Chapter 39: What a miko wants in a companion?

  Although there were some troubles, the dinner party ended peacefully on the surface.

  I was so mentally exhausted that I just wanted to go back to my room and get some sleep.

  ?

  "Rion, can we talk alone for a bit?"

  ?

  I was on guard when Kamil-san invited me like that.

  Even though I had resisted it, I still was forced to drink alcohol ced with sleeping pills. It was only natural to imagine that he was pnning to kidnap and imprison me when I fell asleep.

  But after thinking about it for a bit, I decided to go along with the invitation. If there was any action now, I'd know if one of the brothers was the mastermind. I had my Return Stone ready just in case.

  I whispered to Regulus and Liese that "If anything dangerous happens while I'm not around, to use a Return Stone to escape immediately," and then followed Kamil-san's back.

  ?

  We headed towards a small guest room. Although the room was small, it had a window, a carpet for rexation, and ornaments were neatly pced, so it didn't seem like he is going to lock me here.

  Kamil-san went in first, then I, but when the guards tried to enter they were stopped.

  ?

  "From here on, this is just a matter between the mikos. Please stay outside."

  ?

  "But if anything happens to you..."

  ?

  "... What is it? Do you think I'd be defeated by a miko so young that could be my granddaughter?"

  ?

  "N-no."

  ?

  The guard was reluctant, perhaps because he was passionate about his job, or maybe he was wary of me, but in the end Kamil-san chased him out. They're probably waiting, being able to rush in right away, though.

  ?

  "Sorry. I not taking you lightly, but they won't leave unless I speak like that."

  ?

  "No, I don't mind."

  ?

  "They're so overprotective, it's annoying," he said, shrugging his shoulders and sitting down on the carpet. He motioned me to sit as well, and took out several gsses and bottles from his item box.

  He asked me if I wanted juice or water, so I decided to go for the juice since I was there.

  Kamil-san poured it for me, and I took a sip after checking it just to be sure.

  ?

  "... It's delicious."

  ?

  "Yeah, I guess so. But all the adults prefer alcohol and won't join me."

  ?

  He beamed with delight at my compliment and began pouring me the same drink.

  ... In my house, the earth god is the only one who drinks alcohol, but on the other hand, if everyone else drinks alcohol and I'm the only one drinking juice, it would be lonely. Maybe I should join her on the drink a little?

  After drinking half the gss, I started to speak.

  ?

  "Well, you said it was a conversation between mikos, but what was it about?"

  ?

  "I was just curious and wanted to hear your story. It was difficult to ask in that situation."

  ?

  "Difficult to ask?"

  ?

  "Yeah, a little about your husband."

  ?

  Huh, are you bringing this up again? I guess he could tell that I stiffened up.

  Kamil-san bowed apologetically.

  ?

  "Sorry for Kassim being so pushy. If you were single I might have proposed to you, but since you're already in a retionship I have no intention of breaking you two apart."

  ?

  I nearly dropped my gss when he said that.

  Proposing... Kamil-san to me? Or rather, was he single? Ah no, there was a possibility that he is bigamous.

  ?

  "... Is that because I'm a miko?"

  ?

  "Hmm? That does have something to do with it, but the main reason is because you're ageless."

  ?

  "... Yes?"

  ?

  The reason why my power of as miko is not his primary goal is probably because he himself is a miko, I can understand that.

  But to hear him to say "because you're ageless"... I feel like this is the first time I've heard that.

  My doubts must have been showing on my face, as Kamil-san expins with a wry smile.

  ?

  "I know it sounds strange to say it myself, but I'm pretty popur with the dies."

  ?

  "... I suppose that's true."

  ?

  He's the vilge's only miko, has a good-looking face, and a gentle personality. There's no way he wouldn't be popur. He'd be highly sought-after in Alness Vilge.

  ?

  "So there are many people who say they want to be my wife, but... The truth is, I've been divorced twice."

  ?

  "Huh?"

  ?

  "They say, 'I can't stand the idea of ??me getting old while you stay young.' I thought that if the other person was ageless like you, I wouldn't get dumped like that."

