Hiatus Gifting This Unfortunate Guy With Blessings

It might have been just my imagination but before I opened my eyes I think I've heard someone gasp in surprise.

But when I looked in front of me I saw only a chair and something resembling a nightstand placed on the left of that chair. There was no one else but me in that space but it certainly felt as that wasn't how it was intended to be.

As I started looking around the room which didn't have any other points of interest I heard a silent buzz and when I looked up a small space in a ceiling 'opened up' and a piece of paper fell down before the hole disappeared.

I lazily watched the piece of paper fall down and do swirls in the air until it landed neatly on the chair in front of me. I stood up to look at it. I flipped the sheet around and there was a text written on it.

"Dinner break."

…

Sylph-san also needed to eat. Huh.

I was strangely calm about the current situation. But I had died. Again.

It was only a few days ago since I've been inside this room but it certainly felt longer than that.

In this short time, I managed to find a few friends, clean my name, join a party, finish a quest, get revenge, find a proper home, acquire some awesome forms to my power, and discover a conspiracy that ultimately led to my sudden visit in that room. There were other things in-between as well. These few days were jam-packed with all kinds of stuff.

I sat down while reminiscing for another few dozen minutes. There was not much else to do. I worried about Megumin lying in the forest by herself but I had no way of knowing what happened so I tried not to think about it.

I then started to wonder how much Sylph-san could eat. Maybe living in heaven meant eating as much as you wanted without getting fat?

As my mind was about to drift on another random tangent from boredom a sudden change has happened in the room.

An intricate silver magic circle appeared on the ceiling, right above the chair standing in the middle. Particles of light started forming a silhouette from top to bottom and after I could discern all the details, color also appeared on her body.

And it certainly wasn't Sylph-san.

The first thing that came to my mind after seeing the person sitting in the chair was the statue I've seen in the Eris church on Lord Vessec's land. This was undoubtedly the same woman… um, goddess. Long and beautiful silver hair, extremely pretty face, a gorgeous purple dress and a large pair of… ekhem.

Another thing that came to my mind was that she looked like… Chris's older sister. If you cut her hair short and changed the clothes and removed those … assets it would be like a spitting image of her. Hmm… no wonder that Chris was chosen to be her 'apostle'.

Eris-sama finally opened her eyes and looked at me. Her mouth opened and with a regretful and … kinda worried tone she started:

"Valiant adventurer, I cannot express how sorry I am for my delay. There were some unforeseen circ.u.mstances I had to take care of. I hope you can forgive me."

I still had the note in my hand with "Dinner Break" written on it but I somehow didn't feel like pointing it out. When I tried to hide it discreetly under my leg Eris-sama noticed it and read the contents herself.

So, the gods can be embarrassed as well. I've seen the goddess's mouth twitch and a rosy color appeared on her cheeks.

This removed some of the holy aura that lingered around her but it made me a lot calmer when I finally answered.

"It's not a problem… Eris-sama?" Although I was 99% sure it was her, it would be pretty awkward if I had mistaken her with someone else.

"Yes indeed, adventurer Satou Kazuki. I am the goddess that you have helped out so much. Without your help, I wouldn't notice the group of my followers being led astray by a devil. For this, you have my eternal gratitude."

I couldn't help but notice Eris-sama's troubled expression when she said these words. She looked me in the face as if measuring my reaction.

"Can I ask for one thing then?"

"Of course. You can ask whatever you like and I will try to answer to the best of my ability."

"By any chance, do you know what happened to my companion after I…?"

Eris-sama quickly answered:

"She's alive and well. Her-"

"That is good to hear." I rudely interjected Eris-sama's speaking but I did not know if I could remain calm if she said anything more. Knowing that Megumin was fine was enough. Anything more would just lead to me probably ending up in a state that I wouldn't want Eris-sama to see.

"... So, what now?"

I asked with a cracking voice but Eris-sama just smiled at me apologetically and answered:

"Time flows slower in this room so we have to wait probably just a few more minutes until Aqua-senpai revives you."

"Huh?"

I gave out a dumbfounded sound upon hearing Eris-sama's declaration. Seeing my reaction she continued:

"Yes, you will certainly be revived. But if you want I can describe your other opt-"

"No, thank you. I want to go back." I answered without thinking. After this, a realization came to my mind that it was already a second time I cut in the goddess's speaking but when I looked worriedly at her face I saw only a genuine smile.

Suddenly I felt as if a heavyweight was lifted from my shoulders. I gave out a relieved sigh and sunk into my chair a little.

After a few seconds, Eris-sama's apologetic voice sounded out once again.

"You have died as a result of my inattention and my apostle's request so please accept my humble apology."

I saw Eris-sama lowering her head but I quickly straightened out and answered:

"It was my choice to help Chris and the devil in question is at fault, there's nothing you have to apologize me for, Eris-sama."

