Chapter 251
""""""......""""""
"Now then, since this is important matter . Shall we hear this prophecy?"
"Y-yes."
Prophecy—a word occasionally heard even in Japan.
In the past, it pertained to religious matters; in modern times, it's often encountered as part of occult phenomena.
"U-um...""What is it?"
And in this world, a prophecy isn't just important—it's recognized by the inhabitants as an absolute utterance.
The earth spirit gives off the impression of a nervous researcher.
According to Dark, he's a young spirit who recently advanced to the intermediate rank, a rare spirit interested in the field of research.
With his fidgety, unclear demeanor, he keeps alternating between making eye contact with me and looking away.
Because of this attitude, Dark initially suspected he might be using the name of a god just to meet Amina and was wary, but his serious atmosphere led Dark to bring him to me.
"This prophecy... is from the Goddess of Wisdom, Lady Kefeli. For a junior like me to presume her true intent would be impudent, and I believe there must be some profound meaning behind it. So, um..."
Despite having something important to say, the moment he tries to get to the point, he becomes evasive with this attitude.
What kind of message could he possibly have for me?
At the very least, I understood it must be something difficult to say.
Noticing his hesitation, I glanced at Claudia, but she also shook her head.
Even Claudia doesn't know what message might be delivered.
Just because she's associated with the temple doesn't mean she can decipher the words of a god.
A natural reaction, I thought with a wry smile, turning back to the earth spirit.
"Right, I promise to listen carefully and accept whatever it is. So, please, without holding back, tell me the words conveyed to you by the god.""Y-yes."
Assured that I would listen and accept it, the earth spirit made a relieved face, took two deep breaths, and resolved himself to speak.
"......I want to eat kabayaki.""? You want to eat kabayaki?""Yes, I want to eat kabayaki."
For a moment, I was slow to process the words.
Kabayaki—as in the food, right?
Is he maybe hungry?
"Earth spirit—are you jesting? And what is this 'kabayaki'? Did the Goddess of Wisdom truly say this?""I-I'm not joking! Truly, I received a revelation from the goddess to convey this!!"
The tension shattered with that statement, and Dark's cheek twitched as he began to radiate anger.
Having trusted and brought him to me, if he's making a mockery of divine words, it's natural to be angry—in fact, this reaction is perfectly normal.
However, his earlier hesitant attitude, and even now his desperate waving and pleading to be believed, felt genuine to me.
If that's the case, then I have to consider that this seemingly gluttonous divine revelation about wanting kabayaki must hold some meaning.
"Dark, please wait before blaming him. There are a few things I want to confirm.""Liberta-dono, but—well, if you have some idea, it's not my place to interfere.""Sorry. Now then, um, since you're an earth spirit... can I call you Earth Researcher for now?""Ah, yes, that's fine."
If taken literally, the prophecy would mean: offer kabayaki to the god.
Considering how offering items to merchant god statues can yield money, placing kabayaki as an offering before the earth goddess statue might solve it.
"First, was the prophecy only those words—'I want to eat kabayaki'? If there were any instructions or other words, please tell me.""U-um, yes, I took notes to make sure I didn't forget."
But that's only if we take the words at face value.
The simplest interpretation feels somehow off.
Then there must be more context.
Earth Researcher opened the book he was clutching carefully and took out a piece of parchment.
_'O spirit who seeks knowledge, convey to the boy Liberta: I wish to eat delicious kabayaki. When it is prepared, gather and offer it at the altar.'_
"......Is this truly the words of the Goddess of Wisdom?""......This just makes her sound like a glutton, doesn't it?""It really is the message I received!!"
Peering at it, Dark and I saw just a single line of text, as if only the necessary parts were included.
No wonder he delivered it like that.
But come on, you're a god—can't you get kabayaki yourself?
Even I've never made kabayaki... Is she telling me to learn cooking now?
I think I saw it on some show—wasn't kabayaki something like "three years to skewer, a lifetime to grill," requiring expert technique?
"......"
I crossed my arms, desperately pondering what the intention could be.
There are several possibilities.
First: the straightforward interpretation—a gluttonous god wants delivery service, so prepare it.
Second: a misdelivery—maybe she muttered it offhand, and Earth Researcher received it as a prophecy.
And third:
"Hmm, hmm?"
The possibility that there's some hidden meaning in these words.
Even if I stared holes into the parchment, no new text appeared.
"Earth Researcher, Claudia."
Then I need more information.
