After saying that.
Inaba Tsukiyo seemed to realize something, and her body stiffened slightly.
"That person never left at all?"
"Correct."
Heimdall nodded.
"That fellow."
"Followed us all the way, right up to the door of this house."
"Even when I opened the door to see you all in, she was still hiding in the shadows of that street corner, watching you leave."
"Eh?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
Inaba Tsukiyo He suddenly raised his head..
On that small face that had always seemed to treat everything with composure, shock appeared for the first time.
Immediately following that.
That shock quickly transformed into deep self-reproach.
"I'm sorry, Lord God..."
Inaba Tsukiyo lowered her head, biting her lip, her voice trembling slightly.
She tightly clutched the hem of her skirt over her knees.
"It's because Little Tsukiyo was useless."
"Even though Lord God has given Little Tsukiyo so much..."
"In the end, I was followed the entire way, even right to the doorstep."
"Yet Little Tsukiyo didn't notice."
"It was Little Tsukiyo's negligence."
"If that had been an enemy..."
If it had been an enemy carrying killing intent.
If it had been an assassin aiming to ambush Lord God.
Then that entire journey back would have presented countless fatal openings.
For Inaba Tsukiyo, who prided herself on extraordinary perception and aspired to be the God's aid, this was a massive blow.
However.
The next second.
Heimdall reached out a hand.
There was no blame.
Instead, he gently rested it on the soft, silver hair atop Inaba Tsukiyo's head.
"?!"
Noticing Heimdall's action, Inaba Tsukiyo's body froze slightly. She didn't dodge, merely raising her head in confusion.
"There's no need to apologize."
"This was never your fault, Tsukiyo."
Heimdall gently stroked Inaba Tsukiyo's head, showing not the slightest hint of reproach.
"Speaking of which, do you want to know who that person following us was?"
"That person, you could say, was once a famous Adventurer in Orario."
"In terms of rank, she is a full three tiers higher than you are now."
"In terms of experience, she received the Favor several years before you did."
"Moreover, that person has constantly walked the line between life and death for revenge over the years. Her skill in concealing her presence has long been ingrained in her very bones."
"So, honestly."
Saying this,
Heimdall looked at Inaba Tsukiyo's still slightly downcast face and smiled.
"Tsukiyo."
"You, having only just received the Favor."
"And having become an Adventurer for less than a day."
"To be able to, as a Lv.1 newcomer."
"Detect that moment of incongruity while being deliberately concealed by a veteran Lv.4 assassin."
"You did very well."
"In fact, I could even say it was surprisingly good."
"Lord God... is that really true?"
Inaba Tsukiyo listened to Heimdall's words, somewhat disbelievingly.
Her sightless eyes widened slightly, as if trying to capture Heimdall's expression through the darkness.
"Of course it's true."
Heimdall's tone was resolute.
"Gods never lie."
"Especially not to the children they cherish."
"So."
"Tsukiyo, you don't need to blame yourself."
"Your talent is far more terrifying than you realize."
"It's just that you currently lack the time to grow."
"All of that can come slowly."
"However..."
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