Chapter 67

About an hour after the evening bell.

The major negotiations had gone smoothly, and I slipped into a shop that was about to close, buying more salt than I usually would, then hurried back to the inn.

It was still the dinner hour, and there were many people out and about.

I thought Lady Reia was probably wandering around town, but since we hadn’t set a specific time, I needed to get back to the inn with some leeway.

I don’t have too many complaints about this underdeveloped world…

But the inability to clearly communicate time to others is a significant inconvenience.

I wish someone would introduce clocks to this world.

Then there’s the bath.

I don’t expect a bath every day, but I’d like to take one every two or three days.

While thinking about these things, I arrived at the inn.

I glanced around the first-floor dining area as a precaution—

(Oh, she’s already here.)

For some reason, Lady Reia was sitting on a stool at the counter, swinging her legs.

“Boy! The young lady has been waiting for you!”

“Loki, you’re late.”

“...”

Even though Lady Reia doesn’t eat, she had been waiting for me here.

The counter, where her face wasn’t easily visible to other customers, was a good choice.

There was even a glass of drink in front of Lady Reia, and the innkeeper, who runs the place alone, is indeed capable.

“No, no… It’s still the time when people are active. Have you finished your rounds already?”

“I have time, so I can take my time.”

“Is that so…?”

I wasn’t sure if she was really motivated or not, but the sense of time for an immortal goddess and a regular human like me is different.

It’s not worth pressing the issue, so I’ll leave the search for the transfer student alone.

“Boy, are you going to eat here?”

“I think so. Re…”

I hesitated here.

Is it bad to call her ‘Lady Reia’ in front of others?

Even if her face hasn’t been revealed, in a world where there are statues of the gods in churches, her name is surely known.

What should I do…

“Ah, what about you? Are you going back to the room first?”

This was my spontaneous response.

Using ‘you’ to address her.

It’s like a newlywed housewife, which is quite rude, but it’s better than being exposed.

Lady Reia, noticing my dilemma, didn’t mention it and responded.

“I’ll try eating too.”

“Huh? Ah, yes… Innkeeper, sorry. Is it possible to add one more?”

“I’m making it with some leeway, so it’s fine. I’ll prepare the young lady’s portion too, so please wait a moment!”

With that, the innkeeper went to the kitchen, and I saw this as a chance to confirm.

(Lady Reia, I started the conversation, but can you eat?)

(I can eat, but I don’t have to.)

(That’s good…)

(I was fine after drinking water earlier, so I think the food from the lower world is probably fine too.)

Probably?

Well, if it’s left over, I’ll eat Lady Reia’s portion too.

With the combination of curry and the inn’s dinner, I’m used to eating two portions.

(And, isn’t it bad to call you ‘Lady Reia’ in front of others?)

(There are many children named after the goddess, so it’s not a problem.)

(Is that so?)

(But)

(But?)

(I don’t think ‘Lady’ is good.)

(…)

That’s true.

A girl being called ‘Lady’ would probably be a princess or a noble’s daughter.

Even a very wealthy girl, but that would only be called by servants or those who take care of her. For a hunter like me, it feels out of place to call someone ‘Lady.’

So, what does that mean?

Could it be?

(…So, Reia is fine.)

(Guh!!)

Seriously? Calling Lady Reia by her first name!

I feel my heart rate increasing.

This is probably it.

I’m about to break the taboo of calling a goddess by her first name.

I’ve called a goddess trash before, but I know it’s not good to call a god by their first name.

It’s not that I’m nervous about calling Lady Reia by her first name.

Feeling pressured by Lady Reia’s gaze, I’m enveloped in an atmosphere where I have to say it…

Sigh… Sigh…

(Re, Re, Re… “Here you go!”)

“…”

“…”

What timing, innkeeper!!

You should read the atmosphere! …But we were whispering.

“Ah, thank you… Let’s eat while it’s still hot?”

“…Okay.”

The taste of tonight’s meal was a bit unclear, but seeing Lady Reia eat with satisfaction, I was satisfied.

▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

“…Rea”

“Again.”

“…Reia”

“I can’t hear you clearly.”

“Reia”

After returning to the room, for some reason, the practice of calling her by her first name began.

It started because I didn’t want to be exposed, but… wait a moment.

Tomorrow, I’m going on an expedition to Rurubu.

I won’t be returning to Bezart, so I won’t see Lady Reia for a while.

By the time I return, she will probably have been replaced by another goddess.

So, what’s the point of this practice? When will I use it? I have many doubts.

“More clearly.”

“Reia!”

When told, I obediently comply, becoming a subservient me.

And in such a situation, I find myself feeling oddly comfortable.

“It’s fine! Reia! Reia Reia Reia! I’m used to it! I won’t call you ‘Lady’ anymore!”

“Understood. Then I forgive you.”

Was it a situation where I needed forgiveness?

I don’t understand, but if Lady Reia is satisfied, that’s fine.

“So, Reia. Here.”

“?”

“This world’s money, or this country’s money. It might be different in other countries. I’ll give it to you just in case.”

I placed a leather bag filled with about 1 million beeks of the Lagreese Kingdom on the table.

After the negotiations, I was about to leave satisfied, but Amanda gave me a strong critique, and I ended up receiving about 200,000 beeks as today’s reward.

This is all I have now.

“I don’t plan to use it?”

“I know that your [Avatar] can eat, and you seemed to enjoy it.”

“…”

“Also, the goddesses will probably take turns sending their [Avatars] to the lower world, so please pass it on when you hand over. It would be troublesome if you don’t have money when something happens.”

“Understood… thank you.”

“No, no. Just don’t waste it on something meaningless. As I said, I’m leaving Bezart tomorrow and won’t be back for a while. I can’t easily replenish it if you run out!”

“It’s fine. If that happens, I’ll send an [Avatar] to the Rurubu forest.”

“No, no, even if you appear in the Rurubu forest, you won’t have money…”

Such banter continued even after the night fell.

After a while, we finished talking.

Finally, she said, “Good luck,” and Lady Reia’s avatar disappeared, leaving behind a dense indigo mist and neatly arranged sandals.

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