Clearing an Isekai with the Zero-Believers Goddess

“This is the completed coat, miss.”

“Wow! It’s lovely! The fluffy cuffs are so cute! It’s fur, right? Fur!” (Melt)

“I’m glad it pleases you. Now then, for the payment…”

It was January 3rd, the start of the new year.

Today, I came with Melt to pick up her completed coat.

The shop clerk asked for payment and tried to hand me the invoice…but Melt snatched it from the side before it could reach me.

“I’ll buy it myself! Let’s see here… One large gold coin and three gold coins! So expensive!” (Melt) Follow current novels on NovєlFіre.net

“Hey now… Don’t say it like that.” (Shizuma)

“Hehe, well, our shop is known for its luxury goods. But I can assure you the quality matches the price.”

“You’re right! The stitching is really neat, and the fabric is beautiful and sturdy! The dyeing is perfectly even, too… This isn’t mineral pigment, it’s plant-based dye! Probably made by reacting Elpair tree sap with…Lisaria pollen, right?” (Melt) Melt was saying words I don’t even know again…!

I see…when it comes to plant-derived materials, Melt really does have expert-level knowledge.

“My…! I’m astonished. Such a discerning eye.”

“Alright, here’s the payment. Let’s put it on right away.” (Melt)

Beaming, Melt slipped her arms into the brand-new coat she just bought.

A light-blue duffle coat with white fur trimming. It was an incredibly cute piece.

Even from an amateur’s perspective, the quality craftsmanship was obvious.

“Wow, it’s so warm! And it feels so nice on the skin!” (Melt)

“It suits you perfectly. Here, this is a gift from me.” (Shizuma)

I received the item I bought last time from the clerk and handed it to Melt.

Actually, I asked the clerk to add fur lining to it after purchase.

A pair of mitten gloves and a scarf. I had them customized to match the coat and planned to give them to her as a set.

“Wow! Thank you! I got a present!” (Melt)

“If it were a bit earlier, it would’ve been right in season, though.” (Shizuma)

I mean, you know…the thing from Earth.

That mysterious old man in red clothes who breaks into people’s houses…!

Though, this world doesn’t have any such tradition.

“Alright, we’re done shopping…let’s head to the General Guild.” (Shizuma)

“Right! It’s been a while since we’ve gone over there. I wonder if they have shared carriages?” (Melt)

“Hmm, not sure. You probably still need government permission to go that way.” (Shizuma)

We are leaving this country today.

That said, our goal was simply to reach Golda, which had become much easier to access now that the war was over. ///

…The Dreamhill Great Forest.

That place had essentially become our territory now.

That’s exactly why Melt had been so eager to visit her hometown again.

Which meant we had to submit a long-term expedition report to the General Guild.

Shire apparently already submitted hers properly. Shilent hadn’t, of course.

I have never done it as Seimu either, but since we will be traveling far this time -to Golda- we needed to file one officially.

I wondered what Golda was like now as we walked toward the guild.

The royal capital had turned into a sea of blood.

Thousands of corpses, at the very least.

I know this world has purification magic, but even that must have its limits.

And with the complete collapse of the royal castle, the country must be unstable, with the remaining nobles rebelling.

Still, we weren’t heading to the capital…we were just going to the forest.

“It feels like it’s been years, even though only a few months have passed.” (Melt)

“I was thinking the same. We came to Lendia…and started living in Lindblum…” (Shizuma)

“Became adventurers, took on all sorts of jobs. Every day’s been so much fun.” (Melt)

“Yeah, everything’s been new and exciting. From now on, I’d like to visit towns outside Lindblum too…it’s only going to get more fun.” (Shizuma)

“Totally! First we’ll go to a port town and…oh! Seimu, wait! This is bad! I have to go east before that…to the town I went to on that escort mission!” (Melt)

Melt suddenly seemed to remember something and spoke in a panic.

“I ordered some light armor there…an order…-made? One! From a local armorer!” (Melt)

“Oh yeah, I remember you mentioning that.” (Shizuma)

“I need to go pick it up, so after we visit my hometown, can we head there first?” (Melt)

“Of course. I’m curious too… A city known for its blacksmithing sounds great.” (Shizuma)

If I remember right, it was a town called Izbel.

