Elven Village, Elder’s Abode
“Whew. This should take care of all the reports.”
I let out a sigh of relief after sending out all the messages. It wouldn’t have been all that tiring to just tell people their matchups, but every one had a lot of questions—especially Ange, who would be fighting Maria with me, and Colette, who thought her opponent’s name was a joke. There was quite a bit of back-and-forth, and even after all that, no problems were solved, which was why I was planning to head over to them.
Ah, actually wait. In Ange’s case, it feels like she’ll be coming to me? I need to confirm that.
“Good job, master. Have some tea,” said Efil.
“Ah, thanks, Efil.” I poured some of the tea Efil had made down my throat. Mmm, delicious! Efil’s tea is leagues apart from the rest.
“Are you sure you two should be taking it easy like that? You realize your opponent is Addams, right?” Gloria asked. “I think you should be worrying about yourselves before anyone else.”
She’d interrupted our enjoyment of this moment of peace with her warning, her brows furrowed.
“Ha ha! You might be right about that. That hurts,” I answered.
“You obviously didn’t mean any of that,” said Gloria. “What do you really think?”
“It was already decided from the beginning that Addams and Maria would be participating. Why would I be worrying now? I wouldn’t have suggested these events in the first place if I wasn’t prepared to fight them.”
“Hm, I suppose that’s true...”
I’m glad she gets it.
“Yes, I see,” she continued. “After all, you released me temporarily in the name of training. You’ve always been insane.”
I don’t like being thought of as a weirdo. You know I’m relatively normal for a Rank S adventurer, right?
“Personally, I’m more interested in knowing why none of you Ten Authorities, as subordinates of Addams, are participating. There were so many of you I was curious about, like Cheruvim, since our previous bout didn’t come to a satisfying conclusion, or Isabel, who Sera and Gerard could only barely overcome by merging together. Did you guys hold back on my account? You could have just come forward without worrying about that, you know.”
“What are you talking about?” Gloria asked after a pause to process what I’d said. “There was no restraint or consideration involved. We Ten Authorities were never interested in this piece of entertainment.”
“Huh? Really? Why?”
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t lump us in with you as the type of person who’ll jump in no matter what if a fight is promised. When it comes to the two you specifically named, Cheruvim is needlessly fired up about being the Ten Authorities’ new leader. He doesn’t have time to participate. As for Isabel, she already thinks of your group as precious people to be protected. Why would she ever point her blade at you? That wouldn’t make sense to her, now would it?”
“Oh... Sure...I guess?”
Cheruvim aside, I really didn’t understand Isabel’s reasoning. Uh...does that mean she’s a pacifist or something?
“Ah, um, Gloria-san! Where did you buy that hat?” Wial asked. “I want one too, so please tell me!” She’d built up her courage while I was pondering, jumping out from the side to ask the question.
As always, I could only see her as the Beast King, so secretly, that scared me a little.
“This thing? I made it myself,” said Gloria. “I could have had Baldogg make it so it would be suitable for battle, but I never liked the look of any of the armor he designed.”
“The look?”
“Indeed. I didn’t like its appearance. He made those pieces to expose a lot of skin because for some reason it improved the armor’s defensive capabilities. It was totally incomprehensible and completely against public morals...mrmrssmfrssm...” Gloria devolved into convoluted muttering.
“Uh, um...Gloria-san?” Wial prompted her.
“Oh, ahem!” Gloria recomposed herself. “At any rate, that is why I tried my hardest to make this myself.”
“So...it really is handmade?!” Wial gushed. “Wowww, so it’s not just cool, it shows how much effort you put into sticking to your own style. How lovely...” Her eyes were sparkling even more now.
Wait, it’s definitely unexpected that Gloria sewed it herself. And seriously, late Baldogg? What the heck were you making?
“Hm... Okay, then how about this?” Gloria said. With that, she reached up, took off her beret, and placed it on Wial’s head.
“Huh?” At first, Wial didn’t understand what had happened. “Whaaat?! A-Are you sure?! This looks like it would be so expensive if it was sold at a store!”