It was my fault for being weak as well. If Xyllisa didn't try to capture me alive I wouldn't have any chances to surprise and ultimately kill her with Megumin's help.

She didn't stop bowing her head so I continued.

"In fact, I should've started thanking you for the moment I knew it was you, Eris-sama. Without your and Chris's help, I wouldn't be able to survive even those few days."

I finally saw a hint of relief on Eris-sama's face as she looked directly at me.

Afterward, we chatted for a bit about Lord Vessec's lands and the fighter-farmer's village. Supposedly the old priest in there was seriously pious so she was able to talk to him directly and instructed him to inform the Lord about the devil's plan. Eris-sama found out that the reason the village was so apathetic was not only the villager's d.e.s.i.r.e to fight in the war but also poisoned well.

The poison removed all emotions and the 'charms' were simply a cure for the specific emotion of 'l.u.s.t' with an added long-lasting charm that would let Xyllisa control these battle maniacs. Eris-sama surmised that her plan was to put the remaining half of the village against the other half already at the battlefield.

Xyllisa went out of her way to garner the Lord's trust with the use of an Archpriest of Eris's church because no matter how depressed people were there, these surprisingly pious and abnormal farmers would sniff her devil scent and take care of her in a matter of days. The fact that she could only produce one 'charm' per day didn't help at all.

After Eris-sama ended her conclusions she then asked me for the details of my bout with Xyllisa.

Even though I was describing one of the most horrifying experiences I've had in that world I couldn't stop myself from smiling when I saw how Eris-sama reacted to my story. There was some anger at the devil's words, worry about the spells I described, compassion for the hits I took, and amazement when I got to the part about how I, with Megumin's help, ended Xyllisa.

This scene caused a massive deja-vu but at that moment I've heard a buzz directly above me and I saw something akin a rift opening in the ceiling.

"Now then adventurer, allow me-"

"I can't believe I had to use Revive on a Giant Toad."

"Aqua, what are you saying?! It's Kazuki, our teammate!"

"All I am asking is why couldn't he die in something that wouldn't spill itself over the half of the forest!"

"You didn't even move your finger to gather his pieces so stop complaining you, useless goddess!"

"You said it again, even though I just did something very important."

"Yes, you did but what you did and what you say is completely opposite!"

"..."x2

Eris-sama and I looked blankly at the ceiling without a word.

"Hey, I know you can hear me. Hurry up and come out. Why are you making us wait?"

"Please come back!" I suddenly could hear Megumin's worried shout from the distance.

"Don't worry, it sometimes takes a couple of minutes for the spell to take effect…" Darkness tried calming Megumin down but Aqua boisterously stated:

"Pft, don't compare those lousy priests' Revive with mine superb version. It's already done and all he has to do is come back."

I somehow felt like asking Eris-sama for my other options but I curbed that thought almost immediately after.

Eris-sama ignored the banter coming from above and once again started:

"Well then, adventurer. As much I enjoyed talking with you I hope we won't meet again here for a long time. I wish you luck in your future endeavors."

As she said this she raised her hand and my body started floating upwards. My form quickly lost it's mouth so I could only mentally say goodbye to Eris-sama.

I felt a pulling sensation and my vision became black.

When I came to I first heard a forest ambiance and then I opened my eyes. I saw Megumin lying limply on Darkness's back, Aqua, and Kazuma with bloodied hands.

"Hey, you can transform already, can't you? You kinda stink in this form."

"Are you sure you brought back Kazuki and not some random Giant Toad?" Kazuma asked worriedly but Megumin yelled:

"It's him. I am sure of it!"

I then realized I was indeed still in my Giant Toad form. I had to curb another d.e.s.i.r.e to munch on some blue color and I transformed into my human form.

I saw Megumin's eyes become instantly moist as my form appeared. Darkness and Kazuma smiled with relief and Aqua took some sort of victory pose.

"See? I told you it was easy for me."

"Hello." I greeted them awkwardly, not used to being a center of attention.

Megumin tried hard to hide herself crying so Darkness moved a little bit farther while Aqua started asking me to praise her for her Revive. Kazuma followed quickly after Aqua to get the information about what exactly had happened.

I actually thanked Aqua and asked her to heal my other forms and she easily agreed. But before I could start explaining things to Kazuma I saw Chris emerging from the forest and Darkness exclaimed:

"Chris, where did you disappear to?"

"I went to check on any threats around. Fortunately, there's nothing dangerous."

"Please, at least tell me before you vanish like that."

"Okay, sorry Darkness."

Darkness made a pouting expression but let Chris walk towards me. I was already perfectly healed and Kazuma stepped aside to let Chris through.

I started lifting up my arm to wave my hand and say hello with an awkward smile due to me not knowing how to react. But my brain stopped as Chris didn't stop her walk until she came up to me and I received a hug from her.

"Glad to see you alive."