Kazuma Satou defeated the Demon King and saved the world. The reward offered to him by the gods was
[To be reincarnated in a peaceful Japan, live a life of luxury with an ideal partner in a wealthy family]
or
[To be resurrected in the world he fought in]
When comparing these two options with the gods' criteria, the latter option was clearly considered less valuable.
[He will be treated as a hero and will be given a huge reward. He desires peace, so there will be no further danger to his life.]
Taking these factors into consideration, it was determined that they were of equal value.
However, the people they sent ended up destroying the foundation of that...
__one day__
"Kazuma, what should we do? The egg we found was a wyvern egg! It's heading towards town!!"
"Not again! You useless goddess! Why do you always bring trouble to me!"
__Another day__
"Bring lots of alcohol! Kazuma still has plenty of money! I'll buy everyone some!"
"Don't mess with me! It's a raid quest! How many people do you think there are? And how many times has it been?"
____And then one other day____
"Kazuma's a hero? What are you talking about?! There's no way someone who's so perverted, yet also a wimp and doesn't want to take responsibility for his actions, can be a hero. If I wasn't there, he'd be a useless NEET! It's no exaggeration to say that he became a hero because I raised him!"
"Well, I'll ask you in detail about what you've helped me to develop..."
______________________________________
"And so, I have not fulfilled my obligation to the world's heroes. If this continues, it will affect the reputation of God. That is the issue that has been raised..."
The one in charge of this world, the "real goddess" Eris, was hanging her head in the living room with an apologetic look on her face. A junior goddess had come to apologise for the failure of her senior goddess, so Aqua wondered if this was really okay...
"It's fine, Lady Eris. After all, I quite like this life, and I would never send Aqua back. To be honest, it's also like insurance so that I don't die..."
"What's the matter? You're a hikikomori NEET, but you're being so cheeky..."
This useless goddess was crying, "I'm not going home!" just a moment ago, but as soon as I protected her, she did this. I feel like she's become a little more obedient since defeating the Demon King, but I wish she'd stay that way all the time...
"Yes. From what I've seen so far, I understand Kazuma's feelings for Aqua-senpai. So we've come to an agreement that the gods will grant him some additional benefits, and that's why I've come to say hello today!"
I see, Eris-sama's proposal is very attractive. In other words, as a cheat like Mitsurugi, I'll join the ranks of talented adventurers. If I add cheat abilities to the versatility of an adventurer, surely there's nothing to be afraid of? I have to choose carefully...
"Thank you for your kind consideration. So, what kind of perks will I receive?"
I was polite and respectful, but inside I was jumping for joy. However, Lady Eris gave me an answer that far exceeded my expectations, with an adorable blushing face.
"Would a goddess be a special gift?"
"......yes?"
Eris-sama blushed, her head bowed as she glanced at me. So that's it? So the special gift is from Eris-sama? No, wait, let's calm down for a moment. My bittersweet predictions like that were generally wrong. The punchline was that Aqua would go into serious mode anyway. I had better check carefully, and if she was serious, I should have refused...
"I want Lady Eris" (cool voice)
Oops, my instincts took over! This is completely embarrassing! Well, it would be great if I could get it, but as expected, such a convenient story...
"Yes! Starting today!"
As I was panicking, Lady Eris answered with a straight smile. Oh, is that really the right answer? But, having the goddess of the national religion as a special gift seems a bit too extraordinary...
"The contract is now fulfilled."
"No, what this time?!"
While I was confused and alone, a familiar face came down from the living room ceiling. No, after the goddess, it's an angel. Even an archbishop wouldn't encounter a situation like this...
"Sato Kazuma-sama, it's been a long time."
But anyway, who is this person? He looks kind of familiar...
"Ahhh! You had the nerve to send me down to the mortal world without any preparation!"
"Oh! Now that you mention it, that's the face I saw when I was reincarnated!"
That's right. This person is the angel who appeared when Aqua was given as a bonus. Now that I think about it, I don't know her name. We hardly ever talk.
"Aqua-sama was chosen by Kazuma-sama and became a hero who defeated the Demon King together with him. I'm sure that hardship was necessary."
grin
I don't think I have the right to say this, but wouldn't it have been okay to give them some time to prepare? No, it's really not something I should be saying...
"You're kidding me! That carpentry work is completely behind the times! To begin with!"
"Now, the contract is concluded. Kazuma-sama, may I bless you in your further adventures."
"No, listen to me?!"
The angel said with a smile, then turned to Lady Eris. Aqua was being completely ignored, but was this how she was treated in heaven too?
"Ellis-sama, this is a mission that should have been carried out in Japan. It may be difficult in this world, but I'm sure you can accomplish it. I'm rooting for you."
"Yes. I will fulfill my mission with honor!"
"Then, my blessings for your future."
"Hey! I haven't finished what I'm saying yet! Don't ignore me! Hey! Don't just go home on your own!"
The angel, who had created a good atmosphere and said only what he wanted to say, disappeared as if melting into the air. Now, two questions have arisen here, but since he is right in front of me, I will ask him about them. Leaving things I don't know about usually leads to nothing good.
"Eris-sama, you say it's a special privilege, but can I assume that it's the same situation as Aqua's?"
"Yes. Basically, there's no problem with that idea. I do have the power of the goddess of this world, but I'm only the administrator, so I can't use it however I like. Don't get your hopes up too high, okay?"
Unlike Aqua when she first descended to Earth, Lady Eris seems much more relaxed. Well, now that the world she loved has become peaceful, it might not be such a bad idea to look around it. Now, onto the second question.
"May I ask what mission you were planning to fulfill in Japan?"
"Eh?... Well, that's..."
