I heard some mumbling from within the room.
“Oh my, he seems rather angry today. I’m not looking forward to this...” I said.
As you can see, I have once again been called in by the higher-ups. Well, I did think that this was coming. I knocked on the door and heard footsteps approaching before it opened.
“I’ve been waiting for you! Come on in!” said the god, who was dressed unnecessarily luxuriously.
He opened the door for me. How scary. The one saving grace is that he’s alone again.
“You know why you’ve been called here, don’t you?” he said.
Of course I do. For now, it seems like I can lie a little, so I’ll play dumb. “I’m not quite sure. Is anything the matter?”
He sighed and silently stared at me as he took out the crystal ball and placed it on his desk. You’re treating me like a suspect, aren’t you? As you know, the crystal ball turns red in the presence of a lie. Even little white lies aren’t safe, and it was clear that he was trying to sniff out any falsehoods from the very start.
“It’s about Daisuke Furutsu. I’ll have you tell me everything you know.”
Right. I would’ve never been called here to be interrogated if it wasn’t about him and Grida-chan. I have to be careful—I’m the only one that can protect those two from the gods. My superior, like before, took out three sheets of paper from the mountain of documents. I feel like that mountain has only gotten bigger since last time. He must really be tired. Thank you for your hard work.
“I received a few troubling reports about him, you see. You’re periodically checking up on him, aren’t you? Did you notice anything new?”
This is surprising. Even though I can’t lie, he’s given me a way out. “No, I haven’t,” I replied. The crystal ball...whew, is still clear. Of course, I haven’t noticed anything “new.” I knew their secrets from the start, so I’m not lying here.
“Hm?! Is that so...? Hm.” He glared at me suspiciously as he looked back and forth between me and the crystal ball.
It sounds like he received some sort of information. Now, who could’ve done so, and what did they report, I wonder?
He was silent for a moment before continuing. “Take a look. Can you explain this?”
An image appeared on the white wall. I know I’ve said this before, but the world Furutsu-san is currently in was sealed off by a certain spell. Only still images can be extracted.
“Go ahead. What’s this all about?”
The image was of a lone apple in front of the entrance to a large building. This was when Furutsu-san was asked to collect Holmer’s belongings. Why are there always pictures of him that make him look bad? How shall I explain this away?
“Furutsu-san received the blessing card, so he won’t rot or die from malnutrition. As long as he’s not destroyed on an atomic level or completely consumed and digested, as you can see, he can remain looking as fresh and juicy as ever...”
“I know that! I’m asking why he’s alone in front of a building! I thought he didn’t have arms or legs! Did he roll over here on his own?!”
I sighed internally. Of course I know what you’re asking. He really did roll over there on his own, so any reply other than “yes” would make the crystal ball glow red. And it goes without mentioning, but there’s no way I can say that. All the other gods would immediately hold a meeting and try to destroy Grida-chan. I have to use my knowledge to my fullest extent. “It’s said to be good luck for an apple to be placed by the entrance, among certain peoples.”
This was true. It didn’t have to be an apple, just something round and red. Many people actually believed this superstition too.
“Hm, sounds like that’s not a lie...” He still had a suspicious look on his face.
Should the crystal ball glow red, it might be good luck to place it in front of the Gates of Heaven—although it’d do us no good now, since the ball remains clear. I smiled.
“I see. So this is Furutsu being useful as an apple.”
“Correct. He’s in front of this building because he’s an apple.” And because he was an apple, he was able to slip past the guard, collect the necessary items, and be useful to Datil-san.
“Hmmm. I see. But the real issue is this image. Take a look.”
On the wall was the vast desert, with Furutsu-san trying to enter some ruins. How odd. I’ve been checking up on them frequently, but I’ve never seen this structure before.
“Do you know what this is? Inside of these ruins is a labyrinth, and to our surprise, within that is...” He suddenly went silent and stopped moving. His mouth remained open as though he was trying to speak, but he was completely frozen.
“Is something the matter?” I received no response.
