I Healed the Cold Dark Goddess’s Loneliness, and Now She Won’t Let Me Go! - Chapter 24

After leaving the checkpoint and slipping easily into the city, we ducked into a quiet back alley to avoid the crowds. Only then was I finally able to open my mouth.

“Um, Lady Reine… was that really okay? I feel like we just sort of blurred our way through without doing any actual paperwork…”

Caught up in Lady Reine’s intensity, I had rushed out of the checkpoint with her, but now that I thought about it, we hadn’t done anything official. Was it okay to enter the city without permission? Was I going to become a criminal without even knowing it?! Despite my anxiety, Lady Reine gave a cold laugh.

“It is no matter. That place is nothing more than a den for low-lifes who swindle rare goods from the ignorant for a pittance.”

“Hah… I-I see…”

Indeed, it was strange that the very first thing they did was demand a “gift.” So, that place existed to extort unique items from visitors from the Dark Domain who didn’t know the local market rates…

“Then, the person who said they were doing the registration…”

“We were being deceived from that very moment. Forgive me. I knew it was a ruse but I wanted you to learn the nature of the humans in this land as soon as possible, Haruno.”

So, we were even being tricked by the person who first guided us to that pseudo-checkpoint. That unpleasant vibe I felt the moment they realized we were from the Dark Domain, maybe that was it. That was close; if Lady Reine hadn’t been here, I definitely would have been scammed. She had stayed quiet specifically to let me experience it firsthand. Yeah, I’m definitely never leaving her side.

“Furthermore, that water they so proudly tried to make you drink, in a place where Sulug’s eyes actually reach, such a thing could be obtained for free, without any ‘compensation’…”

Lady Reine trailed off and turned toward me. Her expression was even sterner than before.

“But Haruno. Regardless of that, you must never let that liquid touch your lips. When eating in this land, you must always obtain my permission first. Do you understand?”

“Ah, yes…”

I had no intention of arguing, but it bothered me that she wouldn’t give a specific reason. From her tone, the water they offered wasn’t a total scam; it was at least more than just “water.” Was there some kind of danger? Poison? Addiction? But since the atmosphere wasn’t right for prying, I decided to change the subject.

“Oh, by the way… how did you have such a massive gold coin? Or rather, ‘Great Gold’?”

“I created it on the spot. Using the same principle I always use.”

“Ehh?! Isn’t that counterfeiting?! You definitely shouldn’t do that!”

Lady Reine had said something truly outrageous so casually that I couldn’t help raising my voice. Counterfeit money… well, they weren’t bills, but there’s no way there’s a society where forging currency isn’t a crime.

“There is no law that may bind me.”

Then, the “God mentality” is truly something else. I guess human laws and common sense mean nothing to her. I have my doubts, but it’s also true that I can’t even sightsee without relying on her. I guess it can’t be helped?

In the end, I went with the flow. We exchanged the Great Gold coin for silver and copper, and began touring the city.

Lady Reine didn’t seem to be enjoying the city itself, but she seemed happy that I was enjoying it, which made me glad. Lady Reine really is kind, after all.

In the market stalls, colorful fruits and vegetables were lined up, and my eyes sparkled. They were all vividly colored ingredients I had never seen in my old world or in Lady Reine’s domain.

“Wow, this… I wonder what it tastes like…?”

“If you wish to try it, I shall manifest it for you next time.”

“Eh, really?”

“If Haruno desires it, then as much as you like.”

Saying that, she memorized the things I was curious about. We didn’t actually buy anything, which made me feel a bit bad for the merchants, though.

In the square, street performers were using magic. Controlling flames, floating water in mid-air. I watched, completely enthralled.

“Amazing! It’s really magic!”

Lady Reine just watched me silently. Whether she lacked interest or just found it distasteful, she didn’t even glance at the stage, but her expression as she looked at me was gentle.

Time flew by, and before I knew it, it was lunchtime.

“I’m hungry…”

“I see. Since there is no place for you to cook as you usually do, I shall provide something for you to eat.”

“We’re here, so let’s eat at a restaurant!”

“……Mu…… Very well.”

Lady Reine had been about to just manifest a ready-made meal, but I suggested trying the local cuisine. With a somewhat reluctant nod, she followed me into a city tavern. It was a cozy place with wooden tables and chairs.

Once we sat down, a server came to take our order. I ordered something that looked like a house recommendation, but Lady Reine ordered nothing.

