A very serious conversation was unfolding before my eyes. They were conducting an incredibly thorough discussion to ensure there wasn’t even the slightest hint of danger regarding the repatriation of Kusunoki-san, Yuzuki-san, and myself.
It was a testament to how deeply Lilia-san cared about us. Watching her exchange words with the Goddess in such a firm tone—a complete reversal of the terrified mess she had been just a few moments ago—was truly reassuring.
However, in the midst of all that, I—the primary subject of their concern—was busy chatting with someone who wasn't even in the room. I felt terribly guilty about it, but since I couldn't follow the technical nuances of their talk anyway, I couldn't exactly join in.
Truly, everyone I’d met since arriving in this otherworld had been so kind. While I was deeply grateful, I also felt quite apologetic for the way I seemed to do nothing but cause them trouble.
Honestly, it might have been easier on my conscience if someone would just yell at me and call me a total scoundrel, but thankfully, no one here would ever say something like—
(You are a total scoundrel.)
...Shut up, you airhead Goddess. Why are you landing a counter-punch right when I’m trying to have a sentimental moment? Please don't immediately shatter my conviction that everyone I meet is kind.
Well, I knew Shiro-san only said that because she was responding to my thought about wanting to be cursed out. Beneath her eccentricities, I knew she was a kind person.
(I was insulted, then praised. This must be that technique for farming affinity points. In other words, I am now one of Kaito-san’s capture targets.)
You’re ruining the moment! Seriously, "affinity points" and "capture targets"—I’m starting to suspect she’s the one who fed Kuro all that weird knowledge...
Anyway, putting that aside... or rather, going back to what we were talking about, is there really an elven festival happening at this time of year?
(There is a relatively large event known as the Treasure Tree Festival.)
The Treasure Tree Festival? It sounded impressive, but I couldn't quite picture it. I had no idea what kind of event it actually was.
Since "Treasure Tree" was in the name, I assumed it had something to do with trees.
(This is the season when the Treasure Tree worshipped by the elves bears fruit. Consequently, the elves hold a festival centered around two main events: the hunt and the harvest. It is not particularly flashy, but many members of humankind visit it.)
I see, so it was something like a harvest festival. I imagined something like a village fair where everyone gathered to eat the game from the hunt and the fruit from the harvest. But if it was an event for the entire elven race, it might be quite large in scale.
From what I’d heard, it sounded like a great festival. The fact that many humans attended suggested that it wasn't restricted only to elves.
The only remaining issue was the location. Was the venue for the Treasure Tree Festival anywhere near the Kingdom of Sinfonia... or more specifically, Lilia-san’s mansion? If it was too far away, attending would be difficult.
(The forest where the elves reside is located within the territory of the Kingdom of Sinfonia.)
Shiro-san answered the question the moment it surfaced in my mind.
Oh, okay. So it was at least within traveling distance.
(It is at this location.)
The moment she said that, a map of the Human Realm appeared in my mind, with a red dot blinking at a spot a short distance from the Royal Capital.
What on earth? That’s terrifying! She could just stream images directly into my brain... Shiro-san really could do anything. Though, honestly, this felt dangerously close to a mental attack.
I mean, forcing images into someone else's brain... that seemed like it could be used for some pretty horrifying things depending on the intent.
(I can also show you sensual imagery.)
"I didn't ask for that!"
"「「!?」」"
"...Ah."
Shiro-san’s comment had been so unexpected that I’d blurted it out loud instead of just thinking it. The three people who had been deep in conversation stopped and turned to look at me, their faces full of confusion.
"K-Kaito-san? What’s wrong all of a sudden?"
"Ah, no..."
"Didst thou have some concern, Miyama?"
"N-No, it’s not that..."
I broke out in a cold sweat as I tried to answer Lilia-san’s worried face and the Goddess of Time’s tilted head.
"Chronoa... Kaito-sama may simply be exhausted."
"Hmm. Indeed, our discussion hath dragged on. Miyama, thou art free to step out and rest."
"Kaito-san, I know I'm the one who dragged you here, but please don't push yourself. If you’re feeling unwell, go lie down."
"...Uh, well..."
They were being incredibly considerate! What was I supposed to do now?! Shiro-san, stop staying silent and help me out here!
(I cannot do anything too outlandish, but if it is the imagery of the "Adult Videos" in your memories, I can evoke those for you?)
