“There’s an incredible number of people around New Year’s huh.”
“It looks like it will take quite a while to get inside the church.”
What I see is a long line of people lining up to the church. Even with a quick look at the number, there are probably 10,000 people here. I was already beginning to regret coming to the church for a new year’s visit.
“Hey, I think it’s about time you started complimenting us on how we look. We took a lot of time to get dressed you know.”
Erna wore a pink dress, and her long hair is tied in a ponytail style. She has heart-shaped earrings in her ears and a light amount of makeup on her face. She is already boasting a breathtaking beauty, but today, she also had a divine aura, as if a goddess had manifested.
Liz is also wearing a dress. It was yellow in color and she also had a round earrings in her ears. She gives off a cute vibe, but I feel a faint sex appeal because she is wearing a short skirt and black knee-highs.
Freya is in a v-cut lilac dress. It accentuates her cleavage that it would make you look back. White hairball-like earrings swayed in her ears, and her long, white legs peeked out from the slits of her skirt as she walked.
“Well, you guys look more beautiful than usual today.”
“I thought it is lovely too.”
Erna shyly asked, “Right?”, as she wrapped her arms around my right arm. Seeing that, Liz immediately entwined her arms on my left arm.
“Isn’t it enviable to have flowers in both hands?”
When I turned around, I saw Bud, the guild manager, standing there. He is accompanied by a woman who appears to be his wife and a little girl who seems to be his daughter.
“Happy New Year. I look forward for you continued support this year.”
“Happy New Year. Okay, that’s it for the formal greetings. Are you guys making your new year’s visit too?”
“That’s right. Bud is with your family huh.”
“Yeah. I have to say hello to God at the beginning of the year you see. By the way, I just heard about it but, what is Homeless Cafeteria?”
“It’s a resting place that I built inside the dungeon. Is that no good?”
“No. On the other hand, thanks to that cafeteria, the adventurer mortality rate has been decreasing recently. The guild wants it to continue for a long time you see. But-, you’re not going to close the shop, right?”
“Not at the moment. If it’s profitable, I’m going to do it for the next ten or twenty years.”
Bud grinned as if it was as he expected. Then he took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to me.
“What’s this?”
“It’s a letter from King Logas. It is addressed to the guild but I thought it would be a good idea for Homeless to read it as well.”
I removed the letter from the envelope that was already unsealed. The content was to acknowledge the fifteenth to thirtieth floors of the Mohed Great Dungeon as the property of Shinichi Tanaka. I didn’t understand it well, so I tilted my neck in confusion.
“Dungeons basically don’t belong to anyone, it’s the same for every kingdom. However, this time, the kingdom allowed certain people to own it. It’s a declaration that we won’t interfere with the level designated by the state.”
“I understand that but, even if the kingdom recognizes such ownership, other kingdom and guilds won’t, right?”
“That’s right. This is just to emphasize that the kingdom has recognized you as the owner of those levels. Well, it is also a fact that Mohed Great Dungeon exists in Logas kingdom’s territory. As long as it does not interfere with our business, the guild has been ordered to have a “wait and see” attitude over this matter.”
Is he telling me not to get into trouble with other adventurers?
Hmmm. For me, I think it’s fine to maintain the status quo as long as it doesn’t destroy my life. So even if I get ownership, nothing will change. However, considering that something like last time will not happen again, I am happy with the decision the kingdom has made. It was probably due to the concern of my clone, who became the king as well.
Thank you to myself, I guess.
“To finally move the kingdom, I’ve caught an eye on an incredibly talented person huh. I look forward to your continued support.”
“Same here. By the way, I haven’t had any requests lately. Do you have any jobs that look good?”
“Ah! Now that I think about it, Homeless is still an advanced rank adventurer. Well then, I’ll introduce you to a request from the southern frontier. It’s far away but the reward is pretty good.”
I decided to accept the request after hearing the details. I’m excited about what kind of place the southern frontier is.
“Shinichi, it looks like it’s our turn.”
Hearing Erna’s voice, I shifted my gaze forward and found that she had already come to the entrance of the church. This church is a sacred place dedicated to 『Creator God Zepha』. It is commonly referred to as ‘Creationism’, and it is a religion believed in by ninety percent of the people in the kingdom.
I stared at the entrance for a while. The church was a stone building, with angels and people carved on the walls. On both side of the large door are two statues of angels and as if to judge those who pass by, one is holding a spear and the other one is holding a sword. The whole building was like a work of art and there was something about it that evokes adoration and awe to the viewers.
“Be quiet from here. The Creator God hates idle talk.”
“You seem to know a lot about the church. Is Erna a member of Creationism?”
“In my case, I guess it would be better to say that I am a World Tree believer. Sanargia believes in the World Tree you see. It’s just that the World Tree worships the Creator God, so because of that, we are on good terms with the Creator God religion, and our customs are similar.”
“Why does the World Tree worship the Creator God?”
“Rumor has it that he has met the Creator God in person, although I don’t really know the full details.”
If God exists, he may also know why I was reincarnated. And-, why did something like that happen in Tokyo? If I have a chance, I would like to ask the World Tree about the Creator God.
We entered the church without saying a word, and my eyes fell on the statue at the far end. In Christianity, there is a crucified Christ statue, but in creationism, the creator god seems to be decorated. The figure was made of black stone, and from his appearance, he appeared to be a man. He wore a robe on his body and a bracelet on his left hand.
“Tanaka-dono, don’t be dazed. Please pray.”
“Y-yes……”
I bowed my head while putting my hands together in front of the statue. While praying for the health and well-being of my companions, I threw a gold coin into the bowl placed in front of me.
The priest who was nearby exclaimed “Oh!” happily. It’s an amount equivalent to a million yen after all. This must be a good event for the church. This is only a feeling though. Well, I never thought of taking sides with the church.
