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Chapter 295: The Goddess’s Apostle
Chapter 295: The Goddess’s Apostle
Chapter 295: The Goddess’s Apostle
“Glad to see you are back, Makoto.” (Noah)
Noah-sama directs a smile filled with affection as she emited a divine light.
“It has been a while, Noah-sama.” (Makoto)
I silently lowered my head.
And then, I peeked at Noah-sama’s noble countenance.
A whole ton of jewels were decorating the clothes of Noah-sama.
Or more like, she has way too many on.
They are making clink clink sounds.
(Hmm…she looks like an upstart Goddess.) (Makoto)
“I can hear you, Makoto.” (Noah)
Noah-sama tells me with a straight stare.
She is reading my mind as if it were natural.
Then it is the same as if I were saying it out loud.
“Those jewels are unnecessary with your beauty, Noah-sama.” (Makoto)
“Hmm, is that so? Nicely said.” (Noah)
Noah-sama seems to like the compliment.
“Here, for you, Makoto.” (Noah)
Noah-sama snaps her fingers.
“Uwah!” (Makoto)
A whole ton of stuff began to rain on me.
Wait, these are gems and accessories?
Noah-sama now looked the same as usual.
I now have mountains of gems around me.
Eh? You are giving me all this?
“Uhm…these are all stuff that your believers gave to you, right? Is that okay?” (Makoto)
“It is okay, it is okay. You are an Apostle, so you are basically the representative of a Goddess. Things that are offered to me are for the Apostle too, and the words of the Apostle are my words.” (Noah)
“An Apostle has that much authority?!” (Makoto)
I was the only believer for the longest of times, so I didn’t pay it much mind.
“Right. For example; if you were to tell a girl believer of mine ‘come to my room tonight’, that girl won’t be able to go against you. They will do anything for you. Want to try?” (Noah)
“I won’t!” (Makoto)
So scary.
Also, if I were to do something like that, Lucy and Sa-san would end me.
“Well, anyways…” (Noah)
The face of Noah-sama draws closer to me.
“Nice job coming back. I have also gotten a whole lot of believers. It was all thanks to you, Makoto!” (Noah)
“O-Okay. It is great to see you are happy.” (Makoto)
It has been 3 years since I have spoken to her, so I am a bit nervous.
“Even though it hasn’t been that long since you have woken up, you were dragged around quite a lot. Take more care of your body.” (Noah)
“It has been a while after all. But it was tiring.” (Makoto)
“Good work. Take more care of your body.” (Noah)
The Goddess said with a tone filled with kindness and affection.
Hearing that voice, my nervousness was melting.
“By the way…have I been reinstated as an Apostle…as a believer of yours, Noah-sama?” (Makoto)
When I asked this, Noah-sama made a dumbfounded expression.
And then, she made a broad smile.
“Ahahaha! What a worrywart, Makoto.” (Noah)
After saying that, she gave me a piece of paper.
My Soul Book.
Since when…
When I look at the details, it was written: The Apostle of the Goddess Noah.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Looks like I managed to return to being the believer of Noah-sama.
But I am now not the only believer, but one of the many believers.
At that moment, the words Princess Sofia told me yesterday resurfaced.
“Now that I think about it, you aren’t going to be choosing a Hero and an Oracle?” (Makoto)
Noah-sama has now become the 8th Goddess in the Goddess Church.
An official Goddess in the West Continent.
In that case, there should be an Oracle that brings the believers together, and a Hero that protects the believers from dangers.
“Hmm, well, eventually.” (Noah)
Noah-sama doesn’t sound interested.
“Is that okay? We are about to have the last battle against the Great Demon Lord. If the Hero that you choose does well in that battle…” (Makoto)
“It is okay. I have you, Makoto.” (Noah)
“…”
She said firmly.
It makes me feel a bit embarrassed being trusted this much.
“Will it be okay for me to return to being a Country Designated Hero of Rozes? If there’s the need to increase the number of believers, I will do my best…” (Makoto)
The Hero and Oracle are publicity symbols.
With those are absent, I have to do my best as the Apostle.
“I don’t really like those minute stuff. There’s no need for you to worry about those trivial things. Do as you please.” (Noah)
“…Okay.” (Makoto)
So nostalgic.
This is Noah-sama.
Do as you please, she says.
“More importantly…” (Noah)
Slight seriousness covers the voice of Noah-sama.
