My Reincarnation Skills Are “Playing With Dolls” and “Playing With Clay”, but What Am I Supposed to Do With These? C106

Episode 106 House of Salvation

We returned home before noon, washed off our sweat and dirt, stuffed our empty bellies with meat buns, and then headed to the capital.

The means of transportation is a familiar ceramic self-propelled car. However, the one I had been using so far was a two-seater model based on Mayor Hammett's small carriage, so I decided to mold it into a larger one that could seat four people.

It took me a while, but I was able to create something that I was satisfied with, so from now on, I'm going to use my "save" skill for clay works to store it away so that I can use it anytime.

Once you give a command to a self-propelled car, it will almost automatically run on the highway, so we had a lot of free time while moving, and it felt like a review session for today's labyrinth battle.

In our party, including Lina, there are three members out of five who can use magic. In a sense, it's a luxurious arrangement. On the other hand, it can be said that the avant-garde is lacking.

Considering the situation where magic cannot be used against opponents, or situations where close combat is unavoidable due to melee, it would be better to have a few more people who can fight in the vanguard, or rather, protect the members who are more suited to the rear. However, Lucien has just joined, so I have no intention of increasing the number of members for the time being.

Well, that's why I created the Haniwa Golem with my clay skills...

“I was thinking, but there are situations where that golem is too big and difficult to use, right? Also, there are situations where people are hesitant to reveal their secrets, so why not create one that is more affordable?”

Lucien's point is valid. Actually, I was thinking about that too.

If you want to make one, it's probably possible. However, you won't know how powerful a life-sized golem will be until you try it.

To be honest, an autonomous golem is like a self-propelled vehicle and can only make relatively simple movements, so I feel like it would be overwhelmed by warriors and orcs of the same physique with its speed of movement and skill with weapons. Haniwa Golem is strong because it can overwhelm you with its size.

However, I thought I'd give it a try as soon as I got home.

``Also, after fighting together today, I was impressed that you guys have higher abilities than your level...but I feel like you're not making the most of your skills and abilities. ?”

At first, he seemed unsure whether to say anything or not, but once he opened his mouth, Lucien's points didn't stop there.

"For example, Nolte, you're not good at using bows or ranged attacks, right? If that's the case, you won't be effective unless you stand in the vanguard, but I think you're slow at figuring out when to come forward. That's why, except for the battle with the orc leader, today... They almost didn't come into contact with each other, right? That means Shiro and others are exposed to extra danger, right?"

"Don't show any mercy," or rather, she's like a strict female teacher who works as an athletic club advisor.

"That's right. I'm sorry for causing trouble to you too..."

Nolte seemed to be thinking about it himself, and was stunned.

"Carmilla's strengths are mobility and stealth, right? So I want her to do more tricky moves to stir up the opponent. If possible, she'll get behind the opponent and do a pincer attack with us. If we have a party, we can work together Since we can share the location information, there is no need to worry about being accidentally fired by allies...

 That's true. But Carmilla is the type of person who acts on instinct, so even when you talk about such tactical things... it seems like she doesn't really understand.

Lucien seemed to sense that too, so he cleared his throat and looked at me. Whoa, am I next?

"Having said that, aren't you both excellent? I think you're doing well. But, Shiro, you're fundamentally no good."

"I'm sorry."

I don't really understand why, but I reflexively apologize. Sorry, it's my fault. As a former hikikomori who couldn't fit in at school, if I were to be reprimanded by a strict female teacher, I would become submissive without reservation...

"Well, first of all, I want you to realize that you're a commander. I mean, you're a slave and a master, right? You're the only one in this party who can move the other members unconditionally, so it seems like you can surprisingly use a sword. , I think it would be better to look at the whole thing first and give instructions to those around you, instead of jumping in headfirst like you did during the battle with the Orc leader.''

There is no goo sound.

Lina raised her hand like a JC. Sensei, this is Hatsugen.

``Ah, I'll just follow up on you. Even though Shiro is a chicken, his unconscious principle of behavior is ``Let's show the girls what's good about them.''''

That's not a follow-up, it's a follow-up!

"""..."""

Everyone's gaze hurts. Won't anyone deny it?

"Well, I understand that you are a master who takes good care of your beautiful slave."

It's assumed that everyone, including myself, is a beautiful girl. No, it's nothing.

