head, she left.

There were only a few people in this part of the temple so it was fairly quiet.

Having no other business than this, I open the door with the symbol of Libreria above it.

The room’s inside was the same no matter what god it was assigned to, ‘major’ or ‘minor’.

A dozen small cushions were placed on the floor. In front was a wooden rectangular table and a stone-carved symbol of the god. Candles were lit around the room, giving light to an otherwise isolated space.

I sat on one of the cushions and took out a basket of food from my Extra Dimension.

Normally, people would offer items that corresponded to the god it was being offered to.

An example would be, for Libreria who is the god of luck, something like a four-leaf clover or a horse shoe would suffice.

But I had heard one time that the offered items would directly be sent to the god so I felt slightly guilty if all I were to offer Libreria was a bunch of clovers I found on the ground.

Placing the basket of food on the wooden table, I position both my hands in front of my chest, as if I was praying.

Hey Libreria. Just arrived in Kinallen. Hope you like these dishes I made, your gifts have really been useful. That’s all.

Saying those words in my mind while having my eyes closed, it was the most common way of praying and offering to the gods.

When I opened my eyes, just like how I expected, the basket was gone.

“Well, my business here is done then.”

Stretching my limbs even though it had only been a few minutes, I left the room.

Bumping into the nun once again upon arriving at the main area of the temple,

“Ah, have you finished your offering?”

Hm? Weird, she’s smiling a bit more than earlier.

“Did something good happen, by any chance?”

“Oh? What do you mean?”

She tilted her head while still exhibiting a cheerful expression.

“Umm…..well, how do I say this? You seem a bit more cheerful now than earlier.”

“Ah! Well, you see---”

“Hey! That onii-san’s flirting with Vi-onee-san!!!”

“Eh?! Really?! That’s not allowed!!!”

“Quick!!! Stop him!!!”

Suddenly, the two of us were being surrounded by 7 kids. 5 boys were shouting various threats at me while the 2 girls were asking the nun several things in a quiz show type manner.

“Now children, behave yourselves or else!”

After a few minutes, the nun finally scolded them with a smile on her face.

No, her face is smiling but her eyes aren’t. Scary! Very scary!!!

“Have you behaved yourselves?”

“““Y-yes!”””

Unconsciously, I also replied but it was weaker than the children’s replies so no one took notice.

“Then, children, please go back to your rooms now. I will call you for lunch.”

“““Y-yes Vi-onee-san!!!”””

They all rushed out of the door, though one of the kids glared at me before leaving.

The nun faced me and bowed her head.

“I’m really sorry for that. Sometimes the children tend to disturb the people who come here.”

“No, it’s alright.”

“Oh yes, we were having a conversation earlier, I apologize once again.”

“Like I said, it’s really alright. So can we please go back to the topic from earlier?”

“Yes, of course. You were asking if something good had happened, am I right?”

Nodding to her, she closes her eyes and flashes another smile that differed from her intimidating one.

“Well, you see…….do you remember those children earlier?”

“Ah! Now that you mention it, why are they here instead of in their homes?”

“Exactly. That’s because those children are orphans whose homes were destroyed when the Demons started their invasion.”

“What do they have to do with my question?”

“Ufufufu~, it’s because the one who’s been taking care of them from time to time is the girl you bumped into earlier~!”

Using a tone of mischievousness while sticking her tongue out, her personality takes a change that I wasn’t expecting.

“You know, I’ve been really worried about that girl~. Not having any friends her age, always coming here to play with the children---”

“Wait, aren’t you her friend? And you also look like both of you weren’t born far apart from each other.”

“No~pe. My job as the caretaker of this temple prohibits me from forming personal attachments with other people. Sad, I know, but one I willingly undertook.”

“……”

“Oh, but you can consider us as acquaintances, so it’s not like I avoid her intentionally!”

She puts her hand together and closes one of her eyes, an expression that’s like a playful apology.

“Now then, as to why I’m more cheerful………..it’s because of you!”

Exclaiming with an accusing-like tone, she points at me.

“Me? What did I do?”

“Fufufu~! I believe you’ve finished with your offerings, right?”

As if saying that it was time for me to go, she opened the door leading out of the temple.

“O-okay. Thank you for your help!”

