WE TRIED TRANSLATIONS
Translator: Abood
Editor: Ryuu
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Saviour Embarks on a Nameless Journey
Chapter 12: The Existence of the Goddess
There was nothing to criticize about the trout and woodcock, but in the end, Pya stayed clinging to my back as the night wore on.
The forest, which had displayed a beautiful green during the day, now stood dark and shadowed. From the river came the croaking of frogs, and from deeper within the woods, the occasional call of a night bird echoed.
By the river, there were constant signs of animals—like weasels and raccoons—lying in wait for fish or small animals coming to drink.
“Hey, I’m leaning back now. Look for somewhere else to rest.”
“Pya—”
As I went to lean against the tree, it let out a small sound. Was that a protest, or permission to go ahead? Which was it?
"Why don’t you just give up and lie down?"
"And why should I be the one to give up?"
While camping, I usually sleep leaning against a tree, holding my sword. Marius should know that. Lying down defenseless—how absurd!
“Rest assured. If a Holy Spirit is without human company, it is said to attract and be targeted by monsters. When it is accompanied by humans however, it is said to ward off monsters.”
Marius said while smiling cheerfully.
“Pya—”
“Don’t Pya— now! And you keep saying ‘it’s said’, what’s with the ambiguity? How can I rest assured!?
Can't it say anything besides 'Pya'?
“You, even when you're one of the chosen members by the goddess sent to defeat the Demon Lord, your faith sure is as low as ever.”
Marius slightly pulled back, as if in disbelief.
“You bastard, is the reason you can translate what Pya says because you’re religious?”
"Whether it's with pride or uncertainty, I can generally tell by the strength or weakness of its sound. Perhaps it's just that you're tone-deaf?"
“Ugh…”
That was something I couldn’t deny.
“Anyhow, I’m going to lean on the tree and sleep!”
Huff! I tilted my back and leaned against the tree.
“Lord Shinju, please give up and turn around to face forward. That man likely won’t try to pull it off either.”
As he said that, Marius turned with a directed gaze toward me, as if to drive the point home. Reluctantly, I nodded in agreement.
“Pya—”
Pya started squirming restlessly and turned around.
“Don’t stick to my crotch!”
“Lord Shinju, It won’t bite, please so move a little bit more up.”
At Marius's intervention, it cautiously crawled its way up.
“Why is it clinging to me even though it's trembling like this? What’s with this fellow?”
“Sacred beasts usually attach themselves to one place. It has probably decided that you are its home now.”
“Am I a pedestal or something?”
I prefer working with animals like horses and dogs, as well as strong animals like tigers and hawks. I don’t understand the appeal of pets at all. —Well, it doesn’t feel bad to touch them.
The night owl Marius is still awake, keeping watch by the fire. In the past, the four of us would take turns on watch, but now it’s just the two of us. It’s not a particularly dangerous place, and the only threats that might approach are wild boars at most.
When Marius and I sense a presence, we rise up and handle it. It's a place where only things that can be dealt with in time are present, so it’s enough.
“That reminds me, what was the reward you wished for?”
When our party came back from the battle against the Demon King, the Goddess herself granted each of us our wishes.
For fifty years, he’s been avoiding talking about his wish, and I still don't know what he truly wished for. Not only him, but I also don't know Elaine's wish.
‘I’m not someone who discloses a woman's wishes’, I was smiled at. As for the witch's wish, whose very womanhood is doubtful, I have no idea what it could be.
I had thought that Marius's wish was something like the prosperity of the royal family, but I have a vague sense that it’s something else.
“Your wish was to return Shato to the human world, if I remember right. The goddess did answer that it would be after the demon lord's seal weakened.”
“That is right.”
At that time, I was angered by the merciless answer.
I was the only one who voiced a wish. It was more like a shout than a prayer for a wish.
“My wish was to [Not receive the Goddess’ revelations.]”
Marius said casually.
“Huh?”
I thought he’d avoid responding again, but an answer came back this time. Without thinking, I pulled my back away from the tree trunk where I had been resting.
“Pya—”
A voice of protest quickly came from Pya who was sleeping. I shouldn't move since i’m a bed? As if!
“You, aren’t you the elder of the temple?”
“I resigned from my position when I set out on this journey.”
Marius said with a composed face, it was almost infuriating.
“These fifty years…”
“The temple has kept someone who can't hear the Goddess' voice as their elder for many years, hasn't it?”
Marius wore a smile that was hard to describe.
“Even so, I mostly lived as I wished, and the world of humans continued to turn. I had no intention of turning the world upside down, so I never spoke of it.”
Our country's temple, which has long produced members for the demon lord's subjugation, is the head temple of all Goddess’ temples around the world. Now that the presence of the demon lord has faded and the goddess has drawn closer, it’s not uncommon for even ordinary farmers to receive revelations or oracles.
In a world like this, for fifty years—.
“Were you surprised?”
“Ah. Even I, of all people can’t deny that. But you, on the other hand, your faith is quite little too.
“I just wanted to confirm it.”
Marius smiled faintly and shrugged his shoulders.
I won't ask what it is he wanted to confirm. As long as the Demon Lord exists, then the Goddess is necessary. But if there is no Demon Lord... is the goddess really needed?
Footnotes:
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