Laudette-san, who had been woken from her sleep in tears, came with us as we moved to the reception room.
Yggdrasil-san and I sat side by side on the sofa, while Laudette-san, as the host, sat on the sofa opposite us.
I thought we could finally settle down and talk, but what began instead was Yggdrasil-san’s lecture directed at Laudette-san.
The topics included, sleeping in the chapel, the details of her usual work attitude that I had carelessly revealed, and the fact that she had completely turned the reception room into her own private space…
Before entering the church, Yggdrasil-san had said she only intended to “offer a little appreciation”, but things turned out to be the complete opposite.
Laudette-san, far from being appreciated, was only being scolded, and I couldn’t help but feel pity for her. So, I stepped in to plead for mercy,
「Well, you see, it’s exactly Laudette-san’s cheerful nature that makes her beloved by the villagers――」
「I’m beloveddd…」
「In a way, she prevents the church from being seen as too stiff or formal, making it approachable for everyone――」
「Approachable it isss…」
「And that, in turn, helps people feel a closer connection to both the church and to World Tree-sama――」
「All connecteddd」
Laudette-san, you’re noisy. Your interjections are too much.
「Haa… very well. Just take care not to engage in behavior that degrades the dignity of the church.」
「Yes, no problemmm」
Where does she even get that confidence from…?
「By the way… Yggdrasil-san, are you an avatar of World Tree-samaー?」
「Indeed…」
Oh, so that’s called an avatar.
「Waa, amazinggg. This is the first time I’ve seen one, so small thoughhh?」
「…………」
As expected of Laudette-san. She had even managed to overwhelm Yggdrasil-san….
Moments ago she was in tears getting scolded, and now, the moment she sensed forgiveness, she was back to this carefree attitude…
「…W-well, this bright and friendly manner she shows toward anyone, that is one of Laudette-san’s good points….」
「Beautiful pointtt」
「Cut it out already!」
Somehow, my attempts to cover for Laudette-san and her constant interjections had turned into a kind of comedy routine, but Yggdrasil-san didn’t seem amused.
「Still, Alec, you go out of your way to defend Laudette rather often. You two seem rather close.」
「Yes, we’re close friendsss. Alec-san always comes to see me and brings moneyyy」
「To get things appraised! I come to the church frequently for appraisals, so I end up seeing Laudette-san a lot, that’s all…」
I hurriedly cut her off.
Taking money from children probably counts as an act that damages the dignity of the church…
「Just now, did you say something about money…?」
「W-well, let’s not dwell on that…」
As I tried to divert Yggdrasil-san’s suspicion, Laudette-san asked me a question.
「By the way, Alec-san, aren’t you going to get anything appraised todayyy?」
Well, if I’d come all the way to the church, of course I’d want to.
But today I was Yggdrasil-san’s coordinator and bodyguard. It didn’t feel right to do anything personal.
「No, today I’m showing Yggdrasil-san around.」
「I don’t mind. Isn’t this what you usually do? Go ahead.」
「Ah, really…? Then, may I trouble you for just a moment?」
Grateful for Yggdrasil-san’s generosity, I decided to go through with the appraisal.
As usual, I took out a coin and handed it to Laudette-san,
「Here you go.」
「Thank you very muchhh」
「No problem, ah.」
「…………」
Even though Yggdrasil-san was right there, I ended up handing over money like always… smoothly, without thinking.
Habit truly is terrifying. I had just finished covering for this exact thing…
「W-well, I do think labor deserves proper compensation…」
「That much is true, but…」
While Laudette-san stood to fetch her crystal, I rushed to explain myself to Yggdrasil-san.
「See, at first Laudette-san refused, but I insisted she take it. I was the one who pressed the issue.」
「That’s not how it looked…」
「Besides, without contributions like this, wouldn’t the church have trouble sustaining itself?」
Well, I doubt this donation is actually reaching the church anyway.
「Hmm… still, taking money from a child is…」
「No, inside I’m a middle-aged man, you know…」
Calling myself a middle-aged man feels a little depressing…
「Muu…」
「What’s wronggg?」
Laudette-san returned with the crystal in hand.
Yggdrasil-san still looked unconvinced, but I decided to forcefully change the subject.
「No, it’s nothing. Come on, let’s get to the appraisal! At this pace, I think I should be reaching level 7 soon, right?」
「Do your besttt」
「Thank you very much」
「Muu…」
Yggdrasil-san was still grumbling, but I focused on channeling magic into the crystal for the appraisal.
Alright, let’s see. I really should be just about to hit level 7,
-0-
Name: Alexis
Race: Elf Age: 8 (↑1) Sex: Male
Occupation: Woodworking Apprentice
Level: 8 (↑2)
Strength 5 (↑2)
Magic 3
Vitality 5 (↑2)
Dexterity 12 (↑2)
Agility 2
Skills
Bow Lv1 Fire Magic Lv1 Woodworking Lv1
Skill Arts
Varnish Coating (Woodworking Lv1)
Title
Son of the Sword Saint and the Sage
-0-
「Eh」
「Eh」
「Eh?」
For some reason, my level had gone up by two…
Laudette-san and I both stared in shock, while Yggdrasil-san tilted her head, clearly not fully understanding why we were reacting this way.
Not that I understood either. Why did my level suddenly jump by two?
Next chapter: World Tree Style Power Leveling
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