Damn. Was it bad to ask about God's mission so casually? I mentioned contracts earlier, and if they find out, I might be held jointly responsible. Okay, I'll just give them a subtle follow-up here.
"If you can't tell me, I won't force you to tell me! If I ask someone who is related to the company, then it's really okay..."
If you find out, you'll be a party to the crime, which is a common occurrence in this absurd world. I want to live in peace from now on, so if I don't need to know, then that's fine. No, in that case, I don't want to know.
"Umm... I think it would be best if you listened to this properly. It's not like you're forced to do anything or anything..."
"If that's the case, then please let me know."
Although she said she wouldn't force me to do anything, tension could be seen on Eris's face. Having heard this much, it would be a red flag to say no. It's okay, the person I'm talking to is Eris. There's no way I'd say something so stupid...
"My, my mission is... to be Kazuma's wife!"
"...Huh?"
Facing me in such a defensive state, Lady Eris turned bright red and revealed her unbelievable mission.
"What, Eris-sama is your bride?!"
I didn't mishear! I definitely said she was my wife! I said she was definitely my wife! What is this? That's too wonderful! Is it okay to say that she fell in love with me because I defeated the Demon King?! Or rather, there's no other reason for her to love me!
"Yes, yes. Stop making stupid jokes. Why would Eris become Kazuma's wife? I don't understand it at all. Kazuma will take it seriously, so pranks like that are malicious, you know?"
Aqua stepped in between me and Lady Eris with a sigh. Certainly, there was no need to declare it like that before getting married, and I didn't understand the point of making marriage a mission in the first place. But, Lady Eris is joking... No, I should say...
"Why Eris in the first place? Do you like this kind of thing?"
"Hey, stop doing this. I'm hurt just as much as anyone else."
I don't want to admit it, but it's certainly questionable. Even though I defeated the Demon King, I'm still just an ordinary student inside. There's no way I'm a match for the Goddess. Aqua looks pretty sharp today. It pisses me off that they're assuming I'm not popular, but if you ask me if I could make Eris fall in love with me, I'm not sure. But even if that's the case, I'll punish her later.
"Kazuma-san, one of the rewards for defeating the Demon King was an 'ideal partner'..."
"That's what you mean by finding someone who has similar tastes, right?"
"That's true, but... the odds of someone falling in love with you, Kazuma, are astronomical..."
"Bufu! Poor Kazuma!"
Hey, stop it. This really hurts me too.
"So, why Eris? Wouldn't it have been fine to just pick a random angel? Those girls are used to killing their egos, so acting would be no problem, right?"
What a hellish working environment. I feel sorry for the angels.
"...But...it's..."
This was surely the answer to Aqua's question, but Lady Eris was whispering something with her ears red. Could it be that it was something difficult for her to say?! Am I being burdened with such a cruel fate because I'm too unpopular?!
"Hey? I can't hear you? It's common knowledge in this world that Kazuma is trash and unpopular, so don't worry about it and just say it clearly!"
Okay, next time I'll let Aqua drink that high-end fizzy drink she's hiding. Then she can cry and apologize for making fun of me. Just as I was thinking about such things, Lady Eris looked at me and Aqua with a determined look on her face and spoke clearly.
"Because Kazuma said he liked me!"
"What? That's a harsh joke! I mean, Kazuma is my... Huh?!"
Aqua seems very upset, but I'm nothing to you. But now that I think about it, after defeating the Demon King, I nominated Lady Eris instead of Aqua. Aqua got mad at me later, and I ended up changing back...
"Kazuma, I'm always in front of you! Why did you choose Pad?!"
"Aqua-senpai has way too many problems with how she behaves as a goddess! The reason I was sent there in the first place is mostly your fault!"
The two goddesses representing this country are arguing with each other, but this is just how girls are. It's getting nowhere, so I guess I'll just put a stop to it...
"Stop! Aqua, House! In other words, Eris-sama came as a special gift to make me happy. If possible, marry me and fulfill one of the conditions for my happiness. Is that correct?"
"That's what I would say."
I wonder. This is a bit similar to what happened with Alderp and Iris. Could it be that Heaven has assigned Lady Eris to me, a powerful person?...Yes, ignoring Lady Eris's wishes...
"Eris-sama, is it possible to deliver a message to the gods?"
"I am the goddess of this world, so I think I can send a message..."
If that's the case, I have to say something. Why don't you respect Lady Eris's feelings? Are you ignoring her wishes and treating her as just a reward for being a hero? That's ridiculous!
"Well then, I'm sorry, but please tell her that the privilege of not being able to be with the person Eris-sama loves... is bullshit from here!"
I certainly like Lady Eris. But marriage is a one-way street, and it's not something you do out of a sense of obligation. At least, I don't accept that.
"Well, I'll let you know..."
"Please. In the first place, if I marry the person I love, then I won't have to fulfill Eris's mission, right?"
"That's true, but... is there a partner?"
Ah, this goddess is surprisingly merciless too. I was looking cool just now, right? Why can't we just leave it at that?!
"He's not here though..."
"I'll do my best! Even if I can't complete my mission, I'll still make sure to lead Kazuma to happiness!"
I wonder. This earnest support is making me feel a little miserable. If the goddess of fortune doesn't give me the motivation, I'll never get married...
"You have an excellent goddess like me by your side, you know? Kazuma is already happy enough. Eris, do your best as my assistant!"
"You're the source of all this noise! I'd be more popular without you!"
"Ouch, ouch! It has nothing to do with me not being popular, right?!"
However, I would hate to see Lady Eris in trouble. So, for now, while I torture Aqua, I'll think a little about how to be happy in this world. In this peaceful world, surely that's possible.