It seemed that Fortune-san's identity had been unintentionally shattered, but... perhaps having greeted me once helped her move past it. She shook her head lightly as if to pull herself together, then turned to address Fate-san.
"So, God of Fate-sama. Did you need something from me?"
"Oh, right, right. Go ahead and give Conecone a Temporary Blessing."
"!?"
When Fate-san said this in her usual tone, Fortune-san turned toward Cornelia-san. Perhaps because she suddenly found a high-ranking god's gaze upon her, Cornelia-san snapped to attention with a jolt.
But hmm. I wondered how this would play out. Cornelia-san appeared thoroughly overwhelmed... but the Temporary Blessing itself seemed fine. Fortune-san's blessing would undoubtedly have the effect of raising one's fortune, and for the Sharon Count House, which operated a merchant guild, it would be a beneficial blessing.
"She seems to be Kai-chan's friend, but she currently has a Temporary Blessing from the Merchant God, right? A Temporary Blessing from the God of Luck would have a higher effect, wouldn't it?"
"I see... So a blessing from God of Fate-sama would have a higher effect?"
"No, I could do it myself, but a Temporary Blessing from a Supreme God would put Conecone in a pretty troublesome position, right? Especially since Conecone is an Arclesia Empire Noble. If I did it, I'd have to coordinate with the God of Life too. High-ranking gods give Temporary Blessings every year to royals and some high-ranking nobles, right?"
It seemed that Fate-san, despite how she acted, had actually thought this through fairly well. The Supreme God in charge of the Arclesia Empire was Life-san, so if Fate-san gave a Temporary Blessing to an Arclesia Empire Noble, it would inevitably implicate Life-san's pride and standing.
...Well, it was probably also that she simply found coordinating with Life-san to be a hassle...
In contrast, high-ranking gods did perform Temporary Blessings every year, albeit for a limited number of people. In the Kingdom of Sinfonia, this was basically limited to royals, but in the Arclesia Empire, where nobles held considerable power, it seemed that some high-ranking nobles also received Temporary Blessings from high-ranking gods. So there shouldn't be any issue with Cornelia-san receiving one.
"I see, understood. Then, to this person here... hmm?"
After nodding as though convinced by Fate-san's words, Fortune-san approached Cornelia-san... but a puzzled expression came over her face.
She looked at Cornelia-san's face... then for some reason lowered her gaze to her stomach? Her torso? She studied that area, then looked back at her face and tilted her head.
Not only that, but she also turned her gaze toward Elis-san, who had been standing nearby, and similarly looked back and forth between her face and stomach, tilting her head once more.
"...Why is it that she's fortunate overall, yet only specific parts seem extremely unfortunate? Is this how the Human Race is? No, excuse me. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the God of Luck, Fortune."
"I offer my greetings to the Goddess of radiant fortune. I am Cornelia Sharon, Eldest Daughter of the Sharon Count House, an Arclesia Empire Noble."
"A pleasure. Then, by the goodwill of God of Fate-sama, I shall perform a Temporary Blessing."
"Y-yes! I am deeply honored."
I wondered what Fortune-san's strange reaction was about. She seemed to be saying something about only her stomach being extremely unlucky... Maybe if someone has a weak stomach, it appears that way? Hmm, I didn't really understand.
At any rate, since the Temporary Blessing was Fate-san's idea, the atmosphere made clear it was already a settled matter. It wasn't a question of whether to perform it but a declaration that it was about to happen, and Cornelia-san was bowing deeply.
"Then, may fortune's Blessing be upon you... It is complete."
"I express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound mercy of the Goddess of Luck and the Goddess of Fate."
"I shall accept your words of gratitude. God of Fate-sama, the Temporary Blessing was just for this person... huh?"
Having finished blessing Cornelia-san, Fortune-san turned back toward Fate-san, only to widen her eyes in astonishment.
Her gaze was not directed at Fate-san... but toward Lilia-san.
"Whoa..."
"Hm? Did something happen to Riri-tan?"
"...Was she perhaps born having received a powerful curse on her stomach? Or perhaps she has an Evil God sealed inside her stomach? I didn't know that enormous luck and tremendous misfortune could exist simultaneously in the same body, divided by body part. It's my first time seeing this, so I was surprised."
"...Ah~ Well, Riri-tan... don't worry about it. Just think of her as that kind of girl."
"...U-Um... Fate-sama? I just heard a tremendously ominous conversation..."
"Give up. There's nothing even my Authority can do about Riri-tan..."
"Fate-sama!?"
When told that tremendous luck and misfortune existed simultaneously within Lilia-san... honestly, there was a part of me that thought, "Ah, I see."
She probably had good luck overall, but at the same time, she also attracted troublesome matters like a black hole, so it made sense... but of course, I couldn't say that out loud.
After all, most of it was caused by me. If I were to let that slip, seiza followed by a lecture would be guaranteed.
Serious-senpai: "So the Stomach Pain Warriors end up with only their stomachs being unfortunate... though the cause is mainly that guy, Miyama Kaito..."