The next day.

Is it morning I gotta get up. [Ryouma]

As I rubbed my eyes, I got off the bed. Its been a while since I drank so much, but thanks to Tekuns divine protection, I dont feel sick at all. Actually, Ive never had a hangover since coming to this world.

Lets do our best today too! [Ryouma]

As I fired myself up, a voice suddenly echoed within my mind. This is from a G.o.d!

Ryouma, can you hear my voice? [Gayn]

The owner of the voice, was this worlds G.o.d of Creation, Gayn. Because of all the banquets weve been having, my Oracle skill has been levelling up a lot. Before I knew it, Ive become able to talk with them without having to go to the church. So, whenever Gayn and the others want to talk to me, I use the Oracle skill. We dont really talk about anything else outside of the banquets though Is he calling about that this time too?

Yup, loud and clear. Its been a while since you last contacted me though. Is everything alright, Gayn? [Ryouma]

But of course, were all doing splendidly. We just had a difficult job, and it was quite taxing. Everyones exhausted. [Gayn]

His voice is cheerful, but therere clearly traces of fatigue.

If youre all finished with your work, how about I cook you guys something again? [Ryouma]

We were actually hoping you would. Is that alright? [Gayn]

Of course, Ill go in the evening after preparing everything. [Ryouma]

Ill be looking forward to it then. See you later night. [Ryouma]

After those last words resounded in my head, everything went silent again.

Incidentally, although I have to go to a church to enter the divine realm, theres a church east of the mines. Its built like those famous historical churches that I saw in my textbooks back in my previous world. Its really amazing. In fact, Gayn and the others thinks so too. Its a lot closer than the church in town, so I can take my time.

While I was thinking about what to cook, Elia and the others came.

Didnt they go to Renauph? Are they back already? Miyabis family is there, so they shouldve enjoyed themselves more

I greeted them at the entrance of the house, talked a bit, then I invited them in. Apparently, it was restless back in Miyabis house, so they couldnt get much rest. In the end, they decided to just go back after an overnight stay.

That aside, we bought you some souvenirs. [Miyabi]

Oh, right. They did mention about buying me some.

Thanks. [Ryouma]

As I said that, Miyabi and Sebasu-san glanced at each other. Then Sebasu-san took out a bag as big as a watermelon from his Item Box. And then, as if Miyabi was waiting for me to ask, she answered.

This is a Milequilis Fruit. [Miyabi]

Milequilis Ive never seen nor eaten one, but I have heard of it. If I recall correctly, this fruit is

Is this the famed Milequilis Fruit thats delicious but hard to cultivate and quick to spoil? [Ryouma]

Miyabi nodded, then she took out a fruit from the bag. The fruit was as rough as a pineapple and as big as a basketball. It feels hard, and it seems to be hollowed in just one spot. This fruit grows from trees, so this hollow spot is probably where the calyx used to be.

Thanks. I like it. [Ryouma]

Since it spoils fast, I should probably go ahead and use the light magic Preservation Good. Its too much to eat by myself, so I guess Ill cut it for lunch, and serve it as dessert.

As I was thinking that, Miyabi spoke.

Theres still more, ya know! Next up [Miyabi]

Theres more?

This ones from my dad. [Miyabi]

As Miyabi said that, this time she took out a rectangular wooden box that looked heavy. It was stuffed full of meguribus.h.i.+.

Oh, so this is a part of the payment for the production of the mizuame. [Ryouma]

Ya did say that you wouldnt mind us making and using them in the store, so dad wants me to tell you that well be stocking up on em to study. Were looking forward to work with the Saionji Firm from here on. [Miyabi]

Not at all. Its my pleasure. [Ryouma]

Being able to get meguribus.h.i.+ for so little is so awesome! But while I received the box of meguribus.h.i.+, the souvenirs werent done just yet. Elia and the others still had a mountain more to give me. Most of them were food and imported clothes though. Im not that particular about my clothes, but these clothes were imported from the dragonewt village, and looked like nagajuban, kinagas.h.i.+ and samue. Thesere seriously some good stuff.

When I told the girls that I liked their presents, their faces blossomed into smiles. Apparently, they had a hard time deciding what to buy in just one day.

When you think about it, Renauph is close enough to teleport too, so these arent really souvenirs, but things that I could enjoy or use. I should happily wear these.

After I received all of their souvenirs, Elia and the others resumed their training in full spirits. Then after checking up on their training, I went to prepare lunch.

Ryouma-san, arent you making too much? [Elia]

Im going to be meeting up with some acquaintances later evening, so theres quite a bit. [Ryouma]

Elias curiosity was piqued seeing all of the food, but she didnt pursue the matter any further, and she asked about my promotion exam instead. Whew, good thing she didnt ask. If she went Acquaintance? From where? And who? Id be really troubled.

After eating, we had the Milequilis for dessert. I asked Sebasu-san how to cut it.

First cut it in half, then hollow out the seeds inside. After that, just cut it, and distribute. [Sebasu]

Is what he said. I guess its no different from cutting melon.

Following Sebasus advice, I reinforced my kitchen knife with ki, then I effortlessly cut the Milequilis in two, causing white liquid to gush out. At that, an intoxicating sweet smell suddenly filled the room. It probably seeped outside too. Can a fruit really emit this sort of fragrance?

This fragrance is proof that its ready to eat. When its still too raw or too ripe, the fruit wont emit this smell. [Sebasu]

As I listened to Sebasu-sans explanation, I removed the crescent-moon-shaped seeds from the two halves, then I cut them into portions. After that, Sebasu-san distributed them across different plates.

