The day after I reported the incident at Rishnal Lake to my association, we were on our way to the Temple of Testudo from early morning.
　The purpose of this is to return the Testudo-sama's body that we found and to talk to him about going to the remote isle.
　We are here as adventurers today, so we didn't bring Luna and her friends with us.

You can't just go to the temple right after the request is finished, we are so busy these days. Thanks to that, we've been neglecting the collection of magic stones.

''It can't be helped. After we settle down, let's gather as many magic stones as we can!

'Sisha is always in good spirits. But didn't the large number of Crocodilus outbreaks give you some magic stones?　See, gigas were a rare species, right?

'Yeah, I think I made about forty in that one moment. That's roughly one freesia.

"You will stop using Freesia as a unit of magic stone, sir...

　I had less than 1,000 magic stones in the last item gacha, but I had gathered up to about 1,300 by hunting for magic stones occasionally in my spare time.
　There was also the portion sent by Dius and the others, plus the fact that I was able to hunt a large number of rare species due to the large number of them the other day was significant.
　Although I still want to collect more, but it helps that I've saved up a safe number of them for now.
　

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future, but for now, we have to solve Sevalia's problems at least. I'm going to find out who's causing that annoying ruckus for good.

''That's right. As long as we can get the identity of the mastermind here, or something similar, we can tell the head of the association's uncle and leave the rest to the A-ranked adventurers.

'We're working on a lot of things, but we're still a B. It's getting to be a heavy burden for us soon.

That's true. It's becoming more and more important, and it's time for the A-ranked adventurer party to take the lead in resolving the problem.

　I wanted to resolve the anomaly as much as possible, but the scale is getting bigger and bigger.
　Like Noll says, it would be helpful if A-ranked adventurers would act as the forerunners and not just us.
　It would be ideal if we were to assist in this process.

　As we walked down the white road while talking about this, we finally saw the temple.
　At the entrance, we see a familiar purple-haired woman, Irina-san, sweeping the ground with a broom.
　I was a little relieved to see her doing her best to sweep the ground, but when she noticed us, she looked at us too and put down her broom and came running up to us at a small pace.

'Okura-san!　You're here again!

Well, hi...

　Irina-san took my hand first and smiled softly.
　Gulp, if you look at me with a smile like that from the front, I'm going to be embarrassed, then--well, I get a chill!
　I felt an intense gaze from behind me and turned around to find Esther-san and Sisha with their dazzling smiles gazing at me.
　I tightened my face, which was almost grinning as they held my hand, and asked them to let go of my hand and face Irina-san again.

'Thank you for coming too, Sisha-san and the others!　

Yes, to tell you the truth, I have some questions regarding the recent strange happenings around Sevalia, and I've come here today as an adventurer.

'You're talking about an anomaly... something that has to do with the temple?

'Yes, it's very important. Maybe we'll have to talk to the Temple Master's uncle, too.

The temple chief as well........if Mr. Okura-san and the others say that much, then it must be very important. Alright, we'd like to hear what you have to say, so please come in.

'Thank you. I'm sorry for showing up unexpectedly without prior notice.

I can't make light of the fact that the temple is involved. In fact, I would like to express my gratitude to you for coming here to tell us about it.

　Irina, who graciously agreed, took us inside the temple and led us to the guest room and took our seats.

'I heard that it had something to do with the temple, but what kind of strange thing happened?　....Ha!　No way, the shrine of Testudo was attacked again!

No, it wasn't the shrine that was attacked this time.

Oh, I'm glad to hear that.

'I noticed the last time we were at the shrine, so if the shrine was attacked, I'm sure your sisters would notice if it was attacked.

''As I told you the other day, that shrine is a central place as a relay point to the temple. That's why we were able to detect that an abnormality had occurred. There are some other shrines that we could detect, but it is not possible for us to know about all of them immediately.

　I see, so you can only detect the important places, but not the other places.
　But he said he can't tell right away, so I guess it's just a matter of time before he does.
　Okay, let's ask him about the remote island.

By the way, can you find out anything about the remote islet by the way?

I don't know anything about it. The place is treated as a holy place, and we have done our best to keep it as undisturbed as possible. It's not a place where demons don't come near and strangers can't go.

Does that mean that this guardian god is still at work?

"We believe that. We would be loath to interfere with that little island, which we have set aside as a sacred place to go and pray.

　Hmmm...is it because it's sacred ground that they want to keep it that way?
　And by the looks of Irina-san, there's something special about that island, and so far nothing unusual has happened.
　Anyway, let's change the subject for now.

For now, let's talk about our visit to the temple, but first, please take a look at this.

　I put the palm-sized Testudo-sama's deity that I found in Rishnal Lake on my desk.
　The moment Irina-san sees it, her eyes widen and her expression changes to one of surprise.

''........Eh?　Could this be... a deity of Lord Testudo?　How and why do you people have it!　Where in the world did you get it, when and how did you get it!