"Make sure you prioritize properly in battle, so you and your slave don't die."

As expected, since Lucien has a lot of experience, he pointed out the things that we lacked. That's right, but I was depressed as much as I could be when I used up all my MP.

Then, I got off the self-propelled car as soon as I could see the castle gates, and first stopped at the common people's town that spread out outside the castle walls. Our destination is the priest Lucien mentioned last night.

I wouldn't say it was a slum, but it was a pretty dingy street.

Beggars and men with bad eyes, cheap bars that haven't opened yet, and if it gets late there will be many prostitutes. I'm glad I hung up my sword. Nolte is holding my clothes tightly as we walk.

After walking down that street for a while, I came across a building that looked like an old, simple church or monastery. A stone statue of a goddess with a soft expression of compassion, although it is missing in some places, stands at the entrance.

"Please put away your weapons here."

After being told by Lucien, I store the sword in the item box.

As you enter the site through an arch covered with thorn-like plants, you can see a courtyard separated by a fence beyond the stone building. There, women in shabby clothes were taking in laundry. There are infants playing and a woman working while carrying a baby on her back.

If you look closely, it's not just humans. There was also a woman whose face and backs of her hands were covered in scales, who were probably from the lizardman race that I saw the corpse in the labyrinth, and another woman who had long ears, although not as long as Lucien's. However, her skin is dark, so from a fantasy perspective, she might be a dark elf or half human.

Two people dressed in robes, their faces hidden by hoods, are standing next to the entrance of the building. These two are probably also women. And judging from the way the robe bulges, it looks like there's a sword, staff, or some kind of weapon hidden underneath. I've been around a few times, so I know that these women are probably guards.

One of them called out to us in a low voice.

"Welcome to the home of women's salvation."

"I have come to ask the sisters of my heart to perform some secret techniques on me. I would like to ask Mother Valletta to intercede for me. My name is Lucien, and I have been indebted to you before."

Lucien bows politely and tells him his business.

"You do look familiar, elf sister."

The person who answered was a different woman than the one who had called out to me earlier.

"Let's ask Master Shimo about his availability. Amani, please do this."

The woman turned and walked into the building, and she returned within a few minutes.

"I have been given permission to go to the inner temple with only women. I will show you around."

We looked at each other. Lucien says apologetically.

“This person is our master, but is it still not acceptable for him to do the same thing?”

"Sister Elf. As you know, men are not allowed here."

"Actually, I wanted Shiro to get to know Shimo-sama, but I can't help it. Could you lend me Lina?"

Is there anything you would like to contact me about? Give the Lina doll along with the leather bag.

Following Lucien, Nolte and Carmilla were guided to a building with carved decorations a little further away.

I was asked to wait on a bench right next to the entrance. Another female guard is within reach.

"Is this the first time?"

A female guard asked.

"Huh? Yes, this is a temple for women only, what is it?"

"It's not an official temple, but it's a place for nuns to practice, and it's also a home for hurting women."

It seems to be something like a so-called last-minute temple.

From married women who ran away after being assaulted by their husbands to fugitive slaves, there is a tradition that says that anyone who takes refuge on this property is untouched. It is said that even the greatest outlaws do not venture here for fear of divine punishment.

I guess the people of this world are quite religious.

Also, Mother Valletta, the head of the monastery, seems to be a user of some special magic, one of which is said to be able to "prevent women from becoming pregnant unexpectedly." Apparently, the effect is not perfect and depends on the faith of the subject, and conversely, if the woman meets someone she truly loves, the magic's effect will be broken and she will be able to have a child.

And, there is no shortage of people who visit this place seeking her treatment and donate a small amount of money, and it seems that she is especially well known among the prostitutes of the royal capital.

Just then, I received a telepathic message from Lina.

(Lucien will probably tell you about the donation soon, but you probably won't notice the sign.)

Wow, did you go out of your way to bring Lina along for that purpose? I guess you should pay at this timing...but how much is the market price? You'll be in trouble if you don't know the common market prices for ceremonial occasions.

(If you're a poor prostitute, you don't really care if you only have one coin, but since you're a knight, I'd say at least a silver coin.To be honest, you showed me some pretty advanced magic.Also, Lucien... It seems like you have a lot of attachment to the monastery?)

The second half is Lina's opinion.

"Um...um, I'd like to make a donation."

