Of course they'd return them!!

Ka-ching, 750 SP spent. Remaining balance: 1,250 SP.

… W-well, I technically earned 250 SP, so…

Anyway, I quietly stowed the tapestries in a room at my base and returned to the church.

It was quite bustling, what with the Goddess having performed a miracle and all.

"Ah, my colleague… I've been waiting for you. I demand an explanation."

"Hm? Ah…"

The moment I woke up, I was caught by loli Siesta.

Right, that bicycle-shaped energy-generating Divine Artifact the Goddess left behind.

Loli Siesta led me by the hand into a room, and sitting there was something that looked exactly like an exercise bike. The seat height seemed freely adjustable.

"… So basically, this is a Divine Artifact that can halt the world's collapse the more you pedal it."

"Oho. So that's what it was."

Apparently, the overflowing energy would probably cause bountiful harvests in the surrounding area.

"In other words, an artifact of penance and harvest… This will make labor sentences for criminals much more productive."

"I hadn't thought of that."

Though from the Goddess's perspective, she probably wanted this to mass-produce labor socks.

"Let's explain it as a quasi-artifact bestowed as a reward for returning Divine Artifacts."

"Quasi-artifact?"

"As in, an amazing tool on par with Divine Artifacts. Most likely, like the sock one, more will multiply from it."

So it's essentially just a Divine Artifact.

"The name shall be… 'Foot-Pedaling Harvest.'"

"Eh, it had a name? I didn't hear the artifact's name from the Goddess though."

"I just named it."

Siesta's the one who names Divine Artifacts?

"Fufu. I name most Divine Artifacts. It's a privilege of being a sister, an apostle of the Goddess."

"Huh. By the way, what's the sock-making artifact called?"

"'Sock Sewing Machine.' That was also my naming, colleague."

Loli Siesta puffed out her chest proudly.

Hmm, I don't really get the naming conventions.

"… However, the Goddess intends to place these in every town that returns Divine Artifacts, doesn't she?"

"That's right. Looks like your workload's going to increase, Siesta."

"Don't worry about that, my sock income will increase. More importantly, the return of Divine Artifacts is likely to accelerate even further."

… Huh!?

Come to think of it, returning unused artifacts only got you honor, no practical benefit.

But if a proper reward were to be added—and a useful one at that, a harvest artifact!

Of course they'd return them!!

Or even artifacts on the borderline of being unnecessary would get handed over!!

It's basically a trade of your current artifact for a harvest artifact!!

"C-curse you, Goddess! Not only did you piggyback on my idea, but this was a move to further accelerate returns!"

"From the Goddess's perspective, it's probably more like 'deliver socks, not artifacts.'"

Yeah. That does sound like something the Goddess would say.

Haaah, good grief. As I was sighing, I heard cute little pitter-pattering footsteps.

"Hey, Kari-chan!! That wasn't what we discussed!?"

"Ah, Mie-chan."

Mie-chan came in with puffed-out cheeks and an angry face.

How did she know I was here? Ah, maybe there's something like GPS in the hair ornament?

Geez, she wants to always be connected to me? How cute!

"Ah, yeah. Let me explain? It wasn't me, it was the Goddess's doing!"

"The Goddess's? It was certainly more impressive than what we planned…"

"Actually, I just came back from complaining to the Goddess about it."

"… Isn't that a bit, you know, irreverent?"

Well, that's just how the Goddess and I get along.

Though I did end up getting talked into circles and having to buy that tapestry.

"Huh? Then that voice really was the Goddess's voice!?"

"That's right. Honestly, barging in like that. Right, Siesta?"

"Yes. The Goddess was most pleased."

"W-w-w-wait, I was having a conversation with the Goddess!? Hyaaa, I'm so surprised!!"

When Siesta confirmed it, Mie-chan nearly collapsed. I gently caught and supported her.

"Ah, Lady Vermilion. We received a reward from the Goddess for returning the Divine Artifact."

"Eh, ah, Siesta-chan. Sorry for barging in… wait, a reward?"

"Yes. The quasi-artifact 'Foot-Pedaling Harvest.'"

Siesta promptly introduced Mie-chan to the "Foot-Pedaling Harvest."

"What is that and how does it work!?"

"Who knows? But you can't disassemble it."

"Mmm, l-let me try pedaling! I'll test it and figure it out!!"

Mie-chan's interest had shifted entirely to the "Foot-Pedaling Harvest."

… By the way, turning the pedals apparently consumes quite a bit of stamina and mana. Mie-chan was drenched in sweat after just a few dozen rotations.

This really is going to end up being used for penance and punishment, isn't it.