Chapter 203: The God of Waters and Fishing II (3/3)
“Ohh! So you’ve heard of me? I am indeed Grimp the God of Farming. You should be the Ryouma who came from Earth, right? I heard about you from my wife.” [Grimp]
“Please allow me to express my thanks once more. Thank you for saving me. Also, if you don’t mind my asking, why is the situation like this? I don’t recall what happened, so…” [Ryouma]
“Just as you said, we were on our hundred-millionth honey moon. Along the way we saw Sereriputa’s barrier. We thought it strange, and when we got closer, we found out he was messing with you… After that my wife…” [Grimp]
It seemed to be something hard to say, so I didn’t pursue the subject, but either way, it seems Willieris-sama broke the barrier forcefully. After that they secured me and Sereriputa, and now the latter is being given a stern talking to. Grimp-sama was left in charge of digging me out and protecting me.
“My wife and Sereriputa has never gotten along well, you see…” [Grimp]
“I see.” [Ryouma]
“When the land and sea of this world was born, they argued about how to divide. Ever since then they’ve had a relationship akin to cats and dogs.” [Grimp]
“…That’s a pretty big thing to argue about…” [Ryouma]
As I listened to him talk and quietly watched the two gods argue, Sereriputa turned to me.
Looks like he noticed me.
“Ah, Ryouma-kun!” [Sereriputa]
“Listen to me! Good grief… Ryouma-kun, are you okay? Let me apologize in place of this self-righteous god. I’m very sorry for the discourtesy and pain you had to go through.” [Willieris]
“Umm, please raise your head.” [Ryouma]
This incident wasn’t Willieris-sama’s fault in the first place.
“But…” [Willieris]
“Isn’t it fine, Willieris? Ryouma-kun says it’s fine, after all.” [Sereriputa]
“That’s not something you should be saying!! Just as you’ve heard, Ryouma-kun, this degenerate of a god doesn’t think one bit that he did anything wrong and has no intention of apologizing.” [Willieris]
Well, yeah. I always thought that was the case.
“After talking to him all, I’ve kind of figured something out… Sereriputa is that, isn’t he? The kind of guy who thinks it’s okay for a strong guy to do whatever he wants—” [Ryouma]
“That’s exactly right! I knew you’d understand, Ryouma-kun. That’s exactly right. That’s the truth of all living things!
What’s more is that you’re somehow able to remain calm and are able to talk with me like this.
I thought if it was you we’d be able to get along and that you’d accept me for who I am. I see I wasn’t mistaken! A normal human would find fault with my appearance and—” [Sereriputa]
“Shut up for a moment, will you?” [Grimp]
I’m glad that he confirmed it, but I wasn’t asking for more info.
Sereriputa-sama approached me with a face full of smiles, but Grimp-sama suppressed him.
“Thank you very much. So since he’s exactly how I think he is, and Sereriputa-sama is an existence above me – being a god and all – he’ll never listen to the words of someone like me, a lower existence.” [Ryouma]
“But…” [Willieris]
“Willieris, leave it at that. Ryouma has a point. If Sereriputa says something like that to him, it’s only natural that he’d be troubled.” [Grimp]
Grimp-sama interjected again. He’s really a huge help. Mentally speaking.
“Dear… Yes, you’re exactly right. My apologies. In that case, let’s notify all the gods about this matter. That way Gayn (God of Creation), Kirillel (Goddess of War), and Fernoberia (God of Magic) can give him a proper talking to and the appropriate punishment.” [Willieris]
“GEH! Those guys!?” [Sereriputa]
“Naturally, I’ll be joining too. Your actions have clearly broken our rules!” [Willieris]
It’s good that the gods can solve the problem among themselves.
However the person himself may appear to be unhappy, he understands that he has indeed broken the rule of the gods and isn’t trying to refute the fact.
“Please do that. As for me, I’ll just consider the incident with Sereriputa-sama as water under the bridge.” [Ryouma]
“You mean it’ll just the God of Waters’ issue? Hmm, that’s not really that interesting.” [Sereriputa]
“…” [Everyone Else]
That timing!
Because of that poorly timed comment, Willieris-sama looked like she was about to snap again. What’s more is no one said anything like that!
