The 13th of the Month of Fire. It had been two weeks since I arrived in this world. The first week was such a whirlwind of shock and confusion that it felt as though it had passed in the blink of an eye.
However, humans are adaptable creatures by nature. I was gradually growing accustomed to life in this unknown world, finding my own rhythm in the day-to-day.
Even so, things were changing. The biggest development—simple as it may have been—was that I could finally use magic.
Under Kuro’s tutelage, I had learned much faster than Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san. I had reached the point where I could handle the basics of non-conversion magic—the act of using magic power in its raw state—well enough to levitate small, palm-sized objects.
Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san, meanwhile, were still practicing the preliminary step of recognizing their own magic power while following the "Introduction to Magic" textbook Kuro had written. According to Lilia-san’s estimate, they would probably be able to cast their first spells in another week or so.
Lilia-san had noted that Kuro’s textbook was so revolutionary that "it would cause an upheaval if it ever reached a magic academy." Thanks to that book, the three of us were progressing at an extraordinary pace.
Aside from that, life was relatively peaceful.
However, Lilia-san had been buried in work ever since Kuro’s visit, and I was starting to get worried about her.
I’d already mentioned Kuro’s suggestion to Lunamaria-san—taking Lilia-san to a festival to help her destress while letting the rest of us see the sights. Lunamaria-san had been all for it and was currently scouting for a suitable event.
And then there was the next major event on Lilia-san’s calendar... though this one wasn't just her problem. My audience with the Goddess of Time was scheduled for tomorrow.
The meeting was set to take place at the same temple where I’d received my blessing. We had already received official confirmation, and my presence was—somewhat predictably—granted.
I’d tentatively invited Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san to come along, but they had given me a very firm, very loud "absolutely not." Thus, it was just going to be Lilia-san and me.
"Still, I can't help but feel a little uneasy..."
"Hmm? About what?"
I’d been muttering to myself while practicing my magic by levitating an empty teacup. Kuro, who had been lounging on the sofa, sat up and tilted her head.
"Well, the audience with the Goddess of Time tomorrow... I'm just wondering how it’ll go."
"With Chronoa-chan?"
"Yeah. Though I didn't actually know her name until just now."
It was impressive, really. Even if she was a self-proclaimed Underworld King, she spoke of the Supreme God’s name—a name the public didn't even know—as if it were common knowledge. She even added a "-chan" to it.
"I’m sure it’ll be fine. Chronoa-chan might sound a bit stuck-up when she talks, but she’s quite generous toward humankind. I don't think anything weird will happen."
"I hope so... but I'm meeting someone incredibly important. And unlike with you, Kuro, I don't know her at all. It’s hard not to be nervous."
"Hmm, I see. In that case, do you want to take Ein along?"
"Eh? Why Ein-san?"
There was a fundamental difference between this audience and the time Kuro visited the mansion. I knew next to nothing about the Goddess of Time. I’d been able to stay relatively calm with Kuro because of our previous interactions, but I had no idea what to expect this time.
When I voiced my concerns, Kuro gave me an unexpected suggestion.
"I’m pretty sure Ein and Chronoa-chan are on good terms. It might be easier to talk if she’s there with you, right?"
"Is that true? That would certainly be a huge relief... but this is so sudden. Is it okay with Ein-san’s schedule?"
"It’ll probably be fine. Hold on a second... Ein~, could you go to the temple with Kaito-kun tomorrow?"
"As you wish."
"Whoa!?"
The moment Kuro spoke into the empty air, Ein-san appeared right beside me, already bowing her response.
What was that? Was scaring people half to death a prerequisite for being a high-ranking demon?
Ignoring my shock, Ein-san performed a perfectly angled bow.
"Kaito-sama, it has been some time."
"A-Ein-san... When did you get here?"
"Responding instantly to my master's summons is a basic requirement for a maid."
"..."
Clearly, her definition of a maid was worlds apart from the one I grew up with.
Still... Ein-san was incredibly reliable, and if she was truly close with the Goddess of Time, having her along would be a godsend.
I’d been worried about tomorrow, but this felt like it would solve everything.
Or so I thought at the time. In hindsight, I really should have double-checked exactly what "on good terms" meant to them.
The next morning, just as the sun was beginning to rise, Lilia-san and I stood before the magnificent temple once more.
The Goddess of Time had apparently taken precautions to keep the schedule a secret, and combined with the early hour, there wasn't a soul in sight around the temple grounds.
We met up with Ein-san, who was already waiting at the entrance.
"I’ve heard the details from Kuromueina-sama. I look forward to working with you today, Ein-sama," Lilia-san said.
