In the Central Temple of a certain country.
"Oh! Your Eminence, the Sovereign! Welcome back."
"It has been a long time."
"Yes. It has been fifty years."
"I see. Are you the Temple Head now?"
"Yes. I was selected for the position about thirty years ago."
"You were always a man of deep faith. It seems the selection was a proper one."
"Thank you, my Lord."
"Has anything changed here?"
"No. Everything remains as it has always been."
"Is that so? Well, that is pleasing to hear, but today there will be a change."
"What sort of change might that be?"
"I want the statue I have brought to be enshrined in the Main Hall."
"...A new statue?"
"Yes. And I want it placed in the most prominent location."
"The most prominent location? But that would require moving Master Tsuruku’s Statue of the Creator God."
"I am aware. I am asking you to do exactly that. ...Heh heh heh. Do not look so disgruntled."
"My apologies."
"I understand your frustration. However, once you see the statue I have brought, your mind will change."
"Is it truly... that magnificent?"
"Do you think I would have come all this way personally if it were not?"
"You make a valid point. I shall see to the arrangements for its installation immediately."
A few days later, a grand festival was held at the oldest and most prestigious temple on the continent.
The reason for the festival was never officially announced.
However, the scale of the celebration was the largest in history.
Rumors began to circulate that every person who stepped into the Main Hall was moved to tears.
"We should designate the sculptor as a Saint."
"Forgive me, but we cannot do that. The man himself seems to despise the spotlight. Forcing the title of Saint upon him would likely be more of a nuisance than an honor."
"Mmm. That is a pity."
"However, there should be no issue with supporting him from the shadows."
"Indeed. As expected of the Sovereign."
"Is it not? Send word to every branch. Under no circumstances is anyone to show hostility toward him."
"As you command!"
"Village Head, that was quite the sneeze. Are you all right?"
"Ah, yeah. It even surprised me."
Since receiving my Healthy Body from God, that was the first time I had ever sneezed. Well, it's a natural physiological phenomenon, so I suppose even a Healthy Body experiences a sneeze now and then.
"More importantly, Village Head. Let's get the piano set up."
"You're right."
The piano arrived shortly after Shiso-sama returned home.
I had intended to accept payment for the sculpture after it was finished, but the idea of selling an image of God felt wrong, so I refused the money. We went back and forth for a while—him insisting on paying and me refusing to take it—until we finally compromised. He offered the piano as a birth gift for Alfred and Tiselle.
I was honestly delighted by the gift, but Frau and the Civil Official Girls looked like their faces had frozen. I’d heard that pianos were luxury items, so was that the reason for their reaction?
Regardless, it was a gift, and I intended to make full use of it. After much discussion, we decided to place it in the dining hall of the inn.
"That piano... it’s a Master Glasor, isn't it? One of only three in the entire world..."
"Yes. I confirmed the engraving. It's the genuine article."
"The kind of instrument normally reserved for a massive cathedral or a grand temple?"
"The kind of thing that is only played during the most sacred rituals."
"...S-should we just pretend we didn't see that engraving and play it anyway?"
"I-I suppose so. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... no, for a normal person, it's an opportunity that wouldn't happen in a hundred lifetimes."
"Who else knows about this?"
"Fraurem-san has definitely realized. As for the others... it wouldn't be surprising if Lu-san or Tia-san knew. I wonder about Rusty-san and Hakuren-san? Or, surprisingly, the Mountain Elves and Elder Dwarves might know as well."
"That's quite a lot of people."
"It is. Which means..."
"We should play it while we still can!"
The new piano was an instant hit. Everyone wanted a turn at the keys. While only a few were actually skilled, most people were content just to make it produce a sound.
"Another one?"
"P-please, we’d like a second one for practice. A beat-up, second-hand one is fine!"
"It's for our mental stability, please! Trying to practice on that piano is just too much pressure..."
Several volunteers stepped forward to offer Reward Medals they had saved up, but I returned them, explaining that if there was a valid reason for a request, the medals weren't necessary.
I feel like the Reward Medal system has made it easier for people to voice their opinions, but it'll be a problem if they start thinking their suggestions won't be heard unless they pay up. I’ll have to come up with a solution for that.
In any case, I contacted Michael-san and arranged to purchase another piano. Even though it was a used model, it still cost a significant amount. I suppose high-end entertainment doesn't come cheap.
Incidentally, the one who transported Shiso-sama's piano was Suiren's husband, Marksbergark. Apparently, Shiso-sama had looked after him when he was born, so he found it impossible to say no to the Sovereign's requests. I made sure to give him plenty of crops as a thank-you gift.
Meanwhile, Rusty and Hakuren headed off to the Northern Dungeon. Their objective was to hunt the Bloody Viper—a massive snake dwelling within the dungeon—and harvest its meat.
An investigation team of the same size as the previous expedition accompanied them. Rusty and Hakuren are strong enough to handle it alone, but considering the Giant race who live there and helped us before, I felt it would be dangerous if someone they recognized didn't go along to act as a liaison.
It’s always better to avoid unnecessary conflict. When all is said and done, both Rusty and Hakuren can be quite rowdy.
...
I had thought about sending someone along to act as a "brake" for them, but since I couldn't think of a single person capable of actually stopping those two, I gave up on the idea.
Instead, I gave the accompanying High Elves a secret mission: report back immediately if the two of them cause any trouble.
I’m really hoping to hear that everything went smoothly.