Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

Today is the day of our promised visit to the Testudo Temple with Irina-san. After a brief greeting with the head priest, we’re set to enjoy a meal together. So, I’ve brought Runa and Freesia along, and we’ve all come to Sevarya.

“I’m kind of scared to visit that temple…”

“Mm, I’m not scared, but it’s unsettling… I’m really not scared, though?”

Runa, arms crossed, emphasized her lack of fear as she nodded along to Freesia’s words. I wasn’t doubting her, but… maybe she actually is nervous about the temple? Last time, she held it together, but Testudo-sama’s presence was intense enough to throw her off. Even so, she won’t openly admit it—a real odd bit of pride, that one.

“But meeting that Dara girl sounds fun! She can fly, right?”

“That’s right! Flying felt absolutely amazing,” Noru added.

“I’m excited! I wanna get a ride too!”

“Loud elf. Still… I’m a little interested too.”

Since I told them about Dara, both of them seemed genuinely interested, especially in the part about flying. So, even with their fears, they seemed quite eager for this visit.

“Hmm-hmm, I wonder what kind of food they’ll serve at the temple! I’m really looking forward to it!”

“Me too! We haven’t had a proper Sevarya-style meal yet, so I can’t wait. Right, Onii-san?”

“Uh, yeah…”

Agreeing with Noru, Estel looked straight at me with her hand resting on her cheek. Why was she suddenly turning this to me? I hadn’t told Estel and the others about the meal I had with Noru the other day, so they shouldn’t know anything. Besides, Noru ate dinner as usual afterward, and there was nothing strange. …Maybe I should just tell them. I didn’t do anything wrong, but it’s starting to feel tense.

But as I was worrying, Estel’s expression grew serious.

“Even though it’s nice to be invited to the temple as a thank-you, it makes me a bit nervous. What if they ask us to pledge our faith in the guardian deity?”

“Hey, hey, Irina-san invited us in good faith, so isn’t it bad to be suspicious?”

“Ookura-san, you really trust Irina-san, don’t you? You looked pretty happy when she held your hand last time.”

“I-I wasn’t that happy about it! …Come on, Estel, Sisya, what’s with you two? Irina-san seems like a genuinely nice person, so why the suspicion?”

At my words, Estel and Sisya exchanged glances. Then Estel shot me a look, touching her cheek with a thoughtful frown.

“Well, you see?”

“Ookura-san, you have too many blind spots. Don’t go nodding along if you’re tempted by sweet words, alright?”

Sisya ended with her finger pointed, and Estel nodded along. Was I really that thrilled when she held my hand? Also, talk about a lack of trust! There’s no way this Heiha would just nod to anything Irina-san said without thinking!

As we strolled through Sevarya, headed for the temple’s white road, Freesia suddenly spoke up.

“…Huh? It feels totally different from the last time we were here.”

“Mm, the oppressive feeling is gone. Not unpleasant.”

Runa nodded in agreement. No discomfort?

“What’s that about? It’s not like its power’s been lost…”

“If that were the case, there’d be an uproar by now, right?”

“Hm… it doesn’t feel like the power’s gone. I can still sense the same energy as I did at the shrine,” Sisya added thoughtfully.

If Testudo-sama’s blessings are still here, why don’t Runa and Freesia feel the same weight? Not that I’m complaining, but it’s a bit odd.

Puzzled, I turned to Noru.

“Could it be that Testudo-sama knows about the fight at the shrine and decided to drop his guard?”

“Eh? Isn’t that kind of a stretch…”

“Well, it was the shrine with the sacred relic. It wouldn’t be too surprising, would it?”

Did he relax his guard because Freesia and the others protected the shrine? Sure, it kind of fits, but if that’s the case, isn’t it a little problematic…?

“But if that’s true, won’t Irina-san and the others catch on? I mean, Testudo-sama could tell them, right?”

“That’s entirely possible. We should stay cautious about what we say when we meet with them today.”

“This was just supposed to be a meal, but it’s becoming something else entirely, isn’t it…”

If Irina-san and the others find out Freesia and Runa were there during the fight, who knows what they’ll think. It’s one thing for them to know I didn’t handle it alone, but them knowing Freesia’s an elf or that Runa’s a vampire would be… tricky. If they do know, I’d probably have to beg them to keep quiet. Just thinking about this is starting to make my stomach hurt.

We continued along the white road, my shoulders feeling heavier with each step. As the grand white temple came into view, there at the end of the path stood Irina-san. Spotting us, she gave a welcoming smile.