“Ah, this sounds like it’s going to be a pain, so I’m going home! Oh, right! Ryouma-kun!” [Sereriputa]
“Now what?” [Ryouma]
I don’t think I can respect this guy anymore…
“I’m here already anyway, so I might as well tell you how to catch the mud slime like you’re looking for. There’s a forest around the village you’re at, right? Try rummaging through the mud there with mud magic. The mud slimes use a skill called ‘assimilate’ to hide themselves inside the mud, so you’ll have a hard time looking for them just by relying on your eyes.
If you move the mud they’re hiding in with mud magic, they’ll come out on their own.” [Sereriputa]
“O-Oh? Thank you.” [Ryouma]
…This is really good information.
“Later then, Ryouma-kun. I pray that in the near future you will be able to become happy in the ‘true sense’.
It’ll get noisy around you in the near future, so do your best.
Enjoy your peaceful life at the village until then. If you ever find it too hard to live, you’re welcome to drop by my place anytime.” [Sereriputa]
I was confused to see him suddenly make a serious face and say that. There was a sharp glint to those eyes heavily laden with deep black corners that said he was not joking.
“Well then, until next time!” [Sereriputa]
Or so I was thinking, but then he suddenly went back to his usual expression and then vanished into the lake.
When he was completely gone.
“…What just happened?” [Ryouma]
“Weird, right? He’s always been a selfish guy who never thought of how troubled others are by his actions, but I haven’t seen him say something so serious in thousands of years.” [Willieris]
“That’s—Oops! Out of time, huh.” [Ryouma]
Those grain of lights began floating around me again.
“Well then, you two. I’ll be going now. Thank you very much for saving me.” [Ryouma]
“Let’s talk more leisurely next time. And…” [Willieris]
“?” [Ryouma]
Willieris-sama’s expression tightened once more.
“Ryouma-kun. I heard what Sereriputa told you. From what I’ve heard, it’ll be hard to tell you not to worry, so I just want to tell you that… ‘your life belongs to you’.
I’m sure there’ll be plenty of worries and bitterness in life, so it’s fine you take some time. But please live the way you want to. You have the right to have that freedom. Please don’t forget that.” [Willieris]
“…Thank you very much.” [Ryouma]
“Oh, come to think of it, there was something I wanted to tell you when I met you.” [Grimp]
When the atmosphere was getting heavy, Grimp-sama jumped in and softened it again.
I noticed this earlier, but he sure is mindful others.
The exact opposite of Sereriputa.
“It’s about your crops. Your crops have taken shape somehow thanks to your fertilizer and magic, but your farming is pretty much just relying on brute force.” [Grimp]
“I understand. If I have the time, I’ll properly study up on farming.” [Ryouma]
“That would be good. If you do then you should be able to further increase the quality and rates of your harvest. I’ll tell you more next time.” [Grimp]
“Thank you very much for advising me. I’ll be going now!” [Ryouma]
Wrapped in light, my consciousness returned to the now dark village.
“Fuu…” [Ryouma]
There really are all sorts of people among the gods… Actually, I came here to pray because I’m going to be meeting the feudal lord tomorrow, but it looks like there was no point in that… Anyhow, I was able to come back safely, so let’s just go back and sleep.
I left the small wayside shrine and went back home. As the cold winds blew against me on the way back, Sereriputa’s words echoed in my mind.
‘It’ll get noisy around you in the near future, so do your best’
‘If you ever find it too hard to live, you’re welcome to drop by my place anytime.’
It’s almost like a prediction. Is he talking about Gimuru? I’ll be going back soon, but it does seem like the public order has worsened. But still… I wonder why he left such serious words?
…Well, whatever.
‘Your life belongs to you’
Just as Willieris said, I’m going to keep on living in this world.
Even if Sereriputa is right, I’ll just have to chase after my kind of happiness on my own.
Fortunately, I have plenty of time.
And what’s more—
“I’m back!” [Ryouma]
“Oh, welcome back.” [Mother]
“Supper will be ready soon.” [Mei]
“I’ve been waiting for you!” [Hoi]
“Ryouma, sorry but please drink with our dad.” [Kai]
“Something seems to have happened, but his pace is too fast and we just can’t keep up.” [Kei]
“Please leave it to me.” [Ryouma]
—Whatever might be waiting for me in the future, I’m sure this happiness I have now isn’t wrong.