They exported a ton of weapons and armor to Lindblum during the war.

…And since the war ended so fast, I bet they’ve got a big surplus now.

“It’s nice having so many places to look forward to visiting.” (Melt)

“Yeah. Strangely enough, it doesn’t feel troublesome at all.” (Shizuma)

Because this world is fun.

Because this life is fun.

Because I love walking this path together with her…my irreplaceable family.

And so, we safely arrived at the guild and submitted our long-term expedition request at the adventurer reception.

—————–

“You’re requesting a long-term expedition? If you don’t mind me asking, where are you heading?”

“To the former Golda territory. There’s someone there we owe a great deal to, and we’d like to check on them after the war.” (Shizuma)

“Um… Golda is currently under a full entry ban issued by the Holy Principality…”

“Then please ask your superior if Seimu and Melt could be granted an exception.” (Shizuma)

“Uh… Understood.”

It would probably be approved.

It might sound arrogant, but honestly, I doubt this country’s guild could refuse any of my requests anymore.

Originally, this kind of position should’ve been Shilent’s.

But somehow, I ended up in it instead… Peacefully rising into a kind of special status.

An unexpected person appeared while we were waiting at the counter.

“Seimu-sama, Melt-sama. We’ve prepared a reception room for you. May we speak in private there?”

“That’s…surprising. Understood.” (Shizuma)

It was Lemia-san.

I didn’t expect her to appear at the front desk, so I was honestly caught off guard.

She led us upstairs to one of the meeting rooms.

“So, Lemia-san, you’re not an adventurer but a guild staff member?” (Shizuma)

“Yes, that’s right. I was originally a mercenary, but after coming to this city, I switched to being an adventurer, and later got scouted into the guild.” (Lemia)

“I see, so that’s how it was.” (Shizuma)

A rare bit of information about her… So she was once a mercenary…

Once seated, Melt relaxed on the sofa while Lemia-san seemed unusually tense.

The difference in mood between them made the air feel oddly heavy.

“Please, Seimu-san, have a seat.” (Lemia)

“Alright… So, what’s this about? I assume you didn’t bring us here just for the expedition paperwork. I’ve already informed Her Majesty that we won’t be accepting any more requests from the crown or guild for a while. I thought that information had reached you.” (Shizuma)

This woman couldn’t be underestimated. In some ways, even less than Bark-san.

But what she said next was…

“Seimu-san, I heard from Kokuri. Shilent-sama…is alive, isn’t he?” (Lemia)

“Ah, so that’s what this is about. Yes, he was gravely injured, but he survived. He’s rejoined the main brigade and is focusing on recovery.” (Shizuma)

“I see… I’m so relieved… Truly, thank goodness he’s safe…” (Lemia)

It was about Shilent… She wanted to confirm his survival.

Apparently, the reason she brought us to this room was so that no one, not even Bark-san, would overhear.

I suspected it, but…isn’t Lemia really fond of Shilent?

Maybe not romantically, but it definitely feels like something deeper than professional trust.

Perhaps it’s connected to the fact that she used to be a mercenary too.

“I’ve also been told that Shilent-sama is a hero from another world. You knew about that, didn’t you?” (Lemia)

“Yes. I’ve also taken in a young man named Shizuma along with him. Both of them were summoned as hero candidates from another world. Shilent began to distrust Golda during his training and escaped. He met Shizuma, who had already fled, and together they joined the Brigade.” (Shizuma)

“…I see. About your long-term expedition request… Are you perhaps returning temporarily to the Brigade? If so…I have something I’d like you to give to Shilent-sama.” (Lemia)

With that, Lemia-san handed me a small parcel as if saying this was her main objective.

“This isn’t from the guild, but from my personal stock. It’s raw materials for elixirs. Since you have an excellent alchemist like Melt-sama with you, please use it to help with Shilent-sama’s recovery.” (Lemia)

“Wha…there’s no need for that. Shilent’s injuries are healing steadily; he’ll recover fully in time.” (Shizuma)

“Even so. This is my personal wish. Please…accept it.” (Lemia)

I couldn’t bring myself to refuse.