Saying those words with a bow, I exit the temple.

Passing through the gate, a voice calls out to me.

“Oh yes, as a special service, I suggest you head to the adventurer’s guild after this~!!!”

When I looked back, the nun was waving at me with a smile.

The atmosphere around her was like a schoolgirl supporting her love struck friend.

I forced a smile and bowed before heading out into the town once more.

===

“I wonder where the temple is……”

After having found an inn that could accommodate the three of us, Kuro left for the marketplace while I went looking for the temple.

Having to walk is really tiring, I wish I had Kinji-nii’s unique so I can just speed through the town……

I stop myself from sighing after noticing the large crowd forming in front of a sweets shop.

“What’s going on over there?”

Walking closer, I tap the shoulder of the man in front of me.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

“Oh? Young miss, what is it?”

He had a large build but his voice seemed gentle, like one who did a good job of taking care of their children.

“Why is there so many people here? Is there a sweets give away or something?”

“Give away? Ahahahaha!!!”

Weird. His laugh is weird.

While hiding these thoughts inside myself, the man finally finished laughing.

“There’s nothing like that young miss!”

“Then what is it?”

“You see, there’s a hero in there right now!”

“Hero?”

“Yes, yes. A hero! More specifically, the mage hero who is leading the frontlines in the Elven Country of Forsten!!! Also, the Elf King’s own daughter is there with her!!!”

The way he said those words made it sound like I was the weird one for not knowing who they were.

“Wait, if they’re supposed to be leading the frontlines, then how did they get here?”

“Hmmm……..I’m not sure………I remember a flash of blue light, then they were suddenly in the middle of the road.”

Flash of blue light? Appearing out of nowhere? If she’s a mage then it’s possible that she used Teleportation Magic.

Though I have no business with her, so I’ll just leave immediately and go look for Kinji-nii again.

“Thanks mister. I’ll be taking my leave then.”

“Huh? Young miss, you don’t want to see the hero?”

Shaking my head to show my answer, the man just says,

“I see. Okay then, take care. Though I wish this country’s hero would go and show himself to others at least once.”

He breathes out a heavy sigh.

Before taking my leave, I ask the man for directions to Kinallen’s temple. Showing a surprised expression, he points me the way. His face as I left had the realization that I was apparently from a different town.

Seconds only after I started moving once again, a voice called out.

“Excuse me! Please wait a moment!”

Though the voice didn’t seem like it was calling out to anyone in particular, the faint magic power mixed into it flowed into my ears.

No mistake, she’s talking to me.

I turn around, planning to quickly end the conversation before it drags out too long. If I’m separated from Kinji-nii anymore than this, I will go mad!

A girl was running towards me.

She had the same height as me. Even the length of her hair and its color were similar. Although mine was messy and ruffled up, hers was straightened down and showed delicacy in its treatment. Adding to those, the glasses she wore further emphasized the intelligent aura she had.

Behind her was an Elf girl with long pink hair tied into a ponytail and blue eyes. Her cute face showed an indifferent expression although there was a glimmer of alertness in her eyes.

“Yes, how may I help you……”

“Hmn? Oh right, my name is Sayuri Aibu, hero of Forsten, and this is my companion, Solana Forsten!”

Along with her introduction, the Elf girl, Solana, bows as a greeting.

“I see. I am Shiromi, nice to meet you. So, how may I help you Sayuri?”

The hero is taken aback by how I said her name nonchalantly.

But she immediately regains her composure.

“Ah, yes. Just after exiting the sweets store, while looking around I noticed the color of your hair.”

“Color of my hair?”

“Correct. The color. It’s black, isn’t it? As far as I know, there very few people in this world who have black hair. Recently, those few people have become even fewer.”

“And your point?”

“Shiromi. Along with the color of your hair, even your name is uncommon. Not according to this country, but to the world. As it is a name that should only be found in the world where I had come from.”

Her piercing gaze remains unmoved. The Elf girl behind her had already prepared herself to draw the two swords on her waist at any moment.

The hero opens her mouth once more while raising a staff she pulled out of nowhere.

“By any chance, could you be the hero of Helgas who had gone missing recently?”

Eh? Hero of Helgas? Me?