　Ms. Irina leaned forward, banging on the desk with a bang, and with her eyes wide open, Irina started screaming at me, close to my eyes and nose.
　Oh man, you look a little crazy!

Oh, please calm down!　We just picked it up by accident, or rather, for one reason or another...

Yes, I know. I found it in this mutation and realized that Sisha was a goddess, so I came here to talk to you.

I thought you were a gentleman, but I'm afraid of you...

''If you've found the divine body of your guardian god, the object of your faith, then it can't be helped that this happens. ........As for me, I'm more afraid of what happens after this.

　I didn't think you'd get so excited just by showing me the Goddess' body.
　Even Esther's face is drawn up and she's breaking out in a cold sweat.
　From now on, I'll have to tell you that this body of work is being used, but looking at this situation, I'm afraid to tell you.

''I'm sorry, too. I just got distracted. Let's see, this is the God's object, but would you mind if we took care of it for you?

Yes, I've brought it here to make sure and to return the favor.

'Thank you!　Thank you!　I don't know how to thank you for not only saving the shrine, but also returning the sacred object to us... Thank you so much, Okura-sama!

　Holding the sacred object on the desk with both hands as if it were important, Irina-san left the room once.
　After all, since it was a sacred object, she probably wanted to keep it in the temple right away.
　After a little while, Irina-san came back and opened her mouth while looking at me with a serious face.

The actuality of this is the fact that it's a very good thing that you have a lot of money.　If this has anything to do with the anomaly that you say has occurred here?

That's what happened. This time we went to investigate a place called Rishnal Lake, where the demon was found, and we came across a massive outbreak of demons, and that's when we found the sacred body I mentioned earlier.

''Oh, that's right, but why is the deity of Lord Testudo's body in Lake Rishnal and a mass outbreak of demons?　Under what circumstances did that happen?

　
　When I was silent in front of Irina-san, who was tilting her head and making a cute gesture, I was unexpectedly tapped on the shoulder.
　When I turn around, it's Sisha, gesturing with her thumbs good job and telling me to leave it to her.
　Oh, it's a quintessential Sisha. He's been a big help to me lately, and you're a really dependable guy!

I'll tell you the rest of the story. Irina-san, please calm down and listen to me. First of all, I'll conclude that the guardian deity's spirit was used in this mass outbreak of demons.

...using a deity?

'Yes, a negative power was granted by someone, or it was used to generate demons around the Goddess.

　He just stepped through a land mine!　Why do you have to be so direct?
　If you don't say it more far-fetched or take steps, Irina-san will get angry and.......
　As I fearfully looked at her reaction while thinking that anxiously, I saw that her pupils were open and she was frozen in a stunned state without blinking.
　Saved.........?　The next moment I thought, Irina-san stood up, her face red and her whole body trembling with a strange voice.

''Kiiii!　You use it to create demons!　Which one of you did that?!

　He stomped his feet on the floor with a dungeon and swung back and forth from side to side, holding his head in his hands and swinging his head gingerly around.
　Heeee!　It's finally happening!
　The reaction was so frightening that Esther, who was sitting next to me, leaned in closer to me.
　Even Noor let out a hee and a small scream and leaned towards Estelle.
　And Cis-Ha, who is the source of this Irina-san, has a look on her face that says she stuck out her tongue and did it.
　Irina-san's frenzy continued for a while, but it finally subsided as she exhaled with her shoulder as if she was tired of being violent.

''Huh........Huh.......I have to find her now and give her divine punishment, or else. Okura-sama, where is the person who did that now?

Uh... well, I don't know.

I don't know!　How can you not understand?!

I'm sorry!　Please forgive me!

　With my eyes wide open, Irina-san grabbed me by both shoulders and rocked me back and forth hard.
　Heehee!　Help me!　You scared the hell out of me!　What do you want me to do?
　As I was unable to move in fear of Irina-san in front of me, she suddenly spoke up.

''Ah--''

　After a moment of jittery, full-body shaking and twitching, Irina sat down on the couch, quiet as if her earlier behavior had been a lie.
　She was confused by the suddenness of the situation, and before she knew it, Sisha had risen from her seat and moved behind her, placing a hand on her shoulder.

I totally told you to calm down and listen to me.

Oh, you subdued that delirium in an instant, sir. How in the world did you do it?

Ufufu, there is a little pressure point. You can poke this area with a grill while wearing a recovery spell. This should keep your mind calm no matter what you hear for a while.

'You're only a priest and you know some strange tricks. Now I can listen to you in peace.

　
　But thanks to you, we're all saved. ........but wasn't it Sissiya who caused it in the first place?

I'm sorry, I seem to have become distraught again...

No, no, I'm glad to see you've calmed down.

　It's a terrible thing about faith that such a quiet Irina-san can be so delirious.
　She seemed to have calmed down completely, so we resumed our conversation.

The other day, I thought to myself, "Sister, that sacred object may have been stolen because of the incident at the shrine. Is the one that was originally enshrined there the same size as the one you brought with you?

