Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 216: The Forgotten Rice Seed
Since Isamu had informed them in advance of his visit, the church was enveloped in silence. They had to make sure the place was cleared of people, as any divine revelations from the goddesses might cause a huge commotion.
Originally, the churches in Ethersia did not have regular worship services, and there was no custom of fervently praying, so they were usually quite empty. However, recently, this had changed due to various events related to Orihime.
From distributing divine relics, coins, and performing paper theater, the church had transformed into something resembling an Orihime-themed shop, attracting visitors constantly.
This particular church, which housed the statue of Orihime, the founder, had become a kind of sacred site, thriving with visitors. Recently, pilgrimages to see the statue, known as “Orihime Pilgrimages,” had even begun.
In Ethersia, there were no recreational travels, as leaving the city meant encountering monsters and high risks of injury or death. Only merchants with escorts, or adventurers capable of protecting themselves, could travel.
Yet, driven by the popularity of Orihime, ordinary civilians began to travel. The first to start was a traveling merchant who, upon realizing Orihime’s popularity, added a cart to his caravan and began charging people to take them to the church in Klaufendam.
Though the added expenses for the cart and extra guards were significant, the profits from the pilgrimage tour made it a worthwhile business. Other merchants soon followed suit, and eventually, civilians began pooling money to go on pilgrimages together. This practice was similar to the “kō” system in the Edo period in Japan, where groups of people would pool their funds to visit Ise Shrine, which shows how similar ideas can arise in different worlds.
Isamu, having ensured the church was clear of visitors, entered with Annemarie and the cat. He hadn’t visited the church since his engagement to Annemarie over half a year ago. Although the exterior of the church hadn’t changed, the interior had transformed dramatically.
“Well, this is… unexpected.”
Isamu said as he stopped at the entrance with Annemarie and the cat.
“Quite a change, isn’t it?”
Annemarie remarked.
“Meow.”
The cat added.
Though the blue exterior remained, the inside had been dramatically altered. The ceiling was covered in blue tiles with a gradient effect, and on the sides, there were massive stained-glass windows that far surpassed the original ones. These windows reflected or transmitted sunlight, filling the church with a complex, shimmering blue light, like the calm waves of a deep sea.
“It seems they’ve left the front untouched.”
Isamu mused, noticing that the main exterior hadn’t been changed.
“Welcome, Matsumoto-sama, Annemarie-sama, Orihime-sama!”
Benedict’s voice called from the back as he came out to greet them.
Benedict, whom Isamu had first met as the High Priest, had since been promoted two ranks to become a bishop, as he had heard from Nicolette.
“Ah, Benedict-san. It’s quite a shock how much things have changed since I was last here.”
“It’s been about half a year since you last visited, Matsumoto-sama. Thanks to everyone’s support, I’ve received recognition from the headquarters, and I’m allowed a more grand appearance closer to that of a cathedral.”
Benedict replied with his signature archaic smile.
The term “cathedral” referred to the headquarters of the churches in Aetheria. It was said that both the exterior and the interior of the cathedral were entirely blue. It seemed that, as Benedict’s rank had risen, so had the status of the church in Klaufendam.
“So, what brings you here today?”
Benedict asked.
“Ah, I’ve obtained seeds for a crop similar to the one from my homeland. I’d like to offer them before planting.”
Isamu explained.
“Oh, I see. That’s wonderful. Since it’s related to crops, perhaps it’s the goddess Dialesis, the goddess of plants, to whom you should offer them?”
Benedict suggested.
The church housed three main deities, excluding Orihime: the creation goddess Meltina, the blacksmith god Briglight, and the plant goddess Dialesis.
“Well, I heard that Meator, the goddess of abundance, likes this variety of rice, so I’d like to offer it to her. But she’s not enshrined here…”
Isamu replied, having only later learned that Meator governed abundance, which made sense given her love of rice.
“In that case, it’s all the more appropriate to offer it to Dialesis-sama. Meator is actually her younger sister.”
Benedict provided additional insight into the goddesses.
“Ah, I see! If they are sisters, then my prayer should certainly reach her.”
Isamu said, realizing the connection.
“Yes, yes, I’m sure it will.”
Benedict reassured him.
“Well then, I’ll go ahead and make the offering.”
Isamu said, as he began taking something out of the bag he had brought with him.
“Matsumoto-sama, what is that?”
Benedict asked, noticing what Isamu was assembling.
“Oh, this is a stand I made to mimic the one used in my homeland when offering things to the gods.”
“Ah, a stand for offerings, I see.”
What Isamu was assembling was a “Sanpou” — a stand with three legs. Since he didn’t know the exact structure, he had simply tried to replicate it, drawing a design and having Eto make it for him. However, there was one difference from a regular Sanpou.
“Oh? What’s the shape of that hole?”
Benedict asked, noticing something unusual.
“Ah, you noticed, huh? Yes, I decided to make it in the shape of Orihime’s emblem.”
Isamu replied, laughing.
