When we arrived at the church, the solemn, dignified atmosphere I had expected was nowhere to be found.
"Welcome! Freshly pounded mochi right here! Red bean paste, kinako, cream—we've got all kinds!"
"Cotton candy! Sweet and delicious!!"
"How about some candied apples? A brand-new texture you'll love!"
"Yakisoba! Takoyaki! Grilled squid! Come and get some
A massive row of food stalls was lined up right in front of the church.
Well, if I think of it as the grounds in front of a shrine, I guess it feels normal.
"We probably should have just bought our food here since it's freshly made."
"Oh, come now, isn't this fine either way?"
"Yes, as you can see, the lines are incredibly long everywhere, so I think buying our food beforehand was definitely the right decision."
"I guess that's true."
Every stall had crowds of people waiting.
It reminded me of one of those massive fireworks festivals.
The kind where you can never actually buy shaved ice, takoyaki, or yakitori because the lines are ridiculous.
"Still, looking at this crowd, it seems like we'll have to stand in a massive line just to pray."
The road leading into the church—the equivalent of a shrine's main approach—was packed with people.
...Is this the venue for Japan's annually scheduled New Year's sprint? Does the first person to reach the entrance become the Lucky Man or something...?
Personally, I was never the type to visit shrines right at the moment the year changed. The last time I ever did that was back when a friend dragged me along during our student days. After that experience, I swore to myself I would never do it again.
Besides, the "first shrine visit" is valid for the first three days of the year anyway. I was fine going later. Honestly, after I started working, I stopped going to pray altogether. During the year-end and New Year period, I was busy clearing my backlog of games and recorded shows.
"It seems so. Since Aslin and the others are with us, we should avoid standing in line for too long."
"Agreed. According to Yuki-sama's story, the first three days of the year still count as the first shrine visit, so there's no need to force ourselves today."
"Just as Killlue said. We don't want to burden the children in our bellies, so let's just look around a bit and then head back."
"Sounds good."
We had two pregnant women and four little kids with us.
There was no reason to push ourselves. In fact, we didn't want to.
"Let's just say a quick hello to Eris and Ratz, who should be here, and then head back."
"Right. We need to get back and start preparing the New Year's soba anyway. Alright, Aslin's group — search for Eris and Ratz!"
"""Yeees~!"""
The little ones immediately scattered to search for Eris and Ratz.
"Um, can't we just use a Call? Is there really a need to do something like this?"
"No, Rurua, this is a classic tradition. Plus, it's a way to soothe Aslin and the others since they still have plenty of energy to burn."
"Yes, this is the very first New Year's Eve festival for Sheila-sama and others. It's a perfect excuse for them to look around at various things under the guise of searching for those two."
"Ah, so that's how it is."
"The rest of us can just take a casual stroll around too. Though I'd appreciate it if we didn't end up running around like the kids."
The little ones are so energetic.
They had already disappeared into the crowd.
"Seeing Sheila-sama running around so happily like a normal child of her age brings an immense amount of joy to my heart. Under normal circumstances, members of the royalty are completely forbidden from acting so freely. I am filled with nothing but gratitude toward you, Yuki-sama, for welcoming us into Weed."
Killue narrowed her eyes, staring warmly in the direction where Sheila had run off.
Since she used to be Sheila's personal maid, she must have a lot of deep emotions tied up in this. Inside my dungeon, Weed, the designated protection system ensured that everything was completely safe.
"When I first met you, I simply thought you were a rather peculiar Dungeon Master who wanted to build a country..."
"Well, I really am a strange Dungeon Master. Though I don't dislike that aspect."
"Yes, that's exactly what I used to think. Well, a lot of things happened after that, and I ended up becoming this Dungeon Master's wife. But I never would have imagined that you were personally commanded by God to save the world."
"I'm sure that was quite a shock."
Rurua smiled warmly as she looked over at me and spoke.
"It was. But I have never once regretted being joined with you, Danna-sama."
"I'll keep working hard to make sure you keep feeling that way."
"Yes, please do your best."
Rurua always managed to apply pressure in the strangest ways.
Honestly, if I had never gotten married, I probably would've spent my days shut indoors like a proper NEET, playing games nonstop.
"""Found them over here~!"""
While we were casually chatting, a familiar set of voices echoed from amidst the crowd.
"Oh, looks like they found them."
"Yes. Shall we go?"
"It seems to be coming from that direction."
With that, we began walking toward the direction Killue was pointing.
"Oya? So you all came over from that side." (Ratz)
Before we could even spot Ratz ourselves, a voice called out to us.
Looking in that direction, Eris was there too, and staff members seemed to be preparing something.
Aslin and the others were already chatting about something with Eris.
"Here, we bought a bunch of stuff. You probably have boxed lunches and such over there, but things like this are nice too, right?"
"Yes, it's exactly because we're at an event like this that buying and eating on-site is special."
"Do you want some too, Eris?"
"Ah, yes. Of course, I'd love some."
When I called out to her, Eris paused her conversation with Aslin and the others to walk over to us.
"What were you guys talking about?"
"Oh, they were just asking me if the radio station was currently taking a break."
"Well, you guys are in the middle of preparing, after all. I assume someone else is filling the broadcast slot?"
"Yes. The church isn't the only place hosting events for the year-end, after all. Right now, the radio should be broadcasting a live relay of the Fighting Spirit Night Grand Prix."
"Ah, that event."
Everyone really is busy in their own ways.
"Looks like our family's New Year's celebration will have to wait until after the actual New Year arrives."
"Now that you mention it, we've been so focused on entertaining the residents that we completely forgot about ourselves."
Ratz laughed awkwardly.
"Well, that's just how it goes for busy people. We can just shift our schedule and take it easy on a different day. But we are absolutely eating Toshikoshi Soba, so make sure you two are back home by then."
