Chapter 88

The time was around 6 PM by my watch.

Amid the ringing of the church bells, I was using the [Divine Power] in my room at the inn where I hadn't stayed for a long time.

"Alright, it's fine now. I've returned to the inn, so you can release the [Separate Body] if you like."

(I'm so tired of waiting! I'm going now!)

After a moment, a dense, dark blue mist began to drift beside me, just as it had a few times before.

(As always, it's scary to look at directly... I wonder if I'll ever get used to it?)

As I thought this, the mist converged, and in an instant, the [Separate Body] of Lady Ferin, with her crimson hair and white dress, stood there, just like when it happened with Feiril.

"Hi! Sorry to keep you waiting!"

"No, no, I'm the one who kept you waiting. I finally cleared my quota, so from now on, I can move a bit more leisurely."

"Hey! Over there!"

"?"

She pointed at me with a strange pose, but I couldn't understand what she was pointing at.

Actually, I jump a bit when she does this suddenly, so I wish she would stop.

"Feiril doesn't use polite language, right? But you use it with me? Isn't that strange?"

"Oh, you were listening...?"

While thinking, "Of course she was," I still pointed it out.

During the Earth talk sessions, which have almost become a daily routine, I deliberately didn't touch on this topic.

"Of course! Feiril was boasting about it! She even said she was called by her name more than Reia! So I want the same treatment!"

"Sure. Well, it's fine, Lady Ferin, I mean, Ferin, who I can talk to most comfortably."

"...Huh? What did you say? Say it again?"

...Why is she acting like she has hearing problems?

"I said, I can talk to you most comfortably. You have a friendly aura."

"Ufufu... Right? You're quite perceptive, Loki! I'll boast to everyone later!"

"..."

She's already in high spirits from the start, but since this is typical of Ferin, I won't worry too much.

Just, please don't start any trouble.

Because I'll be the one to suffer later.

I'll definitely suffer later.

"Anyway, we need to hurry or the store will close. You want shoes, right?"

I said this while looking at the two pairs of sandals on the floor.

One was a slightly small pair that Reia bought, and the other was a green adult-sized sandal next to it.

When I returned to the inn, I was relieved that Feiril could shop alone.

"Right! Let's go! Look, get ready!"

"? I'm already ready. I've already picked up the leather bag with the money."

When I returned to the inn, I checked it, but it didn't seem to have decreased at all.

I guess neither of them bought any snacks.

"...No, it's different from when Reia was here!"

"...Huh? You mean Ferin will carry me!?"

"---!? You're being cold to me... I see... I see..."

Gyah!!

Unexpected landmine!

I was too naive, thinking that borrowing Feiril's shoes would be enough to get to the shoe store...

Moreover, in reality, it's a bit problematic for Ferin.

Reia is around 150 cm and a bit taller than me, but Ferin is probably around 160 cm.

Most importantly, she's big. In that area.

Without armor, my back would be in a dangerous situation.

"No, no, it's not that! Reia is small, but Ferin is an adult woman, right? You have a very cute face but a rather demanding body."

"Huh? Is that a compliment?"

"Yeah, a huge one. The point is, if I carry you, I might lose my composure, which would be troublesome."

"Hmm! I see, I see! Then there's no problem!"

"? What do you mean?"

How many question marks are floating in my head right now?

Maybe this is a common issue with goddesses.

As I tilted my head, Ferin disappeared from my field of vision in an instant, and the next moment, I felt her weight on my back.

"Ugh!"

"If you lose your composure, it might be interesting, so no problem! Let's go, let's go!"

She wrapped her slender limbs around me, and I felt something soft being squished on my back.

(Danger... I need to focus all my nerves on my back... No, that's bad! It's hard to walk!)

Not only because of the weight, but I started to lean forward, and the scent of Ferin that wafted... Hmm?

For some reason, it made me feel strangely calm.

"Ferin smells like the sun? No, more like the sun when you hang out your futon. It's a good, comforting scent that makes you feel like you can sleep well."

I said what I thought without thinking—

"Fufu...?"

Her reaction to that was different from usual.

---

"Which one do you think suits you better?"

"...This one."

In a familiar situation, I immediately chose the sandals.

In the goddess network, if something is good, Feiril follows the same pattern.

So it's fine for me to choose for her, but...

(The old man in the shoe store is grinning behind Ferin. Your grin is also familiar! I bet he thinks I'm bringing a different woman to do the same thing. That's true! But it's not my fault! Can't you give some advice as a shoe salesman?)

My wish was in vain, and the old man, sitting at the counter, just grinned and watched our interaction.

Expecting Japanese-style customer service in this world was foolish.

"The sandals definitely suit you, but where do you plan to explore? Depending on that, boots might be better."

