Divine Protection of Many Gods

Chapter 52

Takami no Kago 52

---

Today is Frey’s second day of intensive training, there is also the appointment with the half-demon Latia .

Though there was the plainly suspicious fellow named Evin, but right now she was the only one that was caught on the detector .

I should ascertain carefully without relaxing my guard .

I’m waiting for Latia in the Adventure Guild . Ayla and the others are observing nearby .

To Zir, I asked her to monitor Evin, who was apparently still at the lord’s castle (nearby) .

“There seem to be nothing at all . ”

“Is there anything?”

I was sitting on a bench and murmuring to myself when Latia finally arrived .

She hurriedly greeted me and her eyes twinkled when she saw Ruby at my feet .

“No, it’s nothing . Recently, it seems to be dangerous because a huge bear monster appeared . ”

I put out some feelers about the Silver Grizzly . Though Evin subjugated it, there might be some kind of reaction .

“Is that so? Sounds scary . You should not go outside of town alone . ”

There doesn’t seem to be any reaction for the Silver Grizzly . Rather, on the other hand, she seemed to be deeply interested in Ruby .

No, this must be acting, I should not relax my guard .

“It’s fine . An excellent adventurer has already defeated it . ”

“That’s a relief, I actually wanted to go and pick medical herbs in the forest . ”

Latia seems to be really relieved . *It’s an important source of income!!* She grasped her fist emphasizing it .

And then, she finally touched Ruby . *Fuwawaa~* she was touching Ruby while making a strange voice .

Then…

[Excellent you say, though I’m happy you said that, unfortunately, I’m not an adventurer . ] (Evin)

The person who subjugated the Silver Grizzly, Evin, had appeared before my eyes . This was not that surprising since Zir contacted me with a whisper ghost some time ago .

“Is that so? Then, I’m sorry . So, if you aren’t an adventurer what business do you have with the [Adventurer Guild]?”

“To receive the reward for the subjugation of the Silver Grizzly . I said it a little while ago, but because I’m not registered as a guild member, it takes time . ”

We had a look-out ghost with Evin from the beginning as he walked into this place, so I don’t know whether what he said was true .

Evin, who appeared suddenly, looked blankly at Latia .

Are the two people irrelevant? While thinking so, I turn to Evin who was still fixedly looking at Latia .

“Um, are you acquainted?”

---

“No, it’s our first time meeting . ”

That’s really good, although Evin doesn’t takes his eyes off of Latia . Finally, Latia, unable to withstand his gaze, hides herself with Ruby behind me .

“You are scaring my friend, will you stop looking at her?”

“…Excuse me . ”

He finally remove his glance from Latia . However, he isn’t leaving this place .

“What’s the matter? Didn’t you come here to receive the reward?”

“I thought of making some small talk before I go . ”

“I’m sorry we are busy at the moment . Latia, shall we go?”

We left the guild quickly, but he doesn’t seem to have chased us .

“That person, was somewhat scary . ”

“Certainly, I wouldn’t want to be stared at like that . ”

Today, I’m helping Latia with her job hunting .

“As expected the pickings are slim . ”

I don’t know what to say when such a heavy topic is said openly .

I nod silently .

Latia found some part time work as a day labourer stocking goods at the Alchemist Guild .

Latia, in contrast to her appearance, was quickly putting the packed medicine vials from the wooden boxes onto the shelves .

I, also, joined in on the spur of the moment and participated in this heavy labor because I said Frank-san was my acquaintance . However, Latia seems to be working hard because they said they would consider a long-term employment based on the evaluation of today’s work .

We were able to see through the work smoothly, but I started freaking when I saw the time was passed the lunch break .

“Lovely onee-san, will you play with me . ”

A man who made a pass at Latia had appeared . It seems like the novice alchemist is apparently a guy that is said to be the so called [Frivolous Man] . (TL: chara otoko) (EN: gaudy or flashy works too)

No way, to encounter this stereotypical frivolous man even though I’ve come to a different world .

“U-uh, I’m working . ”

“Hmm, fine . Ah, that’s right, when work ends let’s go together . I’ll be here waiting~”

“S-such a thing, it is troublesome . ”

“Why? Why? It’s fine right?”

Latia glances towards me asking for help . Though I thought it was a chance to ascertain whether she was a demon or not, it’s too late, I can’t desert Latia with her teary eyes .

---

*Haa* I sighed for a moment and began to help…

The frivolous alchemist guy let out a strange voice, he collapsed with his eyes rolled up with the white of his eyes showing .

“Ah! Again . ”

Was the [Curse of the Half-demon] invoked?

However, I think the [Ulterior Motive] that this frivolous man held for Latia was seen from the beginning, but was that this power?

“With stocking goods, I thought I wouldn’t need to interact with people . ”

Is that so, did you learn from previous failures to choose work where you interact with people as little as possible?

