Chapter 157

<Nyantan Kikeepat POV>

The goddess finally finished reading my report.

[There were some things I never expected, but it seems that making the Heroes more powerful by going to the Golden Demon Zone was a success. The casualties were only two light-colored Heroes, whose presences don’t change anything whether they’re alive or not…… These results are superb ♪]

The Royal Castle of Alion.

The Goddess’ Personal Room.

Inside this room were only the Goddess and I.

The Goddess is twirling her fingers between her hair.

[“Levelling-up”…… Everytime they kill a Golden-Eyed monster, we could visibly see growth within them. There is no such thing like an “easy growth” in this world. Before they notice it, raising these numbers itself would be a pleasure for them… Fufu, maybe it’s in the human’s nature to be a slave to numbers.]

The Goddess threw the report back on to the desk.

[But Nyantan…… I can’t help but wonder why Sogou-san’s precious friends are still alive. Do you know why? It can’t be helped if I think that it’s really strange.]

[It appears that someone or something has stopped them.]

[Ehh~? D- Don’t tell me that you didn’t investigate who stopped them—- Well, you probably did, right? You’re excellent after all. I’m really sorry if I doubted you.]

[My apologies. I couldn’t figure out who it was.]

[Ehh~? That’s absurd! Y- You’re lying, right? You’re not making light of people’s lives, right?]

I deeply lowered my head.

[My apologies.]

[Is that so… Is that so…………………………….. You’re not just covering up someone, right?]

[There’s no one for me to cover up.]

[Ummm… This is hard for me to ask but……]

[By all means.]

[You didn’t immediately submit Ashinto’s report summarizing the information you received from Urza, did you?]

[I was late from submitting that report. My apologies.]

As if she’s confirming her own words, the Goddess muttered.

[You’re late… even though you’re excellent.]

The goddess rises from her seat.

She stood behind me.

[You’re not secretly in touch with the Ashinto, the people who killed the “Humanity’s Strongest” and were planning some kind of nefarious plan, are you…… Fufufu. Well, you wouldn’t do that, right?]

The goddess put her hands around my waist.

Her hand began to caress my belly.

[You wouldn’t do that, would you?]

[I wouldn’t.]

Then, the Goddess began groping around my body.

It’s as if she’s looking for something hidden.

[What about the Takao Sisters?]

The reason why I was chosen as the sisters’ mentor.

The underlying reason is she wants me to act as their watchdog.

The goddess still hasn’t decided how to treat the sisters.

[I dared to give those sisters freedom to act. And they’re using that freedom to do something that causes me grief? Ahh…… I’m very nervous just to hear your answer. I think I need to take a deep breath…… Hwooooooooo Haaaaa……]

[They’re not moving in any way that we need to be particularly concerned about. They’re steadily getting stronger though.]

[But the other day, they asked me a question that seemed to defy me. It’s as if they’re thinking I’m being mean to Sogou-san……]

[I thought that if I gave the impression that I’m not alienating them, I thought that they would come to trust Vysis-sama just like the other Heroes do…… That question may also be for that reason.]

[Is Hijiri-san really a person like that?]

[Yes.]

[Hmm~ I thought Hijiri-san was more aggressive than that…… she looks awfully eerie. Arara…… —–Ah, you’re not lying, are you?]

[Of course not.]

[…………, ————. …………? ———–, …………………………………………? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………?]

This is a unique way of cross-examining by the Goddess for those who refuse to speak.

In rare cases, the Goddess uses the silence to probe the other person’s mind.

[So that’s how it is~]

It’s difficult to judge what she means with just those few words.

I don’t know how to interpret that.

The Goddess’ hands stop moving.

[Umm, Nyantan…… If it’s really too difficult for you, it’s alright for you to betray me, you know? Please don’t overdo it. I won’t blame you. I will just dispose of you.]

[There’s no way I would betray Vysis-sama.]

[Then, that delayed submission is really just your mistake……? E- Even though your cute little sisters’ life may be at stake…… It’s amazing that you’re able to make a mistake there. I can’t help but respect your courage.]

[I haven’t gotten around to do it because of the continuous duties that I need to do those days. My apologies for the failed assassination towards the members of Ayaka Sogou’s group.]

[Fufufu…… You’re a responsible person, aren’t you?]

[…………………]

[Am I too strict?]

[No.]

[Am I being narrow-minded?]

[No.]

The Goddess placed her hand around my lips and shoved her finger into my mouth.

[Even if you reflected about it yourself, someone would definitely complain about those who don’t grow at all…… and you would have some nerve if you had grown to dislike the other party for complaining. I’d like you to give me a break from that tendency for those with greater calibres to just easily forgive others. There isn’t anyone in this world who didn’t grow without getting hurt. Sniff…… It’s a really tough world, don’t you think…….? Please do your best……]

[I’ll strive to be better.]

The hurt ones isn’t the Goddess, nor is it myself.

Shutting off my senses, I let my gaze wander about.

One thing caught my eyes.

I think…… It’s a large painting covered with a piece of cloth.

I hadn’t been in this room before.

It appears that the goddess noticed my gaze.

[You’re curious about that?]

The goddess walked over to the painting and took off the cloth.

A blond High Elf comes into my sight.

[This is a portrait of Seras Ashrain.]

The former leader of the Holy Knights of Neia.

[It was an offering to me from Bakuos’ emperor. Now that they have lost the “Humanity’s Strongest”, it seems that they wanted to be under the protection of the strong goddess. Fufu, as far as I’m concerned though, I wanted the person herself here rather than this painting.]

It is said that this was painted while looking at the person herself.

It was apparently the work of the royal painter at that time.

It’s also said that this was originally the treasure of the Holy King.

After they have captured Neia, most of the treasures fell into the hands of Bakuos’ Emperor.

However, this painting was kept by the Holy King until his end.

[It is said that the Holy King rarely allowed the others to paint the person herself face-to-face. It seems that he had a professional royal painter to paint some of them but…… Well, that’s the reason why the authentic paintings of her were so valuable. Of course, it seems that forgeries would frequently come out in the market too…… Ah, I also heard that some of her portraits posted on the Mercenary Guild were stolen? What a frightening story…… Ah, how terrifying their thoughts must be…… Humans were really frightening, aren’t they?]

The Princess Knight, Seras Ashrain.

She’s already dead.

The public has already perceived her as such.

Her corpse still wasn’t found though……

[Ah, yes, I heard something amusing. Did you know that the items she personally used were being actively traded among the nobles of various countries? I heard that the value of those things has bizarrely risen since the rumors of her death began spreading around the continent.]

Her used items.

That alone created their value.

“What strange people…” is what I only thought.

[If they’re worth that much…… If I could get my hands on the person herself, she would surely have lots of uses. For instance, let’s see—-]

Uses—- I hate the sound of that word.

“I could have earned a lot from lending her out to others.]

“L