“Don’t put all your attention just on the Great Demon Lord, okay? People aren’t a monolith in this era, you know.” (Noah)
“…What do you mean by that?” (Makoto)
Those words bothered me.
We will most likely be facing the Great Demon Lord with the 7 country alliance army.
And yet, we are not a monolith?
She must have reacted to the voice of my heart, she made a meaningful smile.
“The greed of people is endless…” (Noah)
“Greed?” (Makoto)
“They are thinking that…the one country that contributes the most in the Great Demon Lord subjugation…will be the next leader of the West Continent.” (Noah)
“The leader of the West Continent is Highland, right?” (Makoto)
“That’s beginning to shake, you see~.” (Noah)
Noah-sama explained.
There’s 3 reasons as to why the standing of Highland is falling.
The first one goes without saying. The blow they received from losing against the Ancient Dragon King.
The second is apparently because Queen Noel has abolished the slave system and the hierarchichal discrimation system.
Queen Noel took an opposing stance against the hierarchical system.
With her enthronement, she moved along with that policy.
But there’s strong opposition from the nobles and the church, and the inner situation of Highland isn’t stable.
“And the 3rd one, the rise of another country.” (Noah)
Noah-sama raises the third finger.
“Another country… Great Keith?” (Makoto)
Did that militaristic battle loving country get even stronger?
But it seems like I was wrong, Noah-sama grinned.
“Buuh buuh, wrong. The right answer is the Moon Country and the Water Country.” (Noah)
“…Huh?” (Makoto)
The names of two countries I thought wouldn’t be the ones had come up.
It has only been 1 year since the revival of the Moon Country Laphroaig.
And even I know how weak the Water Country of Rozes is.
“For the Moon Country, it is all the hard work of Furiae-chan. Also, there were a whole lot of devilkin who were hiding in the West Continent until now.” (Noah)
Laphroaig has been accepted as a country, and a large number of residents gathered.
That apparently increased their national power suddenly.
“Moreover, there’s the fact that the cooperation of the Holy Maiden Furiae-chan helped out in the Light Hero-kun defeating Forneus. Her authority increased quite a lot from that.” (Noah)
“Is that so…” (Makoto)
Now that she mentions it, Forneus went to attack Laphroaig, right?
I can understand how their standing increased from fighting them off.
“But what about Rozes…? They don’t have much territory, their army is weak, and don’t have that many resources, you know?” (Makoto)
Also, the Water Goddess Eir-sama is a Goddess that hates war.
“First, Spring Log announced that they would be obeying the Water Country. The reason…is related to you, Makoto. You get what I am saying, right?” (Noah)
When speaking of being related to me…
“The matter about the Immortal King Bifrons…?” (Makoto)
I stopped the resurrection of the Immortal King Bifrons in the Demonic Forest.
But is that all?
“It seems like the Demonic Forest being gone now was a big factor, too. The elders that felt grateful for this seem to want to repay the Country Designated Hero of the Water Country.” (Noah)
“…”
It had become important without my knowing.
“By the way, the Fire Country’s standing is currently a bit questionable. This is also because of you, Makoto.” (Noah)
“Did I do something?” (Makoto)
I stopped the fall of a comet, but my name shouldn’t have been publicized.
“Aya-chan, who rampaged greatly in the tournament of the Fire Country, didn’t register as their Country Designated Hero and returned to being an adventurer of the Water Country.” (Noah)
“So Sa-san stopped being a Hero, huh…” (Makoto)
Now that I think about it, she didn’t say anything about working as a Hero.
It seemed like she was working busily as an Orihalcon Rank adventurer.
“The strongest fighter of the Fire Country flowing to the Water Country destroyed the reputation of the Fire Country.” (Noah)
“That’s scary.” (Makoto)
Hope they aren’t holding a grudge.
“It seems there’s no problem with that. The Fire Country’s General reveres you after all.” (Noah)
“…Really?” (Makoto)
The top of the Fire Armed Forces, General Tariska.
If I remember correctly, he was participating in yesterday’s party.
He said he cancelled all plans he had for this, but maybe he wasn’t joking.
He asked me incessantly about what happened 1,000 years ago, but at the very least, I didn’t feel animosity from him.
To think his affection meter had increased that much.
“You are so popular. I myself am proud of that too.” (Noah)
Noah-sama teases me.