“Aren’t you going to eat, Lady Reine?”

When I asked, she spoke coldly.

“There is no value in consuming anything created by someone other than Haruno.”

“That’s… thank you? I think?”

The feeling of “we’re finally on a trip!” clashed with my happiness at being treated as someone special, resulting in that awkward response.

Eventually, the food arrived. A stew-like dish and some bread. Compared to the modern Japanese food I usually eat, it looked a bit inferior, but compared to the food in the village, it smelled delicious.

Just as I was about to tuck in, Lady Reine stopped me.

“Wait.”

She hovered her hand gently over the food. She seemed to be checking something, and I remembered her wariness regarding the magic water. After a few seconds, she nodded.

“……There is no issue. You may eat.”

“Y-yes. I’m eating.”

I trust her, and I’m sure there’s a reason… but being this meticulous makes me curious. I steeled my resolve while eating and finally voiced my question.

“……Um, could you tell me soon? Why are you so cautious about the food?”

“……”

Silence. After a moment of hesitation that flickered in the quiet air, Lady Reine finally opened her mouth.

“……Originally, humans were never meant to possess a power such as ‘magic’.”

“Well, I mean… it was the same in my world.”

“Then what is this ‘magic’ that these people use? It is the power of a God, it belongs to Sulug.”

“Lord Sulug’s…?”

I gasped at her words.

“Calling it ‘Divine Water,’ he distributed water mixed with fragments of his own shorn-off power to his people, attempting to grant power directly to humans. Over generations, this seeped into them, growing stronger over time, until eventually, even ordinary commoners could exercise supernatural power.”

“That sounds like…”

In Mina-chan’s village, Lady Reine’s blessing was strictly about things like fertility, weather, successful hunts, or occasionally healing injuries and sickness. But Sulug’s approach sounded entirely different. He wasn’t acting indirectly; he was giving people power directly.

I wasn’t sure which way was “right” yet. But there was one part of her explanation that really stuck out to me.

“Is Lord Sulug okay doing that?”

Shearing off your own power and giving it away. I picked up on her painful choice of words and asked. Lady Reine let out a sneer.

“Of course, he will not escape unscathed. It is called ‘divine power,’ but it is his very self. If he continues to shave it away, eventually, there will be nothing left.”

“I knew it…”

“Hmph… come to think of it, you mentioned that in your story of the future, he had become a ghost. Most likely, that is the result of having sacrificed his entire self to humanity. Or rather, if the balance of power between him and the humans were to flip beforehand. Hah, truly beyond saving. Sulug’s foolishness is no better than a humans.”

“……”

Lady Reine mocked Sulug’s selfless stance with a look of loathing, as if she couldn’t comprehend it. To think magic had such a dark “hidden setting”… the game never mentioned this at all. Magic was just something that existed normally in the game or maybe it was written in the setting materials and I just didn’t know it.

“Then, the reason you told me not to drink that water was…”

“That is…”

Lady Reine’s sneer crumbled. She turned her gaze away from me and finally gave her answer.

“……Because I will not allow even a single fragment of Sulug to enter into Haruno’s body.”

“I-I see…”

Wait! So it’s not because it’s poisonous or addictive or dangerous, it’s just pure possessiveness?

Sensing that I had realized her true intent, Lady Reine turned her head away sulkily. How cute.

It might have been rude, but I couldn’t help staring at her because it was so heartwarming, while she refused to meet my eyes out of embarrassment. A comfortable silence flowed between us, until…

“Hey, hey, ladies. Just the two of you?”

A shallow, breezy voice interrupted us. Two young men were looking down at our table, smirking.

“No… um, sorry, but…”

I tried to brush them off politely, but they weren’t listening.

“Come on, let’s chat a bit~. You’re from out of town, right? We can use magic, you know. Want us to show you?”

“W-we’re fine, thanks!”

“Don’t be so stiff~”

One of the cocky guys reached his hand toward my shoulder. At that exact moment—

“As always, the people of this land lack the sense to know their place.”

A low, freezing voice rang out.

In Lady Reine’s eyes was unmistakable killing intent. I understood instinctively: she was definitely going to kill these men.

“L-Lady Reine! Let’s just go!”

I scrambled to grab her arm to prevent a massacre. We had to get out of here before something truly happened.

“Haruno… but—”

“Please! Look, I’m leaving the money!”

