"Well, I have to manage my own world too! Just like Celes..."
Yes, to the general public, I am "A friend of the Goddess Celestine"... although most people, despite my desperate denials, refuse to change the way they call me "Angel-sama"... and I am simply "A human girl favored by the Goddess", but to these children, Francette, Roland, the Adan family, and a few others, I am "the Goddess of another world". So, this explanation will suffice for these children.
"So, I guess I should head back soon..." (Kaoru)
"…………" (Everyone)
The children wanted to disagree with what I said and stop me, but they were thinking about their important work as goddesses, and the trouble that the people of this world might be in because of the goddess's absence, so they remained silent and couldn't say anything.
Yes, they look as if they are about to burst into tears again, but perhaps because they understand that this is not a time to be selfish, the children don't say anything. And this is a time when you can't be pampered. If you say sweet things to the children out of pity, it will just be the same as before. This is a time when you have to be hard on your heart...
"Do you think humans who monopolize the Goddess for themselves, who never try to survive on their own, and who always rely on the Goddess for their lives, are worthy of receiving the Goddess's protection?"
I could hear the sobbing, but I ignored it, turned my back, and headed to my room.
...I'm the one who wants to cry!
"…………" (Everyone)
The next morning, when I got up and went into the living room, the children were sitting at the dining table with their heads down... Their eyes were all red.
Still, breakfast was properly prepared, and of course my portion was served too.
When I sat down and said, "Itadakimasu," everyone else also muttered, "Itadakimasu..."
"It's a wake! How depressing!!
I have always taught my children to be happy during mealtimes! Even if something unpleasant, painful, or sad happens, they should be cheerful and bright during mealtimes! ...Otherwise, the food will taste bad, and you will feel even more depressed!" (Kaoru)
Even though I said that to encourage them, the children, who would normally try hard to force a smile, did not look cheerful at all.
"But, well..."
"If it's impossible, it's impossible..."
"Uh, uh..."
…This is no good…
If I don't do something, these kids will really be ruined...
It's been three days since then.
In the meantime, I went to make an excuse to Ashil's brother's wife.
I was doing that on purpose to help the children become independent and develop the ability to live on their own, and it wasn't like I was lazing around and dumping all the housework on them because I was lazy.
She asked me if it was true, and I replied, "Look into my eyes!" She looked me straight into his face and simply said, "That's a lie!" and dismissed it.
...How do you know that!!
Anyway, I made an excuse and left!
Next, we visited the Mallard workshop.
No, of course I see my successor, Lorotte, every day at home, but I have to confront Ashil about this "solicitation of a lover" thing!
Just as I got on the bus with that in mind, Ashil suddenly got down on his knees and begged me.
...Did you think you were going to be killed? Did you have that kind of look in your eyes? Shut up!
Well, it might have been possible if he was just the third son of a Viscount, but now that he's a Baron, it's probably difficult to marry an orphan.
It would be different if she was a concubine, where any children born would at least be given aristocratic status, but being a mistress who is disposable and has no rights, and whose children will not be given noble status, let alone inheritance rights, is a bit harsh, no matter how wealthy the bride is...
There was the option of becoming an adopted daughter of some noble family for a time, but even if it was only temporary and only on paper, there weren't many noble families that would accept a commoner orphan into their family lineage. Unless they were in dire financial straits and prepared a huge amount of money as a gift...
Of course, if I asked, I think they would reluctantly accept. But I don't think it's right to use my name to force something that they don't want to do, especially something that concerns the family's honor.
Well, I know there's one way.
The plan is to receive the title from Roland that he has prepared for me, and then I will adopt her.
If that's the case, I won't mind adopting Lorotte at all, and even if she is an adopted daughter, there is surely no noble in this country who wouldn't accept my daughter as his legal wife.
Perfect... except for two issues.
First, I have no intention of becoming a noble. I would rather not be burdened with unnecessary duties or burdens, or be tied down to this country.
And the other is, "That would be too biased."
Everyone at "The Eyes of the Goddess" had simply happened to meet me early on, and so they continued to treat me far more preferentially than the other orphans.
There are many orphans in the royal capital, no, in this country. But I can't take care of all of them. I just happened to meet some people who helped me, and I took care of them a little as a reward. But it would be too much to push them to become the legal wife of a noble. I want Lorotte to decide her own life, and carve it out with her own strength. ...With just the cards I have in my hand.
Isn't it something I should have a say in? Well then...
"...Well, do your best!" (Kaoru)
Saying that, I patted Ashil on the shoulder, said goodbye to the workshop owner, Bard-san, and the others, and after talking for a bit, I left.
And while this was going on, Francette received some information from the royal palace.
"It seems that the Brancott Kingdom Army has begun to move. There are many nobles and military commanders who are opposed to military action, but they have no choice but to follow the orders of the King and their superiors, unless they value their own lives and positions…" (Francette)
Well, that's true. Moreover, it would be fine if it only happened to you, but if things go wrong, you could end up killing your whole family and relatives.
The First Prince wouldn't do something so foolish, but the Second Prince is aware that he is less popular than the First Prince, and he took the throne by force. Moreover, the First Prince is still alive. So, he has no choice but to crush those who oppose him, even to an excessive extent...
And even though this will only result in him losing even more popularity, the people supporting the second prince probably won't even try to stop it.
Well, that's obvious. They would be glad if anyone who got in their way was destroyed, and if they gave the Second Prince any bad advice, they would be destroyed themselves. If they didn't care about the country or the people, and only thought about their own interests, they wouldn't take any unnecessary risks.
"When are they going to reach the border?" (Kaoru)
"After four days. They will probably reach the border area in the evening of the third day, camp there for the night, and cross the border the next morning." (Francette)
Yeah, no one would enter enemy territory in the evening and immediately set up camp for the night.
"Well, just to be on the safe side, let's go there the morning on the third day. We'll probably leave tomorrow morning." (Kaoru)
There are various factors to consider, such as the time it took for the spies to bring back the information, but it takes time for a fully equipped army to move with its supply units. It's nothing compared to the time it would take for me to fly empty-handed thanks to the item box, riding on Ed, powered up by potions, so it should be plenty of time.
"What about the national army?" (Kaoru)
"Yes, they were already on alert and preparing to depart. Of course, they had troops deployed in advance, so they will likely join up with those troops and intercept the enemy about a day’s journey from the border…
That place is a wasteland with no inhabitants and no crops, and the terrain is perfect for engaging with the enemy." (Francette)
Yes, no one would be stupid enough to fight in such an important grain-producing region.
Well, no, only if it's enemy territory, unless you're sure you're going to win the battle and it'll soon be yours.
"Okay then, let's get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow!" (Kaoru)
"…………" (Everyone)
Ahhh, the expressions on the faces of the children listening in the back...
"What are you worried about? Do you think humans will do anything to me?" (Kaoru)
"…………" (Everyone)
Well, even if I am a self-proclaimed goddess, it's a bit much to tell them not to worry.
Well then...
"It’ll be fine. Even if something were to happen, this temporary body would just be damaged and become unusable, but it wouldn’t affect me. In the worst case scenario, my vacation would end, and I’d return to my world. I’m sure I’d have a lot of work piled up…" (Kaoru)
Ah, it had the opposite effect! The atmosphere has become even more heavy...
And Francette and Emile look so happy!
Anyway, Francette, Emile, I'm not taking you!!