I don’t know what face I should be making.
But thanks to that, I now understand the state of the West Continent in the present.
After that, me and Noah-sama spoke about a lot of things.
A conversation after 3 years.
There was no end for conversation topics.
Talks about my anxieties when I was in the past.
About the Black Knight and Demon Lord, Cain.
About how we tried to clear the Deep Sea Temple together.
About the battles against the Demon Lords and the Great Demon Lord.
Noah-sama was listening to all of it with a big smile on her face.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered.
“Now that I think about it…” (Makoto)
“What is it, Makoto?” (Noah)
I asked Noah-sama.
“The Calamity Witch, Nevia, apparently has reincarnated to the present, but do you know who it is?” (Makoto)
“Hmm…” (Noah)
Noah-sama placed a finger on her chin as if to think about it, and tilted her head.
Ira-sama said she didn’t know.
But if it is Noah-sama, maybe…
“I don’t know.” (Noah)
“I see…” (Makoto)
Can’t be helped.
No choice but to just search.
Is it really within the people that I have met until now?
Maybe those words itself were a trap and it is actually a person I don’t know at all.
While I was pondering about this, the surroundings began to warp.
It is about time to wake up.
And then, Noah-sama said as if she were talking about the weather…
“…Even if the whole world turns against you, Makoto, I alone will be your ally, okay?” (Noah)
“Eh?” (Makoto)
It was sudden.
Such strange words.
She was a Goddess that was being treated as an Evil God and had zero believers.
But now she has become an official Goddess of the Goddess Church.
She has a lot of believers now.
We also have reliable comrades like Lucy, Sa-san, Princess Sofia, and the Great Sage-sama.
Is it even possible for there to be a moment where no one will be my ally?
“…?”
“Fufu!” (Noah)
Noah-sama…smiled faintly when I was troubled about what to answer with.
“I am just saying you should confide in me if you are troubled by something. You trust me, right?” (Noah)
“Of course.” (Makoto)
I answered immediately on that one.
I managed to get all the way here thanks to her guidance and the Spirit User Skill that she gave me.
“When you are in real trouble, be sure to rely on me. It is no one but me who can guide you, Makoto. I am far more reliable than Ira after all!” (Noah)
After she finished saying that, she disappeared.
I didn’t have the chance to say anything back.
My vision went pure white, and I noticed I was about to wake up.
What was it she said at the end?
Noah-sama is more reliable than Ira-sama?
(Am I lacking in faith…?) (Makoto)
In that case, I must increase my praying time towards Noah-sama.
My faith is with Noah-sama only, you know…
But those were strange words.
—Even if the whole world turns against me.
Those words alone remained strangely persistently in my head as I woke up.
??
When I woke up, there was a mountain of jewels below my pillow.
She really gave them to me.
But there was something that bothered me more.
“Hnn…Makoto-sama…”
I could feel weight on my body.
Someone was on top of me.
White hair and red eyes.
There’s no way I would mistake this appearance.
“…Momo, what are you doing?” (Makoto)
“Good morning.” (Momo)
“Morning.” (Makoto)
That smiling face of hers didn’t have a single bit of the overpowering presence of before.
Looks like she sneaked into my room.
It should be easy for Momo who can use Teleport.
Momo creeping into my bed by the time I wake up in the morning is something that happened plenty of times in the past.
There’s no real reason to be bothered by it, so I was about to put my hand at the edge of the bed to wash my face but…
*Munyu.
That’s the kind of squishy sensation I got from my hand.
“Hm?” (Makoto)
“M-Makoto?”
When I looked, my hand was being filled by Lucy’s boobs.
Her face was blushing slightly and she was making a hard to describe expression.
Seems like Lucy also crept into my bed.
She is looking at both my hand on top of her boobs and Momo who is on top of me.
Looks like she is wondering at what she should be retorting to.
The result was Lucy facing Momo.
“Why is the Great Sage-sensei here?” (Lucy)
“Muh, red haired mage, you too?” (Momo)
Lucy and Momo were both making awkward expressions.
Anyways, the bed is overpopulated.
This isn’t a bed that can have 3 people.
“For now, you two—” (Makoto)
“Good morning~, Takatsuki-kun. Breakfast is re—wait! What are you doing?! Lu-chan! And even the Great Sage-san!” (Aya)
Sa-san wearing an apron entered the room.
