Side Story: The Church in Our Village (Part 2)

Perhaps thanks to the prayer's effects, we safely hunted an iron golem.

After exchanging it at the guild and splitting it three ways, my wallet got quite fat.

"Praying really does make a difference!"

"We can live it up for a while with this～"

"But I'll still work the fields."

For me, field work is my life's calling. If I had to choose between that and being an adventurer, I'd choose the field. Having both right now makes me very happy… Now if only I had a wife too.

"So, shall we go pray at the church?"

"Yeah. Getting that iron golem was thanks to Beddhism's blessing after all."

"Zun, you just want to see Suira-san, don't you?"

"What are you saying, Doko! I just want to pat Michiru-chan's head!"

"What a lolicon."

And so we headed to the church again.

As for the time, it was evening. Since we sleep at night, it closes early, but it should still be open at this hour.

"Oh, welcome～?"

The small sister, Michiru-chan, greeted us.

Come to think of it, her sister outfit also has a slit in the skirt… and I heard the Beddhism sister outfits were prepared by the village chief… yeah. Well, yeah. I guess that's how it is.

At this point, I'd say it's actually worthy of respect.

Zun patted Michiru-chan's head as declared and handed her a prized eggplant he'd brought. Zun, when did you pick that up?

"Yaaay, it's big～!"

Michiru-chan leaped at the eggplant and enthusiastically rubbed her cheek against it — what is this feeling? I feel like I'm being corrupted.

We handed our offerings to Michiru-chan and did the informal prayer.

… It feels like giving pocket money to a niece. Soothing.

"Well, we're going to the bar for drinks. You coming too, Robou?"

"Nah, I'll pray a bit more. I want to read a book."

"I see. Come by if you feel like it. Not that we'll be waiting or anything."

Saying that, I parted ways with Zun and Doko. They're good guys I can hang out with casually.

I borrowed a book about agriculture from the bookshelf and sat down in a chair. I can't read anything too difficult, but from being an adventurer and checking quest slips, I can manage simple content.

Plus, this book marked 'Translated by: Ichika' reads like an adventurer's notes, so it's very easy to read.

… What's this? Fertilizer, for the field, powder made from ground shells… huh, shell powder can be used as fertilizer? Not just goblins? Maybe I'll ask the next merchant heading to Pavera to bring some and try it out.

I continued reading the book. The content was very educational… but perhaps the day's fatigue had accumulated, because I started dozing off and—

—ah! I fell asleep before I knew it.

I hurriedly cast [Purify] on the desk and the book I'd drooled on a bit. Maybe due to special processing, the book cleaned up nicely… That was close. I couldn't afford to pay to replace a book.

Just then, a cloth fell away. Apparently it had been placed on me.

"You were praying so devoutly, Robou-san."

Suira-san was sitting next to me, smiling gently.

"… Um, this cloth, did you…?"

"Yes, I put it on you so you wouldn't catch a cold… You had quite an adorable sleeping face."

She saw my sleeping face?

I don't think anything of my party members seeing my sleeping face during camping, but knowing Suira-san saw it is a bit embarrassing.

The sun had already set and it was nighttime. It was a time when the church should have already closed.

"I'm sorry for staying this late. I caused you trouble."

"No, not at all! If you'd like, you could continue sleeping a little longer?"

… Suira-san smiled, looking somewhat… disappointed?

Suddenly, I was reminded of a child caught trying to sneak a treat and had to withdraw their hand — no, what am I thinking? It must be my imagination. This would make it seem like Suira-san was going to do something mischievous to me.

"— By the way, did you know that this church has private rooms?"

"Private… rooms?"

When I asked back, Suira-san smiled gently.

"Yes, a room where believers can pray calmly one by one — oh, of course, since it's Beddhism, 'praying' means sleeping peacefully. It's set up like an inn room."

And of course, you can lock it from the inside, Suira-san added with a smile.

Then she brought her face close to my ear and whispered. The sudden tickle in my ear made my brain go pleasantly numb. Is this what they call ear-bliss?

"That — if you offer two silver coins, I could do a special prayer with just the two of us in a private room…?"

"Wh-… t-two silver coins!? S-Special!? Just the two of us!?"

"Fufu, what will you do? Because you were praying so… devoutly, you know?"

Because you were — at those words, I gulped.

Suira-san smiled alluringly. An atmosphere that didn't suit her sister outfit — something sinful hung in the air.

My wallet's contents… I can do it! I nodded without hesitation.

"This way, then…"

I handed over the silver coins and was led to the private room by her soft hand.

It was a small room, but a futon was laid out inside. Truly a room meant only for sleeping.

There, I—

—got a lap pillow from Suira-san.

Hm? Well, you see? It's a bit different from what I expected, but this is good. Rather, it's great. I mean, thinking I could do what I'd been hoping for with Suira-san for just two silver coins was presumptuous, hahaha. Haah…

"Feel free to fall asleep whenever you like. I will leave the room partway through, but I will take care not to disturb your prayer."

"O-Okay."

She gently stroked my hair. Ahh, this feels so good… and the smell, it's amazing. Suira-san smells incredibly nice. Is there a special incense for Beddhism or something?

"Close your eyes, relax your body… that's it. Now, slowly, take a deep breath — I'm here with you, so don't worry…"

"—…"

Listening to Suira-san's words, drowsiness came washing over me.

I slept soundly until morning.

As expected, Suira-san wasn't there when I woke up in the morning, but—

—perhaps because of the lap pillow, I dreamed about getting lovey-dovey with Suira-san. That's a secret.

… It's also a secret that I reflexively cast [Purify] on myself when I woke up… It might have been the first time I wet the bed since I was a child.

At any rate, after sleeping the whole night and feeling refreshed, I came out of the room to find Suira-san doing her morning cleaning.

"Oh, Robou-san. Thank you for the mea — I mean, you prayed very devoutly last night. How do you feel? How's your condition?"

"Yes, I feel great thanks to you. Nahaha."

"That's what matters most."

Suira-san smiled.

"Should I keep last night a secret?"

"Well, no, you can tell people you trust. However, we have a limited number of private rooms so we may not always have availability, and we will refuse anyone who would be rough with the sisters."

"I see…"

"… By the way, if you want to pray again at night, next time there's a co-sleeping course for three silver coins…"

"I'll definitely come again!"

I grabbed Suira-san's hand and declared it.

Her cheeks reddened shyly, and though she averted her gaze, she kept stealing glances at my face.

Then, she squeezed my hand back and spoke.

"… You promise, right? You'll definitely come again…?"

SO CUTE, I'm falling for her.

I guess I'll tell Zun and Doko about this. They're probably passed out drunk at the bar right about now.

"But first, let me check on the field," I decided, and headed to my field.