I slapped the silver coins I had been given onto the table and started running, pulling Lady Reine’s hand. We bolted out of the tavern.

Perhaps struck by her killing intent, the men didn’t seem to be following us. Still, I didn’t feel like stopping yet and kept running while pulling her along. We wove through the crowds, into back alleys, and ran some more.

I didn’t know where we were. Before I knew it, we were on the outskirts of the city in a deserted area.

“Haa… haa…”

Out of breath, I finally stopped. Lady Reine still had that grumpy look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Lady Reine. But if we had stayed there…”

“Indeed. Had you not stopped me, I would have killed them.”

She admitted it flatly. There wasn’t a hint of remorse in her voice.

“It was my blunder to attempt it within your sight. From now on, I shall simply see that they are punished by divine retribution where you will remain unaware.”

“No, that’s not what I meant…”

Just as I was about to argue against her unchanging conclusion, I heard something.

Voices from nearby. A whispered conversation between men.

“……Are we really doing this?”

“Of course. We’ve gained enough power. If we succeed, we can monopolize that power for ourselves…!”

“But, killing a God…”

“What are you getting cold feet for? He’s already handed over most of his power to us. Besides… it’s that Sulug, you know? There’s no way he’ll fight back.”

Killing a God? Monopolizing the power? Lord Sulug…?

This was a dangerous conversation. Sensing the gravity of it, I covered my mouth and hid in the shadows. As I trembled, Lady Reine suddenly waved her hand. A black mist enveloped us. I think she had hidden our presence.

I went to thank her but I gasped. Her eyes were colder than at any other moment today.

The men’s conversation continued.

“Everything’s ready, right?”

“I-is it really going to be okay…?”

“Yeah! If we don’t do it now, someone else will beat us to it! He tries to give power to every single slow-wit out there. I’m sick of ‘equality’! The power of magic should only be held by the chosen few!”

Talking like that, the men walked away.

Once she confirmed they were gone, Lady Reine dispelled the mist.

“W-what should we do, Lady Reine…?”

I looked up at her anxiously. Lord Sulug was going to be attacked. I had just overheard a plot. I couldn’t just leave it alone.

But Lady Reine’s expression was indifferent. As if she had gone past anger into total numbness, her eyes held no emotion at all.

“There is nothing to be done. This is something Sulug brought upon himself. Perhaps he will change his mind once he has suffered for it.”

“That’s horrible…”

I was speechless.

“We should at least go and report this to him…”

“No.”

Her voice was a sharp rejection. Her expression was extremely grim.

“Haruno. This is his own responsibility. When you continue to give humans power, they grow arrogant. It is only natural. Despite my numerous warnings, he refused to listen. Thus, he must reap what he has sown.”

“But…!”

“Besides, knowing that optimistic fool, he would surely say something like ‘I believe in the people’ even if we told him. Hmph. It is a fitting end for one who has degraded himself into a mere wishing machine for humans.”

Her words were freezing. They were overflowing with disappointment toward Lord Sulug and that’s exactly why I felt I had to convince her.

“Lady Reine… please. Lord Sulug is someone important to you.”

“Important?”

Lady Reine laughed coldly. Right. Unlike her feelings for me, her feelings for Sulug were twisted beyond words. But even so… wasn’t he her one and only equal?

“Do not make me laugh. He ignores my advice and continues to coddle humans as he pleases. He is beyond saving. There is no need for such futile efforts!”

Deep anger and disappointment bled through her raised voice. The rift between the two of them was deeper than I had imagined.

“Haruno. We are going home. Nothing good will come of staying here.”

She took my hand. Her hand was cold, and I felt a strong sense of rejection from her.

“Wait, Lady Reine!”

I hung on desperately. At this rate, Lord Sulug would be attacked. I had to stop that, of course, but more than that… I felt that if we did nothing, Lady Reine would be the one to regret it.

“At least… at least just tell him…!”

“……Haruno.”

She didn’t get angry and ask, “Is Sulug that important to you?” I think she realized I was saying it for her sake. Finally, she let out a deep sigh.

“……Fine. If you insist that much.”

“Really!?”

“We shall return for today and visit him tomorrow. Will that suffice?”

“Yes…! Thank you, Lady Reine!”

And so, we returned to the temple in the Dark Domain. We would go to tell Lord Sulug about the plot tomorrow. With that decided, we went home.