  ?

  "--"

  ?

  I took a deep breath.

  ?

  ... Yes, that's right.

  A miko... Is ageless.

  ?

  Which meant... That a miko would be left alone in the end.

  ?

  There may be some mikos who rejoice at becoming ageless.

  However, it must be painful to not be able to walk through time at the same time as the one you love.

  It may sound harsh, but it would be fine if one could fall in love many times and switch from one to the next.

  ?

  On the other hand... The more deeply one loves one person... The more one's despair may feel.

  ?

  Holding down my trembling hands, I suddenly asked her something that had been bothering me.

  ?

  "Have you ever thought about quitting being a miko?"

  ?

  A miko is ageless.

  However, that is only while he is a miko, and if he were to return his powers to the creator god, he would age again as usual. Has he never thought to take that option?

  ?

  "I can't do that when the Creator God is going through such a difficult time."

  ?

  I felt a little embarrassed at his answer.

  ?

  Kamil-san chose the Creator God... And the world, rather than his own desires.

  ?

  It's not something you can do half-heartedly.

  This person... Is a much finer miko than me, who only thinks about myself.

  I now understand why the Creator God bestowed her powers upon him.

  ?

  Suddenly, I feel rexed.

  I don't need to doubt Kamil-san anymore.

  ... So, did that mean the sleeping pills were Kassim's sole decision?

  ?

  "So, going back to the topic, I was wondering what race Rion's husband is?"

  ?

  "Huh? Ah, yeah, yes. Well, my partner's race is... Elf."

  ?

  While I was deep in thought, a question was asked to me, and I hurriedly chose my words to answer.

  ... But, yeah, it's hard to say "It's not a husband"... It feels like I'm deceiving him, but it's okay if I don't tell him the truth, right...?

  ?

  "An Elf... Now that I think of it, there was an elf girl accompanying you. Maybe he's her brother?"

  ?

  ... Sorry, it's the elf girl.

  ?

  "Elves are long-lived, so we could probably stay together for 200 years... that would be nice. Hey, would you mind introducing me to that elf girl?"

  ?

  "... Sorry, she's already..."

  ?

  "I see, what a shame."

  ?

  ... I can't say she's with me. Ugh, my heart is starting to ache...!

  Maybe I should introduce him to an elf from Alness Vilge instead...? I'm sure there will be people interested there. But the change in environment from forest to desert can be a difficulty...?

  ?

  "However, it's hard for a human and an elf to have children, so that might be a bit of a problem."

  ?

  "A-a-a child..."

  ?

  Yes, I'll never going to do that! Before the fact that we're from different races, we're the same sex!!

  Kamil-san sighs and continues compining, as if not noticing my cheeks starting to twitch.

  To be honest, this isn't really a topic that should be discussed between people of the opposite sex... I guess Asteria doesn't have a concept of sexual harassment.

  ?

  "Yeah, I broke up with my wife before I had a child, and it seems like Kassim has a hard time conceiving either. He's had a lot of wives but wasn't blessed with children, and when they finally did get pregnant they all had a miscarriage or stillbirth..."

  ?

  "That's... Well, I'm sorry for his loss."

  x

  I have a terrible impression of Kassim-san and already hate him, but I can't help but sympathize with him on this point.

  I cannot forgive what he said, but I wonder if he said "as many as you want" because he was unable to have children himself.

  ?

  "Thanks to that, Kassim is still the only family member I have by blood... Oh, I'm not trying to threaten you with that, just that there's a possibility that it could happen."

  ?

  ... Kamil-san doesn't say much about Kassim's actions, probably because he's his only blood retive.

  If I were in the same situation, I might favor someone too. I might not be able to stop it.

  ?

  Because I'm scared of being alone.

  ?

  ... No matter what Kassim says in the future, I won't expect Kamil-san to stop him.

  ?

  Ah, for some reason, I suddenly feel like seeing Uru and Fricka...

  It hasn't even been a day since we broke up, I wonder they're okay?

  I wonder what they're doing these days?