This Goddess understands absolutely nothing about the situation! Why are you adding information that literally no one asked for?! Also! Regarding that last part... we are going to have a very long, very detailed talk about that later!
After firing off a frantic mental retort to Shiro-san, I hurried to explain myself to Lilia-san and the others, who were now looking at me with mounting suspicion.
"N-No, it’s just that Shiro-sa—I mean, the Goddess-sama was speaking directly into my head, and I accidentally mixed up my response to her..."
"「「...」」"
Wait, what? I felt like the air in the room had suddenly turned several degrees colder. Why was everyone looking at me like that?
"...K-Kaito-san? I think that’s a bit..."
"Huh?"
"Miyama... art thou truly alright?"
"Eh?"
"...I detect no abnormalities in your pulse or temperature."
"Wait, hold on!?"
The three of them were clearly worried now, their voices laced with the kind of pity reserved for the sick.
What was going on? Couldn't all gods speak directly into people's minds like Shiro-san did?
(No, they cannot.)
Why didn't you tell me that earlier?!
I finally understood why everyone was looking at me like I’d lost my mind. Apparently, normal goddesses didn't possess the ability to do what Shiro-san was doing.
By the way, Shiro-san, does that mean low-ranking gods can't do it? Can high-ranking gods?
(Some can.)
I see. So, this method of communication was limited to only a select few among the high-ranking gods. From their perspective, I had just suddenly claimed to be having a telepathic chat with a high-ranking deity out of nowhere. No wonder they were reacting this way.
The fact that Ein-san looked skeptical too suggested that Kuro hadn't told her about Shiro-san's blessing yet.
In any case, this was bad. I had to explain myself and clear up this misunderstanding immediately.
As I cycled through ways to explain Shiro-san’s existence while double-checking facts with her, Lilia-san took my hand and gave me a gentle, maternal smile.
"It’s okay. Of course I believe you, Kaito-san. So please, just relax and try to calm your mind."
"..."
Apparently, my slumped shoulders and downcast eyes as I tried to think made me look like I was having a mental breakdown. Lilia-san was talking to me with the kind of soothing tone you’d use for someone who had just snapped.
But this... this reaction was...
"Indeed. Perchance a God of Thoughts hath played a prank upon thee! I shall see to it that they are sternly cautioned."
"Kaito-sama, I have prepared a herbal tea with a relaxing effect. Please..."
"..."
They had completely shifted to "delicate handling" mode! They were treating me like a total basket case!
Hey, Shiro-san! Shiro-saaaaann!!
(What is the matter?)
Don’t "what is the matter" me! Whose fault do you think this is?!
(Who knows?)
This Goddess is hopeless. I had to do something, and fast. The top priority was clearing up the misunderstanding.
But how? Lilia-san, Ein-san, and the Goddess of Time all had expressions full of pity and affection, like they were soothing a confused child. At this rate, anything I said would just be met with gentle nods and more comforting.
...Shiro-san, I’m begging you, help me. My spirit is literally in tatters right now. Please do something about this.
(I understand.)
In response to my plea—which was basically a scream from the depths of my soul—Shiro-san gave a concise affirmation.
A moment later, the hall was filled with a flash of light... and Shiro-san appeared in the flesh as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"「「!?」」"
"If I speak directly like this, there will be no problem."
It was true that proving someone was talking inside your head was difficult, but if the source of the voice showed up in person, the explanation became much simpler.
This was actually a brilliant move... wait, why had Lilia-san and the others turned into statues?
"Sha-Sha-Shallow Vernal-sama?! W-Why are you in a place like this?!"
The Goddess of Time was the first to snap out of her paralysis. Though she was visibly trembling with shock at the sight of Shiro-san, she immediately dropped to her knees and bowed her head to the floor.
...I had a feeling the situation was going south again. Specifically, in my attempt to escape one mess, I had invited a much bigger disaster.
After all, the Goddess of Time—a Supreme God—was acting like she was in the presence of someone vastly superior. That meant... well, it meant exactly what I thought it meant. In other words, Shiro-san was...
As the headache-inducing truth began to dawn on me, Lilia-san—who was still clutching my hand and looking like she was about to faint—whispered in a trembling voice.
"The... the... 'Creator God'... Shallow Vernal-sama..."
Dear Mother, Father—To be honest, I’d had a nagging suspicion for a while, but it turned out Shiro-san really was... the Creator God.