Pioneering the Apocalyptic World - Chapter 101

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Chapter 36: A temporary temple (just a house)

“Just kidding. I can see that it has white scales.”

“… In other words, if they were black, you would have asked me seriously…?”

“In that case, the percentage of the joke might have dropped from 90% to 80%, but I know that Rion-sama don’t have the courage to do it in the first place.”

“You are not wrong, but there’s others ways of saying it!”

I’m sorry for being wimpy!
Or rather, there’s still 10% of suspicion…? I don’t understand…!

“Ah, Fricka. I’ll explain later, so don’t say anything more and wait for a while.”

“……? I got it.”

After clearing my throat, I turn to face the Earth God who ended hearing our embarrassing exchange.

“Earth God. The area around this altar is the purest, would it be okay if there was a place near it where you could rest?”

“Ah?… Ah, that’s right.”

“Unfortunately, there is no temple, so I will make a temporary lodging.”

There was a sign of tension running around when I said “Earth God”, but it seems that they sensed the importance of our talk and remained silent.
Whether it’s because of her ill health or the stupid conversation just now, the Earth God’s reaction was dull… But since she didn’t really comment on it, I’ll just make the building fast without thinking too much.

Moving a little from the center of the altar, there was a vacant land just beyond the flower bed, so I guess I’ll build it here.

“Well, the space is… It’s just temporary and I don’t have time, so let’s leave it at this much for the time being.”

Assuming a space of about eight tatami mats, I set up pillars at the four corners as markers.
Since the ground has already been leveled, let’s lay out the flooring material. Raising it a little from the ground as a countermeasure against water, and… At least, as a fashionable point (?), wooden blocks of different colors are placed alternately between the pillars to create a wall.

“Oops, I need to make holes for the windows and doors.”

I got carried away and inadvertently turned them all into walls. Let’s remove a part and install the window frame, glass, and door. And make a stone staircase in front of the door, so you don’t trip over the steps.

“Now then, for the roof… If it’s flat, it might be a problem when it rains, so I think I’ll make it a triangular one.”

I put a stone block staircase as a scaffolding (A ladder? There is one, but in the sense of stability, it is better to pile stones or soil after all.) and climb to the top of the wall and make a framework with long and thin lumber.
It’s possible to make tiles for the roof, but this time I will use the orthodox wooden board. But I am considering making a pure Japanese-style house soon.
It would be a problem if the rain leaked in, so I laid wooden boards with waterproof enchantment so that there were no gaps and since their durability was reduced instead of waterproofing, another board is laid on top to reinforce them.

“Oh, should it be better to let the sunlight in? Let’s make a skylight.”

Ripping off the wooden boards that I have just put, I installed a frame and in it I put a glass panel.
Alright, this is enough for the roof.

I get down to the ground, It’s time for the interior.
I don’t know if a God needs it, but I’m going to install a washbasin, a bath, and a toilet. What about the Kitchen… Do gods cook? Well, I already done the rest let’s do this as well. However, the appearance is completely a room of a one-room apartment.
I lay out a carpet and set up a table and chairs. I set up a bed. A futon and… Since the summer is near, a towel blanket should be fine. If I prepare multiple sheets for when it’s cold it will be okay.
I put curtains on the windows and hung lanterns from the ceiling. Hmm… I don’t know if this is necessary, but because it looks a bit empty let’s put a shelf there.
Yes like that, then let’s put a vase on the table and arrange the sacred flowers… Yeah.

“I guess that’s enough?”

I look around the room and then go outside.
Looking at the whole house from the outside, while saying that there didn’t seem to be any particular problems, I nodded alone. What? I don’t have any design sense? …… Please give me some.

In addition, I was so absorbed in the work that I didn’t know with what kind of face everyone was looking at me while doing this.

“Earth God, do you need anything else?”

“Huh? …… Ah, that’s right… If you don’t mind, can I have some bread and wine?”

“… I’m sorry, we don’t have wine.”

“Then holy water is fine.”

Come to think of it, the earth god and the fire god are supposed to like alcohol. There was also a quest to dedicate alcohol with the dwarves.
However, even though it was a game, perhaps because it was a VR aimed at all ages in where you could eat and drink, it was completely a key item for the event and there was no recipe, and the player never drank alcohol in the game. That’s why I haven’t made it until now, and I don’t even know how to make it.
I look inside the item box while mumbling “Bread, bread…”. Even though it’s just a side dish (Only considering the current materials and my skill level), they’re all delicious, so I hesitate about which one to give… Let’s just give them all.
I took out a basket and threw in several kinds of sandwiches, hot dogs, rusks, and few cookies. I take out another basket and fill it with holy water and various types of juices.

“Here go ahead.”

“… Hmm.”

“Oh, you can’t lift heavy things with those arms. I’ll put them on the table.”

The Earth God was puzzled by the basket that was offered to her, and when she wandered her arm, I finally noticed it. Like how I almost forgot about the food, I am being too careless.
I quickly put it down, put down a set of tableware, and asked her again after returning.

“Is there anything else?”

“… No, not particularly.”

“Is that so? … Ah, I forgot.”

“… What’s going on this time?”

Awawa, she is making a really tired face. I am sorry, this is the last!
I took out one magic tool and handed it to the Earth God.

“This is?”

“It’s a tool that makes a loud noise. If something happens, ring it and call me.”

“… I see, let’s take it.”

Then the Earth God stored the items, and after taking a deep breath, she stared at me.

“Miko, did you say that your name is Rion?”

“Y-Yes”

The lazy atmosphere that had been drifting all this time disappeared from the Earth God, and instead, a tense air flowed.
… Is this the presence of a god…?
Wh-what? Is she angry by any chance? I swallowed my saliva and waited for her next words.

I felt a soft sensation on my head.

“It’s late, but… Well done for releasing me. Thank you.”

“–”

“Since miasma still remains in my body, sorry for not being able to give back.”

From the hand that was placed on my head as if stroking it, I felt warmth and kindness.

At this moment, I finally could feel that I was able to release a God.

Perhaps she had reached the limit of fatigue, the Earth God immediately entered the house after that. I wonder if she is okay.
If something happens, you can call me with the tool you used earlier, after saying that, I called out to everyone who had been waiting for me for a long time.

“… For the time being, let’s also enter home??”

“Rion!?”

“Rion-sama?”

When I tried to return home and explain the circumstances to Fricka and Fin, my physical condition deteriorated and I fell to my knees.
…… Well, I too was not feeling well! How engrossed I was in building a house? …… Hah, so this is also the fate of being a miko.

“… Rion, even try to sound cool, you’re ruining everything with your teary eyes.”

Ah, yes.

“I don’t mind about being explained later, so please take a rest this instant.”

I was begged by Fricka, carried by Uru on her back, taken to my room, and thrown into bed.
I barely remembered the regret I had when I was struck by lightning, and I have memories until I took out an item so that they could recover me while I was sleeping, but my consciousness was cut off there.

The warmth I felt on my cheek just before I lost consciousness, from whom it did belong to?