"...I appreciate your request. I'm sure your wishes will reach heaven. Now, please go to the shrine over there. I'm sorry, but your lord is praying at the temple outside."

What the guard pointed at was a temple-like building next to it that was simply a large roof supported by numerous stone pillars.

When I visited, three people who looked like old women wearing simple robes were cleaning the area around the goddess statue. One person appeared to be blind and was fumbling to wipe the statue. The other person has a hood pulled over his eyes, so I can't see his face very well, but his arms and legs are short and covered in hair, so he doesn't look like a kobold, but I wonder if he's a beastman or something. ?

“Um, is this where you donate?”

"Well, thank God, please come here..."

"The two girls I'm with are receiving treatment from my girlfriend's master..."

"Oh, did you just show me around? I remember seeing that elf woman."

"Yes, my girlfriend taught me about it. It's my first time with the other two, but..."

"is that so···"

If you look closely, the two people who can see are also beastmen? An old woman who appeared to be dragging his leg was dragging him, and the other had burn marks or some kind of mark on her face. This is also a place where these people who are going through difficult times live.

After thinking for a while, I took out two small gold coins from the item box and handed them to the old woman in front of me.

“God bless you for such a generous donation...and may you find salvation for your soul at the end of your long journey.”

I didn't feel any particular kind of magical power in those old women, but the moment they chanted that, I felt like something resonated in my heart.

I have nothing to do with piety, and speaking of God, there are so many things I want to say to that fake goddess. First of all, I've had a really crappy life, and even now people praise me.

I don't live a good life, but is there still salvation?

When I returned to the bench at the entrance and was absentminded, the three of them returned.

Carmilla was picking up the scent around her as usual, but Nolte had a strange look on his face. It seems that various sermons are given during the treatment, so there may have been something that touched my heart.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, master."

Lucien's always somewhat tense atmosphere seems to have softened. His eyes seemed to ask, "Did you pay?", so I silently nodded.

That's probably what the guard at the entrance meant when he said to Lucien, ``Thank you for your kindness.''

We bowed and left the monastery.

In the back garden, I saw several thin women drawing water from a well.

"Master Shimo's magic has protected many women, but something like this will never happen, so don't be overconfident and be careful from now on, okay?"

Even I know what you're talking about. Lucien seems to be saying this in a way that Nolte and Carmilla can also hear.

"Yeah...I'll be careful what I say."

"Huh, well, you're young, so I can understand why you're so obsessed with being surrounded by such cute girls, but it's your responsibility as a man."

　It's a bit of an older sister's remark, but how old is an elf to be 33 years old?

“Lucien, how old is he in terms of human age?”

"Me? Well, it's difficult to compare elves because they live for hundreds of years, but it's said that it takes about twice as long for them to reach maturity as it does for humans, and they're considered an adult at the age of 30. That's why I'm your friend. In terms of age, I would say around 16 or 17 years old...

"You're younger than me!" Nolte and Carmilla are also a little surprised.

"But in my case, I became independent at 18, so I feel like I've been an adult for a long time now. So, I don't care if I'm called a beauty or a beautiful girl. ?”

　Either way you look at it, it's going to be beautiful, you must be too self-conscious.

I went through a lot of things in my mind, but Lucien remained calm.

“Oh yeah, how much did you donate?”

he asked smugly as he walked towards the castle gates.

“Well, I paid two small gold coins, was that okay?”

“Two gold coins…was I wrong in telling you that?”

“No, it’s not that, it’s because I wanted to do it... I mean, there are a lot of women who work or live here, and it seems like it’s going to be difficult, right? Or maybe I’m complacent. I don’t know, but…”

"No, I don't think that's the case. As you may have noticed, there is no distinction between humans and demihumans here, and they help unfortunate women without making any distinction."

"Yeah, that's right. Are you sure you're often discriminated against?"

``In areas like Ispata and Plato, demi-humans can't walk the streets alone, so Elzark is still better off, but even so, the idea of discrimination against demi-humans has become stronger recently, and it seems they're having trouble maintaining the House of Relief... So, thank you.”

Then he looked straight at me.

"Me too, I didn't have anywhere else to go, so if I could escape this time, I thought maybe I could work as a guard here, but I really wish we lived in a world where we didn't need facilities like this..."

That's what Lucien said as he looked back at the monastery he had left behind.