Well then, its time to serve. [Sebasu]

I took a bite In that instant, the fragrant earlier ago spread within my mouth, and the fruits juices overflowed. I dont really get the taste, but its like a mixture of various fruit juices.

As I ate, everyone else started eating. It was delicious, and everyone ate with relish. Apparently, the Milequilis Fruit is rare even amongst n.o.bles, so everyone happily ate.

After eating, the training in the afternoon was cancelled, and the girls helped me prepare the food for the banquet later evening instead. They said it was to improve their cooking, but either way, its a huge help for me.

I put the food we made into a magic box, then I stored it in my Item Box. After Elia and the others went home, I went to the church East of my house.

Stone columns stood in a row, and in between was a large slab of rock for a wall. As soon as I pa.s.sed through the entrance of the temple, I found myself in the chapel. This whole place could accommodate about 200 people, but aside from me, barely anyone ever comes here. Directly opposite the entrance could be seen an altar and a pedestal, as well as some statues shaped after the G.o.ds lined up.

The moment I stood in front of the altar, that familiar light immediately shone, and I closed my eyes. It seems theyve been waiting. When the light ceased, I opened my eyes, and I found myself standing in that white s.p.a.ce. The room wasnt empty. There was a table and some chairs. And more importantly, there were plenty of familiar faces.

Weve been waiting, Ryouma! Take out those snacks! [Tekun]

Cant you wait for a bit? [Fer Noevir]

As soon as I appeared in the room, Tekun immediately asked for the snacks, leading him to meet Fel Noevirs rebuke.

All the G.o.ds I know are present. Even the one whos usually absent, Fer Noevir, is here. As for why hes usually absent, it might be because hes bad at rowdy stuff like this.

Long time no see~ [Kufo]

Sorry for always troubling you. [Gayn]

Gayn, Kufo, its been a while. Everyone seems to be here today. [Ryouma]

We just finished an important job, after all. Everyone wants to relax. [Rurutia]

Speaking of important jobs theres only one thing that comes to mind

Did you figure it out? [Meltrize]

The Demon Kings Fragments? [Ryouma]

Precisely. [Meltrize]

The G.o.ddess of sleep and death, Meltrize, spoke. Shes always somewhere near every time I notice her presence Well, Ive gotten used to it already though. That aside, they were apparently still looking for them. Ive heard them finding those fragments so many times, so I thought they found them all already.

This time, we found three. [Grimp]

That many? [Ryouma]

Two were at the bottom of the sea. One was underground. There are more elsewhere too. He sure hid them well. [Grimp]

That guys body burst and scattered a lot when we were fighting him. Shouldnt have let him. That just gave him a chance to hide himself. [Kirilel]

This time the G.o.d of Farming, Grimp, and the G.o.d of War, Kirilel, spoke. Erm, wait So, you guys made the demon king blow up several times? Im impressed he managed to run away If a human were in his shoes, he wouldve died long ago.

Apparently, the demon kings power seems to be hidden. But on top of that, because theyre just fragments, their power is weak. And with all the magic power all over the world, its like looking for a needle in a haystack. As a result, they end up taking a lot of effort just to find one to destroy.

Thats not all. The power to extinguish a fragment is really dangerous, so the surrounding area ends up being destroyed. So, we have to keep it in check to ensure that we do as little damage to the ecosystem as possible. We also have to monitor the area afterwards. [Kirilel]

The point is that its really exhausting, so it makes us want to drink. [Grimp]

Makes sense Here, more snacks. [Ryouma]

Thanks. [Grimp]

This time the G.o.ddess of Land, Willieris, changed the topic, and Kufo joined in.

Thats enough complaining, you guys. [Willieris]

Right, right. By the way, Ryouma, what have you been up to lately? We didnt have the time to watch recently, so were a bit late on the happenings. [Kufo]

The G.o.ds all looked at me as I recounted my time in the magic beast tournament and with Elias group. The topic this time was a lot more cheerful.

Oh? So, youre teaching those girls now? [Willieris]

Yes, everyones doing really well. For example [Ryouma]

I happily talked about my time alone and with the girls training. I even had a gla.s.s in one hand and snack in the other as I talked, but theres a limit to how long I can stay here.

Its almost time. [Meltrize]

Already? [Grimp]

Well, lets continue this next time. I think youll have more stories to tell us then. [Kirilel]

I look forward to it. [Tekun]

Meltrize reminded us of the time, so we started to end the banquet. After we finished, the light shone again. Suddenly, however, Willieris handed a map to me.

Ryouma-kun, youre already free from the last fragment, right? [Willieris]

This is a map of Troll Canyon Thats the canyon where the Execution Grounds is located, the place where I found the fragment. On the map, theres a point that shows where I can excavate magic jewels.

Ever since I took the demon kings fragment from the canyon, all the magic power that was being sucked by it spilled into the surroundings, resulting in an explosive increase of undead-type magical beast. Magic jewels have also become a lot more common. With this map, Im guaranteed to find a lot of jewels.

Its a map from the G.o.ddess of Land herself after all. Naturally, the number of magic jewels you could find with it would be way over the top as compensation for some food. I didnt really know what else to say, so I just gratefully accepted it.

Thank you very much. Ill gather some when I go out to feed the grave slimes. [Ryouma]

Dont mind it. Well ask you to prepare a banquet for us again, so set those aside for the food costs then. [Willieris]

Sure. Then, until next time. [Ryouma]