"The pleasure is mine, Lilia-sama, Kaito-sama," Ein-san replied.
After the briefest of greetings, we headed to the reception desk.
Word had clearly been passed down the chain of command. As soon as Lilia-san gave her name, the priest immediately stepped forward to guide us.
"Seriously, though, thank you for coming. Having you here is such a weight off my shoulders, Ein-san," I said.
"It is my honor to be of service... though I must wonder, why was I chosen to accompany you?"
"Eh? Oh, well... Kuro said you and the Goddess of Time were close..."
As we walked, Ein-san tilted her head in genuine confusion. I felt a cold prickle of unease.
"...Close? Me and 'that thing'? How curious... I have no memory of such a relationship, but if Chrome-sama said it is so, then I suppose it must be."
"Wait, what?"
Something was wrong. The reaction was nothing like what I expected. Ein-san looked truly, deeply baffled. Were they actually friends?
My anxiety only intensified as we reached a pair of massive doors.
The priest gestured toward the doors, bowed, and withdrew. A moment later, the giant doors—which had to be several meters tall—parted with a heavy, silent motion.
The interior was a Great Hall that resembled a vast cathedral. Standing in the center, radiating an undeniable sense of presence, was the Goddess of Time.
"You have arrived. I apologize for the suddenness of this summo—"
As the doors opened, the Goddess of Time turned her heterochromatic eyes—one red, one blue—toward us. She started to speak with a faint smile, but her expression froze mid-sentence.
Silence fell as the Goddess, who possessed the tall, elegant frame of a supermodel, looked down at us. I waited for her next words, feeling a wave of inexplicable awkwardness.
After a long moment of stunned silence, the Goddess’s face contorted as if she had just bitten into a sour lemon.
"...Why are you here?"
I flinched, thinking she was talking to me, but her gaze was fixed squarely on Ein-san.
She glared with eyes full of pure, unadulterated loathing.
"I saw a grain of sand walk into my hall and wondered what kind of 'trash' had been swept inside... but of all the people, it had to be you... Ein."
"Oh? My apologies. How clumsy of me... You are so devoid of curves that I mistook you for a 'stone pillar' standing in the middle of the room. It was you after all... Chronoa."
"..."
"..."
Wait. The air in here is getting very heavy, very fast. Aren't they supposed to be friends? This doesn't look like friendship at all!
Ein-san calmly walked forward while the Goddess of Time marched toward her. They met near the center of the room, standing face-to-face in a silent, glaring standoff.
Unable to process the situation, I shot a panicked look at Lilia-san. She looked just as horrified as I felt, shaking her head with a pale face.
"...I haven't seen you in ages, and you’re as detestable as ever. Perhaps I should settle the score that went undecided all those years ago, right here and now?"
"Oh? It seems the gods of this era have developed a death wish. Very well. If you truly wish to depart this world, I would be honored to assist you with your travel arrangements."
"..."
"..."
As those words were spoken with chilling calm, I could almost see sparks flying between them.
No, this is bad. This is really, really bad! Kuro, what the hell!? This is the exact opposite of what you told me!
The tension was at a breaking point when, in a literal flash, the two swapped places.
I hadn't even blinked. It was as if the world had skipped a few frames of animation. They were suddenly back-to-back, and the Goddess of Time was trembling with fury.
"...This is exactly why I hate you! How dare you move so casually through my 'stopped time'? What do you think the laws of time are for!?"
"What a strange thing to say. I am a maid. A maid’s life is a constant battle against the fleeting moments of time to serve her master. This much is expected of anyone in my profession."
"No it isn't, you moron! Since when does that kind of insane logic allow for the mass production of monsters like you!?"
"The only one capable of binding a maid is her master. A true maid remains unbound by anything else... Controlling time itself is merely a standard skill for a maid."
"As if such a skill exists!! Stop using that nonsensical All-purpose Maid Theory right now!!"
In this specific instance, I was 100% on the Goddess’s side. In fact, I wanted to give her a standing ovation for speaking the truth.
But seriously... how did it come to this?
"This flat-chested deity is so slow on the uptake. It’s quite exhausting."
"My chest size has nothing to do with this! Besides, you aren't exactly well-endowed yourself!"
"Incorrect. My measurements are objectively superior. My eyes as a maid cannot be deceived."
"You talk big for someone the size of a pebble..."
"..."
"..."
""Die, you useless god (rotten maid)!!""
Dear Mother, Father—Kuro suggested that I bring Ein-san along for support... but Ein-san and the Goddess of Time—don't get along at all!