No, no, no. As far as I’ve remembered, I have been a Dragon since long ago.

Those thoughts rose inside of me at the same time as another face appeared in my mind.

“Could it be……?”

“Please, hero of Helgas. As the representative of the heroes in the frontlines, I implore you to return to Helgas’ capital and bear your responsibilities.”

“I apologize, but I am not the hero you are looking for.”

“Please do not think you can get away with such a plain excuse like that. Solana!”

“Yes!”

The Elf girl drew out her swords and ran at me.

“Tsk!”

I didn’t have any weapons on me, and my current body is that of a Human. However, if I were to transform back into a Dragon, I would end up damaging the buildings around me.

Having no choice, I choose to dodge her attacks.

“I knew it! There is no way that you’re not this country’s hero!”

“Like I said, you’re wrong!”

Barely dodging another attack, I start my counter attack.

!”

Small icicles form around me in large numbers. With the sharp point facing the two, they fly towards them at an extraordinary speed.

!”

A transparent dome formed around them. Before being able to come in contact with it, the icicles melt almost instantly from the immense heat being released.

!”

Immediately after the dome disappeared, a flurry of lightning clad blades came rushing at me.

The Elf girl, whose swords were being enveloped by lightning, maintained her attack with a calm expression.

Although I was dodging her attacks, my clothes already had small scratches and singes across them.

!”

Sensing the large amount of air hurdling towards me,

!”

The hero’s attack collides with the transparent wall and dissipates into nothing.

Thinking that I had managed to gain a moment’s rest, the Elf appears beside me and lands a clean kick.

“Gah!!!”

I’m sent crashing into the ground. The pain in my side is not disappearing.

Breathing roughly, another kick is launched at me.

“Ahhh!!!!”

This time, my body collides with the wall of a nearby building. Forcing my body to move, I prop myself up in time to see the Elf getting closer.

“Do not worry. I will make sure that Solana only beats you into unconsciousness. I apologize but this is for the safety of this country.”

With those words, the hero, Sayuri, nods at the Elf to continue with her attack.

Ah, this hurts. Who knew Humans were so fragile, if only I had been in a Dragon……..no, that’s not right. It’s only because I’m like this that I could spend time with Kinji-nii.

Kinji-nii……..in the end, I had only been able to spend a short time with him but it was the most fun I’ve had in years.

“Kinji-nii……”

I could feel my consciousness wavering.

“Huh? Shiromi?”

Then a familiar voice calls out to me.

Slowly, I move my head to the side.

Ah.

A tear rolls down my eye. A single tear, but in that one tear, a joy I’ve never felt before was in it.

“And who are you?”

The Elf girl turns to look at Kinji-nii.

That was what she was going to do, but in the next moment, she disappeared. Then a loud explosion occurred just behind the mage hero.

No. She didn’t disappear.

Right in front of me now was Kinji-nii.

“I’m sorry Shiromi. I didn’t think this would happen so soon.”

A bitter expression was on Kinji-nii’s face.

Shaking my head,

“Don’t worry Kinji-nii. Even if every other hero goes against you for leaving the capital and ignoring your duty as a hero, I will always stand beside you. Along with Kuro, the both of us will go with you anywhere.”

At my words, a smile flashes across his face.

“Mhm. Thanks Shiromi! Here, drink this. Just rest for a while. We’ll postpone our visit to the adventurer’s guild for now.”

Handing me a vial with the same blood red liquid from before, he stands up and faces Sayuri.

“I see. So that girl isn’t Helgas’ hero, but you huh.”

Her facial expression doesn’t change after seeing her companion get blown away, but I sensed the slight change in her voice.

She’s scared. She knows the difference in strength between Kinji-nii and herself.

“Also, I don’t think anyone wouldn’t be scared after seeing that.”

Although it couldn’t be seen on Kinji-nii’s face which had a calm expression on it, the killing intent he was releasing could make even a Dragon back off in fear.

For this hero to be able to stand up against even that is praiseworthy on its own.

“Because of what you did to Shiromi......”

Kinji-nii took a step closer to Sayuri. Likewise, she took a step back.

“No matter what happens……”

From a small patch of darkness, he took out a pitch black sword.

“Don’t blame me for any scar that I leave on your body.”