“You seem to have a great sense of faith. I’d love to hear your name.”
“My name is Shinichi Tanaka. I’m an adventurer in this city under Homeless party.”
“You guys were the ones I heard about huh. It seems that the suspicion of being a criminal has been cleared, but it looks like your reputation has completely deteriorated. We would like to help you somehow…”
After hearing the priest’s words, I immediately took out five gold coins from my pocket.
“This is a donation to the church.”
“It seems like you have a deep sense of faith. I’ll contact the church headquarters. I’m sure the reputation of Homeless will be higher than before. Thank thee for God’s will.”
The priest who received the money quickly put it in his pocket. When I finished my prayer and stood up, everyone looked at me dumbfounded.
“I guess this was the reason why he was so excited about the New Year’s visit. I was shocked.”
“I can’t believe in God anymore…”
“I can’t believe you’re bribing a priest in front of the public. I’m speechless.”
“Priests are honest. Money makes the world.”
It’s an unpleasant story but it’s one of the ways to get around the world. Isn’t it a loss not to use a large organization such as a church in the first place? It’s troublesome when you’re against them, but it’s quite reassuring when you’re on their side.
I felt a stare as I tried to get out of the building. Wondering who, I turned around and saw that a man was standing next to the priest earlier. He had short white hair and a white cloth. He looked like one of the gods in Greek mythology. However, his chiselled feature is slightly of a Japanese guy.
“Who……?”
The man was staring at me with a smile on his face. The priest next to him didn’t even turn his head, as if he didn’t notice the man’s presence.
Wrong. To be precise, I should be the only one who can see that man. Even those who are offering prayers didn’t seem to notice him.
“O…… A……”
The man said something briefly. But I can’t hear it clearly.
“Who are you? Why are you talking to me?”
The moment I stepped out to ask him directly, the man disappeared from the place like a ghost.
“W-What was that?”
He looked young. He seems to be around 20 years old and has brown eyes. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere, but I can’t remember it. All I know is that we met a long time ago. I am sure of that.
“Shinichi, what’s wrong?”
“Oh…… It’s nothing.”
Pushing the uneasy feeling to back of my mind, I rushed to my comrades.
◇◇◇
After the first shrine visit, I went to the field in the miniature garden. There, along with Lich C, my clone was plowing the ground with a hoe.
“How’s it going?”
“Oh, the main body huh. As you can see, the field is doing well.”
“I see. By the way, what’s that big hut?”
There was a two-story wooden building at the place I pointed to. There is even a nameplate that says “Tanaka”.
“That’s my house. I thought it would be easier to work closer to the fields.”
“My bad. If we hadn’t been separated, you wouldn’t have to live in a place like this.”
“Don’t worry about it. Even though I look like this, I’m enjoying my miniature garden life. Spending time with my family like this is surprisingly not boring.”
My clone picks up the water bottle that he had hung around his waist and sips some water. I ponder as I watch the situation. Even though I’m letting my other self do the work, I still feel like he should be compensated. I feel bad for just using him.
“How about one gold coin a month?”
“Huh? Are you talking about salary?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be fun to go unpaid.”
“That’s right. Research costs a lot of money after all.”
I was struck by the word “research”. Is he making something again?
My clone grinned, perhaps sensing what I was thinking.
“I’m going to show you the latest research results. Hey, bring me that.”
“Katakata”
Lich C walks to the wooden warehouse. Then, once inside, he carried out a cart.
“This is the invention of the century! It’s truly the new star in the plant world!”
It was something about a meter long. The surface is covered with a light brown skin and has an irregular oval shape. Short limbs grew out of four places, and two large eyes wandered wildly. It is so strange seeing it tied to a cart with a rope in order to go on a rampage.
I involuntarily took a step backwards.
“W-What the hell is that?”
“It’s a jagaimu! It took a lot of effort to give this jagaimu the intelligence of a three-year-old you see.”
Why do potatoes need intelligence? That’s weird you know!
My clone states its advantages.
“The reason why this jagaimu is a great invention is because if you prepare water and fertilizer, the jagaimu will replenish themselves! Moreover, not only the size but also the quality is the highest class! The fries made with this are amazing!”
Lich C offers a plate of french fries. Tasting potatoes in front of Jagaimu-kun makes me feel indescribable. I put a piece in my mouth, it was crunchy and salty.
“It certainly tastes good.”
“Right? What’s more, this one has the strength to grow in rough land! If you grow it on the ground, you can eat it in places where food is scarce!”
It’s a reasonable statement, but isn’t it a problem if intelligence is involved? If you ask me if pigs and cows are conscious, I will answer that they are. but I don’t think vegetables need to be like that too.
Above all, it is difficult for me to eat. It’s because jagaimu-kun has been staring at me all the time. The taste is indeed good. The amount is also out of standard. However, I felt that it was dangerous to put such potato on the ground. It’s my gut feeling telling me so. I decided to tell my clone my final decision.
“We will only allow them to be made in the miniature garden. We will take them out to the ground after they are chopped, understood?”
“Yes. It’s strictly forbidden to keep them alive. It’s unfortunate, but it is a reasonable decision.”
When my clone was convinced, he ordered Lich C to chop jagaimu-kun as well. He sliced the huge potato with his sword without hesitation. Jagaimu-kun went on a rampage, burst into tears and died.
I don’t understand what I’m being shown anymore.
“Don’t make too much of such potatoes.”
“I know. What I am aiming for is the ultimate vegetable. Failure is inevitable though.”
“Listen to me!”
I’m really worried about how far Tanaka β’s vegetable development will go…
This is translated by Yume Neiji. Kindly read at yumeineijiworks.wordpress.com.
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