Sa-san dragged the two out from the bed.
Aah, this sight is also a nostalgic one.
After that, we all had breakfast, and the Sun Knights came for Momo.
Looks like she ditched an important meeting.
“Great Sage-sama! Please return to the castle!”
“I don’t wanna! I will stay here!” (Momo)
“You must not! Queen Noel ordered us to have you participate for sure!”
“I don’t wannaaaa!” (Momo)
The brawny knights carried off the flailing Momo.
If she were serious, she could use Teleport to get away from them, so she must at least have the will to work.
Even though she came, I didn’t manage to talk much with her.
I should show up at Momo’s place later.
“…Hey, why is the Great Sage-sensei so devoted to you, Makoto?” (Lucy)
“…Takatsuki-kun, did something happen between you and the Great Sage-san?” (Aya)
“We…fought together for a bit in the past?” (Makoto)
“Really~?” (Lucy)
“That doesn’t look like just a bit, you know?” (Aya)
Lucy and Sa-san were looking at me dubiously.
In reality, we have been acquainted for 1,003 years.
I was sleeping for 1,000 of those years though.
I finished eating while lazily avoiding the questioning of the two.
After drinking some tea later, Lucy spoke to me.
“Hey, Makoto, do you have any plans for today?” (Lucy)
“No, I don’t.” (Makoto)
“Then, let’s go to the place of Fu-chan!” (Aya)
Sa-san said.
But, Furiae-san’s place, huh.
I would like to talk to her if I can meet her.
“But isn’t that difficult? We were driven away just yesterday, right? Also, right now Princess is a Queen.” (Makoto)
I remember the close aide of Furiae-san.
I am sure it would be pointless even if we were to go there again.
“It is okay. There’s as many ways to meet Furi as there are stars!” (Lucy)
“That’s right. We are real good pals with Fu-chan, right~?.” (Aya)
“Right~?” (Lucy)
Looks like Lucy and Sa-san have a plan.
I listened to the explanation of the two.
“This is the gist of it. Once every 10 days, we train with Furi in the park at the 9th District.” (Lucy)
“Fu-chan apparently stays sitting the whole day after she became a Queen.” (Aya)
“At that rate, you will get fat! Is what we told her.” (Lucy)
“She said exercising alone was lonely.” (Aya)
“Also, she doesn’t have many friends.” (Lucy)
“She has bodyguards, but they are acquaintances, so it is okay.” (Aya)
“It is time to meet her, so let’s go~.” (Lucy)
That’s apparently how it is.
“I see.” (Makoto)
It was a more casual plan than I thought.
Or more like, Furiae-san is so busy with work, she has become like an office lady.
“The path to the 9th District…” (Makoto)
I was going to check the map of the city, but…
“What are you saying, Makoto? It is one go if we use Teleport.” (Lucy)
“No, isn’t there a need to go through an inspection to go to a different district—” (Makoto)
“It is okay as long as we don’t get caught. Now, let’s go.” (Lucy)
After saying this, Lucy grabbed my arm.
Sa-san was already holding the hand of Lucy as if she were used to this already.
“Let’s gooo~?, Lu-chan!” (Aya)
“Okay, Aya! [Teleport]!!” (Lucy)
The next instant, the scenery in front of me warped, and turned completely white.
??
The scenery changed.
There’s a lot of green.
But it is too well maintained to be a forest.
And most of all, it is inside the city.
Is this that park they were talking about?
That’s when I noticed…
“Lucy? Sa-san?” (Makoto)
I don’t see those two.
Eh?
(Lucy-chan’s precision with her Teleport is still low after all. Looks like only your coordinates were slightly deviated.) (Noah)
Ah, Noah-sama.
It has been a while since I have had a talk with her in my mind.
Or more like, Lucy messed up her Teleport, huh…
Her precision with magic has been rough since forever after all.
(More importantly, Makoto, look behind you.) (Noah)
…Behind me?
I turn around after being told by Noah-sama.
“Eh?”
A nostalgic voice and a nostalgic face was there.
Long black hair that reaches all the way to her waist.
Purplish black gem-like eyes.
White snow-like skin.
A beauty that I can nod in agreement when called the most beautiful in the world.
The Queen of the Moon Country Laphroaig, Furiae Naia Laphroaig.
She was looking here with her eyes wide open.