Translator's Note
This is unrefined translation. If you want to read this soon, please leave a comment here. I plan to continue this series after I finished "Average" to the latest chapter. Probably I will only start from "Season 2" (after the war).
UPDATE: Potion will be translated once per week (see schedule for details). And this chapter has been edited, although it's not perfect.
"I'm back!"
Thump thump thump thump!!
"Welcome back!!" (Everyone)
Our home for the first time in several months.
…Or rather, I have the strong impression that this is a home for orphans, and I'm just a freeloader here…
No, it's not like I was slacking off or lazing around. I wanted the orphans to develop a sense of independence and acquire the skills to live on their own, so I left everything to them, from cooking and washing, to cleaning, and earning a living! So, they were able to get by even when Emile and I were away.
...I raised these guys!
Well, we had properly informed them in advance about our return using the "Voice Resonating Crystal Set," so although they were happy, they didn't seem all that surprised.
If I don't let them know in advance, they might piss themselves like a puppy if I suddenly show up.
When I come back, I won't ask you to tell me what happened while I was away.
...Because we were in frequent contact with them using the Voice Resonating Crystal Set, I was able to get the information in almost real time. I had repeatedly said, "There's no need for such detailed reports," but the children's eagerness to report to me and talk to me overpowered me, and I was always forced to listen to pointless conversations.
It's no use if someone reports to you while traveling that the price of onions at a greengrocer in the royal capital has dropped by one copper coin...
Well, anyway, it's been a while since I've been home.
First, I lie down on the floor and have my child step on my back. It feels so good...
"Guh!"
Ah, a strange voice came out.
Or rather...
"Stop it! You'll get crushed! Bell, you graduated from back-stomping a long time ago!
Didn't we just say that anyone who gets too heavy has to retire from the back-stomping role? I'll step down right now!!"
Bell gets off my back with a sad look on her face.
No, no matter how much you make that face, I can't give in on this. My spine will break.
And then, after Bell had reluctantly given up his seat to me, there was another girl, older than Bell but smaller...
"Argh! Don't jump on! And don't get on with more than three people at once!"
I'm gonna die!!
And so, I continued living such a self-indulgent life for a while.
After all, if you think about it carefully, it would be better to let them cross the border first. In terms of this country's position, and also in terms of divine punishment.
Picking a fight with the familiar angels was a sufficient reason, but adding the fact that they invaded the country the familiar angels lived in made them seem even more villainous. Besides, it would be convenient in the future if they crossed the border and fulfilled the conditions to activate the secret agreement with the Asheed Kingdom.
And so, I left Francette to gather information from the King, and for the first time in a long while I spent time interacting with my children (leaving them to do all the housework and spending the day lazing around)...
Ah, I introduced Layette to everyone as the new member of "Goddess's Eyes."
Although he had been with us all this time, a child of this age should live among other children. Being alone among adults is not a good environment. Soon, I will be heading to a country that is at war with us.
…There's no way I can take her.
So, as one of the "Goddess's Eyes," Layette-chan has to live here with everyone. It would take away my healing powers, but dragging a young child around for my own convenience is not good for Layette-chan.
Just be patient, be patient! If I come back here, we can meet again anytime...
We then gave the children various training sessions during bedtime story time.
No, these children are growing up to be good, devout, honest people who believe in the Goddess (me), but... they seem to depend a little too much on me!
Even though everyone can live perfectly fine without me, for some reason no one wants to leave the nest.
The oldest, Emile, was 16 and would soon be 17. And the youngest, excluding Layette, was Bell, who was 12. Everyone else was old enough to have long ago become independent and take up normal jobs such as live-in apprentices, apprentice craftsmen in a workshop, hunters, or military infantry.
In other words, everyone is at an age where they are considered to be "Ordinary members of society who lost their parents at a young age," and some of them, including Emile, are already adults. They are no longer "orphans."
Normally, it would be difficult for an orphan with no sponsor or guarantor and no connections to find a decent job, but since I was living with an angel (me), there was no business owner who wouldn't hire someone under my protection. If they wanted to, any large store would hire me.
…But why don't you try to stand on your own?!
During the four years leading up to our trip, we provided plenty of education through bedtime stories like this one!
Cooking, reading, writing, arithmetic, how the world works, how to make money, how to scam people... not for our own sake, but to avoid getting caught, of course... and basic chemistry and physics, medicine, and whatnot...
Of course, to keep them from getting bored, I told them various stories. Mainly stories from Japanese manga and anime, as well as Earth's myths and fairy tales... They probably thought they were true stories from another world (my world), but at this age, they probably knew they were fictional.
Anyway, I thought I had trained them so that they could get a job anywhere if they wanted. So why is it that none of them want to leave this private orphanage?
Well, if they live here communally, rent is free and food is cheap, so they can save money, but they can't keep living here forever. Everyone will eventually find a partner and get married.
...But really, Emile and Belle, you don't intend to get all lovey-dovey here in front of everyone, do you?! Even if the public forgives you, I will never forgive you! Such shameless behavior that does not even dare fear the Goddess!!
Ha ha ha ha...
Anyway, since I gave this place to everyone, it would be fine for me to live here until I get married to save on living expenses.
But I wonder if it's a good idea to only take jobs that I can commute to from here.
I'd like a job with a bit more future prospects, even if it's live-in or somewhere far away...
This is everyone's hometown, a place to visit. It's fine. We don't have to worry about living here forever.
Is it really that? Maybe the house I bestowed upon them has become a kind of curse, a "spell"...
This is not good, really...
"Isn't it about time for you all to become independent? I don't intend to live here forever either, so I'm thinking about moving out soon... And once you're all independent, I'd like you to sell this place and split the money amongst yourself to help with your new lives..." (Kaoru)
Yes, if we sell and destroy this place, everyone will be free to spread their wings and fly out into the world.
And as soon as this matter is over, I plan to set off on a trip again.
For now, I intend to keep my citizenship as a resident of this country. I am simply "traveling" and I think it will be easier to avoid various disputes if I remain a resident of this country and this town.
If I were to travel without any affiliation, once my true identity was discovered I would likely receive more and more persuasions to come and settle in their country, and it would be embarrassing for people to say that this country has been "abandoned by the angels."
Therefore, we will retain the status of "citizens of this country," but there is no need to leave the house abandoned just for that reason. If we leave the house as it is, these children will be tied down here, and their precious talents will go to waste.
If these children don't waste the knowledge and education they have acquired, but instead take off and become successful, it will be a benefit to this country, no, to the world. ...Just a little, at least.
It will lead to the happiness of these children, and it will also mean that I have indirectly been able to contribute to the world, which makes me a little happy.
Hmm, everyone seems extremely upset by what I said...
"Y-y-y-that's..."
"Kaoru-oneechan is going back to heaven..."
"Are you abandoning me? Are you abandoning us?"
Oh no, the kids are about to start crying! Or rather, they're already crying!!
"I can't live here with everyone forever either, you know? Even I..."
"Ka-ka-Kaoru-oneechan...?"
The girl asked with a tearful face, so I had no choice but to make the ruthless declaration.
"When I get married and become a bride..."
"Ah, it'll be fine for now!!" (Everyone)
…Why are they smiling here, looking so obviously relieved?
How incredibly rude of you guys...