''Nuh, it was stolen........that's why you didn't feel anything when you looked for the shrine....... It was originally enshrined there, but it was almost the same size as the one we enshrined again.

That means it's safe to assume that the rest of the deity is still in the killer's possession. There's a good chance something similar will happen again in the future.

Oh, we're the same...

　Irina's cheeks started to twitch and her words started to get suspicious, but as soon as Sisha, who had kept her hand on her shoulder, grimaced again, she returned to her original expression.
　It's going to be scary in a way that's beyond awesome when you get to this point.
　Irina, who came back to her senses, asked me a question with a look of fear.

''It's the person who used the Goddess, do you really not understand?''

I don't know at the moment, but I do know where the clues might be. But we do know where there might be a clue. As you mentioned earlier, that is that remote island. So we need you to take us to that island.

　I told her about the remote isle that was the main topic here, but Irina-san started to shout with her eyebrows raised.

''No... it can't be!　Because there's no way anyone with bad intentions could get near that island!

What kind of a place is this little remote island that you're so sure about?

You said earlier that this is a special place, but can't a flying demon go there?

Even if you could fly, you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near that island. The same power is at work on the island as the shrine's protection. Moreover, there is a thick fog around the island, and only we can tell you where it is. And the island moves regularly.

Is the island moving?

'Yes, the position of the island changes within a certain range. Only those of us who serve Master Testudo can be sure of its exact location. Therefore, it would be impossible for anyone with ill intentions to get anywhere near that island.

　It's kind of like an island that's even more unique than I thought it would be.
　To begin with, what is it that their position moves periodically?
　And if the fog is so thick, it really would be impossible to reach the island without Irina and her friends.
　Even if we went by boat, we'd probably get lost in the fog and at worst we wouldn't be able to return home.
　While I was thinking that, this time Sisja started to ask Irina a question.

''But even with the matter of the shrine the other day, didn't the people of the temple think it was impossible for someone with bad intentions to enter?

It's...

'They seem to be pretty good at it, so I don't think we should assert that it's impossible. If they've already gotten into Kojima with this one, it could be irreversible if they don't, you know?　Considering the anomaly in Lake Rishnal, it's possible they did it to keep anyone away from it.

　Hearing Sisha and Esther's statement, Irina-san fell silent and depressed.
　As it was, she remained glued to the ground for a while, but when she looked up, she had an expression as if she had made up her mind about something.

''.........Since I can't make this decision on my own, I'm going to tell the head of the temple and ask everyone in the temple for their opinions. I'm sorry, but could you please come again after lunch?

'Yes, that's fine. I'm sorry to have confused you on such short notice.

I would like to thank Mr. Okura and the others for thinking of us as well. I had promised Mr. Okura that I would bring him to Kojima, and I will appeal to him to leave soon.

　It seems that Irina-san can't make the decision to go to the remote island or something like that on her own.
　I guess we'll just have to leave it to her to persuade the people in the temple to let us go to the island.
　We left the temple once after being seen off by Irina-san who declared with a smile.

'If you're Irina-san, let's go now!　I thought you'd at least say that, but I guess that's not going to happen.

They say it's a special island. You may need to make some preparations if you want to go there. But I'm sure your sister will be able to convince the people in the temple, judging by the way she was acting.

　What kind of a place is that remote islet that you can only go to if you're a temple person?
　It's definitely not a normal island, like a thick fog that moves to the location of the island or something.
　I'll have to brace myself if that's where I might be going from now on.
　A bit of a tense air began to flow between us, but then Sisha began to speak in her usual tone.

'Temples and churches aren't monolithic, either. I'm sure there are people who would object to taking us there if they were told something might be going on in the small island.

'Hmmm, a temple is a difficult thing to do, isn't it? How would you persuade Sisgah to do the same?

"Uh-huh, I'll try to convince you physically. I wish I could say that, but I used to get beaten back a lot in my church, so I guess the world doesn't work out so well.

'I'd like to get into all sorts of things, sir, but was there someone in Sisha who could turn the tables on you...'

　What kind of church that will be in a situation to physically persuade them is a bunch of bad guys........
　And a church that has someone who can fight off that sis-ha, or a group of people who live in the Shura world?
　I don't think you'll get out of there alive if you go to that church.

''Even so, the pressure point push that made Irina-san mature was amazing. Are there any other pressure points like that?

Yes, there are many ways to do that. For example, if you press on this pressure point, you will forget about your fatigue and feel better for a while.

　The moment Sisha said that and gently touched my two arms, a sensation like an electric current spread through my entire body and my body went rigid.

I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to get it right.

'Huh?　Did I make a mistake?

f*ck you!　Get it over with!

You have a terrible pressure point...

I don't want you two playing together anymore.

　When I asked Sisha, who stuck out her tongue in a teetotaler, to press the pressure points, the stiffness I felt earlier disappeared like a lie.
　Totally, don't make a mistake and make my whole body rigid or something like that.......but thanks to that, the tense atmosphere seems to have eased a bit.