Chapter 56

Chapter 57: This Guy’s Mind Might Be Broken

Hiel Furrow was an exceptionally unique girl.

Everyone around her knew she could discern a person’s emotions, thoughts, and even their moral standing just by “observing” them.

This was somewhat akin to how, from a deity’s subjective perspective, it was impossible for members of a familial group to lie to their own god.

In reality, the girl’s abilities were far more potent than that.

She could even pierce through to the very essence of someone’s soul.

But lately… had it malfunctioned?

—She couldn’t detect a single trace of his presence.

While chatting with Ryu, Hiel’s gaze kept flickering toward Izay, who was currently sparring with Aniya.

Even though he stood so close in front of her, she could sense absolutely nothing.

If it weren’t for physically seeing Izay there with her own eyes, Hiel might’ve thought there was nothing there at all.

The concept of a soul’s essence seemed non-existent in Izay.

Or… maybe it was concealed by something?

Hiel wasn’t entirely sure about the reason.

What was certain, though, was that this was “the Unknown.”

“The Unknown” of the lower realms. It was what the deities, tired of the decadent life in the heavens and seeking amusement, descended to pursue, doing as they pleased.

The young girl quietly observed Izay interacting with the catgirl, her pale silver eyes glowing faintly with curiosity.

“Hey, Ryu~ How was your date with Mr. Izay?”

“D-d-date!? H-Hiel, don’t say such nonsense! I merely explored a dungeon with Mr. Izay; it had nothing to do with dating…”

Startled by hearing such words from her friend, Ryu’s long ears turned a bright red, and she hurriedly protested.

“Hmm~ But you two went into the dungeon alone… Some adventurers visiting the tavern have said that rendezvousing in the dim environment of a dungeon has its own special charm~”

“R-rendezvous…”

Hiel’s voice whispered in Ryu’s ear like the devil’s low murmur, robbing her of coherent thought and stripping away the stubborn coldness from her face.

Now, under Hiel’s assault, Ryu struggled to defend herself, her innocent demeanor resembling that of a pure-hearted maiden being teased by her best friend about her love life.

“This is completely slanderous…”

Though Hiel, possessing witch-like qualities, had slightly disguised her voice, who was present in the tavern now?

It took no effort at all to hear what she’d said.

Izay, who was currently fending off Aniya, naturally heard it too, and couldn’t help but turn his head to protest as if wronged.

Of course, his current situation with Aniya was purely playful.

If he were serious, Izay wouldn’t dare provoke the catgirl Aniya right now.

Otherwise, Aniya would teach him the meaning of “Chariot Replication” (Tactical Lean Back.jpg).

“Oh? So Mr. Izay didn’t make a move on Ryu in the dungeon?”

Hiel leaned over from beside Ryu, peeking out to look at Izay. Her charming face bore a hint of surprise.

“I think your mind might be broken. You’re way too dirty… How can you view someone as upright and proper as me this way?”

“Huh???”

Before Hiel could react, both Aniya and Kuroi burst into uncontrollable laughter.

We’ll leave aside whether or not Izay was upright.

But regarding the issue of propriety, they felt they had something to say.

“Are proper people the type who run to the tavern every day to flirt with the catgirl waitresses?”

“And often bring their main deity along?”

Aniya was laughing so hard she forgot all about settling scores with Izay.

This was definitely the funniest joke she’d heard all year!

Kuroi agreed wholeheartedly with Aniya!

“This guy’s mind might be broken…”

Beside them, Lunowa returned Izay’s previous statement word-for-word.

Unfortunately, their criticisms bounced right off him without leaving a mark.

When talking to others, Izay maintained full focus, filtering out surrounding noises selectively.

Simply put, Izay acted as if he hadn’t heard their complaints at all.

“Uh… Could you explain what you mean by ‘dirty’?”

Slightly slower than the other staff members, Hiel timidly spoke up.

She was already accustomed to Izay occasionally spouting strange new terms. She really had no idea where he picked them up from.

“Oh, it means your thoughts aren’t pure. Your mind is full of lewd things.”

“…L-lewd things!? Mr. Izay, that’s so mean! I do not!”

As if struck at her weak point, Hiel pouted immediately in rebuttal.

“Do bad guys usually admit they’re bad?”

“…”

Hiel crossed her arms in a huff, feeling unhappy.

She thought she’d been indirectly mocked.

Unfortunately, when it came to verbal skills, even ten of her combined couldn’t match up to Izay.

“You haven’t opened yet, so what are you all chattering about here? Are you slacking off again!?”

At that moment, Mama Mia, the female owner, suddenly emerged silently from the door behind the counter, carrying an indescribable presence.

No matter how many times he saw it, Izay couldn’t believe this robust… lady was a dwarf.

“Ahh, I see. Ryu’s back from her leave. Welcome back~ So, as usual, you’ll need to do extra work today, Ryu, okay?”

“Sure, no problem, Mama Mia.”

Mama Mia’s face lit up with a parental warmth, welcoming her child home, while Ryu nodded calmly.

Because of some matters, Ryu had taken leave, but Mama Mia wouldn’t dock her pay for it. That wasn’t how things worked here.

However, the work handled by others during her absence would need to be made up upon her return.

It had always been this way, and Ryu naturally had no objections.

“Hiel, go back to work. Did you abandon your duties to come here?”

“Ah, yes, understood.”

After bowing, Miss Hiel returned to the kitchen area, and only then did Mama Mia shift her gaze to Izay.

His hand was still resting on the brown-haired catgirl’s head.

To this, the robust female owner raised an eyebrow, unfazed.

“Kid, we’re not open yet. You being here will affect my staff’s work. Off you go, come back after noon when we open. And remember to bring money!”

Mama Mia stepped out from behind the counter next to Izay and gave his shoulder a friendly pat.

Hmm, not too forceful, just enough to make Izay’s bones crackle audibly.

It felt like she was getting back at him for teasing Hiel earlier…

Feeling the immense pressure on his shoulder, Izay quickly came to terms with it.

“T-t-too reasonable! I’ll come back later… See ya!”