◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 40: Guidance of the Goddess
“So it’s not that the Demon King is reviving, then?”
That was Tain’s second question, or more a confirmation.
“This journey is not one to defeat the Demon King.”
That was not our purpose this time.
“Then why are you younger again? You’re not a second generation or something, are you?”
“Well now… call it the goddess’s guidance.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
Troublesome matters can usually be smoothed over by invoking the goddess’s name.
“And these two, forgive their sharp tongues. They’re seeking their weapons, as I’ve heard. But what about this High Priest here?”
Tain’s gaze shifted from Alina and Io to Marius.
While ignoring the little sports meet being held across my ribs and shoulders, I grabbed hold of Pyaa when it started running across my face. Sit still, you!
“If those of us from the old guard linger forever, the next generation cannot rise. I have already stepped down from the position of High Priest. Remaining in the capital would only have left me restless, so I seized this chance to accompany them.”
Marius smiled pleasantly, ever the man of good outward manners.
What was that man saying, after leaving us the parting gift of forcing a troublesome problem into the open, one that had to be dealt with quickly to avoid pursuit?
From what I’d heard, the royal capital must be in a complete uproar now, nobles and temple alike running about in confusion.
“Isn’t it too late to worry about being out of step with the world at this point?”
There was a trace of hesitation in Tain’s voice.
“Just don’t abandon the matter before we even begin. If you act knowing full well you’re out of step, that’s one thing, but blundering about unaware is what I’d rather avoid.”
Pya, bored of hanging there, had begun to kick at the air with its hind legs.
“So you want me to ignore your accomplishments and just point out where you’re off compared to ordinary adventurers?”
“That’s right,” I said with a nod.
“First, your way of speaking.”
“Too formal?”
Alina, Io, and Marius, all at once.
Alina and Io both looked bewildered. Coarse words didn’t suit them in the least, and I couldn’t picture these three, Marius included, speaking roughly.
“That too, but Boss, at the very least you ought to fix the way you talk.”
“You can’t hide it, the old man just seeps right through.” Marius added.
“Grr…!”
Always one word too many, that man!
“Just speak plain and straight, none of this ‘aye, aye’ business.”
“It’s already become a habit like this!”
After we slew the Demon King, I was granted the title of margrave. The royals and nobles—the royal family were broad-minded enough, but the others were tiresome.
In trying to reconcile the way I’d always spoken with the manner expected in public, this is what I ended up with.
“What else?”
“Your outfit, Boss.”
“……”
Pya! That’s it, the problem is that they can’t see Pya!
“This man will be traveling with us for a while. Show yourself, at least once.”
“Pyaa.”
I couldn’t tell what it said, but from the look in its eyes, I knew what it wanted.
“Fine, I’ll give you this. Just show yourself quietly.”
I brought the tiger thrush it had been eyeing up to its mouth. Still dangling from my grip, it grabbed the bird with both hands and started eating.
“…What in the hell is that?”
“It is Lord Shinju, a sacred beast.”
Marius informed Tain, whose eyebrow had shot up.
“Bah, Pya is name enough. A creature stuffing its face like that hardly suits a name like Shinju. Truth be told, I still doubt it’s even a sacred beast at all.”
“It eats more than I do, you see. And when it hides itself, it apparently looks to others as though I’m the one doing the eating.”
“Well now… I had thought the way you swallowed boiled eggs whole, and other such odd manners, were strange indeed.”
…Swallowing whole?
“Pya! If you’re supposed to be a sacred beast, at least put on a little show of chewing, or some such art! You’re making me look ridiculous!”
“Pya.”
Having finished the Tiger Quail, Pya dangled from me. Thanks to rationing its share, it hadn’t yet turned eggplant-shaped, but its belly still hung heavy.
Next time, make it look like Marius is the one eating.
“As it stands, the three of us are perhaps a touch too proper, while the only one behaving oddly is this man here.”
“Most of it is Pya’s fault!”
And don’t start grooming yourself while dangling there! You can’t even reach your own fur with that tongue!
“As expected of those who once journeyed with the Hero. Even a sacred beast wants to stay by your side.”
“No need to dress it up as something lofty. Spoil this thing too much and it’ll start eyeing the food off your plate.”
Though truth be told, it had already set its sights on Tain’s Tiger Quail.
“Pya, either stop clinging to me or at least do something so it doesn’t look like I’m the one behaving strangely on account of you.”
“If someone asks suspiciously, why not just say it’s the goddess’s guidance, or her whim? If it’s something a sacred beast does, no one would call it blasphemy.”
And yet for all the many who never ask, we’re leaving them with the wrong idea. What exactly are they supposed to take away from that explanation!? That the goddess’s guidance consists of swallowing boiled eggs whole!?
