Today is the day I promised Irina that I would visit the Temple of Testudo.
　She's going to give us a brief greeting to the head of the temple and then treat us to some food.
　So we've come to Sevalia with Luna and Freesia.

"I'm afraid to go to that temple!

Hmm, not scary, but weird. ....but I'm not really scared, am I?

　Nodding at Freesia's words, Luna says this as a reminder while crossing her arms.
　I'm not that I'm doubting you... but are you really afraid to go to the temple?
　Last time I was holding out until the end, but I was getting overwhelmed by the intimidation of Testudo-sama.
　Still, you're really proud in a strange way to say this.

'But I'm looking forward to meeting this girl Dara!　You can fly, right?

Yes, it is. It felt so good to fly.

'Fun!　I need a ride, too!

'Oh dear, you noisy elf. But I'm a little curious myself.

　After we talked about going to the temple, I told both of them about Dara, and they were quite curious. Especially the part about flying.
　So even though they said they were scared, they seemed to be enthusiastic about this visit.

Mmmm, I wonder what will be served at the temple. I'm very much looking forward to it!

'Yes. I haven't had a proper meal at Sevalia yet, so I'm looking forward to it. Hey, brother.

Oh, yeah.

　While agreeing with Noll's words, Esther gazed at me with her hand on her cheek.
　Why, why do you bother talking to me? I didn't tell Estelle and the others that I went out to dinner with Noor last time, so they shouldn't know.......
　Noll was eating dinner lollygagging normally after we got back, and there was nothing unnatural about it.
　 It's not like I did anything bad, but I'm getting scared.
　How worried I was, but Esther suddenly began to speak with a serious expression on her face.

''But although it's nice to be invited to the temple as a thank you, I'm a little worried that something might happen. Will they tell me to believe in a guardian god or something?

'Oh, come on, you shouldn't be so suspicious when Irina and the others have invited me with good intentions.

Okura-san trusts Irina-san a lot, doesn't she? She was happy to hold your hand the other day.

I didn't look happy to see you!　...............What happened to Esther and Sisha?　I can't believe I doubted someone who looked so good.

　Hearing my words, Sisha and Esther looked at each other.
　Then Esther glanced at me, put her hand on her cheek and began to furrow her brow.

''Because, hey?''

Okura-san has many gaps, you know. You shouldn't nod your head when tempted.

　When Sisha concludes her story that way while holding up her index finger, Esther is also nodding yes.
　Did I, did I look happy enough to be told this much.......or rather, I don't trust you!
　No matter how much Irina-san asked, this Heihachi isn't so faint-hearted that he would nod his head at anything so easily!

　We walked through the town of Sevalia while having such a conversation and came to the white road leading to the temple........................but suddenly Freesia spoke up.

''........Huh?　It's nothing like the last time I was here.

'Mmm, it's less intimidating. It's not unpleasant.

　Luna nodded with her arms crossed in agreement.
　No discomfort...?　

What's the meaning of this?　It doesn't look like I've lost my powers...

If that had been the case, wouldn't there have been a big fuss by now?

'Hmmm, I don't feel like I've lost my powers. It seems that I'm still protected by the same quality of power I felt at the shrine.

　If Testudo-sama's blessing isn't lost, why isn't he intimidated by Luna and Freesia?
　It's not a bad thing, so it's fine, but it makes me wonder a bit.
　When I was tilting my head inexplicably, Noor opened his mouth.

''How about, how is it that Testudo-sama found out about the fight at the shrine and let his guard down?

What? No amount of time is too much...

It's a shrine to the deity. It doesn't sound too surprising that it is.

　Freesia and the others fought to protect the shrine, so Master Testudo stopped intimidating them in response, right?
　It's true that it sounds like it, but that seems like a bad idea.......

''But then, won't Irina-san and the others find out about Freesia and the others?　You can't deny the possibility that it could be transmitted by Master Testudo, can you?

That's quite possible. So when we meet today, I'll keep an eye out for anything you say or do in that area.

It's getting kind of strange, isn't it, that I was only invited to dinner...

　I don't know what they'll say if they find out that Freesia and the others came to that place and fought, I don't know what they'll say.
　It would be nice if they knew I wasn't fighting alone, but it would be bad if they found out I was a vampire or an elf.
　And if they knew, would it be too hard to make them drink an oblivion potion and forget about it.......?
　It's impossible to make Testudo-sama drink it, and if he harms Irina-san and the others who worship her, he might seriously be possessed.
　........If they know, I'll have to ask them to somehow keep it quiet.
　Even though we just came here to eat, my stomach suddenly started to hurt.

　My shoulders felt like they were getting heavy and heavy, but as I continued down the white road, I saw the white temple.
　And at the end of the white pillar that is built to indicate that it's the end of the road, Irina is standing at the end of the white pillar.
　When she noticed us coming, she smiled at us and said, "I've been waiting for you.

