Although things were still a bit awkward between us, I was really
glad I was able to make up with Elma.
"The problem is this pig still doesn't know how I really am…"
I'd never even dreamed that the day would come when we could
have a casual conversation like this.
If this was how things were like from the start, I was sure that I
would've still followed her.
The two of us would've traveled around the world and made many
people smile.
But if that were the case, I probably wouldn't have been able to meet
the girls, so I couldn't say which was better.
"Haha, well, you've always been good at keeping your private self a
secret. But why don't you take this chance to try to be yourself in
front of others?"
"T-that's absolutely a big no-no!? I mean, I've been acting like a pure
and benevolent goddess until now!?"
"W-well, you've got a point there…"
The difference between her private and public self was simply too
extreme.
And what was the deal with the 'pure and benevolent goddess'
anyway?
The only one I could think of who fit that description was Terra-sama.
Well, she did act that way back in the days I was with her.
"But no matter how fast you are, you've been putting him
unconscious by hitting him at the back of his neck with a hand-sword
or choking him, right? Wouldn't people usually realize it when they
woke up?"
"Eh, for real…?"
"Actually, I'm not sure, either…"
At the same time, we both turned our eyes towards the man…
Porco-san, but he still had his eyes rolled back as before.
He's not dead, right…?
"Wait, if he realized it, then my using all of my Saintess Move
desperately until now just made me looked like an idiot in his eyes,
didn't it…?"
"Well, I'm sure he wouldn't think that way. Because it means he's
pretending not to realize it despite knowing the truth."
"W-well, you can see it that way, but…"
"Besides, even if he didn't realize it, is he just another random
stranger whom you're just feigning friendliness with and can leave at
any time to you?"
"…No, he isn't." Elma confidently shook her head.
I softened my expression and said, "Then, take this opportunity and
try to be honest with him. Since you're going to continue traveling
with him, it'll be easier if you don't have to put an act around him,
right?"
"You've got a point. But will he forgive me for the hand-sword and
choke…? I put in so much force in them…"
"W-well, I wonder…" I answered while my face was twitching.
Then again, if he realized the hand-sword yet just shrugged it off, he
should forgive the choke… I think…
No, but there was a possibility that he had that kind of fetish, too…
Well, we'll cross the bridge when we get there, I concluded inwardly.
"Now then."
This was a rare opportunity, so I'd like to chat more with her, but now
was a time of emergency.
As such, I got up from the chair, quietly approached the door, and
throw it open with a clank.
"""""Uwaa!?"""""
"—!?"
At that moment, the girls, except Shiva-san, suddenly surged into the
room, falling over.
I had a hunch that it'd be like this, but looked like all of them were
eavesdropping against the door.
"Aw, aw, aw…"
"Ophir, heavy…"
"Kh, to think that I of all people…"
"What a blunder…"
"U-umm, everyone, could you please move away…"
"..."
As I was looking at them with exasperated look, Shiva-san, the only
one who had escaped this mess, shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, it can't be helped."
◇ ◇
Anyways, after I briefly explained about the situation, we all started
to discuss where to go next.
The candidates were still the village of the dragonfolk or the elf.
"Indeed, if we're considering that 'Fantasy Form' thing, I think it
would be better to head to the elven village first," remarked Magmell.
"Fumu, but we now have access to"Superior Arms"too, right? In
that case, I don't think we necessarily need to be afraid even if we
face an actual dragon. After all, I will be the one to head there." Arca
smiled boldly.
Magmell looked at her with half-closed eyes and said, "You just
wanted to master that"Superior Arms"as soon as possible, didn't
you? I mean, you seem to be vexed over that fact that Tirna-san beat
you to it."
"…Whatever are you talking about?"
Fwp, Arca turned away, seemingly embarrassed.
Tirna then gave her a thumbs up and said, "Legal wife change."
"Kh…"
As Arca was biting her lips vexedly, Ophir asked Shiva-san, "So, ya
sure the elf doesn't have that Fantasy-whatchamacallit?"
"Well, I can't say for sure, but I don't think Canaan will transform into
a giant beast like Shangarula."
"I see. In that case, the elf's really the better option, then. At least he
can be taken down faster than a dragon," Zana said.
"Mm, I concur," Tirna nodded.
"B-but…"
Tapping Arca's shoulder, who was in a rare flustered state, Magmell
said with a melancholic look, "Just give up, Arcadia-san. The current
legal wife is, without a doubt, Tirna-san."
"..."
Seeing Tirna proudly puffing up her modest chest, needless to be
said, Arca's face turned soulless.