On the stand’s base, as the name “Sanpou” implied, there were three holes shaped like the traditional “eye image” patterns. Usually, these holes resembled the shape of a gourd or treasure jewel, but Isamu had changed them to look like Orihime’s paw print.
Since the eye images didn’t have a fixed shape, there was no problem with this change. Isamu wasn’t aware of any specific rules, so he simply thought that since Orihime was also a goddess, it seemed fitting.
Isamu placed a tray on top of the stand, laid a white paper over it, then put a plate on top, and placed a handful of rice seeds as an offering in front of the statue of Dialesis.
“Dialesis-sama, and Meator-sama. Though it is late, I offer these Oriza seeds as promised.”
“Nyafufu.”
Orihime purred as she jumped off Isamu’s shoulder and trotted over to the statue of Dialesis. She rubbed her cheek against the statue’s feet, squinting her eyes with a contented expression.
“Nyanya. Nyananya.”
Orihime continued to make sounds as though she were talking, even while Isamu remained with his eyes closed in prayer.
Then, unexpectedly, Isamu heard two beautiful voices echo in his mind.
“Well, well. I thought I’d finally meet the youngest of the gods again, but now I hear it’s for my sister… I’m a bit disappointed, you know.”
“Fufu, sister, don’t complain. It’s been a long time, my youngest goddess, and my beloved wanderer. I’ve been waiting for so long.”
The voices, so beautiful they didn’t sound human, resonated in Isamu’s head. The second voice, clearer and more melodious like the ringing of a bell, was unmistakably Meator’s. The first voice, the one calling the second “sister,” was more gentle, likely belonging to Dialesis.
Benedict, stunned by the voices, stood frozen, his expression full of shock.
“Ah, yes, as promised, you’ve brought the seeds. And as promised, I shall bless them.”
Said the voice of Meator.
“Hehe, I too will give you a little blessing.”
Dialesis added.
At the words of the two goddesses, beams of green light, subtly different in color, descended from the ceiling and showered the rice seeds Isamu had offered. Benedict’s eyes widened in awe, nearly three times their normal size.
“That should do it. If you plant these normally, you’ll have a bountiful harvest, and the taste is guaranteed.”
Meator’s voice said.
“They won’t be affected by diseases or bad weather, and they’ll grow faster than usual. So, you’ll still be fine if you plant them now.”
Dialesis chimed in.
“However, from now on, make sure to spread these Oriza seeds across the world. The blessing is a one-time gift, but the seeds you harvest will be even more delicious and durable than normal Oriza.”
Meator explained.
“Nyah, nyan, nyan-nyan.”
Orihime added playfully.
“Oh, and Priest Benedict. Make sure to have my statue ready by next year. Then, I’ll be able to give you blessings again.”
Meator said.
“But don’t get greedy. If you offer too much, it will throw off the balance. The amount you offered today is just right.”
Dialesis warned gently.
“Y-yes!!! I, Benedict, will do so with all my heart and soul!”
Benedict exclaimed, bowing deeply.
“Fufu, I’m counting on you. Now then, youngest of the gods, and beloved wanderer—eat lots of delicious rice and spread it far and wide.”
The two goddesses said.
After that, the voices fell silent.
“Now, even Dialesis-sama has made her appearance.”
Annemarie said with a wry smile. This was by no means the first time they had received a call from a goddess, so Annemarie had become completely accustomed to it.
“Yeah. Well, I did call for Meaor-sama through Dialesis-sama.”
Isamu replied, also smiling wryly, now used to the situation as well. Afterward, he collected the rice seeds and the Sanpou and then addressed Benedict.
“Oh, Benedict-san. About Meator-sama’s statue, is it alright if I ask you to take care of it? It’s a bit sudden.”
Isamu asked.
“Th-th-th-th…!”
Benedict stammered, his voice full of excitement.
“Huh?”
“It’s… it’s… wonderful!!! Finally, I’ve received a divine command from the goddess herself! Truly a stroke of luck!! This is the happiest thing ever!!!”
Isamu’s question seemed to reboot Benedict, who immediately dropped to his knees, tears flowing freely as he shouted in joy.
“Matsumoto-sama, please leave the statue to me, Benedict! I will oversee the construction of the most magnificent statue without fail!”
“Ahaha, well… I’m counting on you.”
Isamu said, slightly taken aback by Benedict’s tear-soaked face as he approached, but still smiling wryly.
“Now, I mustn’t waste time! I’ll immediately start planning for the statue’s construction! Ah, I must also report to headquarters. Well then, Matsumoto-sama, Orihime-sama, Annemarie-sama, please excuse me!!”
With that, Benedict left at an astonishing speed, disappearing behind the church. Despite his speed, Isamu couldn’t help but be amazed that Benedict’s upper body hardly moved at all.
“…He’s gone.”
Isamu muttered.
“Well, he looked so happy, so I think it’s fine?”
Annemarie said.
“Nyafuu.”
Orihime added.
The group exchanged glances, shrugged, and offered a bow to the statue before leaving the church. After exiting, they made their way to the lower levels of the city.