''We've been expecting you. Thank you so much for taking the time to visit us today.

No, thank you for inviting me too.

　I greeted them lightly and then brought Freesia and Luna forward.
　Me and Nol have interacted with them to some extent as guards, but this is the first time Freesia and the others have been to the temple.
　Let me greet them again.

'Thank you both for coming as well. Let me introduce myself again. I'm Irina, who is in the service of Master Testudo. It's a pleasure to meet you today.

This is Luna. Nice to meet you.

'I am Freesia!　Nice to meet you!　I've been looking forward to meeting this girl called Dara!

'Hmmm, I'm sure Dara would be happy about that. Let me show you around then.

　Luna's brusque greeting made me cringe a bit, but Irina smiled without any pretense of concern and invited us towards the temple.
　Yeah, I knew she was a nice person. There's no way this person is going to seduce me. Esther and the others are too concerned about it.
　More importantly, now we need to find out if Irina knows about Freesia and the others.

'I'm sorry that you have invited not only us, but Freesia and the others as well.

'Please don't mind me. If you know Mr. Okura and the others, you're more than welcome. Please enjoy it without reservation.

'Yes!　Thanks!

We'll have plenty of hospitality.

　I thought if I knew, I'd be a little more attentive, but it's unlikely I'd be able to tell just from this.
　I glanced at Estelle to signal her with my eyes, but she was shaking her head. Let's poke around a bit more.

'Gosh, gohon, what can I say, the atmosphere in the temple is a bit different today. Freesia and the others think so too, don't they?'

'Yes!　I feel like the mood has softened!

Hmm, that'll help me sleep.

　Don't try to sleep in the temple!　Oh, my God, you vampire. I went into it without a second thought, didn't I?
　Even while I was thinking that in my head, Irina-san smiled again and answered me.

''Since you were nervous the other day, I changed the lights and so on, just in case. Besides, Testudo-sama seems to be welcoming Freesia-san and the others as well.

Oh, how do you know all that?　I wonder if there's a reason they're so welcoming?

'I can't know His will that well but I'm an acquaintance of Okura-san who saved the shrine. I'm sure he's welcoming us.

　Hmmm, apparently he didn't know that much about it.
　I looked at Estelle again, and this time she was making circles with one hand. Okay, apparently I don't have to worry about it.
　I don't know if Freesia and the others aren't being warned because they're coming with me, or if it's because we fought together at the shrine, but Testudo-sama seems to have let his guard down.
　Not only that, but he also took care of changing the lighting. Last time it was a bit dark in the room, but it's definitely brighter.
　Irina-san was also worried about the fact that Luna and the others were nervous last time.

　I followed Irina-san while patting her on the chest and was taken to the hall.
　And there was an uncle with a long white beard. He was dressed in a costume that looked like a magnificent kimono and was very dignified.

'I have brought Okura-sama and the others.

Oh, I'm sorry, Irina.

　I bowed as Irina-san bowed, and I greeted her with a bow as well.

'I am the head of this temple, my name is Raskum. I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for saving the shrine.

No, no, it's my pleasure, thank you for inviting me to the Temple.

　Well it's nice to be thanked, but the fact that you just saved me seems like a big deal.
　Does that mean you have that much faith in Master Testudo?

'I've heard from Irina that you took a stand and defended the shrine... thank you so, so much.

I-I don't think you're taking a leap of faith.

Please don't be so modest. The way you stood up to the demon all by yourself was splendid. I have great respect for you, Okura-sama.

　The dignified Lascoum-san bowed to me repeatedly, and even Irina-san looked at me with an expression that seemed to be buoyed by the heat.
　That's a compliment that makes my body itchy. I'm not used to being praised, so I'm not sure how to react.
　Or rather, Irina's evaluation of me is scary. I think she's becoming more and more delusional....
　While I was holding such anxiety, Lascoum-san asked me a question.

''Okura-sama and the others aren't from Sevalia, are they?

'Yes. I've only recently come to Sevalia at the request of the Society.

'I knew it. And yet, as a servant of Lord Testudo, we are delighted that you have taken it upon yourself to protect the shrine.

　....Uh-huh?　What does that mean?　How is it that you're glad I'm not from Sevalia and that I'm not the one defending the shrine?
　They didn't think I had the potential to become a believer or... no, I don't think so.
　I'm not a believer, but I'm overrated because I got away once and went back to the shrine to solve the problem again, or somewhere around.
　Well, it's fine if they don't think badly of you.

''Since you've invited me, let's do the greeting around here. I am not able to be present, but please enjoy the meal. Irina, please show everyone around.

Yes, sir. Shall we go now? Excuse me, temple chief, excuse me.

　After finishing our conversation with Mr. Laskum, we left the hall.