On the thirteenth day of the month of Fire, it’s been two weeks since I arrived in this world. The first week was filled with surprises and confusion, and it feels like it passed in the blink of an eye.
However, humans truly are creatures of adaptation, and little by little, I’m getting used to life in this unfamiliar world.
That said, I’ve changed as well. The biggest change is that I can now use Magic, even if it’s still relatively simple. After receiving guidance from Kuro, I was able to grasp Magic more quickly than Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san, and I’m currently working on the basics of Non-Transmutation Magic, which involves using magic power as it is. With my current abilities, I can make a palm-sized object float.
As for Kusunoki-san and Yuzuki-san, they’re still practicing becoming aware of their own magic power, using the Introduction to Magic created by Kuro. From what Lilia-san says, they should be ready to use it in about a week.
According to Lilia-san, Kuro’s Introduction to Magic is so advanced that “if it were brought to a magic academy, it would cause a revolution.” Because of this, the three of us are progressing at an extraordinary pace in our magical studies.
It’s a relief that the world outside remains relatively peaceful.
However, ever since Kuro’s visit, Lilia-san has been incredibly busy, and it’s starting to worry me a little.
I’ve already mentioned to Lunamaria-san Kuro’s suggestion of attending a festival as a change of pace for Lilia-san, and for us to do some sightseeing as well. She agreed to the idea.
Another major event on the horizon for Lilia-san… I can’t say I’m entirely uninvolved in this, but tomorrow is the scheduled meeting with the Goddess of Time.
The location is the temple where we received our Blessings before, and we’ve already received confirmation from the other party. As expected, they’ve also approved of my participation.
By the way, I did ask Yuzuki-san and Kusunoki-san if they’d like to join, but they both vehemently declined, so it looks like Lilia-san and I will be the only ones attending.
[Even though I said that, there’s still a bit of anxiety in me…]
[Eh? Did you say something?]
As I muttered to myself, making an empty teacup float in front of me to practice my magic, Kuro, who was lounging on the sofa, lifted her upper body and asked.
[No, it’s just… we’re supposed to talk to the Goddess of Time tomorrow… and I’m wondering what’s going to happen…]
[With Chronois-chan?]
(T/N: クロノア / Chronoa)
[Yeah. I didn’t know her name, though…]
Amazing. I guess that’s to be expected from the Underworld King. She knows the name of a Supreme God, something most people wouldn’t even be aware of, as if it were completely normal. And she even adds “-chan” to her name…
[Isn’t it alright? Chronois-chan might sound a bit self-important when she speaks, but she’s actually quite generous toward humans. I don’t think anything strange will happen.]
[I see… well, we’re still meeting someone important, and this time it’s not like when Kuro visited us—I don’t know her like I know Kuro, so I’m pretty nervous.]
[Fumu fumu. Then, do you want to take Ein with you?]
[Eh? Why Ein-san?]
Yes, the biggest difference between this and Kuro’s visit to Lilia-san’s mansion is that I don’t know much about the Goddess of Time… Back then, I still had some composure because I knew Kuro, but this time, I honestly have no idea what’s going to happen.
When I voiced these concerns, Kuro responded with something I didn’t expect.
[If I remember correctly, Ein is close with Chronois-chan, so it would be easier to talk to her if you brought her along, right?]
[Really!? That would be so reassuring… But it’s so sudden, I wonder if it would be convenient for Ein-san to come?]
[It should be fine. Wait just a sec… Ein~~, will you go to the temple with Kaito-kun tomorrow?]
[I respectfully obey.]
[Uwwaaahhh!?]
Right after Kuro muttered into the empty space, before I even realized it, Ein-san was suddenly standing next to me, answering Kuro.
Eh? What the heck? Do all High-ranking Demons have to appear in a way that’s so bad for my heart?
In response to my shocked expression, Ein-san calmly bowed at a graceful angle, not seeming particularly bothered.
[Kaito-sama, it’s been a while.]
[Ah, Ein-san… When did you… ?]
[Responding immediately to her master’s call is basic knowledge for a maid.]
[……………..]
As I thought, the maids she’s talking about are somehow different from the ones I know.
But, well… Ein-san is a very dependable person for some reason, and since she’s on good terms with the Goddess of Time, I’m really grateful she’s going to accompany me.
I was worried about tomorrow, but with her, I guess I can feel a bit more at ease, right?
Yes, that’s what I thought at the time. However, I should have made sure when we were planning to bring her along. I should have confirmed the relationship between Ein-san and the Goddess of Time…
Early in the morning, just as the sun had risen, Lilia-san and I found ourselves once again standing before the grand temple.
It seemed the Goddess of Time had taken note of the schedule for this meeting, as it was still quite early, and there were hardly any people around the temple.
At the entrance, we met Ein-san, who had arrived earlier than us.
[I’ve heard from Kuromueina-sama. I look forward to working with you today, Ein-sama.]
[I’ll be in your care as well. Lilia-sama, Kaito-sama.]
