The gondola ride was a delight. Sky-san offered periodic commentary as we drifted past spectacular vistas, making the tour both informative and engaging. She was so kind and attentive that everyone felt comfortable asking questions. Even Aoi and Hina, who had been noticeably stiff at first, were soon chatting with her without a hint of hesitation.
"Um, Sky-san? You’re so approachable... I mean, it makes things very easy for us, but is it really okay for a God to be like this? I was worried we might be coming across as disrespectful," Aoi asked, her thoughtful nature coming to the fore.
Sky-san offered a gentle smile. "It varies from one deity to the next. Certainly, some prioritize maintaining a sense of dignity and distance, and I don't believe they are wrong to do so. However, I believe interactions should be tailored to the individuals involved. Personally, I prefer this kind of rapport over excessive formality."
"I’m glad to hear that," Aoi replied.
"Indeed. After all, stiff protocols aren't the only way to show respect. Just the fact that you asked out of concern tells me how much you value me, Aoi-san, and that is truly heartening."
Sky-san really was a wonderful person. I couldn't have asked for a better guide; drawing her in the Garapon lottery had been a massive stroke of luck. If we’d ended up with someone like Chronoa-san—who, despite her generosity, carried a heavy air of authority—I’m sure everyone would have been far more intimidated.
The junior duo, Aoi and Hina, as well as Sieg and Luna—who didn't have as much experience with the God Realm as Lilia-san—would have likely spent the whole time paralyzed with nerves just because their guide was a High-ranking God. On the other hand, my own attendants—Anima, Caraway, Eta, and Theta—rarely let anything rattle them, and Lilia-san seemed to be holding up her usual standard of composure, so I wasn't too worried about them.
"Sky-san! What are we doing next?" Hina asked, clearly having taken a shine to our guide. It was heartwarming to see her so energized.
"I’m planning an event everyone can participate in. Since this festival is intended for the general public, we’ve provided opportunities for those outside the wealthy classes to obtain luxury items like Shallo Grande. One of those is a multiple-choice quiz. It’s starting quite soon—would you like to join?"
"A quiz?"
"Yes. It’s a multi-participant game with four options. The ground is divided into sections numbered one through four, and you simply move to the area that corresponds with the answer you think is correct."
So it was like the True/False games they hold at festivals back home. That sounded easy enough to jump into, and even if you didn't know the answer, you still had a chance to get lucky. Intrigued, I decided to join the conversation.
"That sounds fun. What kind of questions will there be?"
"The festival’s primary goal is to foster exchange between the God Realm and the other worlds, so the questions mostly revolve around our realm and the Gods themselves. For example, I might step onto the stage and ask, 'Which God am I?'"
"Whoa, that sounds pretty tough. I honestly don't have much confidence in my knowledge," Hina admitted with a worried look.
Lilia-san offered some reassurance. "Don't worry, Hina-san. Even Luna, Sieg, and I have rarely seen the faces of the High-ranking Gods. We’ll probably be just as stumped as you are. Most of the other participants will be in the exact same boat."
She had a point. Normally, High-ranking Gods only visited the Human Realm once a year to bless the monarchs; the average person wouldn't know their names, let alone their faces.
It would be a game largely decided by luck, but forcing people to deduce answers based on visual cues and associations was clever. It would leave a lasting impression, ensuring people remembered the Gods long after the festival ended. As a way to bridge the gap and introduce people to the God Realm, it was remarkably well-conceived.
"Indeed," Sky-san added. "And some clues can be gathered from a God's appearance. In my case, for instance, my hair and eyes are the color of the sky. Keeping that in mind might help you narrow down the choices."
"I see. Kaito-san would have an overwhelming advantage if it were pure luck, but if we have to reason it out, then we’re all on equal footing," Aoi noted.
She was right. Thanks to Shiro-san's Blessing, my luck was off the charts. If it were a blind guess, I’d likely win effortlessly. But if I actually had to stop and think about it, I could enjoy the game alongside everyone else.
Suddenly, I was very much looking forward to the quiz.
Serious-senpai: "Sky has such an aura of competence now; it's hard to believe how klutzy she seemed when she first showed up. She's not just following a schedule; she's calculating the perfect timing for every step of the tour as she goes..."
Mystery Entity: "Well, she is the second-ranked High-ranking God for a reason. In terms of pure ability, even Shia, who’s one rank above her, is incredibly capable. Even if her personality is a bit... peculiar..."