That said, a waitress is totally about customer service . Why did she choose such work when she is definitely a trouble magnet?

While thinking about various things, I approach the collapsed man and cured him of the abnormal status 【Coma】 with recovery magic .

Because I shine when curing with [Divine Protection], I cure him slowly with recovery magic .

Perhaps because of the continuous effect of the [Divine Protection of Light] I’m not shining .

Though I understood it somehow from Zir’s blood sucking, but it likely won’t shine for me because I haven’t entered an abnormal state .

Light comes out when curing an abnormal state . (EN: Okay this was a bit confusing, so basically a flash of light appears when he is actively using divine protection but the Divine Protection of Light is passive so there isn’t any light . And there’s no flash when using regular magic . )

I confirm that the 【Coma】 status has disappeared, then I explain the circumstances to Frank who heard the commotion .

“The customer apparently got too excited and collapsed . ”

I nonchalantly spat out a lie . Although, it seems so to the people who can’t see status .

No, it can only be seen that way .

“Is that so, good work . ”

The collapsed man was carried to the reception room, so Latia and me got some rest .

“U-uh Hibiki-san . What happened a little while ago, I’m sorry . ”

Of course, you can’t deceive a person that was involved . Today, I don’t know how many times it happened, [Is this acting?] while asking myself this question, I told Latia not to worry .

“For a long time people around me have collapsed . In the past it was only my family, then eventually it reached the point where my friends would collapse . Now, people collapse on first meeting me . ”

As for working as a waitress in this town, there seems to be a faint expectation that the effect might lesson if the environment changes .

“Because of that, I have caused trouble for this store . ”

“Well, don’t worry about it . ”

A little more, I’ll dispel your [Curse], I might have started to say that . That’s maybe what she was aiming for .

---

Because we finished the remaining work after the break, we received today’s payment . Frank handed today’s payment directly .

“Latia, thank you for today . So, after this is it possible for you to come help about twice a week?”

“Y-yes, please . ”

An awkward one after all, was it because one person collapsed during the day? No, she’s probably acting right now .

When evening approached the vicinity, we were already strolling about in the main street without aim .

“Today, I am really sorry . ”

“Ah, it’s fine already . ”

I don’t know anymore how many times she has thanked me .

Are you still not satisfied? She looks around restlessly searching for something .

Whether she found what she was looking for I don’t know, but she ran to a vendor with a bright face .

“U-uncle . Give me two of these . ”

The things she was holding in her hands were 2 cheap bracelets . Half of today’s wage was blown off with these two .

“Here, Hibiki-san . This is a commemoration for today that I was able to make a friend and as thanks for helping me . ”

She wore one on her right hand and presented me with another .

“Oi, is it fine? Should you be using your precious salary for such a thing?”

“There is no such thing . This is a very very important thing . ” (TL: have to have two very . )

Moreover, that face . That face when she asked me to become her friend .

Is this really acting? Doesn’t she simply just want a friend?

Should I dispel the [Curse] and introduce her to Alya and the others?

I don’t know .

Therefore, I…

“Ah, thank you . ”

I received the bracelet without being able to say anything .

“Hibiki-san, will you be in the guild tomorrow?”

Tomorrow will be the final day for Frey’s intensive training .

“No, I will not really be in town tomorrow . ”

“Is that so, then how about the day after tomorrow?”

Latia desperately tries to keep the connection with me . It isn’t a wise policy to give out too much information . However…

“Right, so . The day after tomorrow, I think that I will be in the courtyard of the lord’s castle in the morning . ”

If it is information about the duel there is no problem . It will not be me that will be fighting .

“W-will I be a bother if I come?”

“Ah, there is no problem with me so it’s fine . ”

I approve it . When she shows that face, it is absolutely difficult to decline .

“That’s great!! Then, see you the day after tomorrow!!”

She ran off while waving her hand with the same smile from the day we met .

“Yep, see you the day after tomorrow . ”

I answer as I wave my hand lightly .

“What are you doing, me?”

She was a [Half-demon] .

Even if she wasn’t the demon who incited that necromancer guy, a different sort of trouble will unexpectedly come .

I couldn’t push her away .

It will be alright if it’s this much . I have yet to have any problems . If there is something I will settle it myself .

As it is such an idea slips away when my relationship with her has been deepened . (TL: deepen it more!! Kuku . )

“Master, is everything alright?”

Ayla anxiously talked to me .

I embrace Ayla hardly .

That’s right, being alone is lonely . Being alone is painful .

It was Ayla who buried that . Latia is also just asking for such an existence .

“The day after tomorrow, when the duel ends, I will dispel Latia’s [Curse] . ”

“Yes . Because being alone is lonely . ”

Ayla seems to have noticed that I have worked myself up for Latia .

Ayla, thank you, I told her my thanks and embraced her tightly again .