Side Story: Narikin and Saintess Alka

"So anyway, Mama is preparing the dungeon, so it's time to stall, Narikin-kun!"

"… Hah, um, and why is Soto-sama here?"

"I'm gonna head out into town and go on a date with my lover here in a sec!"

The exceedingly carefree Soto had come to visit Narikin in the Holy Kingdom.

Apparently, Master had asked Soto to deliver a message. It seemed she also intended to go on a date while she was at it, but did Master know about that?

He'd heard that Soto was so carefree that she gave them headaches… which category did this fall under?

"As a condition for cooperating this time, I wrested permission to go on an outdoor date with my lover!"

"I see."

Good. If she had permission, then it should be fine.

"In that case, please enjoy yourself and take care."

"Yes!"

"… However, one month, huh. How should I explain this away…"

"That's easy. I heard the plan from Papa."

It was about the streaming magic tool used in the first trial. They would say they'd reapplied to borrow it again, and the paperwork was taking some time.

"To begin with, normal people can't ignore distance like I can, so even just exchanging letters takes time for the procedures. If anything, one month to prepare might be fast."

"I see. That works as a legitimate excuse."

If streaming the dungeon clear was one of the trial conditions, they couldn't very well go to the dungeon until the magic tool was borrowed.

It was a magic phrase that could buy as much time as they needed.

"So I'll bring it back in a month!"

"Understood. We shall proceed as such then."

"Well, I'm off on a date with my lover!! See yaaa!"

Saying that, she pulled out a black-haired woman who was blindfolded, gagged, and wrapped up like a rolled mat, grabbed the rope, and left Narikin's room.

… A girl dragging along a woman who had clearly been abducted. This might become some kind of urban legend.

"… Hm. A date, huh."

Narikin murmured to himself. Even though they were stalling for a month, if all he had to say was that he was waiting for paperwork, there was essentially nothing to do. This was practically a month-long vacation.

Perhaps he should follow Soto's example and go on a date with his wife.

Incidentally, Nerune… Kyou had already left, so of course this wife referred to Rokufa.

Kyou wasn't his wife to begin with.

Maybe he should go to the gambling den again and gather information. Just as he was thinking that, he heard a knock at the door.

"Narikin-sama, may I have a moment?"

"Hm. Alka-dono, is it? Please come in."

Saintess Alka came to his room. Since the timing was good, he informed her that the paperwork to borrow the magic tool would take about a month.

"So, we can use this month as a preparation period."

"Understood. That magic tool is necessary, after all. It's only natural."

The explanation was accepted easily. As expected of Master's excuse. Narikin deepened his respect in his heart.

"… By the way, come to think of it, was there something you needed?"

"Huh? Oh, um. Yes. Right. I was actually coming to discuss dungeon exploration planning with you, Narikin-sama."

"Then that's exactly what we were discussing. Good timing."

"Indeed."

Alka smiled sweetly.

…

"Is there something else?"

"S-since we have the opportunity, why don't we combine it with discussing what to bring and go shopping, or at least scout out the shops?"

"Ah. Well, even though we have a month for preparation, it doesn't hurt to get things ready early."

Honestly. If she had such matters to discuss, she could have just said so sooner.

Narikin rose from his seat.

"Would now be alright? I'd like to go right away."

"Oh, y-yes, now is fine. Let's go."

Saintess Alka followed behind Narikin as they left the room.

Things had suddenly turned out that way.

"What kind of equipment would be good?"

"Let's see, what should we get. I definitely want a cloak… Perhaps I should buy a new one."

"That sounds nice. It can serve as cold-weather gear and armor."

"And if we're streaming the dungeon clear, appearance is important too."

"I see. That's a new perspective. I've never considered that before."

He dropped bits of knowledge he'd picked up from Master as they stopped by a weapon shop in the Holy Kingdom.

"In that case, how about I wear red vestments? That dungeon seemed to be forest-type, so red would stand out nicely."

"Hm. Indeed, a red cloak would be eye-catching. Very eye-catching."

"… Ah. True, it would stand out too much. To monsters as well."

Realizing this from Narikin's comment, the Saintess returned the red garment in her hands to the shelf.

"No, monsters aren't particularly a problem. Just defeat them."

"Oh, is that so? If monsters aren't the problem, then what is?"

"… If I had to say, whether red suits you, Alka-dono. This is just my personal impression, but I think white suits you."

"I see… True, my attire as Saintess is white."

She'd be dyed red with splattered blood anyway, so personally he thought red wouldn't look bad on her either.

"During dungeon exploration, I actually end up wearing red more often. From the splattered blood."

"… Well, white will do. The citizens are more familiar with that."

"Ah. That is certainly important… Right, this time we'll be going into the dungeon while being watched by citizens. It would be a bit embarrassing to be seen getting excited."

"That in itself is part of the appeal of showing dungeon exploration, is it not?"

"But Narikin-sama, you were acting normal throughout."

It's a bit unfair if only I show my indecent side, Alka pouted.

"I thought I was different than usual in that dungeon too… But somehow, I felt relaxed."

"Relaxed, you say? While clearing a dungeon?"

"I was there for a month. It felt almost like a home to me."

He laid the groundwork for an excuse in case he accidentally let his guard down during the exploration in a month.

"You can't fight for long periods if you're constantly tense."

"That's impressive. As expected of the next Pope… oh, you're still just a candidate."

"Ha ha ha. Now then, shall we look for a green cloak?"

While searching for a cloak, Narikin touched his chin and thought.

"Speaking of which, would blue suit my wife? I'd like to hear your opinion, Alka-dono."

"Which wife?"

"I only have one wife."

"Ah, that's right. Kyou-sama was in disguise. Incidentally, black suited Kyou-sama well."

"Kyou has a spouse and child, so it would be best not to make advances. She's not of the Church of the Light God either."

"Is that so? … But if she would convert, I would support her myself. Please convey that."

"… I'll at least pass the message along."

Good grief, Narikin shrugged his shoulders.

Polygamy wasn't unusual in the Church of the Light God. In fact, it was strange that the Saintess was still unmarried.

"… Well, I've been interested in marriage too. But when you're diving into dungeons, there just aren't any opportunities to meet people."

"Ah. The Saintess challenges dungeons solo as well then?"

"Yes. I have attendants, but I have no intention of making them my spouse…"

Alka glanced at Narikin.

So, Narikin was a romantic interest. Kyou too. And in the Church of the Light God where you could marry two people at once, there was no ethical problem with pining for two people at the same time.

Furthermore, even if someone was already married, you could just take their spouse as well, so Rokufa was also a target. In a familial sense.

"… Now then, shall we continue shopping?"

"Yes."

He forcibly changed the topic and moved on. Saintess Alka also seemed to have no problem with this, as she planned to close the distance gradually. For now, at least.