Chapter 169: Among a handful of great men, he is not included (1/2)

The chaos in my head won’t settle down.

To put it simply.

I’m freaking scared.

Ravens are supposed to have sharp claws and beaks in the first place, but it’s the size of a passenger plane and it suddenly... No wait, that’s not it.

It’s the three people (three gods?), our guests, that are stepping off it.

On the left, there is a slightly dark-skinned old man wearing a friendly, calm smile.

What’s impressive is the pouch and mallet hanging from his waist.

In the middle is a young man wearing custom-made Yayoi-style clothing.

TLN: As far as I can figure out by Googling, it’s something like a fancy robe.

A smile covers his whole face and he seems to be in a good mood; this person is probably Susanoo-sama.

The one on the right is a woman. That is to say, it’s probably a goddess.

Like the old man on the left, I can’t tell her name just by looking at her.

With the light shining on her from behind, her hair glows a light brown color. Gods probably don’t dye their hair, so I guess this is her natural hair color.

For some reason, she’s wearing a suit.

She has bright, intelligent-looking eyes and when combined with her clothing, my first impression of her is that she is more like a businesswoman than a goddess.

「Nice to meet you. Susanoo-sama, and his honorable companions. I am Misumi Makoto.」(Makoto)

I was wondering if I should say “If you would be so kind as to disembark”... But I thought I’d sound too tedious, so I stopped.

I decided to speak more straightforwardly.

Incidentally, we have told them to wait until Tomoe gives the signal.

Tomoe wouldn’t mess this up.

I know that much.

But they’re gods from the world that I lived in and relatives of Tsukuyomi-sama. I thought that if they came to visit me, I should be the one to interact with them.

「Thanks for coming to greet us. Sorry to have the leader of this “world” go out of his way for us.」(Susanoo)

「Not at all! I am greatly indebted to Tsukuyomi-sama, so for you to apologize to me is...」(Makoto)

Really.

Tsukuyomi-sama has done nothing but help me.

These people might be aware of Tsukuyomi-sama’s current situation.

Considering that, it’s only normal for me to be doing this.

The only name I know is Susanoo-sama’s, and this person has a strong, wild image, so this must be him, right?

「Don’t be so uptight. I don’t think you’ve done anything wrong, you know? And even if you have, we’re not in any position to find you at fault for it. Mmm, oh, I know. You can probably tell from our earlier conversation, but I’m Susanoo.」(Susanoo)

The person I assume is a goddess nudges him with her elbow, prompting Susanoo-sama to introduce himself.

「I am Daikokuten. You are familiar with the Treasure Ship, yes?」(Daikokuten)

The old man introduces himself as Daikokuten.

Ah, the pouch is a sack and the mallet is the thing you see him holding in his hand.

TLN: Daikokuten is one of the Seven Gods of Fortune in Japanese mythology, the god of wealth. He is often portrayed holding a golden mallet, sitting on sacks of rice. The Treasure Ship is the ship that carries the Seven Gods of Fortune.

I see.

Hmm?

There was something about Daikokuten, what was it, I think I’m forgetting something else that’s surprising about him...

It’s no use, I can’t remember.

He’s a little darker than you see in the pictures and his earlobes are smaller than I thought, but he’s got a calm air about him that’s fitting for one of the Seven Gods of Fortune.

He is a kind-looking god. But I have a slightly uncomfortable feeling towards him, even though he is associated with Susanoo-sama.

「I’m Athena. In some places, I am called Pallas Athena. I am a goddess of Greece, a country far to the west of yours.」(Athena)

This onee-san introduces herself as Athena.

She’s not violet.

That’s a good thing.

TLN: A possible reference to Saint Seiya, where Athena has violet hair.

Unlike Daikokuten-sama, she’s completely different from how I imagined.

I mean, she’s a businesswoman.

Wearing glasses would suit her.

I don’t know why she’s with Susanoo-sama.

For now I give a bow, then begin guiding them to my house so I can invite them inside.

Along the way, they seem interested in Asora and look like they’re admiring it. Sometimes they ask various things in regards to it.

Tomoe and I both reply to their questions, but even if they ask about Asora’s origins, we can’t provide an answer.

We can only explain that it seems to have appeared when Tomoe and I made a dragon’s contract.

「Please excuse us; your visit was very sudden so our hospitality is not quite ready. However, we are making haste to finish preparations.」(Makoto)

After all, it’s impossible to put together a proper meal or banquet so quickly.

I can tell that when we arrive by seeing everyone moving around in a hurry.

For now I lead them to the biggest room, which is used for assemblies.

「I keep telling you, don’t worry about it. You’ve created an interesting city, haven’t you? It’s really interesting.」(Susanoo)

「Indeed. And just the thought of preparing a banquet is enough to make us happy.」(Daikokuten)

「Really. And everyone is working hard. It makes me feel good to watch them.」(Athena)

「Thank you very much. And so, that is... Was there a particular matter you wanted to attend to today? If you wanted to do something, we will prepare it to the best of our abilities.」(Makoto)

At first their conversation seemed like they were just happening to stop by, but I don’t think that’s all.

「Hmm? The biggest reason is just that we came here was because I’m interested in the Misumi Makoto to whom my aniki made requests, you know?」(Susanoo)

「If you ask us if we had any other business here, well, there are a few small matters.」(Daikokuten)

「I just wanted to try coming here once. Now that I see it with my own eyes, Asora is truly interesting; a place of endless curiosity. Though I think we should keep it hidden from that person.」(Athena)

Things that gods consider “small matters” are serious affairs for people.

I know this from what happened when the goddess of this world slept once.

Though I have a feeling that it wasn’t the main cause of events, but rather the final straw.

「It seems that we will still require more of your time to complete our preparations, so it would be helpful if I could inquire about these small matters you mentioned. Ah yes, we could offer a tour around Asora, if Athena-sama would care for it?」(Makoto)

「Me and old man Daikoku brought you a gift. Athena has a bit of a harsh lecture and a collar for that stupid girl.」(Susanoo)

「Susanoo-dono.」(Athena)

C-collar?

Immediately after hearing his frightening words, Athena-sama looks at Susanoo-sama with sharp eyes and speaks in a cold voice.

S-scary.

「Oh, ooh. I know. I won’t say any more.」(Susanoo)

「Ufufufu. Ah, Makoto-dono. I would like to take you up on your offer of guiding me around Asora.」(Athena)

「Well then, I will have Tomoe guide you. Tomoe, would you please escort this lady around Asora? She’s a real goddess, unlike that other one, so make sure you are polite.」(Makoto)

「I-I understand. Well then, Athena-sama, this way, if you will.」(Tomoe)

As I see Tomoe inviting Athena-sama along, I remember to warn her.

I have no choice.

Saying it out loud would be beyond rude, so I’ll use thought transmission.

[Also, Tomoe. She’s a jealous person in a way, so make sure you don’t dare do anything even close to challenging her to a competition. You understand? You must absolutely not do that.] (Makoto)

[A-as you wish.] (Tomoe)

[She is a goddess of war as well, so start by taking her to the Mist Lizards.] (Makoto)

[Understood.] (Tomoe)

That should be fine.

Now then, with Susanoo-sama and Daikokuten-sama, I’ll...