The Roxfall family doesn’t have a dedicated cook. Sarah , the maid, prepares the meals, her granddaughter Lara helps her, and Johnson, the butler, serves the dishes.
Lord Roxfall sits at the head of the table, while my mother and I sit across from each other, with him between us.
“It may not compare to the meals of the Lightstar family, but I’ll do my best to make you feel welcome. Welcome to Ashwood.”
The dishes on the table are simple, but that suits me just fine.
At the Lightstar family, even the detached house had a cook to prepare meals. But those meals often felt like French cuisine, with strict etiquette that made dining tense.
“No, we’re grateful just to have a place to live and food to eat.”
“Thank you very much.”
For my mother, who had endured harsh conditions as a former slave, just having a large home and proper meals must feel like a blessing.
Thinking back to my earliest memories, this is a world apart from those times, so I have no complaints.
“We haven’t formalized it yet, but the two of you are part of my family now. No need for such formal language; please feel free to be more casual with me.”
“…Understood. I’ll try to act as a wife from now on. But I may need some time to adjust my speech, so please bear with me.”
“Of course. And as for you, Thomas—no, let’s just say that you’re my son now. Don’t call me Lord Roxfall. Please, call me Father.”
Calling him “Father” right away feels a bit difficult…
“…May I address you as ‘Father’ instead?”
“Fair enough. Someday, though, I hope you’ll call me Father.”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Alright then, let’s eat! In gratitude to the goddess of harvest, Nyrgnede.”
“In gratitude to the goddess of harvest, Nyrgnede.”
Nyrgnede is the goddess of harvest and the principal deity. In this kingdom of Kuldia, the polytheistic Nyrgnede faith is widely practiced, and Lord Roxfall is a follower as well.
For me, the only god I recognize in this world is “The One Whose Name Was Taken and Forgotten.” I consider the other gods accomplices of that wretched being. So, I don’t say words of gratitude to Nyrgnede.
“Itadakimasu.”
This is the only phrase I say aloud. Even if I don’t offer thanks to Nyrgnede, I am grateful to those who cultivated or hunted the food, and to the ingredients that now nourish me.
Johnson, the butler, carves a roast bird for us. It’s seasoned simply with salt and herbs to remove any gamey odor, but it’s delicious.
“This meat is amazing.”
“It’s from a magical bird called a Lightning Bird.”
“Wait, magical bird meat?”
“I take it the Lightstar marquess family didn’t serve monster meat. Here, however, it’s quite common, so I hope you’ll get used to it.”
“Honestly, it’s much tastier than the meat we ate in that mansion.”
“I’m glad to hear that! Go ahead, eat as much as you like.”
The meat is firm and has a great chewiness, but the more I chew, the more juices come out. And that sweetness in the juice harmonizes perfectly with the salt.
“Tomorrow, we’ll go to the temple to formally complete the marriage and adoption processes. Be prepared.”
“Understood. Thank you very much.”
“Yes.”
Lord Roxfall…no, Father, truly seems like a kind person. I’m sure he’ll make Mother happy. I’m so glad.
The next day, we headed to the temple.
Though it was a small building in a small village, it was well-kept. The garden was weeded, showing the villagers’ devotion.
The temple was a stone building, but it reminded me of a Japanese shrine. Maybe it was the atmosphere.
Inside, there were statues of the gods—thirteen in total. Aside from the chief deity Nyrgnede, there were eleven great gods. But why are there thirteen statues?
“Aliusha and I will handle the paperwork. Thomas, would you like to come with us?”
“I’ll wait here.”
Father and Mother went with the priest into the back room.
There were four villagers praying. They briefly nodded to Father before returning to their prayers. I took this time to examine each statue.
“Tch.”
The space god Tiraia. He’s also one of the great gods. I knew of him from the books at the Lightstar marquess family, but seeing his statue stirs anger within me. This statue looks eerily like that despicable person. Hatred wells up from deep within me.
“Just wait. I’ll defeat you one day.”
I muttered a curse-filled whisper, ensuring no one could hear me.
Looking at the other statues, I noticed the thirteenth statue had no face. There should only be statues of the chief deity and the great gods, yet there were thirteen. The thirteenth statue was faceless, and the pedestal where the god’s name should be carved was scratched away.
I realized this must be the statue of “The One Whose Name Was Taken and Forgotten.” I’m not sure why, but I just knew.
My level isn’t yet at a hundred. But kneeling before this statue, I offered a prayer.
Just relying on my abilities doesn’t raise my level easily anymore. But reaching level one hundred is only a stepping stone. After seeing Father’s level of three hundred and twenty, I can’t help but feel that way.
“Thomas, we’re heading home.”
“Yes.”
This was just to introduce myself. When I reach level one hundred, I’ll come again.