“Heh! I’m glad you think so, but it’s not nearly that valuable. Also, I’ve got a huge stock of this same beret. Giving you this one won’t bother me.”
“Oh wooowww!” Wial gushed.
Gloria’s blazingly hot move melted Wial into a puddle of herself. But according to Analyze Eye, that beret was a Rank S item.
I never expected her to give it away. How generous of her.
“Yaaay! Thank you so much, Gloria-san!” Wial gushed. “I’ll treasure this hat! I’ll make it a family heirloom!”
“Do as you like.”
“Okay!” Wial exclaimed and turned to Nellas. “How do you like it? Does it suit me, father?”
“Uh, yes. It does,” Nellas replied, turning to Gloria. “But...erm, are you sure about this? Giving that hat away for free...”
“Heh, don’t worry about it,” said Gloria. “I simply thought it would suit the little girl, so I gave it to her. That’s all.”
She was hotter than anyone I’d ever seen at this point. Is she surprisingly good at looking after people?
“Hm... Even to my eye, that girl has an amazing talent for sewing,” said Efil. “I would like to have a match with her sometime.”
Oho, so even Efil is impressed. That beret really is a well-made piece. But what does she mean by sewing talent? And can you even have a match in sewing? Some sort of...sewing battle?
“Hey, Kelvin! I see that dumb face you’re making! You’re thinking something weird again, aren’t you?!” Gloria shouted. “If you’ve prepared yourself, then don’t make a face like that!”
“What do you mean? That’s just my normal face! And wait a second... Why do you only treat me this strictly?!”
“What do you think you’re saying? You decided to face Addams head-on. That is an incredible honor, of course. So it’s only natural to demand an equal amount of dignity from you as his enemy!” Gloria exclaimed. “Truly! You should learn from Efil; she is a walking embodiment of elegance and discipline!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Speaking of discipline, Efil’s discipline at night is comparatively— No, nothing. Never mind. But still, I’d appreciate it if you’d show me even a tenth of the kindness you just showed Wial-san.
“What is with that look?” Gloria asked, breaking the momentary silence that had settled after I sank into thought. “Do you have any motivation at all? You’re so hopeless! I’ll beat some drive into you! Name anything you need to motivate yourself! I will do anything within my power!”
“Uh, whaaat?!” Gloria-san?! I know what I just thought, but you shouldn’t say something like that so lightly!
“What are you spacing out for?! Now, state your wish!” she shouted.
“Oh, you’re being serious! Uh, er...let’s see... I guess if you told me what Authority Addams has, it would help motivate me...maybe?”
“You want to know what Authority Addams has? I can easily tell you, so listen closely!” Gloria exclaimed.
“Ah, thought not. Sorry, I know I was pushing it with that que— Wait, whaaat?! You’ll tell us?! Really?! Why?!”
I was pretty seriously confused at this point. I couldn’t help but let out a barrage of retorts, hurting my recently moistened throat.
“Why? Because it’s not a secret,” said Gloria. “I don’t know how it is in this era, but during the old war, his Authority was pretty well-known.”
“Uh, really?”
Wait, does this mean Mel knows too?
::I am a young god, honey. Yes, a peachy little young god. Ancient common knowledge does not apply to me. While I was tasked with managing his seal as the Goddess of Reincarnation, I was never told anything about Addams. Please direct your complaints to the chief god, who never brought this up when the job was handed to me,:: Mel messaged me defensively through the Network. She must have read my heart from the far reaches of where she was.
I... I see. So none of that was part of the handover. But...peachy, you say? Oh no, never mind.
“Uh...then I guess I’ll happily listen? I want to do everything I can. Of course, I’ll wring out as much motivation as I can. And I’ll do my best to be elegant too.”
“Heh! Finally, there’s a better look in your eye,” said Gloria. “Very well. If you’re going to go that far, I’ll tell you everything I know. Addams has the Authority of Education. He has the power to guide all living things, whether they be gods or mortals.”