"Hmm? I haven't decided yet. I might just follow Loki!"

"Eh? That's not a good idea! I probably have plans tomorrow!"

"Eh! But you said you could move leisurely!"

"Well, I meant within the town... Besides, haven't you forgotten your purpose here?"

"Uh! That's true, but... But! I also have the goal of seeing what the food in this town is like!"

This is the third time a goddess's [Separate Body] has descended.

I have a rough idea of the flow and what the goddesses want.

Reia, I think, was monitoring and investigating whether I, who possess a monster-specific skill, could become a dangerous existence.

Feiril, being a living being, had the purpose of confirming monsters, separate from the goal of finding a transferer.

So, I wondered if Ferin had a similar purpose and asked her in advance.

Ferin's answer was about the food situation in the lower world.

She was more concerned about whether there was a shortage of food rather than the taste.

As the goddess of abundance, this was to be expected.

That's why she understood that descending while living like a hermit in the Lulub Forest would be meaningless.

In return, when I returned, I would show her around the town within the range I knew.

But!

I didn't say anything about that.

It would be bad to take Ferin to a drinking party with many male hunters.

It would definitely cause a commotion, and I don't want to see Mizuru-san and others with glittering eyes trying to seduce her.

I also don't want to see the vulnerable Ferin falling for it.

So, I need to say what needs to be said.

"Luckily, I have some free time for about a week, so I can accompany Ferin for meals when I'm free. It would be helpful to know what the food tastes like. Reia and Feiril were with me for about half a day, but Ferin will be with me longer, which is special. However, when I have plans, it would be bad to bring Ferin along, right? So, in other cases—personally, I think it would be better to investigate Palmera. It's not a place that can be covered in a day with just Feiril."

"O-Okay, I understand! I'll do as you say!"

"Alright, let's choose the shoes quickly and go for dinner."

"Then I'll take the one Loki chose!"

"Alright. You're doing well, old man?"

"Ku..."

I won't forget that face for ten years!!

But since Ferin is happy, I'll let it slide for now.

This is probably the last time, right?

With that in mind, I regained my composure and headed to the familiar 'Karii' to give Ferin her first taste of the lower world.

---

Clank...

Hmm. The store is as empty as always.

It's dinner time, but there are only two customers at the counter.

While it's relaxing, I'm a bit worried that my favorite store might go out of business.

"Hey, boy... Is she your girlfriend?"

As I sat at a table, the Indian-looking owner, who I've seen before, called out to me.

I understand why he's curious, but I don't want this to turn into a dangerous situation.

"Yes!"

See, just as I thought.

Does Ferin even know what a girlfriend means?

"Hey, Ferin? Do you know what a girlfriend means? Ah, two Karii, please!"

"Hmm? Kind of?"

"Then, what does it mean?"

"It means Loki is special, right?"

Umm... It's not entirely wrong, but it's a bit ambiguous.

Indeed, if it's just about being special, I did say that earlier, so it's understandable that Ferin would affirm it.

So, I'll explain it properly.

I'm not sure if it aligns with the common sense of this world, but...

"Ferin, a girlfriend is indeed special, but it's special in the sense of considering marriage in the future... Do you understand marriage?"

"M-Marriage... Of course I know! I often hear that word in church! Eee, am I going to marry Loki!? Fwaaaaa, I need to boast about this now!"

"Wait a minute!!"

I can't let such a huge bomb be thrown into the divine realm.

I can easily imagine myself doing a press conference in bed, explaining through [Divine Power].

The two middle-aged men, who are sweating profusely, are staring at me, but I can't worry about that now.

"Saying that would cause a big problem! Besides, I can't marry... Ferin!"

"Why not?"

"Eh? Why? Well, it's because..."

"..."

"H-Humans and children can't be made, right? Probably..."

What am I talking about in a curry shop named Karii?

This is not something to talk about here, but the conversation led to this...

What's the cause?

The owner?

The Indian owner?

Clunk.

Two Karii were placed on the table without a word.

As always, thank you for the quick service.

"Let's eat, then?"

"U-Um! It's my first meal!"

"..."

"N-Mo---!!?"

Her face turned red, she covered her mouth, and her eyes were teary, but she looked incredibly cute.

I was wondering what to do, but I changed the title of the work to (tentative).

Old: 'Where Will You End Up, Hero or Demon King? --The Former Failed Player's Businessman Conquers the Other World--'

New: 'Where Will You End Up, Hero or Demon King? --The Former Failed Player's Clumsy Businessman Conquers the Other World--'

The job has changed to a clumsy businessman (in the story, he is still referred to as a businessman).

I don't think I should explain the detailed reasons here, so if you're interested, please check the activity report. I also touch on the age and behavior discrepancies that often appear in the comments.