“I’ve been expecting you. Thank you so much for coming today.”

“Oh, no, thank you for inviting us.”

After a brief greeting, I gestured for Freesia and Runa to step forward. Noru and I had gotten acquainted with them during the previous mission, but it was Freesia and Runa’s first time back, so I thought a formal introduction was in order.

“Thank you both so much for coming today. Allow me to introduce myself properly: I am Irina, a servant of Testudo-sama. I look forward to our time together.”

“I’m Runa. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Freesia! I’m so excited! I’ve been looking forward to meeting Dara!”

“Haha, Dara will be delighted to hear that. Well, let me show you around.”

Runa’s indifferent greeting gave me a bit of a chill, but Irina-san didn’t seem bothered in the least and just smiled as she invited us inside. What a kind person. The idea that she’d try to “tempt” me is just absurd. Estel and the others were just being paranoid. 

More important now is figuring out if Irina-san knows about Freesia and Runa.

“I appreciate you inviting us all, including Freesia and the others.”

“Please, don’t mention it. Any friend of Ookura-san’s is more than welcome. I hope you enjoy your time here.”

“Thanks! I can’t wait!”

“Expecting a thorough welcome.”

If she knew anything, I’d think she’d give away something in her manner. But I caught Estel’s eye and made a slight gesture; she shook her head subtly in return. Guess we’ll have to dig a little deeper.

*“Ahem, I don’t mean to be forward, but doesn’t the temple feel a bit different today? Freesia, don’t you think so?”*

“Yeah! The vibe’s softer!”

“Yes, I could sleep here.”

Not the place to nap, Runa! Really, this vampire… I almost rolled my eyes, but kept a straight face as Irina-san responded warmly.

“Last time, I sensed everyone’s nervousness, so I made some adjustments to the lighting. And it seems Testudo-sama is welcoming Freesia and the others as well.”

“Oh, is that so? Welcoming us… is there a reason?”

“I cannot know His full intentions… but you are friends of Ookura-san, who saved the shrine, after all. It seems He is offering you His blessing.”

Hmm, it seems she doesn’t know everything after all. I glanced at Estel, who formed a circle with her thumb and forefinger—a signal that things seemed safe. Whether it’s because they’re with me or because they protected the shrine, Testudo-sama does seem to have relaxed his stance on Freesia and Runa. And Irina-san had even been thoughtful enough to change the lighting after noticing their nervousness. Last time, it had felt a bit dim inside, but now it was brighter.

With a sigh of relief, we followed Irina-san to the main hall, where a man with a long, white beard awaited us, donned in traditional robes that looked like something out of old Japan.

“I have brought Ookura-sama and his companions.”

“Ah, thank you, Irina.”

Following Irina-san’s lead, I bowed in greeting.

“I am Laskoom, head of this temple. Please allow me to express our deepest gratitude for your heroic efforts in protecting the shrine.”

“Oh, no, thank you for the invitation to this wonderful temple.”

Hmm… I mean, I’m grateful, but “heroic efforts” feels a bit grand. It’s clear they hold Testudo-sama in the highest regard.

“Irina has already told me what you did, risking yourself to protect the shrine… We are sincerely thankful.”

“Oh, risking myself might be a bit of an exaggeration…”

“Oh no, don’t be so humble. To stand against such danger alone… you are truly a commendable person, Ookura-sama.”

With every bow and praise from the dignified Laskoom-san, even Irina-san seemed to gaze at me with an almost reverent look. I was a bit overwhelmed by all the flattery—I’m not used to such earnest praise. Also, I have to say, Irina-san’s admiration is getting a bit intense, almost like she’s putting me on a

 pedestal… Uncomfortable thoughts aside, Laskoom-san soon asked me a question.

“Ookura-sama, you aren’t originally from Sevarya, are you?”

“That’s right. We came to Sevarya not long ago for a guild request.”

“I see. And yet, you risked so much to protect the shrine. It brings us immense joy as servants of Testudo-sama.”

…Uh, wait, what? Why does it matter so much that someone not from Sevarya protected the shrine? I mean, could they think I might become a believer now? No, that’s too much. Maybe they’re just over-praising because I went back after the first escape and finished the fight. Well, as long as they don’t think poorly of us, I guess it’s fine.

“Since you’ve come all this way, we should move on from formalities. Though I won’t be able to join you, please enjoy your meal. Irina, I leave them in your care.”

“Yes, I’ll see to them. Let’s proceed, then. Head Priest, thank you.”

After our chat with Laskoom-san, we left the hall and continued our visit.