She usually acts cool and composed, but I already knew from her interactions with Still that she’s actually quite compassionate.

“Alright. I’ll take it. The Brigade will use this to make an elixir and aid in Shilent’s recovery.” (Shizuma)

“Thank you. As for your trip to Golda…I’ll grant the authorization myself. However, I must warn you: some nobles are still gathering remnants of the royal army and private soldiers to resist. Please be careful if you pass through the capital.” (Lemia)

“Is the resistance really that intense?” (Shizuma)

“No, suppressing them with the military would be easy. But we’re avoiding bloodshed whenever possible under Her Majesty’s orders.” (Lemia)

“I see. Shilent would probably scoff at that, but I agree… No more blood should be spilled.” (Shizuma)

“Fufu, indeed, he would. Still, our agents in Golda are already working to capture the noble ringleaders. I expect things will be settled soon.” (Lemia)

“I understand. In any case, we weren’t planning to visit the capital.” (Shizuma)

With that, we were officially cleared to travel to Golda.

The guild issued us a pass, meaning we could now cross the border freely.

—————–

“She called me an excellent alchemist! I’m blushing! I’m not even part of the guild!” (Melt)

“But honestly, you probably know more than anyone else in this city.” (Shizuma)

“Hmm… Maybe?” (Melt)

I thought back on our talk with Lemia-san as we descended from the meeting room.

Nothing else was mentioned aside from Shilent.

…But I knew the truth.

Just as Still discovered…the assailant Frerika, who should’ve been locked up in the underground cells, had escaped.

And since there was no public outcry, the incident must’ve been erased.

But the guild staff must know about it.

Lemia-san, too.

After all, Still got that information from one of the guild receptionists.

…He really did get info from all sorts of places.

Mostly by chatting up women, apparently.

Well, his face alone was the best-looking one in the party, after all.

“Alright… It seems there’s a carriage heading to the border. We can ride that far, but from there, it’ll be on foot. We’ll probably have to camp outside…is that okay?” (Shizuma)

“No problem! I’m a master of camping!” (Melt)

“A master, huh… well, I guess you are.” (Shizuma)

There was still a field hospital near the border, used for supply transport.

Most of the patients had already been moved to Lindblum, but some who were too weak to travel remained there.

The captured Golda soldiers who had been treated by Still were also being kept there as prisoners.

They will probably be used as leverage against the rebelling nobles.

I heard that in wars like this, it was common for nobles’ younger sons to volunteer in hopes of gaining merit.

Looking at it this way, maybe the war wasn’t truly over yet.

Even such a short conflict left deep scars.

If it had escalated into a full-scale war, how many more would have died? How much destruction would have spread?

Thinking about that, Shilent…and the brigade who intervened…accomplished something immeasurable.

“Well then, let’s relax while we wait for the carriage.” (Shizuma)

“Yeah. It feels weird, though…waiting here for a carriage to go back this time.” (Melt)

“Right? It’s the exact opposite of when we first came here.” (Shizuma)

“They call that…nostalgic, right? It’s kind of nostalgic.” (Melt)

“Yeah.” (Shizuma)

Melt had half given up on returning home.

Even so, maybe she held onto a small hope that with me, who had conquered the Scorched Ravine, it might be possible.

And now, it was happening.

That had to mean more to her than words could express.

“Oh! There’s Rikka-chan and the others! I’ll go tell them we’re heading out for a bit!” (Melt)

“Got it. Keep the destination vague, okay?” (Shizuma)

“Of course!” (Melt)

It wasn’t just me anymore…she had built her own connections too.

She found her place in society.

That made me happy… It feels like I am calling myself her guardian here, but it still makes me happy.

“…Back to the beginning, huh.” (Shizuma)

To decide our next destination, we were returning to where it all started.

Somehow, that felt a little poetic.

I couldn’t help but smile quietly to myself as I watched Melt chatting happily with the others.

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