Chapter 98

Today, Chapter 2

"How was it?"

"It didn't work! The pebble I put in disappeared."

"I see, well, there's nothing we can do about it."

Our storage experiment ended in failure. We decided to use something that wouldn't matter if it disappeared, so we picked up a pebble from the entrance of the inn. Ferrin's [Avatar] used [Spatial Magic] to store it.

While we could retrieve the pebble without any issues, we learned that when the [Avatar] was dispelled, the pebble disappeared.

"Probably, once the [Avatar] is dispelled, the connection to the subspace is severed!"

"From what we can see, that seems to be the case. It's impossible to find the subspace afterward, right?"

"Impossible, impossible! It's like an infinite world. Maybe only Lady Ferza could do it, but I don't know!"

Lady Ferza is just too powerful...

I can't help but think that anything is possible, but then again, she can create lower gods, so it does seem like anything is possible.

"In that case, there's nothing we can do. Fortunately, I have a large basket, so I'll wrap it in a suit and carry it with the other luggage."

"I'm sorry."

"No, no, it's not your fault, Ferrin. Besides—"

As I spoke, I noticed Ria and Feiril's sandals sitting side by side.

"Oh... I have to move those sandals, and the shoes I bought, too..."

"What do you think? Maybe we should check if the other goddesses can investigate Palmera more thoroughly? If necessary, we could pay for this room for a few years in advance and make it their base."

"A few years!? Loki, are you that rich!?"

"Hehe, pretty impressive, right!"

It's pointless to boast to Ferrin, who has no sense of money, but 3000 Beke per night is no problem to pay for a few years in advance.

Actually, if we're paying that far ahead, it might be better to rent or buy an empty house.

The goddesses are all incredibly beautiful, so it's a bit worrying to have them stay in a place where men might stay.

"Yeah, that's true. I was thinking of traveling around the world, but it might be easier to find the transferer by searching the area around where we found the traces... I'll check with the other goddesses!"

"Okay, okay. I just thought, with people around at the inn, if we're going to be active here, we should consider renting or buying a house for the goddesses."

"Whoa! That would be better! Hold on, I'll check now!"

With that, Ferrin's [Avatar] stopped moving, sitting on the bed like a doll.

Is she completely transferring her consciousness to her main body?

This could be an opportunity for mischief—

No, I'm getting a bit excited. This is bad.

It's like a "stop time" situation where only I can move, and any man would be fired up in this situation.

Even waving my hand in front of her face, which seems to lack focus, gets no reaction—

If I touch her, she'll definitely notice, right?

But, but.

At least if I smell her from behind... Ferrin's scent is calming... I should do something to calm myself down...

I naturally and uncontrollably sneak up behind Ferrin.

Anyone would think I'm a pervert, but I can't stop, I can't control myself.

I'm drawn to her slender neck, visible because of her short hair.

(I am truly sorry.)

I mutter in my heart, take a deep breath—

"What are you doing?"

"Wha—!!?"

Her face suddenly turned to me, and I gasped, all the air rushing out of my lungs in shock!

Hold on!

I haven't even enjoyed it yet!

No, that's not right!

How do I explain this!?

"..."

The cold stare she gives me makes me kneel and then seamlessly transition into a dogeza.

I feel like I'm doing a dogeza to all the goddesses, but this time, I'm in the wrong.

"It's not like that! I like Ferrin's scent, so I was just trying to recharge a bit!!"

It's not a good explanation.

I'm just fully admitting to being a pervert, but it's the truth, so I can't help it.

"..."

"I won't do it again! Please forgive me!"

"U-Um... I didn't say you can't..."

"..."

I couldn't hear her, so I instinctively looked up, but I didn't see any anger on Ferrin's face.

Actually, her face was bright red, and her eyes were darting around like a fish.

"I didn't say you can't! You can do it!!"

"R-Really!? So I can!?"

"Hey, don't get so excited! You're using formal language again!"

"A-Ah, sorry, sorry. I got too excited..."

"Eventually. Eventually!"

"Eventually! Thank you! I'll work hard with that in mind!!"

Eventually is fine.

Regardless, it means I have permission.

Hehehe... The right to smell Ferrin, who is so cute, is priceless...

"Loki, get back to reality!"

"Ah, sorry."

"So, about the base, it's not necessary to spend your money. They said they'll create a base inside Palmera if they find enough traces."

"Wow, that's a typical goddess idea."

"It's just a place to put shoes, after all!"

That's true.

The goddesses only have shoes as personal items, so whether we rent a room or a house, only their shoes will be placed there.

It would be a waste to pay millions of Beke for that.

"So, you don't need to worry, Loki. I was questioned about why I'm traveling..."

"Ah... That's why it took so long."

"But it's fine! I said we're doing a food survey!"

Honestly, I'm a bit worried if it's really okay. After all, it's Ferrin.

She's not the best at explaining.

As long as Ria doesn't find out, it should be fine for now...

If the worst happens and she does find out, I'll have to do my best to stop her.

After all, she once tried to bring down divine punishment on me, involving innocent people.

When I lost control, I had some persuasive power.

And if that doesn't work, the overconfident reincarnated person will be in trouble, and so will my future—though not to that extreme, I won't be able to get carried away and will be forced to live a very healthy life, separate from the laws of this world.

Ria is allowed to punish sins, so as long as I don't spread sin, I don't need to worry too much.

So, what should I do now?

Looking at my watch, it's already past 4 PM.

It's a rather awkward time.

In that case—

I should be the one to take the initiative, considering all the effort Ferrin has put in.

I take a deep breath and steel myself.

"Hey, Ferrin, it's past 4 PM. If we go to Palmera now, it'll be too late, right?"

"Yeah, the [Avatar] can't do anything once it gets dark."

"Then, since the rain has stopped and we talked about a reward... How about we go on a date? We could get dinner somewhere, too?"

A proposal I can only make to Ferrin, who clearly shows her affection, and not to the other goddesses.

My heart is pounding, worried about being rejected or misunderstood—

"R-Really!? Yay, I'll go, I'll go!!"

Seeing Ferrin's joy in front of me, a sigh of relief escapes my lips.

I apologize for the protagonist being a pervert.

I think I might mess up one more time, so I apologize for that in advance.