Ding. “Confirmed confidential information. It will be automatically revised.”
Huh? Who just said that? What an odd voice. I don’t think I’ve heard it before.
“Hm? Oh? Are you perhaps able to hear me?”
Another voice echoed throughout the room. I can’t see who it is, but it sounds like a man.
“Oh, right, don’t talk. It’s better if you don’t respond, or they might notice.”
Notice? Who will?
“Is it because you’ve been associating yourself with that soul? Or were you influenced by that branch? Maybe it’s a mix of both. Heh, this is pretty convenient then.”
Sounds like he’s figured something out, but what? I have no idea what he’s on about. Um, hello, I shouldn’t talk, right?
“Yep, yep. You’re a clever one. Listen up, now. I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you anything important just yet. If I did, they’d notice us in an instant... Whoa there! Wait! Stop! Don’t think! Stop thinking! ...Whew! Yeah, good. There isn’t a problem this time around, so we should be fine. I’ll try to think of a good way for us to chat when we meet next time. In the meantime, the revision of confidential information will end soon. Listen to me, okay? Don’t ever respond to my voice. And don’t overthink this stuff. Okay?”
In the next instant, the image of the ruins on the wall disappeared, and my superior was looking at me suspiciously.
“What are you doing? We’re done here. Leave.”
Whaaat?! What just happened? We were in the middle of talking. “Um, are you sure we’re done here? Uh, because... Huh? What were we talking about again?” I stammered.
“Wow, this is a surprise. You’re not completely revised,” the voice said.
I have no idea what you’re talking about. What does that mean?
“Uh, let’s see. For example, take a look at his desk. How many documents are there?”
Documents? He just pulled out three, so there should be... Huh? Only one sheet of paper was on his desk. How curious. He definitely took out three.
“I knew it! Wow. This is starting to get really interesting! Whoops, your supervisor seems to be pretty angry.”
Said supervisor glared at me grumpily. “What are you standing around for?! Aren’t you busy? I’ve got so much work to do myself. Get out of here.”
Can I really leave? This was very convenient for me, but I couldn’t understand what had just happened.
“Yep, that’s fine. That’s just how gods are. Whoops, can’t say much more,” the same voice echoed.
It sounds like you have some information that you’d like to tell me.
The voice laughed. “Yeah, I sound really suspicious here, don’t I? But please trust me. I’m on your side—and on the same side as that soul and that branch too. But if I say that, I’m sure Idunn would laugh at me.”
I couldn’t really hear that last bit because you said it so quietly. I’m sorry, I know you’re trying your best, but I’m not quite sure how I’m supposed to be able to trust you.
“Shouldn’t you get out of this room first? You’ll get in trouble again.”
Ah! You’re right! I bowed and left, closing the door behind me. Phew, seems like I’m safe for now. I breathed a sigh of relief and glanced at my surroundings.
“Um, is it okay if I talk now?” I said. No response. How odd. “Excuse me? Um, mister owner of that mysterious voice?”
Oh no, I can’t hear anything. Was I still not supposed to talk? If so, I’ve just messed everything up. I may have lost my precious ally...though I’m not sure if I could’ve trusted him. Feeling a little down, I opened up the door connected to Furutsu-san’s world.
“Is everyone doing well?” As I went through the door and gazed down at the realm before me, I saw Datil-san and Fresa-san pulling a carriage with a large number of people on board. I did a double take, but they were, in fact, physically pulling the carriage themselves.
“Are they showing off to the gods or something?” I said to myself. They don’t know about me, or the troubles I just went through. That’s fine by me, though. I just want Furutsu-san and his group to live long and happy lives. I’m the only one who can protect them, so I must work harder.
“Don’t worry. I’m also here to help. Oh, don’t talk yet!”
As I heard the same voice ringing in my ears again, I breathed another sigh of relief. This voice was indeed mysterious, and I couldn’t tell if he was friend or foe. I wondered if Furutsu-san felt something similar when he first heard Grida-chan’s voice after he had just turned into an apple. I chuckled to myself.