After exchanging a brief greeting with Ein-san, we made our way to the temple’s reception desk.
It seemed they were already informed about our visit, as the priest began to lead us as soon as Lilia-san introduced herself.
[Nevertheless, I’m really grateful. It’s reassuring to have Ein-san here.]
[It would be my honor to be of help… But why am I the one asked to accompany you here?]
[…Eh? Um, I heard from Kuro that you were quite close with the Goddess of Time…]
As we walked and I spoke to her, Ein-san tilted her head as if she were genuinely puzzled. Her response stirred a growing unease in me.
[…Quite close? Me and “that?” Oh my… I hadn’t really thought of it that way, but if Kuromu-sama says so, then it must be true.]
[…Eh?]
Huh? That wasn’t the reaction I was expecting. It seems like Ein-san is really questioning whether she’s close to her…
Just as my anxiety began to rise in response to Ein-san’s reaction, we reached the largest door in front of us.
The priest extended his hand toward the door, bowed, and then moved aside. After a brief moment, the massive door—several meters tall—quietly opened.
Inside was an enormous, cathedral-like hall, with the Goddess of Time standing at the center, radiating the presence one would expect from a true Goddess.
[You’ve arrived, huh. I’m sorry to have called you out like this—]
As the door opened, the Goddess of Time turned her red and blue heterochromatic eyes toward us, speaking with a faint smile on her face. But midway through her sentence, her expression froze.
A heavy silence settled over the room as the tall, model-like figure of the Goddess of Time looked down at us. We stood there, feeling an inexplicable discomfort, waiting for her next words.
For a moment, the Goddess of Time wore a look of surprise, then her face twisted, as if she’d just bitten into something bitter, and she muttered.
[…Why the heck are you…]
For a split second, I panicked, thinking she was speaking to me. But then I realized her gaze wasn’t on me—it was directed at Ein-san beside me.
Then, she glared with eyes that were clearly filled with anger and disgust.
[A midget of a woman walked in, so I thought some “trash” had slipped in, but it’s you of all people, huh… Ein.]
[Oyaa? My apologies, I thought I saw something standing there without any curves at all… I unconsciously assumed someone had placed a “stone pillar” in the center of the room. So it was just you, huh… Chronois.]
[………………]
[………………]
Arehh? Something feels off in the atmosphere, though… I thought they were close friends, but they sure don’t seem like it now!
As Ein-san quietly stepped forward, the Goddess of Time did the same, and the two of them confronted each other near the center of the room, staring each other down.
To be honest, I couldn’t make sense of the situation, so I quickly turned to Lilia-san, but she seemed just as lost, shaking her head and looking pale.
[……Considering it’s been a long time since we last met, I see you’re still as annoying as ever… You don’t mind settling the past we never addressed right here, do you?]
[Hohhh… Seems like Gods are getting suicidal these days, huh. I don’t really mind, though. If that’s truly what you want, I guess I can help you prepare for your journey to the afterlife.]
[……………..]
[……………..]
After those words were quietly spoken, I could have sworn I saw sparks flying between them.
No, wait… doesn’t this look dangerous? What the hell, Kuro, what’s going on here!? This is nothing like what you said!
In the midst of that tension, where “explosive situation” doesn’t even begin to describe it, the positions of both Ein-san and the Goddess of Time suddenly shifted.
It wasn’t that I blinked, but as if the frames of reality had completely swapped—suddenly, they were no longer facing each other but were now facing away from one another. And for some reason, the Goddess of Time looked like she was shaking with anger.
[……Like I said, you bitch! How the hell can you calmly move through my “Suspended Time”? Do you even give a damn about the law of time!?]
[It shouldn’t be unusual, for I am a maid. A maid constantly grapples with the fleeting moments, ensuring every moment is spent serving her master… This is something every maid can do.]
[Stop spouting nonsense! There’s no way every maid can do that!!! How does such a nonsensical theory lead to the mass production of monsters like you!?]
[Only her master can bind a maid, and a true maid can only be bound by her master… Following this rule, even manipulating time at will is perfectly natural for a maid.]
[There’s no freaking way that’s true!!! Stop with that absurd “all maids are omnipotent” theory!]
To be honest, even if it’s just one point, I’m totally on board with the Goddess of Time. In fact, I might even applaud her for how well she said it.
But seriously, this situation… How did it come to this?
[This poor-breasted Goddess just doesn’t understand, she’s clearly envious of my prowess.]
[How the heck is the size of my breasts relevant to this!? And besides, you’re not that different either!]
[No, mine are certainly larger than yours. This maid’s eyes can’t be deceived.]
[It looks just as tiny as your height though…]
[……………..]
[……………..]
[ [ Die! Worthless Goddess! (Rotten Maid!) ] ]
Dear Mom, Dad—Kuro suggested I bring Ein-san along, but Ein-san and the Goddess of Time—They’re Totally Not Getting Along Though!?