Side Story: The Church in Our Village (Part 1)

I'm Robou. I live in Golen Village and I'm just a humble adventurer.

I came to Golen Village last winter. I heard you could get iron golems from the dungeon here, so I came to make some money.

Then, before I knew it, I'd gotten a field and settled down.

Originally, I was the fifth son of a farming family, and I'd always longed for my own field.

My eldest brother inherited all of our family's fields. Rather than being worked like a slave, I became an adventurer, so I never dreamed I'd get my own field — let alone prime land near a dungeon.

It's deeply moving. Oops, there's a weed growing. Fields near dungeons grow crops quickly, but weeds grow quickly too, so I need to pull them frequently.

I've become a farmer too, I thought, unable to help but smile.

Ever since getting my field, I've been hunting goblins for fertilizer more often than caring about iron golems.

Sometimes when I feel like splurging, I'll form a temporary party with fellow villager adventurers to hunt iron golems, but that's about it.

After finishing my daily maintenance and having nothing particular to do besides grinning at my field, Zun and Doko came over to talk to me.

"Hey, Robou. You're grinning at your field again, that's creepy."

"If you love your field so much, why don't you marry it?"

"Shut up. You guys make the same dumb face when looking at your own fields. Besides, if I could marry it, I would. I love my field."

We laughed together.

These two are also comrades who got fields in Golen Village. They're also people I often party with. They're easygoing guys who I get along with.

"Hey, we're going to hunt iron golems after this. Wanna join?"

"I feel like drinking a ton today. It'd be reassuring if you came too, Robou."

"I'll go. I was free anyway. What about the cart?"

"Zun prepared it. Just bring your gear."

"Got it."

I went back into my house and pulled out my equipment. I hadn't neglected maintenance on this either, so I was ready in no time.

"We praying today?"

"Obviously."

With that, before heading to the dungeon, we headed to a certain place.

A neat building with white walls and a blue roof.

That's right, the church.

A Beddhism church suddenly appeared in Golen Village — according to Village Chief Kehma, he commissioned a construction mage he knows — and it had now become an indispensable part of this village.

Reportedly, if you pray to Beddhism, you'll encounter iron golems.

Reportedly, if you recite the scriptures at the church, your insomnia will be cured.

Reportedly, the sisters are so cute that feelings of frustration somehow get refreshed.

The effects on insomnia in particular are supposed to be remarkable, and I hear that even the lord of Tsuia has converted to Beddhism and prays regularly.

Perhaps because of that, the wave of Beddhism has been spreading through Tsuia as well.

I too am a Beddhist.

I originally followed the White Goddess Faith like any proper adventurer, but since Beddhism is a subreligion or something, I started believing in it on the side. After praying daily, Beddhism has risen to the top in terms of how I feel about it.

After all, Beddhist prayer is just saying "Good Night" before sleep. Apparently you don't even have to say it.

Furthermore, even just grinning at my field without doing anything counts as prayer in Beddhism, so you could say it's the perfect religion for me.

We passed through the church doors.

The interior had a clean, calming atmosphere with warm light streaming through the colored glass.

There was a faint softness to it, with just enough humidity that it wasn't dry.

A breeze gently stirred the air inside the church, dispersing body heat appropriately. It was such a relaxed space that we almost let out yawns involuntarily.

There were several believers in the chapel, reading books or sleeping.

… Letting people read books for free is incredibly generous. Was that Village Chief Kehma's donation?

Just then, a sister approached. It was the head sister, Suira-san.

Her pink hair swayed softly, and a pleasant scent wafted over as she drew near.

Despite wearing a sister outfit that was supposed to embody purity, her sexy figure wasn't hidden at all; rather, it was all the more alluring.

Perhaps prioritizing mobility, her skirt had a slit that revealed her bare legs, which was enticing. Her chest bounced with each step, drawing my eyes in. Her shapely bottom, if only I could caress it… ah! No, no. I'm not some pervert. I'm not the village chief.

"Oh? Robou-san, Zun-san, Doko-san. Are you here to pray?"

Her voice had a sensuality to it that seemed to stroke my back.

Honestly, how many people converted just because of Suira-san?

Of course, there are other sisters besides Suira-san, and they're all attractive. As women.

… Is that really okay for sisters though?

Well, having young and beautiful sisters makes believers happier anyway.

"Yes, here to pray, Sister."

"Suira-san, you're beautiful as always today!"

"Oh, here's an offering."

And with that, Doko smoothly handed over a vegetable he'd grown in his own field.

"My, what a delicious-looking carrot! Thank you very much."

The sister blushed, pressed the carrot lovingly to her cheek, and gave it a light kiss. If a vegetable could be loved that much, it would have no regrets. She'll surely enjoy it deliciously. How envio… no, nothing.

Doko, why are you hunching forward? Well, never mind, I understand.

"It looks like you're all prepared to enter the dungeon, so this is a prayer before work? If you're in a hurry, shall we make today's prayer informal?"

"Yes."

We each handed the sister a copper coin. Offerings aren't strictly required, but it feels like they're more effective when you give one.

Surely even a god would rather give their blessing to someone who offers something rather than someone who offers nothing.

Also, I get to touch Suira-san's hand when handing it over, so there's no reason not to give.

"Then… let us work only enough to ensure a good night's sleep — Good Night."

""" Good Night """

We echoed the scripture back to the sister, who had her hands clasped before her chest in prayer.

Well, since it was informal, that was all.

"Take care, everyone."

"Yeah, we're off!"

"Gonna earn some money!"

"Look forward to a souvenir, Suira-san."

Being sent off by the sister was wonderful. Truly wonderful.

So wonderful that I'd love to hear "Welcome back" every time I return to the church.

In high spirits, we headed into the dungeon.