v1c15 (2/2)

“…Please forgive me, I lost sight of myself there for a little while. And after you went out of your way to come visit me…”

After complying to the gargoyle’s demands, Tiel-chan finally calmed down. We didn’t want her to flip out again, so the gargoyle waited outside the home.

“N-no really, it’s quite all right. Isn’t it, Youki-san?”

“Ah, yeah, sure.”

Cecilia and I both tried to keep our real expressions to ourselves, but inside we wore a forced smile.

But for her to go that crazy… Just how much did she love that gargoyle? I was worried she might turn into a yandere.

“But this is perfect. I was just about to go see the two of you myself.”

“Did you need something from us?”

“The truth is… I would like for you to take me and Guardian Deity-sama with you to Minerva.”

She bowed her head very low to us. When she did, the door burst open with a gusto. Hearing us from outside, the gargoyle came in.

“Tiel, what are you talking about…”

“I beg of you, Cecilia-san, Youki-san! Guardian Deity-sama lost both of his wings and his arm protecting me. His body can’t even be repaired with magic. But if we go to Minerva, we might find a way to fix him.”

She pleaded with us and again lowered her head.

It’s true that compared to this little mountain village, someone in a place like the largely populated Minerva might be able to sc.r.a.pe up some information on a way to heal him, but…

“What are we gonna do? Cecilia?”

“I’m sorry, but that’s impossible. Tiel-chan is sick, and I don’t know what we would do about Gargoyle-san. On the off chance someone from the village were to discover he was missing from the shrine, it could turn into a huge problem…”

That’s what I figured. Still, I didn’t want Tiel-chan’s efforts to be in vain. If I were to pitch in and help…

“Cecilia, I think I might have an idea…”

“…Although I’m very concerned, I suppose I should at least hear you out. Do explain, please.”

“Well, you see…”

I went over my plan, and at first Cecilia was reluctant, but I managed to convince her through sheer enthusiasm.

“Awesome, we have Cecilia’s seal of approval. Isn’t that great?”

“Now wait just a minute, brat! I have yet to decide if I even want to…”

“That’s fantastic! Isn’t it, Guardian Deity-sama?”

Before the gargoyle could finish his retort, Tiel-chan threw her arms around him. After that, the gargoyle couldn’t say anything. Dammit…I want Cecilia to hug me like that!

But I suppressed my earthly desires, and instead explained my great plan to the two of them.

They both accepted the plan, and we completed the preparations. Then, it came time to bid farewell to the villagers.

“On behalf of the village, I would like to express our grat.i.tude. We thank you for saving our village from its crisis on this occasion.”

The mayor bowed his head to us. I could get used to being thanked like this.

“Also, we leave Tiel in your very capable hands.”

We had informed them we were taking Tiel-chan with us to Minerva in order continue treating her weak condition there. It was at least half true.

She had mostly recovered, but Cecilia was going to ask Celia-san to let Tiel-chan work and live in the Aquarain mansion. While she worked there, s.h.i.+ek would continue to provide her with medicine.

On the other hand, the gargoyle…

“…? Youki-dono, what is that statue?”

Loaded on top of the carriage was, of course, the gargoyle. However, I coated his entire body using my Earth magic, and gave him the appearance of large Buddha statue.

“Ah, sorry. I found a beautiful rock near the village, and I was suddenly taken by my urge to delve into my statue sculpting hobby. It turned into quite the masterpiece, so I wanted to take it back with me.”

“I-I see. That’s quite an…interesting hobby you have…”

Even I think having a statue sculpting hobby is weird.

I know it’s incredibly rude to people that actually do have a hobby carving statues, but I had to force the words out of my mouth. Besides that, I made a new demonic statue to put in the shrine. According to Tiel-chan, hardly any villagers visit the shrine anyway, so even if the statue looked a little different, no one would notice.

After we finished loading up the gargoyle, everyone hopped into the carriage.

“Goodbye, everyone. May we meet again someday.”

After saying our fond farewells, the carriage headed out for Minerva.

After we got back to Minerva, Tiel-chan was successfully hired as a maid, however, my request to display my “masterpiece” the gargoyle at the mansion was denied.

Tiel-chan desperately didn’t want to be separated from the gargoyle and asked numerous times, but each time she was turned down.

Maybe because I was the one that “made” it, Celia-san replied,

“Youki-kun. If you would like to place a statue in our home, I recommend polis.h.i.+ng your ‘style’ a bit more.”

…she told me with a completely straight face.

I didn’t have the same aesthetic sense as the people in this world. Just one of the many difficulties I faced being from another world.

In the end, the gargoyle came to live with me in my rented room.

<script>