"W-what is it?""Did something catch your attention?""Regarding the Goddess of Wisdom, if there are any legends or tales, please tell me. The Goddess of Wisdom I know is obsessed with collecting knowledge—that's my image of her. About this kabayaki, the only interpretation I can think of is that she wants my knowledge, meaning I should make it and offer it. Is she really a goddess this ruled by appetite?"
My knowledge is based solely on FBO game lore.
I'm no expert on genuine divine or religious knowledge.
"N-no. The Goddess of Wisdom I know is also as you describe, Guildmaster. She values knowledge and is devoted to gathering it. So, I don't think your interpretation is wrong.""Indeed, from what I know, she is such a being. Knowledge includes much about food—no, it's no exaggeration to say she has extensive knowledge of professions that support human life, so seeking such knowledge isn't strange.""......"
But even so, I can't imagine a god giving a prophecy that feels like asking for a meal to be prepared like this.
"By the way, does anyone here know about this food called kabayaki?""......I don't.""Me neither.""I do not know either.""My apologies, I also do not know."
First, should we eliminate that possibility?
Nell, Amina, Lady Esmeralda, and Ingrid don't know.
"I know not.""I-I don't know either."
The spirit group—Dark and Earth Researcher—also don't know.
"Claudia?"
Then the last hope is Claudia, who has traveled the world.
"I believe it is a food from the eastern continent...不过，它应该是某个边境地区的传统食物。""Have you eaten it?""No. I only visited that region once, and there weren't any particularly fascinating monsters there, so I moved on quickly.""I see.""Did you figure something out?""......It's still just a possibility."
So, it's confirmed that kabayaki exists in this world too.
That makes this prophecy even more puzzling.
At first, I thought she might be requesting a food from Earth that doesn't exist here, but that doesn't seem to be the case.
Then:
"Is there another intention?"
The timing, and the vague, elusive nature of the words.
If we're to find meaning in what seems like nonsense, consider it a code. I thought about anagrams, but neither the character count nor the words suggest any clear meaning.
As question marks floated above everyone's heads, I stared intently at the parchment.
"Want to eat kabayaki, kabayaki, tabetai... kiyabaka" (Note: "kiyabaka" is nonsense when rearranged; likely a typo or mis-rearrangement. Probably meant to check for anagrams.)
I tried splitting the words, reversing them, but nothing plausible emerged.
"Is it that delicious? This kabayaki?""Yeah, some people really like it. In fact, when tired, some say 'this is it' and eat it..."
As I struggled, Nell, thinking kabayaki must be delicious, asked about it, and when I mentioned having eaten it many times and vouching for its taste, the pieces clicked.
"Delicious, kabayaki... could it be!?"
The feeling of puzzle pieces snapping into place, and if that piece is correct, a cold sweat broke out as I hurriedly reread the parchment Earth Researcher provided.
"Did you realize something?""......I'm not certain. But if this is true, it might be bad."
Goddess of Wisdom, I don't know why you left such a roundabout message, but I wish you'd given a clearer warning.
Delicious kabayaki—this is internet slang referring to a certain monster.
A grand quest monster that can only be fought once, with incredibly delicious drops, and nicknamed "Eel Dragon" due to its appearance.
"Azhdaha might be reviving.""What did you say!?""Ajida-haa-ka?"
A class 9 calamity monster—even if I leveled up fully in the spirit realm, I couldn't win against it now.
It's a monster that shouldn't appear until the story progresses—why is it activating before the original timeline?
Dark was shocked, and Amina tilted her head, unfamiliar with the monster.
"In my knowledge, a nickname or alternate name... If we're to establish a common understanding with these words, 'delicious kabayaki' is slang in my circles referring to Azhdaha, 'want to eat' means 'want to defeat,' and 'gather and offer at the altar' means it hasn't revived yet but preparations for its revival have begun."
It feels forced, like deciphering a code, using internet slang—I'd probably be laughed at if wrong, but somehow I'm convinced this is correct.
"Are you sure?""I want to say I'm sure, but I don't know. It's an incomprehensible prophecy from a goddess, and I'm just interpreting it this way based on my judgment."
But there's no proof.
"Earth Researcher, are there any other spirits or people who received this prophecy?""P-prophecies are only given to one person, so I think no one else knows.""......"
Am I supposed to intercept that Azhdaha with no credibility or certainty?
No, if we don't intercept it, this continent will undoubtedly be destroyed.
I scratched my head frantically, searching for a solution.
The only consolation is the goddess's assurance that it hasn't revived yet.
If we are to deal with this situation...
The only thing lingering in my mind is that we must defeat the Rainy Devil to stand a chance.