It was the morning of our fourth day in Rigforresia, and I was standing in the kitchen with Sieg-san.
"……How does it look, Sieg-san?"
"Yes, your technique is good. However, perhaps it could use a little more browning……"
"I see."
Following Sieg-san's advice, I continued preparing breakfast.
The dish in question was fried eggs—but these eggs were different. They were massive, easily the size of ostrich eggs.
Sieg-san and I were cooking together as a gesture of gratitude toward Rei-san and Fia-san. To be honest, my culinary skills were strictly amateur, and I didn't think I could hold a candle to Fia-san’s cooking. Still, when I suggested making breakfast, Rei-san and Fia-san were genuinely delighted.
Of course, in their usual fashion, they had made a huge fuss about things like "a married couple's first joint task," which resulted in a stern scolding from Sieg-san. It was just par for the course with them.
One way or another, even though it had only been four days, quite a lot had happened. Much like during the Treasure Tree Festival, it felt as if time moved at a much denser pace whenever I visited Rigforresia.
On the first day, I had been blindsided by the overwhelming atmosphere of welcome. My arrival had apparently turned me into a local celebrity. I heard later that the elven officials had even planned to throw a city-wide banquet on my first night, but Rei-san and the others had declined on my behalf. That was a huge relief.
On the second day, the most significant event was the major shift in my relationship with Sieg-san. We had officially become a couple. At the time, I had agonized over how to respond, but now, as I stood here cooking side-by-side with her, I felt a deep, tranquil happiness. I truly was a lucky man to be with someone as wonderful as Sieg-san.
On the third day, Rei-san and Fia-san had essentially gone on a rampage. Once they realized Sieg-san and I were officially dating, it was as if their self-restraint had snapped completely. They were pushy beyond belief—trying to force us into matching outfits, attempting to brag about us to the whole city, conspicuously trying to leave us alone together, and even trying to maneuver us into taking a bath together.
Naturally, for every time they overstepped, they received iron fists and lectures from Sieg-san. Knowing those two, however, I doubted they would ever truly learn their lesson.
Looking back, every single day had been so fulfilling that the thought of leaving today made me feel surprisingly lonely.
"Oh, it turned out well!"
"It really does look delicious."
Though it was more than half thanks to Sieg-san's guidance, the breakfast I set on the table looked presentable enough. Rei-san and Fia-san wore bright, pleasant smiles.
The four of us sat down and began to eat. All things considered, I thought it turned out fairly well.
"Heh, Miyama-kun, you're quite the cook yourself."
"No, I never could have managed this without Sieg-san’s help……"
"That’s not true. Kaito-san is very dexterous, so he’s improving rapidly," Sieg-san added.
"Thank you."
I thanked Fia-san and Sieg-san for their kind words and continued eating while we engaged in casual conversation.
"……Come to think of it, when do you two plan to return to the Royal Capital?"
"Um, we’re scheduled to leave around noon. But since we’re using a Teleportation Magic Tool, we can be fairly flexible with the timing."
"Wait, Miyama-kun, you have a Teleportation Magic Tool? That’s incredible. For one capable of reaching the Royal Capital from here, it must have cost…… more than ten Platinum Coins, I imagine?"
"The market price starts at around 120,000,000 R depending on the cooldown time," Rei-san noted. "But more than that, the Teleportation Magic Formula is incredibly complex and difficult to produce. They’re nearly impossible to get without the right connections. They're quite precious."
As I suspected, Teleportation Magic Tools were astronomically expensive. One capable of traversing the distance between Rigforresia and the Royal Capital cost at least 120 million yen at minimum. I couldn't even begin to guess the actual value of the one on my wrist.
"Um, I actually had an acquaintance make it for me……"
""An acquaintance?""
"Kuro…… the Underworld King."
""Pffft!?""
When I explained that the tool was a gift from Kuro, Rei-san and Fia-san's eyes went wide with shock. They remained frozen for several seconds before snapping back into motion with panicked energy.
"……W-Well, as expected of Miyama-kun! To think you had a Magic Tool personally crafted by the Underworld King-sama……"
"Y-Yes, quite right. We knew you were close with the Underworld King-sama—that you were lovers, even—but it’s a shock to hear it reaffirmed like that."
"By the way, Father, Mother," Sieg-san interjected. "The bracelet Kaito-san is wearing on his left arm is the tool in question."
"……What? No, what are you saying, Sieg? No matter how peerless and efficient the Underworld King-sama's formulas might be, the magic consumption for teleportation is massive. A Magic Crystal that small couldn't possibly……"
I understood why Rei-san found it impossible to believe. After all, this specific Magic Crystal was a material with entirely unique properties. Rei-san's reaction was perfectly logical. Shiro-san was simply the one who defied all logic.
"Actually, that Magic Crystal was granted to Kaito-san by the Creator God-sama."
"……Huh? N-No, w-what kind of nonsense is……"
"That’s right, Sieg-chan…… I’ve never heard of the Creator God-sama granting anything to anyone before now……"
"……I understand why you find it hard to believe."
""……Seriously?""
"Yes."
""Eeeeeeeeh!?""
For Shiro-san, the Creator God, to give a gift to a human was an extreme exception—apparently, there was no recorded precedent for it in history. Seeing them so utterly flabbergasted made me realize once again just how significant Shiro-san was. However, for me, she remained a slightly "natural" and extraordinary person.
(I would also like fruit sticks for my souvenir.)
Why are you saying that now?! You knew I went out to buy souvenirs yesterday! Why didn't you mention it then?!
(Who knows?)
……I take it back. She was an incredibly "natural" goddess—and a truly extraordinary one at that.
The breakfast table became quite lively after that revelation. By the time I finished explaining everything, it was already close to our scheduled departure time.
"Well then, Rei-san, Fia-san, thank you for everything."
"Of course. We had a wonderful time as well."
"Yes, feel free to come visit again whenever you like."
"……Since you and Sieg are officially a couple now, we consider you family," Rei-san added. "Don't be a stranger. Feel free to drop by whenever."
"……Yes. Thank you so much."
Despite their tendency to fool around or get carried away, Rei-san and Fia-san were truly kind people. I felt a slight heat behind my eyes at their warm words as I gave a deep bow of gratitude.
They followed us to the door and watched us leave with wide waves. I finally walked away from the house with Sieg-san by my side.
I made sure to stop and buy the souvenir for Shiro-san before we left the city. She always looked out for me, and since she had a specific request, I had no reason not to fulfill it. However, I wasn't sure how I was supposed to deliver it. Did it mean Shiro-san was coming to the Human Realm again?
(In that case, I shall invite you to the God Realm.)
Wait, what? Just like that? Is it really that easy to just go there?
(I will have the God of Space-Time handle the arrangements.)
As expected, it seemed Chronoa-san was the one who had these tasks dumped on her. She really was a pitiful soul.
Dear Mother, Father—and so, my second visit to Rigforresia came to an end. With so many precious new memories added to my heart, I truly felt like I wanted to come visit again.
Natural: "Please invite Kaito-san here."
Hardworking God: "……What? N-No, but that is unprecedented…… and the procedures are endless……"
Natural: "I'll leave it to you."
Hardworking God: "……Y-Yes. As you wish……"
Natural: "Also, since I’m planning on entering a hot spring with Kaito-san…… you should get in as well."
Hardworking God: "Wha!?"